Audeze Mobius Review

When it comes to gaming, GPUs, CPUs, monitors, keyboards, game controllers, and even mice tend to get most of the attention. But a good gaming headset can make an enormous difference. Since in-game audio is crucial to spatial awareness, a proper set of purpose-built gaming headphones can deliver benefits such as improving your kill/death (k/d) ratio. The Audeze Mobius gaming headset offers a slew of benefits including 7.1 virtual surround sound, 3D audio, and an array of connectors for both PCs and consoles. With stellar performance, the Mobius is a versatile, audiophile-caliber gaming headset. Learn why you should consider the Audeze Mobius in our hands-on review!

Audeze Mobius Gaming Headset Specs

Hailing from high-end headphone manufacturer Audeze, the Mobius is a top-shelf gaming headset. Onboard, you’ll find 3D audio and virtual 7.1 surround sound. Waves Nx head tracking comes standard. The Mobius works with PCs and consoles such as the PlayStation 4 (PS4), PS5, Xbox One X, and Xbox Series X. Since processing takes place in the headphones themselves, there’s little to no latency. A flexible, detachable microphone features noise attenuation alongside a mute button and volume controls. As such, it’s equally great for in-game voice chat as it is for office calls in Zoom, Skype, Microsoft Teams, or Google Hangouts. And the Mobius is even Discord-certified.

Several different connection options allow you to hook the Audeze up to various devices including PCs, consoles, phones, and tablets. Wired and wireless hookups include USB-C or USB Type-A , Bluetooth with AAC and LDAC, plus a 3.5mm headphone jack. The earcups and headband are comprised of memory foam. In the box, you’ll find a host of different accessories. There’s a USB Type-C to USB Type-A cable, USB-C to USB-C cable, 3.5mm cable, detachable microphone, and a convenient carrying case.

Audeze Mobius specs:

• 3D audio
• 7.1 surround sound
• WAVES Nx technology
• Bluetooth, USB, and 3.5mm headphone jack
• Detachable, flexible microphone
• Discord-certified
• Included accessories: 1 x USB-C to USB-C cable, 1 x USB-C to USB Type-A cable, 1 x 3.5mm headphone jack, 1 x detachable flexible mic, 1 x soft carrying case

Audeze Mobius Design, Build Quality, and Comfort

Unlike many gaming headsets on the market, the Audeze Mobius eschews gaudy LEDs or a distinct design that screams “gamer” for a more muted, subtle approach. Its black and grey coloring looks just as comfortable in an office setting as it does during LAN parties. The detachable microphone is flexible which lets you position the mic where you want it.

On the left earcup, the Mobius gaming headset sports a bevy of ports and controls. A 3D button lets you toggle between its various virtual surround sound modes or turn off 3D audio. Separate microphone and volume control wheels make setting your mic and audio levels a breeze. And a dedicated mute button enables you to easily turn off the mic. There’s a mic input for the included microphone, a USB-C port, and a 3.5mm jack. The power button boots up the Mobius headphones.

Outfitted with memory foam padding on the earcups as well as its headband, the Audeze Mobius gaming headphones remain comfortable even over hours of use. During a stress test of several hours, the Mobius didn’t begin to feel heavy or uncomfortable. The gaming cans are lightweight enough to feel food without feeling cheap or delicate. While you won’t want to chuck the Mobius headset around aggressively, it should be more than fine protected simply by the bundled soft carrying case.

Gaming Performance – How does the Audeze Mobius Handle Video Games?

The Audeze Mobius headset features two main modes, 3D surround sound and stereo. Its 3D setting includes modes of its own such as audio and manual. In-game performance with 3D surround sound proves immersive. The microphone and volume control wheels spin to control the respective mic and audio levels. Additionally, both volume knobs click in letting you select from different modes such as 7.1 surround sound, stereo, and Bluetooth. What’s more, you can enable profiles like music, flat, default, ballistics, and footsteps. Therefore, you can customize your listening experience according to what you’re playing or listening to.

While the onboard controls can be a bit tricky, PC users benefit from the Audeze HQ app which lets you enable settings via software when plugged in using a USB cable. That way, you can easily view your current settings and switch those up.

3D performance is shockingly good. Boasting Waves Nx technology, a virtual audio environment is established using head tracking. This allows the Mobius headset to simulate a virtual speaker environment. After I tapped the 3D audio button and centered it while facing my ultrawide gaming monitor, turning my head actually made audio louder in the headphone closer to the anchor point and lower in the opposite headphone. The effect was surprisingly lifelike, mimicking the experience of turning my head while listening to my 5.1 Dolby Atmos soundbar.

Surround sound offers a lot of benefits. You’ll find both 7.1 and 5.1 surround sound support, though this is limited to USB mode. You can’t use surround sound over Bluetooth. Using 3D with head tracking and 7.1, directional audio provides an immersive gaming experience. Moreover, you may even benefit from performance games. For instance, it’s easier to determine the direction of footsteps or gunshots using surround sound and head tracking. Thus, you can better ascertain the direction of in-game elements such as enemy footsteps or bullets.

