Audio-Technica ATH-GDL3WH Open-Back Gaming Headset, White
$129.00
Price: $129.00
(as of Jan 04, 2025 15:36:50 UTC – Details)
Arising from a deep heritage of Japanese analogue audio, Audio-Technica high-fidelity gaming headsets continue to deliver a purity of sound that’s all too rare in the gaming world. The elemental spirit of air inspires the natural, open-back design of the ATH-GDL3 headset, delivering a spacious, immersive listening experience. And at less than 220 grams, the headset is nearly as light as air, allowing you to game for hours in comfort. Inside the open-back housings are large 45 mm drivers that provide high-resolution audio with exquisite detail. The left earcup has a built-in volume control dial and a mute switch for convenient control of the professional-quality boom microphone. The mic is detachable, as are the two included cables: a 3.0 m (9.8′) cable with 3.5 mm (1/8″) mic and headphone plugs for connecting to computers, and a 1.2 m (3.9′) cable with a 3.5 mm (1/8″) TRRS plug for connecting to PS5, Xbox Series X, and other gaming consoles. Compatible with PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, laptops, PCs, and other devices with a standard 3.5 mm TRRS headset connector or with a separate mic input and headphone output.
Open-back gaming headset lets you localize sounds (an approaching opponent, for example) within an expansive sound field
Large-diameter 45 mm drivers deliver high-resolution audio with exquisite detail
Incredibly lightweight headset (less than 220 grams) offers long hours of comfortable gaming
State-of-the-art, flexible (and detachable) boom microphone, with highly directional pickup, provides crystal-clear in-game voice communication
Volume control dial and mute switch are built into the left earcup for convenient control of the microphone
Customers say
Customers appreciate the headphones’ comfort, lightweight design, and good value for money. They find the fit snug around their ears and create a tight seal without getting too hot or itchy. Many customers are satisfied with the airflow and consider them a great value. However, some dislike the connection length and have mixed opinions on sound quality, mic quality, and build quality.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Bill P. –
Very comfortable for large heads
I have very little experience with gaming headsets… Because my head is too big! However, these sound great to me. I use them with the Turtle Beach Recon controller on my Xbox series X. I switched from the turtle beach recon 500s because I just couldn’t wear them for more than like a half hour. The sound is comparable to those regarding what I think I should be hearing in game. I’m really liking the open-back though, sounds much more realistic, less like I’m closed in small room. Now that I have these, I’m not sure why anyone would want closed-back… Unless they’re consistently right next to someone else they’re trying not to disturb.What I can say is that I was blown away by the comfort of these. Like I said I have a large head (7 7/8″ hat size) and large ears as well. These are so light and the clamping force is just enough to hold them in place. You don’t feel them on the top of your head at all. I don’t even have them adjusted all the way out, that’s a first for me. The cushions are soft fabric, much better than hot pleather. Due to the fabric and open-back, these hardly warm up at all. I’m able to wear them for a couple hours with no fatigue. I may start using them for meetings just because they’re such a pleasure to have on.They’re also beautiful, I got the white version… Which is really white, black, and silver. They actually look like headphones and not flight equipment. Even the packaging is excellent, I held onto the box as it was so impressive.I’ve had audio technica mics in the past, it’s one of those brands that I will pay extra for just because. But these were well worth $130 for me simply for the comfort and style. The sound just needed to work for Halo honestly.
