The Headsets Used at the Austin Major
The Austin Major Is Happening – And We’re Right in the Middle of It
The Austin Major is one of the most anticipated tournaments of the year, and the action is currently unfolding live in Texas. Thousands of fans are watching the best Counter-Strike teams battle it out on stage - and behind the scenes, AceZone is helping make it all possible.
As the trusted audio provider for the tournament, we’re proud to be powering the headsets used at the Austin Major, ensuring crystal-clear team communication, industry leading ANC and elite audio precision for every clutch, callout, and crowd-roaring moment.
Our Role in Esports and at the Major
At AceZone, our mission has always been simple: raise the audio standard for competitive gaming.
Our A-Live Tournament Headset is designed for one thing - high-stakes LAN performance. It’s built with Active Noise Cancellation, tuned drivers for spatial awareness, and a Fighter-jet broadcast-quality microphone. That’s why it’s the headset trusted at the world’s biggest tournaments - including this one.
We’re not just shipping gear and walking away. Our team has been testing every single headset before shipment, to ensure that every player is fighting on the same terms.
Why Most CS Players Wear In-Ears Under Their Headsets
If you’ve been watching the Major, you may have noticed some players wearing in-ear monitors under their headsets. It's a common sight in CS - and it often leads to confusion.
Some people think that means our headsets don’t deliver sound, or that the sound is bad. That’s not true.
The A-Live is fully equipped to handle game audio, mic, and Active Noise Cancellation - and many players in many other esports do use it for all three. So why the in-ears?
Here’s the full story:
1. It’s a CS Culture Thing
Years ago, CS tournaments didn’t provide high-end gaming headsets. Players brought their own in-ears and wore passive earmuffs on top. That setup became the standard - and today, many still stick to it out of habit and tradition, even though the tech has evolved far beyond those early days.
2. A Bit More Passive Isolation
Some players feel that in-ears give them slightly more passive noise cancellation, since they seal inside the ear. But make no mistake - our ANC headsets are already tuned for high-pressure LAN environments, and provide way deeper and better sound quality than any in-ear setup.
You won’t see in-ears in other esports like Dota 2, Fortnite, Rocket League, or Apex - because players in those scenes use our headsets for everything.
3. Consistency (or the Illusion of It)
Sound is everything in Counter-Strike. Players want to replicate the setup they use at home. But here’s the thing: they’re not getting the same sound. Different PCs, in-ears, and sound cards all affect the signal. Still, the idea of consistency gives players comfort - even if the results vary.
Bonus Tip: How to Tell What They’re Using
Look at the three green LED lines on the A-Live headset:
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Three lines = full use (sound + mic + ANC)
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Two lines = mic + ANC only (sound is coming from in-ears)
So next time you see a CS player wearing in-ears under an A-Live, you’ll know it’s not about quality - it’s about culture, isolation, and habits.
Why the Austin Major Matters
The Major isn’t just another tournament - it’s a pressure cooker.
It’s where legacies are written, where champions are crowned, and where audio equipment is pushed to the edge. For AceZone, events like this are our testing ground. We don’t just design for ideal conditions - we design for arenas like this.
Everything we learn from the stage - player feedback, technical performance, noise challenges - helps us continue refining the best gaming headsets on the planet.
From the Stage to Your Setup
Whether you're chasing trophies or climbing the ranks from home, you deserve the same performance the pros rely on.
At AceZone, we don’t separate pro from casual. We build one level of headset: elite.
Our full lineup brings the same stage-tested technology used at the Austin Major directly to your setup:
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🎧 A-Rise – The ultimate esports headset for home use. Based on our A-Live tournament model, it delivers unparalleled competitive audio and maximum noise cancellation.
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🎧 A-Spire Wireless – Tournament-grade performance with full wireless freedom, packed with features.
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🎧 A-Spire – Wired precision with low-latency, pro-tuned audio for serious competitors.
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🎧 A-Blaze – Best-in-class wireless performance in its price range. Accessible. Powerful. Reliable, and alot of features.
Every headset features industry-leading sound clarity, mic quality, and isolation, so whether you're grinding ladders or playing for keeps, your gear won't hold you back.
