Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
GamesRadar
GamesRadar
Technology
Rosalie Newcombe

FOUND: Does size really matter the difference between 40mm and 50mm gaming headset drivers explained | Mind Blowing Facts

Photo of the white SKU SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless gaming headset, taken by Rosalie Newcombe, with SteelSeries pink accessories attached.

If you've spent any amount of time researching the best gaming headsets, you're bound to have come across differently-sized audio drivers. No matter if it's a pair of cups from Razer, SteelSeries, or Logitech, they'll be listed amongst the rest of the specs, and sometimes, even be plastered across the side of the packaging.

Gaming headset audio drivers can come in sizes from anywhere between 20mm to 50mm, but most modern pairs will switch between 40mm and 50 mm. If you have absolutely zero experience in audio tech, reading these sizes may just sound like audiophile gobbledegook. But the size of your audio driver can give you an idea of what to expect when it comes to sound - 40mm are better equipped to handle higher and mid frequencies, meanwhile 50mm are more suited for lower bass frequency ranges.

It's not an exact science, and there are more important determining factors, from the type of driver (eg, dynamic, or Planar Magnetic) to the quality of the components that make up the speaker to begin with. But if you're stuck choosing between two headsets, one with 40 mm-sized drivers and one with 50mm, I'm here to explain how they differ, and what that means for your future gaming sessions.

What are gaming headset audio drivers?

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.