Spring Break
Headset balances price and functionality
Tom Bennett
Issue date: 1/13/06 Section: Entertainment
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Steelpad's Steel Sound 5H headset is overall a nice piece of hardware. Sound quality is around the level one would expect from headphones in the hundred dollar range. It is comparable to Bose Triports, as a slight muffle was the only distinction I could detect between the two. The microphone is retractable into the left earpiece, which is an excellent idea for two reasons: It prevents it from breaking off during transportation and allows it to substitute as a pair of standard headphones. Although this will mean having an extra wire about and a fairly hefty headpiece, its an excellent option for those looking to save an extra hundred dollars while still having a pair of high-end headphones.
Although the earphones surround the ears to block out background noises, the large headband may push the ear pieces off the head and case a small gap. The ear pieces can be removed from the headset, again making the headset excellent for transportation, and also allowing for "replacement with other designs." Whether this means they'll allow for smaller bands or not I am not sure, but a smaller design or perhaps better conforming ear pieces would have been nicer.
Two versions of the Steel Sound 5H headsets exist with only a small difference between the two. The USB version, which costs forty dollars more, includes a USB sound card to connect the microphone and headphone jacks. While those who have good sound cards might want to shoot for the cheaper version, the USB version is well worth it for those who don't and is great for laptops. The sound card allows for virtual 7.1 channel sound through DirectSound3D, which means only Windows is supported. An application provided with the USB version allows configuration of the surround sound setup and presents various mixing tools.
Further lending itself to a laptop friendly design, both versions include an extension cable, as the cords originating from the headphones are just long enough to connect for a laptop. The design effectively kills off any extra cords from pooling around a laptop, and the extension cable provides plenty of room for desktop use.
The Steel Sound 5H headset is worthy of a purchase from audiophiles and serious gamers. The simulated 7.1 channel surround sound is excellent in games that support it - almost any title in recent years on Windows - and really assists in immersing the gamer in environments and can even raise scores thanks to directional sound. The ability to use the headset without a visible microphone is a bonus. The lack of support for other operating systems, however, is somewhat disappointing, even if the headset is aimed at gamers. Putting that gripe aside, along with the stiff, yet still comfortable, ear pieces, the Steel Sound 5H proves to be among the best.
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Peripheral
4/5 Triangles
Steel Sound 5H Headset
Steelpad
Although the earphones surround the ears to block out background noises, the large headband may push the ear pieces off the head and case a small gap. The ear pieces can be removed from the headset, again making the headset excellent for transportation, and also allowing for "replacement with other designs." Whether this means they'll allow for smaller bands or not I am not sure, but a smaller design or perhaps better conforming ear pieces would have been nicer.
Two versions of the Steel Sound 5H headsets exist with only a small difference between the two. The USB version, which costs forty dollars more, includes a USB sound card to connect the microphone and headphone jacks. While those who have good sound cards might want to shoot for the cheaper version, the USB version is well worth it for those who don't and is great for laptops. The sound card allows for virtual 7.1 channel sound through DirectSound3D, which means only Windows is supported. An application provided with the USB version allows configuration of the surround sound setup and presents various mixing tools.
Further lending itself to a laptop friendly design, both versions include an extension cable, as the cords originating from the headphones are just long enough to connect for a laptop. The design effectively kills off any extra cords from pooling around a laptop, and the extension cable provides plenty of room for desktop use.
The Steel Sound 5H headset is worthy of a purchase from audiophiles and serious gamers. The simulated 7.1 channel surround sound is excellent in games that support it - almost any title in recent years on Windows - and really assists in immersing the gamer in environments and can even raise scores thanks to directional sound. The ability to use the headset without a visible microphone is a bonus. The lack of support for other operating systems, however, is somewhat disappointing, even if the headset is aimed at gamers. Putting that gripe aside, along with the stiff, yet still comfortable, ear pieces, the Steel Sound 5H proves to be among the best.
--
Peripheral
4/5 Triangles
Steel Sound 5H Headset
Steelpad
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