How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-08 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
• Redragon H848 — biggest strength: three connection modes (2.4GHz, Bluetooth, USB-C wired) plus 7.1 surround sound and a detachable noise-cancellation mic, all in a 178g body.
• Redragon H848 — biggest trade-off: 7.1 surround only works in 2.4GHz and wired mode, not over Bluetooth, and it won't work with Xbox at all since there's no 3.5mm cable or adapter in the box.
• FOXXRAY HAU-37 — biggest strength: large 50mm dynamic drivers, a bendable mic, and an in-line controller that switches four sound fields and four lighting effects without touching your PC.
• FOXXRAY HAU-37 — biggest trade-off: it's wired USB only, so there's no battery freedom and no Bluetooth — you're tethered to the machine.
• Pick the Redragon H848 if you want one headset for PC, PS5/4/3, Switch and mobile, and you value wireless freedom and low weight.
• Pick the FOXXRAY HAU-37 if you want a simple wired setup for a desktop or laptop and you like having physical controls within reach.
The H848 is built around flexibility. It's the first Redragon headset with three connection modes, so you can run a 2.4GHz receiver for low-latency gaming, switch to Bluetooth for a phone or tablet, or plug in USB-C for wired use. The 7.1 surround sound is engaged by double-pressing the mic on/off button — but only in 2.4GHz or wired mode. Over Bluetooth, that surround processing drops away, so if surround is your reason for buying, plan to stay on the dongle or the cable.
Comfort is the other headline. At 178g it's genuinely light, and the memory foam padding plus breathable fabric earcups are designed for long sessions without heat build-up. Battery life is rated at 20–25 hours with a 2.5-hour charge, and the headset powers itself down after 10 minutes with no audio source, which quietly protects that runtime. The detachable noise-cancellation mic handles chat, and all volume and mute controls sit on the left earcup.
Who should buy it: someone who moves between a PC, a PlayStation, a Switch and a phone, wants surround sound for gaming, and refuses to be tied to a desk. Who should skip it: Xbox owners, since there's no 3.5mm cable or adapter included, and anyone who wants surround over Bluetooth — that combination simply isn't supported. I'd also flag one quirk: the headset can't switch to Bluetooth or 2.4GHz while the USB-C cable is plugged in, so you have to unplug before changing modes.
The HAU-37 takes the opposite approach. It's a wired USB headset, full stop — gold-plated USB connector, braided cable, plug-and-play with no drivers required for basic use. That single cable is also its power source, so there's no battery to manage and no charging routine to remember.
Where it pulls ahead on paper is driver size. The 50mm dynamic drivers are larger than the H848's 40mm, and FOXXRAY pairs them with a virtual 7.1 surround effect and tuning aimed at clear highs, balanced mids and deep lows. The in-line controller is the real convenience feature: four sound field presets, four lighting effects, mic on/off and volume, all reachable by feel. The bendable microphone lets you position the boom for better voice pickup, and the adjustable headband plus large soft ear cushions are meant to fit a wide range of head sizes over long sessions. Passive noise cancellation comes from the closed over-ear design rather than active electronics.
Who should buy it: desktop and laptop gamers who want a straightforward wired setup, RGB lighting, and physical controls they can hit mid-match. Who should skip it: anyone who needs wireless, Bluetooth, or console flexibility beyond USB — the driver software for EQ tweaking is Windows-only, and the headset itself is USB-tethered.
• Best for wireless freedom → Redragon H848. 2.4GHz and Bluetooth let you leave the desk; the HAU-37 has no wireless mode at all.
• Best for surround sound without a cable → Redragon H848. Its 7.1 works in 2.4GHz and wired mode, so you get surround on the dongle.
• Best for console variety → Redragon H848. It's listed for PC, PS5/4/3, Switch and mobile; the HAU-37 is positioned for PC, PS4, PS5 and laptop over USB.
• Best for bigger drivers → FOXXRAY HAU-37. 50mm versus 40mm is a real physical difference in the spec sheet.
• Best for on-the-fly tweaking → FOXXRAY HAU-37. Four sound fields and four lighting effects sit on the in-line controller; the Redragon keeps things to volume and mic mute on the earcup.
• Best for long-session comfort by weight → Redragon H848. 178g is the lighter build, and the fabric earcups are designed to stay cool.
• Best for zero charging hassle → FOXXRAY HAU-37. Wired USB means nothing to plug in at night.
• Best for chat flexibility → Redragon H848. The noise-cancellation mic detaches entirely when you don't need it.
My Verdict
how to get surround sound headphones
You don't need special hardware — you need a headset with a surround mode and the right connection. On the Redragon H848, double-press the mic on/off button in 2.4GHz or wired mode to enable 7.1 surround; it isn't available over Bluetooth. On the FOXXRAY HAU-37, the virtual 7.1 surround effect is part of the USB audio path, so plugging in the gold-plated USB connector is all it takes.
how to test surround sound headphones
Use content with clear directional cues — a game with positional audio or a surround demo track — and listen for whether sounds move left, right and behind you rather than sitting flat in the center. On the H848, confirm you're in 2.4GHz or wired mode first, since surround is disabled on Bluetooth. On the HAU-37, cycle through its four sound field presets on the in-line controller and pick the one that images most convincingly.
how to make surround sound headphones work with a PC
For the FOXXRAY HAU-37, it's plug-and-play: connect the USB cable and it works without additional drivers, and you can download the official driver for extra EQ settings if you're on Windows. For the Redragon H848, plug in the 2.4GHz receiver, switch the headset to 2.4G mode, then double-press the mic button to turn on 7.1 surround. Note that the H848 won't switch to 2.4G or Bluetooth while the USB-C cable is still connected.
how to fix surround sound headphones when surround stops working
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