Eight 5.1- And 7.1-Channel Gaming Headsets, Reviewed
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Page 1:Surround Sound Headsets? Come Out With Your Ears Up!
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Page 2:Arctic Sound P531
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Page 3:Cooler Master CM Storm Sirus
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Page 4:Corsair Vengeance 1500
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Page 5:Creative Sound Blaster Tactic 3D Sigma
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Page 6:Logitech G35
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Page 7:Psyko Carbon
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Page 8:Razer Megalodon
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Page 9:Thermaltake eSports Shock One
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Page 10:Test Setup And Benchmarks
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Page 11:Benchmark Results: Frequency Response And Microphone Quality
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Page 12:Subjective Testing And Conclusion
Razer Megalodon
Razer made a name for itself by designing a number of different premium gaming peripherals, so we’re curious to see how its headset family evolves. The upcoming Razer Tiamat is not quite ready for prime time, so we're looking at its older Megalodon this time around.
Razer’s Megalodon costs $127, tying it for the second most expensive headset spot in our round-up. Fortunately, the product does not disappoint at that price point, providing great-looking features and a classy finish. The ear cups sport an illuminated Razer logo, there is plenty of padding around the head, and construction is sturdy. Weighing just 8 oz, this is by far the lightest contender in our story, which helps keep the headset comfortable during extended gaming.
You can push the microphone boom out of the way, but that doesn't automatically mute the mic. For that, you need the remote control's pod.
The headset plays host to two 40 mm neodymium drivers rated for a frequency response between 20 Hz and 20 kHz. Resulting sound reproduction is excellent, second only to Corsair's Vengeance in our subjective tests.
Razer calls its remote control pod the Maelstrom Audio Engine. This large block contains the USB audio chipset. It can switch from stereo output to virtual 7.1-channel sound dynamically with the press of a button. The pod is attractive, completely illuminated, and armed with the ability to adjust each channel's volume independently. There are also mic mute, sensitivity, and level controls.
Our only complaint is that the touch-based control wheel isn’t nearly as responsive or pleasant to use as a solid dial would have been. The Megalodon requires no driver, which is both positive and negative. Although there are no settings to configure, you also don't have the control panel or graphic equalizer to tune.
The Megalodon doesn't offer analog connectivity. It's USB-only.
Razer’s headset comes with a storage/travel case and a documentation folder that includes a quick start guide, a master guide, a certificate of authenticity, Razer's product catalog, and two stickers. The functional storage case is a really nice touch for gamers who go to LAN parties, making it easier to protect the fragile audio equipment.
- Surround Sound Headsets? Come Out With Your Ears Up!
- Arctic Sound P531
- Cooler Master CM Storm Sirus
- Corsair Vengeance 1500
- Creative Sound Blaster Tactic 3D Sigma
- Logitech G35
- Psyko Carbon
- Razer Megalodon
- Thermaltake eSports Shock One
- Test Setup And Benchmarks
- Benchmark Results: Frequency Response And Microphone Quality
- Subjective Testing And Conclusion
Wassat stand for... "Space, The Final Frontier"?
I like the idea, but it'll probably take a while to make it happen.
Next up on the audio to-do list is a full-sized 5.1/7.1 surround system comparo.
Wassat stand for... "Space, The Final Frontier"?
Yeah, me neither. Surprised the hell out of me.
I like the idea, but it'll probably take a while to make it happen.
Next up on the audio to-do list is a full-sized 5.1/7.1 surround system comparo.
I disagree.
As mentioned in the article, six blindfolded testers were consistently able to point out the source of virtually-placed audio behind them, beside and in front. Every single tester.
That's hard evidence that cannot be ignored.
The Corsair 1500 is only $10 cheaper and im curious if the Logitech software extras and minimal price difference actually beat the Corsair headset? I have the Corsair set and im not to impressed with the bass on it. For 50mm drivers i would have thought it would have better bass. (yes i tweaked things in the equalizer and put the first 3 columns all the way up and its still not very bassy).
Well, in our tests the Corsair beat the heck out of all competitors except the Megalodon when it comes to the whole sound spectrum. There are some models with heavier bass, but it comes at a price as there are significant lows in other parts of the spectrum.
Yeah, we check current prices, but I must have missed that Logitech $95 deal on amazon. I'll check again, might have to adjust the article a bit.
I understand that the Logitech 930's are simply a wireless version of the G35, so no difference there.
Sennheiser refused our invitation to the roundup.
Roccat, well... can't find them for sale in the USA, and this is a US-based publication.
And secondly those 3 buttons are great for pausing music and changing tracks if you don't have media keys on your keyboard. Although I think playing Starcraft using your headphones instead of your keyboard would be pretty sweet.
http://www.tomsguide.com/us/Surround-Sound-Headsets,review-1357-5.html