With $2 million on the line at PGL Major Stockholm 2021, Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev and Natus Vincere (Na’Vi) pushed through a flawless CS:GO run. The pressure was enormous as Na’Vi stood on the brink of securing their place in history.

The Grand Final with G2 Esports turned into a tense, draining double overtime. Yet, s1mple secured the win to claim both the championship and solidified his status as the undisputed "Greatest of All Time."

However, eagle-eyed readers may notice one crucial detail: there are three cables connected to s1mple’s headset.

And distinctly, one pair of them appears to be for in-ear earphones under his headset.

To the casual viewer, this might seem like a strange choice: Why are earphones inside the headphones?

Esports rules enforce a dual-audio setup to keep matches fair. Players hear the game through in-ears, while the outer headset suppresses arena noise with passive noise cancellation, and even white noise; its boom mic is also typically used just for team communication.

Therefore, if the pros have been using earbuds all this time for their audio and the headsets were for noise suppression, the belief that over-ear headsets are the optimal choice compared to earbuds is not only wrong, but outdated.

The modern earbud has achieved parity with headsets, and in some areas, even surpassed them. Gaming earbuds deliver superior ergonomic comfort, unmatched portability, and substantially greater versatility across a comprehensive range of use cases.

The reliance, and preference, of these pro athletes are a testament to the quality and value that earbuds bring to the modern gamer.

It is time to reevaluate the gaming headset. 

Re-defining Gaming Audio - 2026 and Beyond

1. Enhanced Ergonomics and Sustained Comfort

Inherent to the design of traditional headsets is the compromise on comfort. Prolonged use eventually leads to headset-induced fatigue as headsets rely on clamping tension to stay secure.

Earbuds eliminate any pressure-related discomfort by bypassing the clamping force entirely. Its lightweight design is also beneficial for users wearing eyewear, which don’t press the frame into one’s skin.

Furthermore, over-ear designs trap heat and moisture, leading to sweat accumulation. In-ear monitors ensure your ears always have proper ventilation, allowing each user to focus on the audio experience rather than on the burdens of discomfort.

SANWEAR was engineered with comfort and ergonomics as one of the foundational design principles. With a proper and secure fit that results in the right seal, both sound quality and comfort during extended use become dramatically improved.

2. Portability and Cross-Platform Versatility

Headsets demand more from the user: dedicated stands, additional cable routing, and proper storage space are all required for a device typically restricted to a single use case: gaming.

In contrast, wireless earbuds are housed in a compact charging case, often no larger than a standard credit card and eliminate the complexities of additional desk and cable management.

However, the true advantage of products like SANWEAR-GAMETYPE lies in its universal versatility across a wide scope of digital ecosystems. Many conventional headsets are restricted by platform exclusivity, specific connection protocols (Bluetooth or 2.4GHz), or the need for extra adapters. SANWEAR-GAMETYPE offers seamless connectivity across any device: PC, consoles and handhelds, and mobile.

Our proprietary SANSYNC 2.4GHz wireless technology delivers an ultra-low latency connection of 20ms, crucial for competitive gameplay. The Bluetooth 5.3 is rated at a slightly higher 30ms latency, perfect for any listening activity including casual gaming.

Both modes embody industry-leading performance for wireless audio, often rivaling the responsiveness of wired solutions, without the inconveniences of wired. And unlike most 2.4GHz wireless protocols, the charging case already integrates the hardware for SANSYNC; thus eliminating the need for separate dongles.

3. Performance Parity and Acoustic Advantages

Driver Size

A common misconception is that a larger driver size (40-50mm) guarantees superior acoustic performance. While driver size is a considerable factor, it is only one variable in a complex formula that includes material quality, acoustic tuning, chamber design, and the quality of the ear seal.

The reduced form factor of an in-ear monitor enables a critical design advantage: the economical integration of superior, costly materials.

For earbuds, material requirements are minimal. This allows for the use of higher-grade materials that yield superior performance per unit of mass, thus enabling the use of beryllium-graphene composite diaphragms in SANWEAR's Hyper-Dynamic Drivers. Achieving this level of material sophistication would simply not be possible in a full-sized headset, both economically and structurally.

In-ear monitors also possess another unique acoustic advantage.

Closer Proximity and Sound Isolation. 

High-fidelity earbuds are positioned directly within the ear canal. Sound is delivered into a sealed and controlled acoustic chamber, eliminating the diffusion and sound bleeding inherent in over-ear designs. This direct delivery facilitates incredibly precise 3D spatial imaging.

In competitive titles, the razor-sharp spatial imaging provides an indispensable advantage, allowing for pinpoint accuracy in locating approaching footsteps and distinguishing vertical audio cues.

Superior Noise Cancellation

Finally, a well-fitted, high-quality earbud offers superior Passive Noise Cancellation (PNC). Gaming headsets rely on soft earcup pads for sealing, which degrade and compress over time. This compromises the acoustic seal and allows external noise intrusion.

In contrast, silicone ear tips create a durable, long-lasting seal that inherently blocks ambient sound. Additionally, ANC systems manipulate the output frequency, often degrading the overall audio quality potential, while introducing additional computing processes that accelerate battery depletion.

We, therefore, challenge the necessity, not the competency, for Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) in earbuds, but not its competency.

SANWEAR prioritizes maximizing noise suppression through precision fit and ergonomic excellence (PNC), achieving exceptional isolation without the acoustic compromises or energy consumption associated with ANC. 

When passive isolation is optimized, ANC becomes unnecessary.

The New Baseline in Gaming Audio

SANWEAR-GAMETYPE represents the next generation of high-fidelity gaming audio: in-ear monitors engineered with beryllium-infused Hyper-Dynamic Drivers, 20ms SANSYNC 2.4GHz low-latency transmission, and an ergonomic design validated, and actively refined, through extensive community prototyping.

Your pursuit of superior audio deserves an uncompromising, extraordinary solution. SANWEAR is Audio Endgame.

Learn why gamers and audiophiles are choosing SANWEAR's gaming earbuds over traditional headsets.

Experience SANWEAR-GT | Discover Hyper Reality Audio

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