Reviewed by: Jason Hambly
Date: October 15, 2006
Manufacturer: SteelSeries
Model: SteelSound 5H v2
Supplied by: SteelSeries
Category: Enthusiast
Price: $99
Grammatical and Spelling Editor: Paul Mercer
SteelSeries has graced us with
another of their fine products. We have
always been happy to receive their items because they tend to be very well made
and high performing. A year has passed since we reviewed the original
SteelSound 5H USB headset and today we have the new SteelSound 5H v2. Hopefully its performance will be what we
have come to expect from SteelSeries.
Package/Specs:
The SteelSound 5H v2 headset shipped in a
very similar package to the original 5H that we reviewed a year ago. The
headset itself can be viewed very easily and the item would certainly catch
your eye while you were walking by it on a shelf. The plastic box is strong
enough to protect the headset from minor bumps and should easily get it to your
door without problems. The back side of the box lists some specs and features
of the headset. Inside the headset is securely fastened to the shell with wire
ties to prevent it from moving anywhere inside the packaging.
Headphones
Frequency response – 16 – 28.000 Hz
Impedance – 40 Ohm
SPL@ 1kHz, 1 Vrms – 110 dB
Cable length – 1 + 2 =
Connectors -
Microphone
Frequency response – 75 – 16.000 Hz
Pick up pattern – Uni-directional
Sensitivity – -38dB
Impedance – 2k Ohm
Package/Specs: 4.5/5
{mospagebreak title=Features/Construction}
Features/Construction:
- Custom-engineered soundscape designed specifically to
enhance performance and immersion in gaming. This headset was developed and
optimized for in-game sound frequencies, which makes in-game sounds like
footsteps, alerts and gunfire especially clear. You will be able to hear and
pinpoint the location of your opponents, often before they hear you.
- Full-size headphones gently fit around the ears and
reduce background noise, while providing maximum wearing comfort.
- Bringing the headset with you has never been easier or
safer. The SteelSound 5H v2 can be easily dismantled into 3 separate parts,
which makes transportation a breeze. The pieces will easily fit into a bag or a
carrying case.
- SteelSound 5H v2 also features a pull-out microphone
system. The retractable microphone is practically invisible when not in use.
The microphone cord is covered in high quality transparent plastic to ensure
long-lasting durability.
The construction of the v2 is very solid, over the
last month that I have been using the product there have not been any times
that I was worried about its strength. It has been through periods of heavy and low
use and has shown no signs of wear. The
microphone has been pulled in and out many times and it still feels like it did
the first time, snug and secure.
Being able to take the headset apart for
transportation is a great feature and with the solid construction you don?t
need to fear dismantling and reassembly affecting the performance or
integrity. The gold connectors ensure a solid and reliable signal.
Like the previous version there is a volume
control part of the way down the cord. On this control there is also a switch for the microphone allowing you
to adjust from off/low/hi signal from the mic. The off setting also shuts off the headphones. On the back side of the volume control is a clip that will allow you to attach the control to your clothing.
The cord attached to the headset is only
is an additional
of extension cord included. Having the
shorter cord enabled me to connect the headset to my iPod and not have to worry
about a huge cord hanging around. The cord itself is covered in a braided
material that makes the cord strong and more attractive than a standard plastic
coated cord.
The microphone is attached to the left
earpiece. It retracts almost completely
into the earpiece so that it is out of your way when not in use. It easily pulls out yet has enough friction
to keep it from falling out when not wanted. The mic is flexible and can be
adjusted in any way that you feel most comfortable.
The ear cups are large enough so that they fit
completely around your ear and rest on your head rather than pushing on your
ears. That combined with a padded head band make the 5H v2 a very comfortable headset to wear for an extended session of gaming.
Features/Construction: 4.75/5
{mospagebreak title=Performance}
Performance:
Testing the performance of the 5H v2 headset included; listening to audio files on an iPod and PC, listening to the audio from a DVD movie., Skype, and
finally the all important gaming audio. For each of the tests the 5H v2 was compared to the stock iPod ear buds,
Sony headphones (MDR-CD380), or Plantronics headset depending on the test.
These tests are subjective and are by no means scientific.
iPod/PC Audio
Chances are most people won?t be
using these with an iPod but knowing the quality of audio that comes out of
that little white mp3 player I figured it would be a good way to try out the
SteelSound 5H v2 while I get some yard work done. The sound was just as good as
the iPod ear buds but the volume controller on the cord needed to be turned up
pretty much all the way to keep the volume where I wanted it. That comes into
play anytime you have two volume controls running in series.
On the PC the volume difference is
more noticeable between the 5H v2 and the Sony stereo headphones. I have to
assume that this is again because of the inline volume controller. Even with the volume on the controller up all
the way, the volume is still significantly lower than the headphones. The audio
wasn?t as full as the headphones but was still crisp and clear.
DVD Audio
The results from the PC audio test
carried over for the DVD audio test. The
headphones were noticeably louder and fuller but the 5H v2 was no slouch and
still allowed you to hear everything that was going on.
Skype
While chatting in a voice call on
Skype the 5H v2 was very clear. I switched back and forth between the
Plantronics headset and the 5H v2 and the user on the other end was unable to
hear the difference. The lower volume
once again was noticeable with the 5H v2.
Gaming
In gaming is where the 5H v2
shines. The volume was noticeably lower
again but the sound was very sharp and crisp. Playing Counter-Strike: Source
with both the Sony headphones and the 5H v2 were very enjoyable. However having
a microphone on the 5H v2 is what this headset is all about.
Performance: 4.25/5
{mospagebreak title=Price/Waranty}
Price/Warranty:
The SteelSound 5H v2 is available directly from SteelSeries for $99.00 US plus
shipping. That is a little more expensive than many would be willing to spend
but you do get what you pay for. You get good quality, comfortable
headphones with a built in high quality microphone. If you were to buy the two separately you
would pay at least that amount if not more. That makes this headset worth the
money spent.
SteelSeries offers a 2 year
warranty on the SteelSound 5H v2 for any defects from manufacturing.
Price:4.5/5
{mospagebreak title=Conclusion}
Conclusion:
The SteelSound 5H v2 is a great headset for the gamer that wants to be able to
wear the headset for many hours on end and chat with teammates throughout
his/her games. This is now the only set
of headphones/headset around my PC. I used to keep headphones for listening and
the headset for gaming and voice chat but now that has changed. The old ones are going into a box and the 5H
v2 will remain as my sole listening device when I need to keep the volume down
at night time. I would like to see the volume a bit louder but honestly I will
probably be happier that it wasn?t any louder in another 10-20 years. The
retractable microphone basically turns this headset into a pair of headphones
when the mic is not needed. It is so nice to not just have the mic flipped up
beside your head. Since the headset is not cheap and only a few features have changed since the original, anyone that already owned the original 5H may not find it necessary to upgrade unless their headset is damaged. However the increased comfort, microphone quality, and longer microphone cord with the 5H v2 make this the better choice over the original if you are making a purchase. I recommend the SteelSound 5H v2 to any gamer out there as
well as anyone else that wants a headset that they can use any time for
comfortably listening to music or a movie.
Pros:
- Retractable microphone
- Comfortable ear pieces
- Can be taken apart for mobility
- In line volume adjustment
- Two piece cord
- Well built
Cons:
- Low volume
Package/Specs: 4.5/5
Features/Construction: 4.75/5
Performance: 4.25/5
Price: 4.5/5
Overall: 18/20
We would like to thank Thomas Nielson at SteelSeries for providing the SteelSound
5H v2 for this review.