SpeedLink Medusa NX 5.1
Evidently, Speedlink isn't focused on glamour but luckily these cans come over as quite durable. In use, my main moan is the control box has too many adjustments dials and an annoying flashing blue light when I'm in chat. The flexible mic has I nice feel to it but unfortunately isn't removable. The Medusa has an easy set up, connecting through a single USB port instead of the previous analogue multiplug version.
The equaliser is simple but effective and the preset functions include a Karaoke function for desperate times. The 5.1 surround sound with bass vibration and noise cancelation are all fine but this headset sounds a little flat. Even with Channel Phantomisation simulating two extra speakers, there is an evident lack of richness or depth, despite being suitably loud. These are comfy headphones with plush ear cushions and headband but I'm not really sure why these are foldable, as they are quite large and I wouldn't use them as a portable headset. But hey, thanks for the free waterproof Frisbee case.
Reg Rating 75%
Price £45
More info Speedlink
SteelSeries Siberia V2 Frost Blue
Steelseries are coming across all Lady Rainicorn this year with this glowing blue and white 'Frost' headset, a pink Siberia V2 to raise money for breast cancer research and last but not least a cute red and white Guild Wars 2 headset, that I was immediately taken with. The Siberia V2 Frost Blue looks are quite striking, as is the way they sound. With an excellent range from 18Hz to 28kHz there's plenty of bass when all hell breaks loose in PVP, and the clarity of the mids and upper ranges makes all conversation a pleasure.
The sexy retractable mic picks up almost no background noise, when the ferrets are smashing up my room, while I'm talking to my sister in Vancouver. There's no wireless capability here, just a 1m cable and 2m extension to tether you, but no flat battery woes. Sonically precise and visually appealing, they're fun too as the Steelseries engine allows me to control the equaliser and the glacial lighting on the ear pads – behold, I am a walking AV hallucination. Hey, Squarepusher, in your face.
Reg Rating 90%
Price £120
More info SteelSeries
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COMMENTS
Great, but what about us four-eyes?
Please - just once would be possible to see a headset review that at least thinks about whether or not the set in question is likely to be comfortable for an extended period for someone wearing glasses?
I need to wear glasses all the time at the computer - contacts aren't an option - and I'm not exactly in a hurry to shell out on a fine-sounding top-end set, only to find that the back of my ears gets sore as heck after a couple of hours in game. There're quite a few of us out here, so why not spare us a thought, next time, guys?
Aww
No Sennheiser...and I like my PC350 and PC360 so much.
says:
Photo of the can wearing ferret, please.
Just thought, is that a euphemism?
why so much ?
ok most of those are well over priced for generic headsets most look the same ? no removable mic ?
i'll stick with my creative fatality .. cheap well built and the sound is great ..
Inline controls are a weak point and why so expensive?
So, inline controls are great and all, until they develop a fault. I've had the Plantronics GameCom 780 headset for a couple of months now and it's great! For £40, it's a very capable headset and it doesn't have a stupid in-line controller. It's all on the headset, which is good if you like gaming/watching movies in the dark.
