SteelSeries Siberia V2 Headset Review
Introduction
As all good companies do, SteelSeries have taken one of their existing products, and made a series of
improvements, upgrades and enhancements. The original Siberia headset, already a success, did
have a number of flaws; perhaps the most notable of all was the microphone. The V2 should be able
to put all this right as well as a few other bits and pieces. So can the Siberia headset be transformed
from a good headset to a great one? Let’s take a look...
SteelSeries’ Take on the Siberia V2
“Based on the award-winning SteelSeries Siberia Full-size Headset, the v2 features major
enhancements in sound quality, comfort and its microphone. Every element of the v2 has been
optimized for pro gaming, making the headset a preferred piece of equipment for the worlds' best
competitive PC gamers - the most demanding headset users in the world.
Sporting 25% larger 50mm driver units, the SteelSeries Siberia Full-size Headset dramatically boosts
overall acoustic performance. Experience a rich and detailed soundscape from immersive
atmospheric background music to precise 3D positional sounds of footsteps, gunfire and more.
The close type ear cups feature thick leather padded cushions built from sound dampening foam,
designed to offer passive noise reduction from loud surroundings and improve comfort over
prolonged use. A virtually invisible uni-directional microphone can be retracted from the left ear cup,
optimized for essential voice communications.
The v2 remains lightweight and its trademark headband suspension construction makes it extremely
comfortable for use over long periods of time.”
Features
Closed type headphones
Pull-out microphone
Crystal clear high, low and mid-tones
50mm driver units
Lightweight suspension construction
Integrated volume control located on the cord
Specifications
Headphones
Frequency response: 10 - 28.000 Hz
Impedance: 32 Ohm
SPL@1kHz, 1Vrms: 112 dB
Cable length: 1,0 m + 2,0 m = 3,0 m / 9,84 ft.
Jack: 3,5 mm
Microphone
Frequency response: 50 - 16.000 Hz
Pick up pattern: Uni-directional
Sensitivity: -38 dB
Contents & Packaging
The same classy packaging seen with the original Siberia is here once again with the V2: the white
headset is almost entirely visible and surrounded by a sleek black cardboard box sporting the
SteelSeries logo and main features.
(Packaging-front)
(Packaging-side)
The back sees plenty more information including the full table of specifications, multi-lingual
translations and an image of the headset with numbers referring to specific features such as the
closed ear headphones, volume control and built in microphone.
(Packaging-back)
Accompanying the Siberia V2 is just a solitary accessory – a small manual.
(Accessories)
SteelSeries Siberia V2
The new Siberia is clad mostly in white (hence the name) with a few bits of black here there.
Currently, this is the only colour available but I wouldn’t be surprised to see a full black version
released at some point as SteelSeries has done this in the past with previous headsets.
The original Siberia headset was first christened the Icemat Siberia but upon the merger of both
Icemat and Steelseries, it was shortened to just the Siberia; the successor of which is the V2.
(Overview)
(Front)
In terms of aesthetics and style, the headset not only looks great but also has a unique design with
the two rigid white cords bending around to create the shape of the Siberia V2. The headband is
situated just below the two cords and is constructed of very soft material in order to make it very
comfortable to wear.
(Side)
The use of elastic threads allows it to suit any head shape and doesn’t require the size to be set at a
particular level.
(Headband)
The earcups have been developed from the Siberia giving them more padding with a smoother, silky
feel. As with its predecessor, the actual speaker is just covered with a thin piece of material in order
to prevent any muffling from occurring.
The outer parts of the earcups are constructed from solid shiny white plastic white a black grill effect
in the centre. A small SteelSeries logo and either the letter ‘L’ or ‘R’ denote which way the headset
should be worn.
(Earcup)
(Earcup2)
(Earcup3)
Another, and perhaps the main, difference that has been implemented into the Siberia V2 is the
position of the microphone. The original had a bulky mic attached to a clip so that it could be
positioned on your shirt but in reality it just didn’t work and the ability to detach the mic completely
wasn’t really a great feature.
So how has it been changed in the headset’s successor? Well, for a start the mic is an integrated part
of the headset positioned at the bottom of the left ear cup. In addition to this, the mic is retractable
allowing it to tuck away neatly when not in use. Overall, it’s a much better solution and the boom
type, bendy cord allows it to be positioned in the perfect place for any user.
(Mic)
(Mic2)
The cabling has also been adjusted with thinner, neater white cables. An extension cable is included
bringing the total length to three metres with a small volume regulator and mute button for the
microphone. Again, this is a good upgrade and just gives the Siberia V2 the edge in terms of
practicality.
(Volume-control)
(Cable)
The connectors themselves are 3.5mm jacks, one for both the mic and headphones. So after the first
showing everything looks top notch, but how will it perform?
Testing
Test Rig:
Processor Intel Core i7 920 @ 2.66GHz
Motherboard Asus P6T SE
Memory OCZ Gold Triple Channel Platinum-10666 6GB (3
x 2GB)
Graphics Card XFX 1GB Radeon 4870
Hard Drive Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 500GB
Power Supply OCZ ModXStream 600W
Enclosure Open Air Testing
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.
Results
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. Now, the Siberia was one
of the best headsets I’ve tested in terms of sound quality and so I was expecting great things from
the V2. True to its predecessor, the sound quality is just as real, clear, intense (pick a word of praise
I’m sure it will fit!) as the original headset if not more so.
The headset really does complete a full immersive gaming experience with bullets whizzing
overhead and artillery booming just across the street. Increasing the volumes just increases the
experience and the sound quality hardly falters with almost perfect sound. Sure, the clarity does
fade a little but it’s nothing major.
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.
Again, the sound quality was pretty much spot on and so we’ll move on to the microphone testing,
another thing this game is good for due to the squad based system in which VOIP is very useful. It
must be said, that the mic is very easy to use and is MUCH better than the microphone from the
original Siberia. From feedback from team mates it was very evident that my voice was transferred
clearly and effectively – definitely thumbs up for the improvement made here by SteelSeries.
Music
With music testing I like to listen to a wide variety of music from Michael Jackson to
InnerPartySystem to the Kanye West. In each instance the sound produced byt the speakers was first
rate with no real criticisms at all.
Comfort
The different materials and extra padding makes the already comfortable Siberia headset even more
so. It’s so comfortable that you almost forget you’re wearing it after a while!
Cost
Of course, all this quality and expertise does come at a price: 80 Euros converts to just over £70. So,
it’s pretty expensive but if you do splash out, you are definitely in for a treat.
Conclusion
It’s very difficult looking for faults with the revamped Siberia; personally I’d prefer an all black design
and maybe the price could be a little lower but to be honest I’m just being picky in order to try and
come up with any sort of criticism. The Siberia V2 is an awesome headset: it’s got great sound
quality, comfort in abundance and at last a decent microphone.
The mic mute and volume control makes the headset more practical and the headband works
perfectly as we knew it would from the first Siberia.
So you’re looking to buy a new headset? Look no further; the SteelSeries Siberia V2 is almost perfect
and definitely as good as it gets – great job SteelSeries.
Pros
Great sound quality
Very comfortable
Looks good
Retractable mic
Mute button/volume control
Cons
Price
Editors Choice