SteelSeries Siberia Headset Review
Introduction
SteelSeries are a very well established company intent on producing professional grade gaming gear
for all skill levels. From its formation in 2001, SteelSeries have gone a long way and now produces a
wide range of peripherals from mice, keyboards and headsets to mouse pads and now even special
branded products.
The Siberia headset is just one of many that SteelSeries now include in their audio range. Boasting
comfort, multi-functionality and a detachable mic, a great deal of thought appears to have gone into
the design of the Siberia and from the looks of things it must have paid off as there are now several
different versions of the Siberia to choose from.
We will be taking a closer look at the original; introducing the Siberia full-size headset...
Steelseries’ Take on the Siberia
“The SteelSeries Siberia Full-size Headset was developed in co-operation with professional gamers to
ensure that the soundscape, specifications and comfort is suitable for long gaming sessions. But the
SteelSeries Siberia Full-size Headset is also designed for multi-functionality. Apart from using the
headset for PC-gaming, this product has been designed so gamers can use it with their favourite
MP3-player, handheld gaming device or practically any other kind of portable digital device.
And that is why the headset features a separate microphone, so users can enjoy music on the road
without having to bring unnecessary gear. The cable length has been optimized for use with MP3-
players and similar products, and comes with an additional extra long cable for use with stationary
computers.”
Specifications
Headphone
Frequency response: 18 - 28.000 Hz
Impedance: 40 Ohm
SPL@1kHz, 1V rms: 99 - 104 dB
Cable length: 1.0 m + 1.8 m = 2.8 m / 9.2 ft.
Jack: 3.5 mm (6.3 mm converter included)
Microphone
Frequency response: 80 - 15.000 Hz
Impedance: 2K Ohm
Pick-up pattern: Uni-directional
Sensitivity (1V/P@1 kHz): -38 dB
Contents & Packaging
The packaging has a look of class to it with the sleek black finish and exposed panel revealing the
headset contained within. The front gives the full title of the headset along with a few features and f
course the SteelSeries logo.
(Packaging-front)
(Packaging-side)
The back which is tenfold more informative gives a couple more shots of the headset, the front and
side views, the full list of specifications and the features related to an image of the Siberia by a series
of numbers.
And don’t forget the short marketing blurb which bigs up the headset for its gaming prowess.
(Packaging-back)
So what goodies accompany the main product? Well, you get a small manual (when I say manual I
actually a catalogue trying to sell you other SteelSeries products), a SteelSeries sticker and some
Velcro sticky pads.
(Accessories)
SteelSeries Siberia
A number of variations are now available on the original full-size Siberia that we are taking a look at
toady, including a special edition red version, a neckband version and perhaps most striking of all, an
Iron Lady pink version!
Previously called the Icemat Siberia, both Icemat and SteelSeries merged into once brand with the
headset now branded with the latter company name and name “Siberia” probably emanating from
the white version of the headset.
The headphones have a classiness and sleekness to them probably brought about, in part, by the
shiny black earcups. Indeed, the overall appearance certainly looks very professional but it is not too
flashy in the all-black exterior.
(Overview)
(Side)
(Back)
The earcups are designed to fit around your ear as opposed to some headsets which sit on your ear;
for me these can really hurt your ears after an extended period of use and so SteelSeries’ decision to
use over ear construction is certainly a good move.
(Inside)
(Inside2)
The exterior looks very attractive with the small SteelSeries logo and appropriate ‘L’ or ‘R’ denoting
which side is which.
(Outside)
(Front)
The insides edges of the earcups are padding with very soft material with just a thin piece of fabric
covering the actual speakers so as not to muffle the sound.
The padded headband is very comfortable and attached with elastic threads so as to make the
headset a perfect match for any head size – a quicker solution than having to manually adjust the
headband.
(Headband)
Over the top of the headband, two rigid black cords help to hold the structure together and just
finish off the appearance.
The headset is powered by a single 3.5mm jack with a cable length of 1 metre. This is more for use
with an mp3 player or other such audio device with a cable extension available for when using the
headset in combination with a PC. Using the extension gives a total cable length of 2.8m – a plentiful
amount that should reach any port.
