Audio-Technica ATH-GL3 Review

For years, Audio-Technica has been one of the most dominant headphone companies in the world. With a diverse catalog of headphones for all lifestyles, I’m going to focus on one of their recent ventures into the world of gaming: the ATH-GL3 Earth. At $99, the GL3 has a lot of competition in the gaming headset market for the same price. Let’s see if Audio-Technica’s Midas Touch extends to this model.

What’s in the Box

• • • • • • • • • • • • • ATH-GL3 Headset
                        • Detachable mic
                        • Detachable TRRS Connector
                        • Detachable TRRS Stereo Slip Connector
                        • User Guide

Look and Feel

Overall, ATH-GL3 looks and feels great. Audio-Technica has a great sense of consistency across their devices, and the GL3 is no exception. This is their Earth model, which is characterized by its grounded, closed-back design, as opposed to the Air, which has an open-back design. While it definitely feels a bit less sturdy than some of their other models, I can tell that these are meant to see heavy use and have longevity in mind. They also feel great and are surprisingly lightweight, perfect for long playing sessions without fear of discomfort.

Design

Research has clearly been done on what makes a good gaming headset and what makes the user experience enjoyable. The GL3 has a detachable mic to maximize comfort between solo and multiplayer experiences. The mic has a surprisingly clear response. I did notice some clipping when moving it closer to my face, but when placed properly it sounds good. The left ear cup also features a volume dial and mic mute switch. The design is functional and simple.

The ATH-GL3 has a frequency response of 10 Hz – 35 kHz and an impedance of 45 Ohms.

Soundstage

The Soundstage is fundamental to a gaming headset. In most instances, the stereo field needs to accurately create the illusion of traversing a 3D space. This doesn’t just impact the enjoyment but also can have a serious impact on your performance in the game. Thankfully, the sound field on the GL3 is very wide and accurately depicts the area around my character. Subtle, dynamic details were brought out well and I felt completely immersed. The soundstage on the GL3 did nothing but enhance my experience.

Lows

Nothing is worse than bad lows in a gaming headset. Thankfully, the GL3 has clear and cinematic lows. While not the most accentuated, it served the overall gaming experience to have tight and controlled low end rather than boosted lows for something like music. Lows are often used more sparingly in games than in music; they’re mainly used during intense moments for an onomatopoeic effect, so having them slightly subdued heightens the impact of the action.

Mids

I personally heard some slight muddiness at times in the mids, but only at incredibly loud and hectic points in the game. Overall, the mids do their job and highlight a diverse range of sounds. They can get very textured when needed, but don’t shy away from adding impact when necessary.

Highs

Time and time again the GL3 impressed me with its crisp, clear highs. They brought subtle textures to the sound that helped me feel immersed. Things like wind and leaves rustling were heightened to great effect, and the highs gave a good sense of atmosphere.

Overall

Earth is based around a key goal: Immersion. Its closed-back design heightens my immersion, but in a secure way that doesn’t overwhelm. While it has some flaws, none are nearly enough to outweigh the numerous pros of GL3. While not ideal for pure music listening, GL3 can still sound good as a set of regular headphones outside of gaming. They might not have made me better at the game, but the ATH-GL3s made the game feel better for me.

You can buy the ATH-GL3 at Audio46