Testing out its capabilities for gaming, I was incredibly impressed. During Hitman (2016), I was able to better tell the direction of approaching footsteps, which made it easier to hide from enemy artificial intelligence (AI). Likewise, while playing Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, the Mobius 3D headset allowed me to hear where bullets were whizzing from and avoid them.

Entertainment Analysis – Using Audeze Mobius for Music and Movies

While the Audeze Mobius is marketed as a gaming headset, it works great for entertainment as well. Music sounded fantastic with a balanced soundstage and excellent bass response. Playing John Lee Hooker’s “One Bourbon, One Scotch, and One Beer,” the Mobius kept Hooker’s warbling vocals crisp and clear. The bass plucks, guitar strums, and piano key taps all remained equally evident.

On the Grateful Dead’s “Friend of the Devil,” the layered guitars seemed to come at me from all directions as though I were at a live concert. “Shiny Suit Theory” by Jay Electronica kept Jay Elec’s vocals crystal clear with hard-slapping drum sample underneath. “X” by ScHoolboy Q, 2 Chainz, Saudi, and Kendrick Lamar from the Black Panther soundtrack with its decidedly bass-heavy backing instrumentals exhibited powerful bass response on the low end without muddying the track or washing out vocals.

Similarly, watching movies with the Mobius as a set of headphones proved a real treat. I enjoyed its virtual surround sound mode and 3D capabilities for watching films. “Crimson Peak” sounded absolutely magnificent through the Mobius. With its 3D sound on and 7.1 enabled, its epic score and impressive sound design were the best a headset can deliver. A creaking door off to the left of the screen actually emanated from that direction. Likewise, thunder rumbled convincingly from a virtual right rear surround sound speaker.

“Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark” sounded gorgeous on the Mobius. During a scarecrow transformation scene, the rustling of straw appears to attack from all directions. Rustling corn pans across a set of virtual speakers along with the camera’s movement. Although the Mobius doesn’t have the same level of immersion as my Vizio SB36512-F6 5.1 Dolby Atmos soundbar, it manages to blow most other gaming headsets out of the water.

Office Productivity and Mobile Use

In addition to its gaming and entertainment prowess, the Audeze Mobius is a solid option for office productivity and mobile use. I had no issues pairing the Mobius with my Samsung Galaxy S9+ Android handset or my Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 2014. In its Bluetooth mode, the Audeze Mobius packs support for AAC, LDAC, and SBC. Tidal, Spotify, and Plex music streaming as well as local file playback all sounded great. Alternatively, you can hook up the Mobius using a 3.5mm headphone jack to MP3 players and devices without Bluetooth or USB.

There’s good noise isolation which makes the Mobius perfect for tuning out ambient noises in the office or home office. Its built-in microphone works flawlessly and is as good for in-game chat as conference calls.

The Competition

The Audeze Mobius is hands-down the best gaming headset that you can buy. Despite a plethora of convincing virtual surround sound gaming headsets on the market, none match the advanced features such as Waves Nx head tracking and high-end audio performance on the Mobius. The Logitech G Pro X and G Pro X Wireless feature good surround sound capabilities. Corsair’s Virtuoso Wireless SE touts virtual 7.1 surround sound, a stellar microphone, and wireless functionality. Razer’s BlackShark V2 Pro delivers awesome virtual 7.1 for less than the Audeze Mobius’s nearly $400 price tag.

At around $399, the Audeze Mobius doesn’t come cheap. Boasting top-notch audio for movies and music in addition to game-specific features, it’s a set of cans that can make your vinyl collection shine while improving your in-game awareness. So despite the high price tag, the Audeze Mobius is effectively an all-purpose pair of headphones. For gamers that already have a quality set of cans for listening to music, the Mobius may seem a bit steep. Of course, it’s totally worth it for the impressive 3D audio and head tracking. But for users seeking a multi-purpose pair of headphones for gaming, entertainment, and even work, the Audeze Mobius is a fantastic choice.

Final Thoughts – Should You Buy the Audeze Mobius?

Overall, I’m impressed with the nearly unrivaled versatility of the Audeze Mobius. Since using it, I’ve designated it my daily driver over my Logitech G933 Artemis. While it’s a gaming-first headset, the Mobius delivers audiophile-caliber performance in a set of cans that look classy enough for conference calls and business settings. A whole host of different audio profiles ranging from stereo to virtual 7.1 and an array of connectivity options ensure that regardless of your media or devices, the Mobius can handle whatever you throw at it. Spatial 3D proves immersive for movies and gaming alike.

The price may be a bit steep for casual users at around $399. Battery life at around 4 hours is decent but not spectacular. While there are wireless modes, you lose out on any of the advanced gaming features. Onboard controls are convenient for switching modes and profiles, though it may become confusing which mode you’re in. Luckily, the headphones announce clearly what settings you’ve just changed, and the Audeze HQ app for PCs offers a visualization. Ultimately, the audiophile-quality performance and innovative spatial audio technology chisel the Mobius out as the best gaming headset that money can buy.