How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-29 · 8 min read · Independent comparison
• XOX KG01 — biggest strength: in-ear sound localization with 4D surround sound, an 11mm dynamic driver and a DAC decoding chip, plus a detachable omnidirectional mic that turns it into a normal pair of earbuds when you're not in a call.
• XOX KG01 — biggest trade-off: it's an in-ear design, so the soundstage and the physical "feel" of surround audio stay smaller than a full over-ear cup, and passive noise cancellation is all you get.
• GAMER FANATIC Gaming Headset — biggest strength: 50mm dynamic drivers and 3D surround sound inside full over-ear cups with memory-foam-style PU protein leather padding and a stainless steel headband — the classic immersive headset experience.
• GAMER FANATIC Gaming Headset — biggest trade-off: it's heavier (8.8 ounces), fully wired with a 2.2M PVC cable, and the mic is built in rather than detachable, so it always looks like a gaming headset.
• Who each is for: XOX KG01 suits mobile, handheld and multi-device gamers who want a pocketable, mic-optional setup; GAMER FANATIC suits desk and console players who want maximum immersion and don't mind a bigger, permanently wired headset.
The XOX KG01 is a gaming earbud built around one idea: hear the enemy before you see them. The 11mm dynamic driver paired with 4D surround sound and a DAC decoding chip is the core of that promise — the DAC handles the audio processing so the positioning cues in the mix actually come through instead of getting flattened by a weak onboard output. The frequency response runs the standard 20Hz–20kHz range at 16 ohm impedance and 105dB sensitivity, which means it's easy to drive from a phone or a controller jack without needing a separate amp.
What I like most about the design is flexibility. The microphone detaches completely. In a call or a squad match, you clip it on and get an omnidirectional pickup that's flexible and bendable, tuned to grab your voice up close while suppressing noise coming from behind and to the sides. Off comms, you pull the mic, and you're holding a normal pair of black in-ear earbuds with a braided cable — good for music, commuting, whatever. The braided cable isn't just cosmetic either: the design brief calls out reduced electromagnetic interference, better durability and a sturdier double-line construction, which matters when a thin rubber cable is the first thing to fail on cheap earbuds.
Buy it if you game across multiple devices. The 3.5mm and USB-C connections cover iPhone 16/15-series phones, USB-C devices without an adapter, PlayStation over 3.5mm, and Xbox Series X, Series S, Xbox One and PS5. The over-ear hook keeps the bud locked in during long sessions, and at 2 ounces you'll forget you're wearing it.
GAMER FANATIC Gaming Headset: Who It's For
The GAMER FANATIC Gaming Headset goes the opposite direction: bigger drivers, bigger cups, bigger feel. The 50mm dynamic drivers are more than four times the diameter of the XOX's 11mm units, and that's the whole point — larger drivers move more air, which is why over-ear gaming headsets are the default choice when you want 3D surround sound to feel like it's coming from around you rather than inside your skull. Impedance is 32 ohm with 108dB sensitivity, so it also drives fine straight from a controller or motherboard jack.
Comfort is clearly the design priority. The earcups use PU protein leather over foam padding, the headband is a stainless steel skeleton, and the cups themselves are described as over-ear rather than on-ear — which means the cushion surrounds your ear instead of pressing on it. That's the difference between a two-hour headset and a six-hour one. The cable is a long 2.2M PVC run, so you've got room to move from a console across the room or a tower under the desk.
The styling is loud on purpose. RGB seven-color breathing light glows through the armor-style earcups, and the brown finish sets it apart from the usual all-black crowd. The microphone is integrated rather than detachable — an HD mic tuned for clear callouts to your team — so the headset always reads as gaming gear, which some people love and some people don't.
Buy it if your gaming happens at a desk or on a couch with a console, and you want the classic immersive over-ear experience with surround sound and a bit of visual flair. Skip it if you game on a phone, want something you can pocket, or want a mic you can remove when you're not on comms. At 8.8 ounces it's roughly four times the weight of the XOX, and that's noticeable over a long grind.
• Best for surround sound immersion → GAMER FANATIC Gaming Headset. 50mm drivers in full over-ear cups produce a wider, more physical sense of 3D surround sound than in-ear buds can.
• Best for competitive footstep tracking on the go → XOX KG01. 4D surround sound through a DAC decoding chip, tuned specifically for sound localization and pinpointing enemy movement.
• Best for lightweight, forget-it's-there wear → XOX KG01. 2 ounces, ergonomic over-ear hooks, in-ear fit.
• Best for multi-device flexibility → XOX KG01. 3.5mm and USB-C with no adapter needed, covering iPhone 16/15, USB-C devices, PS5, Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One.
• Best for a permanently wired desk setup → GAMER FANATIC Gaming Headset. A 2.2M PVC cable gives you reach without a dongle or adapter in the chain.
• Best for mic flexibility → XOX KG01. The detachable omnidirectional mic comes off entirely; the GAMER FANATIC's HD mic is integrated and always present.
• Best for style-forward rigs → GAMER FANATIC Gaming Headset. RGB seven-color breathing light and armor-style earcups versus the XOX's understated black-and-metal look.
My Verdict
If I had to pick one, I'd buy the GAMER FANATIC Gaming Headset — but only for a specific kind of buyer. In my opinion, if you game at a desk or on a console and surround sound is the whole reason you're shopping, the 50mm drivers and over-ear cups deliver the more convincing 3D surround experience, and the padded, steel-framed build is the one I'd rather wear for a long ranked session.
The XOX KG01 is the better answer if your gaming is portable, multi-device, or you want a mic that disappears when you're done talking. In my opinion it's the smarter pick for phone and handheld players, and its detachable mic plus 4D surround sound make it unusually versatile for an earbud. Decide which of those two lives is yours, then check the current price on Amazon before you commit.
how to get surround sound headphones
You don't need to buy a "surround sound" headset in the literal sense — you need one that processes directional audio. Both of these do it in software/hardware terms: the XOX KG01 uses 4D surround sound with a DAC decoding chip, and the GAMER FANATIC uses 3D surround sound through its 50mm drivers. Plug either into a compatible 3.5mm or USB-C source and the surround processing is handled by the headset, not by a separate box.
how to test surround sound headphones
The practical test is positional: play a game or clip with a clear, moving sound source — footsteps circling you, a vehicle passing left to right — and see whether you can point to where it is without looking. On the XOX KG01 that's exactly what the sound localization tuning and DAC chip are designed for; on the GAMER FANATIC the larger over-ear cups give the effect more physical width. If left, right, front and rear all read distinctly, the surround processing is working.
how to make surround sound headphones
You can't convert a pair of plain stereo headphones into true surround ones — the processing has to exist in the headset or the source. What you can do is match the headset to the job: choose the XOX KG01 when you need directional cues in a lightweight in-ear format, or the GAMER FANATIC when you want that sense of space from full over-ear cups. Then make sure you're using the right connection, since both are wired and depend on a solid 3.5mm or USB-C link.
how to fix surround sound headphones
Start with the connection, because both of these are wired: reseat the 3.5mm jack or USB-C plug fully, and confirm you're on a port that actually carries audio. On the XOX KG01, check that the detachable microphone is seated properly if voice comms are the issue. If the surround effect sounds flat, the usual culprit is the source device defaulting to plain stereo output rather than the headset's own 4D or 3D processing.
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