eRoddickONE –
Solid, Lightweight Headset With Good Enough Sound and Mic
I splurged on these to replace a few pair of much less expensive Logitech headsets–the G233, and G332. Those were fine, but they seemed too big and bulky and just looked a bit too ‘gamer-ish’ for my taste. When looking for a replacement, I wanted to go with a true audio company and not just a PC accessory company that happened to make headphones. I narrowed my search down to a pair of JBLs, Bereydynamics, and these Audio Techincas. I’ve owned several Audio Technica products–including headphones, turntables, and cartridges and loved them all.I opted for these as they reminded me of my white ATH-M50 studio headphones that I bought years ago and have loved ever since. They were more than I wanted to spend, but I told myself if they were anything like my ATH-M50s, they’ll last for years and years.Pros:-They look great. The white, black, and steel combine for a really modern, yet classic look. I like headphones that have that traditional circular earcup shape. A lot of current headsets either have an oval/rectangular design or have weird sharp angles and creases throughout the housing. I just am not a big fan of the silhouette those create.-Minimal frills and unneeded bells and whistles. I don’t need the weight of added in-line controls, so it’s nice that this just has a plain cord. I have enough RGB, so I didn’t want any on my headset.-I usually like a leatherette earcup, but these fabric ones have grown on me. They’re velvety soft and don’t get too hot or itchy. Compared to the cheap, rough, polyester feeling ones that I had on my Logitech G233–it’s night and day.-Love that both the cord and the mic are detachable.-They sit very nicely around my ears and create a very tight seal–I don’t game for hours and hours on end, but for the hour I usually wear these, they don’t create any fatigue or pressure whatsoever.-The sound is great. Certainly not dedicated studio monitor/audiophile quality, but still a welcome upgrade over my previous headsets. I can tell the open-back design adds more depth and immersion to the first/third-person shooter and open-world games I play. For casual music listening, they’re solid as well. Not a ton of bass or instrument separation, but certainly serviceable for a listening session.Cons:-The overall build is just…meh. The plastic feels cheaper, lighter, and more hollow than I would have wished for. The fit and finish are great, but for $100+ I hoped for more of a premium material feel.-The plastic also makes a bunch of creaking, crackling, and groaning when handling and adjusting. Not a huge gripe, but every now and then you’ll be able to hear it while they’re on if you move your head during a quiet portion of a game.-The mic is fine. It’s on par with lower-priced headsets I’ve used. I was expecting a little more clarity than what it provides.-Not really a con, but these definitely are quieter at the same volume as my other headphones. I have to crank my volume up a bit to get to the same level. When I switch back to my PC speakers, I have to remember to turn it back down or it’ll give me a bit of a jump scare.-Once again, not really a con, but the way these were packaged, I thought they may have been refurbished or open-box. The packaging had an Audio Technica outer sleeve which was nicely designed, but after removing that it’s just plain brown cardboard the rest of the way with the headphones unceremoniously thrown inside. I watched an unboxing video and saw the same thing, so I breathed easier. This seems to be part of their green-packaging initiative, which is fine by me, I was just caught a bit off guard.Overall I’m, pleased with this purchase. If these are in your price range and you’re looking for a more traditional headphone look, you won’t be disappointed.
Brytanya Le –
THEY WORK WELL FOR WHAT THEY ARE DESIGNED TO DO
These open-back gaming headphones from Audio-Technica prioritize a wider sound stage for gaming. They are a bit boosted in the treble range form my knowledge to help make footsteps and other higher-pitched sounds easily noticeable. And they do this very well. In Halo Infinite, I could hear raindrops on the map clearly, in addition to footsteps of course. If you are looking for a gaming headset that gives you the most clarity all-around, this is a great option and are cheaper than other competing open-back headsets. Comfort is great for the simple reason that these headphones are one of the lightest, if not the lightest on the market at 220 grams. No head fatigue from wearing them in my experience. Ear comfort is great as well. These headphones are not made to emphasize explosions with punchy booms, they are about bringing out the details you may easily miss. Well worth the money in my opinion and I hope anyone who purchases these will find it true as well.
Stephen –
Noisy components and faulty connectors
I’ve been pretty disappointment with this product. I’ve been extremely happy with the sound quality for listening to music and gaming, but that’s the only good thing I have to say. The whole unit makes so much noise as you move around, even small movements cause loud noises that reverberate through the microphone. They are extremely light weight, which is fine, but the durability is sacrificed.I had to send mine in for repair as one channel was cutting out and I narrowed it down to the jack connector. I was pleased with the service, quick turnaround, and no charge. I’m still using them daily, but I do have a bit of regret for not doing more research first.