(Cable)
Similarly, the microphone is detachable so that it doesn’t get in the way when not required. When it
is needed though, a small clip allows it to be attached to, for instance, your shirt. Personally, I would
have liked to see the mic attached to the Siberia using the usual boom type. This not only makes it
easier to use but saves having an extra full length cable with the mic attached to that makes another
tangled mess.
(Mic)
(Mic2)
Testing
Test Rig:
Processor Intel Core i7-920 @ 2.66GHz
Motherboard ASUS P6T SE
Memory OCZ Platinum PC3-12800 7-7-7-24 @ 1333MHz,
1.65v
Graphics Card Sapphire 512MB 4770
Hard Drive Seagate Barracuda 3.0GB/s 7200.10 500GB
Power Supply OCZ ModXStream 600W
Enclosure Cooler Master ATCS-840
OS Windows Vista 64-bit
Methodology
Headsets, like many other peripherals, are quite difficult to test as the results are going to be based
mainly around the user’s personal preference for bass and treble levels, and their ability to convey
the quality of the sound; because of this, the testing is rather subjective.
To fully test the headset though, we play different types of music, movies and games while wearing
the headphones, which give us as clear a picture as possible of what the device can do.
Results
Games
Call of Duty: World at War
Call of Duty World at War is the latest in a long line of CoD titles. Featuring an array of explosions,
gunfire, booms and bangs, it’s a great test for any headset or audio device. The Siberia was as good
as any headset I have ever tested if not better coping well with constant artillery bombardments and
vicious dogs.
Often a good indicator of a quality piece of sound equipment is how real the explosions are and in
this case, bullets whizzing past you and artillery smashing through nearby buildings was much more
intense and dare I say it, nerve racking than any previous audio device I have used.
Even at high volumes, the clarity of the sound was still very good allowing me to fully submerse
myself in the gaming experience. At low volumes, you really do miss out as at higher levels you feel
part of the game and not simply playing the game.
Battlefield 2
Battlefield 2 is perhaps one of EA’s more popular first person shooters focused entirely on
multiplayer action. The flag based game is much more about team work than many newer titles and
the Infantry only Strike at Karkand map is incredibly popular.
The mixture of open spaces and intense city areas makes for the perfect location allowing all classes
to succeed whether it is snipers, medics or special ops.
The game is great to testing out microphones as the in game VOIP in squads is used for quick
communications. From feedback from fellow players, I learned that the microphone has a little
fainter than same probably due to it not being located right in front of my mouth. We all agree that
the boom design is by far preferable over the detachable design for gaming.
In terms of the sound the explosions were just as good as in Call of Duty: realistic, clear and loud!
Music
I opened up a quick playlist on iTunes featuring a wide and varied mix of songs from hip-hip to drum
and bass to newer releases in order to test a full range of frequencies. Although perhaps the bass
was not quite as good as the higher end frequencies, it was still very good and overall the sound
quality was almost perfect.
Comfort
The Siberia is one of the most comfortable headsets I have used due to the padded headband and
earcups. The earcups sitting over your whole ear is definitely a plus point and doesn’t give start to
press in after extended use and start to cause pain.
Cost
At around £60, the Siberia is getting towards the higher end headsets but it’s still much cheaper than
say the Roccat Kave. Still £60 is quite expensive with some headsets at just £10 or £20 but the sound
quality and overall performance do warrant a price tag of this order to be fair.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a great gaming headset, the SteelSeries Siberia pretty much has everything. High
sound quality makes explosions and gunfire much more intense and at higher volumes, the clarity it
still there allowing you to be transported to a whole new level.
It’s both comfortable and functions with the volume control and cable extension great for gaming
and the short cable good for transporting with say an mp3 player.
Perhaps the only drawback for me is the microphone which is fiddly to get in a position where your
voice is picked up well. With the headset described as a gaming headset I don’t’ see why the mic has
been compromised so as to accommodate mp3 players and other audio devices. The boom type
seems far more preferable in game.
Aside from this though, the Siberia not only looks the part but delivers whole-heartedly with some
brilliant sound quality – great job!
Pros
Great sound quality
Stylish and sleek
Comfortable
Cable extension
Cons
Microphone
9/10