Low latency, explained: what gamers should know about wireless audio

You press the button, but the sound of the shot arrives a split second later. That gap is called latency, and in gaming it matters. Here's what you need to know before choosing wireless gaming audio.

What is audio latency?

Latency is the delay between something happening on screen and the moment you hear it. Every wireless connection adds some delay while audio is encoded, transmitted and decoded. For music it's barely noticeable; in fast-paced games it can throw off your timing.

How much latency is too much?

As a rule of thumb, many people start to notice a mismatch between image and sound somewhere above 100 milliseconds, and standard Bluetooth connections can easily go beyond that. Dedicated gaming modes cut the delay to keep sound in sync with the action.

Our M20 and M29 gaming earphones feature a 60 ms low-latency gaming mode, so footsteps, reloads and explosions land exactly when they should.

Wired or wireless?

• Wired headsets have no wireless delay at all and never need charging, which makes them a favourite for competitive play at a desk. The aluminium H10 is our wired option.
• Wireless headsets give you freedom to move and fewer cables on your setup. The lightweight H11 connects over 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth at the same time, so you can take a call without leaving the game.

Don't forget the rest of your setup

Great sound isn't only about headsets. Desktop speakers with spatial audio, like the G9 with 7.1 surround, bring a wide soundstage to single-player adventures and movie nights.

Level up

Browse the full Magnussen Gaming collection.