Natacha Panariso –
felt bad
dont buy it. uncomfy.
DS –
I am a budget audiophile and still very new to the hobby. These headphones sound good for both games and music I have used them in Call of Duty, Battlefield,warframe, and dark souls. I use Tidal and Amazon to listen to Metallica, AC/DC, STARSET, and Imagine Dragons The headphones sounded great me. I use Dolby for on Xbox and Wavelet or PowerAmp for EQ on mobile.
Biasi –
Equipamento muito bom. Qualidade de áudio fiel, principalmente para músicas. Demori alguns dias para me adaptar nos jogos, pois é muito diferente do normal. Recomendo
Fernando Cobos –
Son buenos pero por ser abiertos y de Audio-Technica yo esperaba bastante mas. Incluso por la impedancia un poco mas pesada que la mayorÃa de los audÃfonos gamer, creà que al combinarlos con un buen AMP el sonido resultarÃa mas preciso y con mas cuerpo pero no.Lo bueno:- Son súper ligeros, no aprietan, al ser abiertos tus oÃdos no se “ahogan” y las almohadillas son frescas y los sientes aún mas abiertos y cómodos. Al final sumas todo y puff!! Quizás los audÃfonos mas cómodos que he probado, tanto que son los ÃNICOS de diadema con los que puedo jugar acostado en la cama y realmente los disfruto. Pero ojo, no es tanta la diferencia contra otros audÃfonos gamer cómodos que hay por ahÃ.- No son los abiertos mas espaciados que hay, pero en comparación con la mayorÃa de gamer cerrados si hay una pequeña ventaja.- La separación de sonidos es brutal, el dÃa y la noche en comparación con cualquier otra gamer cerrado.- Incluye un cable cortito perfecto para consolas o teléfono y otro muuuy largo con división para audio y micro, perfecto para tu PC aun cuando este lejos.Lo malo:- El micro es horrible, mis MH-751 esta 3 niveles por encima. Y la esponjita no me da confianza, pareciera que se empezara a deshacer después de algunos meses y tiene muchos “pops”.- El sonido es súper opaco, con agudos y medios aplanados, raro de ver en Audio-Technica y lejisimos de los M50x, por ejemplo. Los graves destacan bajando la frecuencia con buena amplificación pero nada grandioso.- El cable de PC, aunque es largo y funciona bien, parece que fue el cable mas barato que encontraron.- Aprietan tan poco de las almohadas que se desacomodan fácilmente, no es nada grave pero no querÃa dejar de mencionarlo, si tu plan es moverte con ellos quizás te moleste bastante.Si su micro fuera bueno y el sonido mas cristalino sin duda dirÃa que son los mejores audÃfonos gamer, pero con esas carencias NO. Y no pagarÃa mas de 1800 por ellos, los devolveré por lo mismo.
Leonardo Poisl –
A qualidade de som é muito boaTenha em mente que é um fone aberto, então se você procura graves com grande presença, esse fone não é pra vocêProcurava um fone aberto para jogar, pois as conchas fechadas deixavam minhas orelhas e meu canal auditivo muito quentes, o que me incomodava muitoEsse continuo usando por horas sem me incomodar
Steve –
Das Headset ist klasse, trotz offener Bauart ist der Bass nicht mal schlecht. Die weichen Ohrkissen und das geringe Gewicht, ist das Headset ideal für lange Spielzeiten. Selbst nach mehr als vier Stunden konnte ich keine Schmerzen an den Ohren feststellen, sehr bequem.Und selbst die Musik kommt nicht zu kurz, man bekommt einen guten HiFi Klang geboten.Ich würde die Höhen als sehr angenehm bezeichnen, sind klar. Die Mitten sind klar und nicht aufdringlich. Ich hatte schon schlechtere Hifi Kopfhörer, Das Mikrofon ist laut und klar, das bestätigten mir meine Mitspieler.Ich würde das Headset wiederkaufen.