A showdown among four popular gaming headsets

Trevor Tan

trevor@mediacorp.com.sg

Not so long ago, the only peripheral a computer gamer needed was a good mouse. These days, gamers also require a good gaming headset for their multiplayer communication needs and to fully savour the games' fantastic sound effects without annoying others. Here's a look at some of the coolest gaming headsets in the market.

Sony DR-GA200 ($99)

This lightweight gaming headset features a rather unique triple enfolding design that looks more "alienish" in the midst of circular headsets. Despite its unconventional design, it works well in reducing pressure on the ears and increasing air ventilation so that your ears will not perspire. It is surprisingly comfortable even after long gaming sessions, with the remote volume control easily accessible along its 2.5m cord.

But the curvy microphone that goes with the design is non-adjustable. You can pull it out from its resting position but you can't bend it to move it closer to your lips. Out of the four headsets, it has the most muffled voice recording.

There are no drivers to worry about here. You just have to plug the headset to your computer via the normal audio jacks and you can use it straight away. Audio from the headset is crisp and sharp but the bass lacks punch.

At $99, this headset will cater to gamers on a budget.

Easy on the Ears

With its latest headphones, the Sony DR-GA200 gaming headset, Sony has ventured away from the well-trodden path and decided to come up with something completely new. It's a design that puts comfort above other factors and a culmination of Sony's research and feedback from users.

Designed for Comfort

The Sony DR-GA200 introduces a brand new triple-enfolding design aimed at providing a more comfortable experience, taking in account the long, extended sessions of FPS killfests or RPG quests that gamers are capable of. The three-part, circumference ring ear-cup with its foam cushioning is said to improve airflow and reduce pressure. Creative design means that not only does it provide ventilation, but gives the DR-GA200 a look that is uniquely its own.

The new Sony DR-GA200 Gaming Headset.

Using 40mm drivers, the headphones have individual adjustment features for both left and right side ear-cups. There is also a boom microphone attached on the left, which can be used for in-game communication. With a flat tangle-free cable along with an attached dongle that controls the volume and turns the microphone on and off, the DR-GA200 meets the standard design features found on other gaming headsets.

Performance

After prolonged periods of varied and continuous use, we found that the headset remains comfortable compared to other gaming headsets. The headset sits lightly when in use, with the head band being supple and the ear-cups providing slight contact around your ears. The triple-enfolding design means your ears have greater room to breathe. We found that the usual problem of overheated ears after extensive use was drastically reduced.

The Triple-Enfolding design. The three parts outlined in red envelope your ear and provide added comfort and ventilation over extended use.

For Battlefield 2: Bad Company we found that the headphones handled the music score well, while in-game sound effects such as explosions had a sufficient level of oomph to them. However at high volumes there was a significant distortion of the headstage (soundstage for headphones) and we found the sound originally coming from the peripheries moving towards the center as the volume increased.

The DR-GA200 loses detail for timbre and fails to render high treble with crispness. Low bass notes also sound slightly dull. It also fails to recreate the atmosphere and ambience for most complex musical scores.

The boom microphone transmitted voice clearly and performed its function well. The hinge is damped to near perfection, although during usage we did fear it would be easily snapped off with the application of the slightest force.

Being open air headphones, the DR-GA200 suffers from sound leakage. We found that with all volume settings at 50%, people in our vicinity could clearly hear our audio feed. Depending on the environment you intend to use the headphones in, this may or may not be a problem. If your gaming sessions require your headphones to isolate sound to the surroundings, so as not to disturb those around you, these headphones do not get the job done.

Final Thoughts

The DR-GA200 is a unique offering from Sony due to its new triple-enfolding design. The new design is inventive and does increase comfort which should be a huge draw for all hardcore gamers. As for the audio performance, the headphones create a headstage that most gamers would find adequate but the overall performance would not meet a stringent audiophile’s standard. Fortunately for Sony, their intended audience is likely to have different priorities from the audiophiles when it comes to headphones.

Priced at S$109, the Sony DR-GA200 is in the right price bracket for its target segment and those who prioritize comfort over audio quality will have no qualms about getting it for their next gaming session.

Source : July's edition (July) in GameAxis

The Need for Boom
With close to 300 million iPods and iPhones sold, Apple's proprietary 30-pin dock connector is fast becoming a standard onto itself, it is not already so. If you've gone into any electronics store in the past two years, you'd have seen no shortage of speaker systems and accessories that offer iPod and iPhonecompatible docking systems. Even competitors to Apple in the portable media player market have been releasing iPod compatible peripherals due to its popularity.

With that in mind, Sony recently released a new 2.1 PC speaker system-the SRS-GD50iP- that has a unique Apple twist. It isn't noticeable at first glance, as the speakers themselves are rather drab and normal looking. However, it comes with a wired controller that includes an integrated iPodliPhone dock.

This dock is compatible with all current generation iPod, iPod Touch and iPhone devices. When put to the test, it even worked with our six-year-old fourth generation iPod. To use the speaker system as your iPod jukebox, just plug in and select the "iPod" input on the wired controller. Plugging any Apple device into the dock immediately begins charging it too, so you can treat it like a charging station if you're not going to use the speakers.

To prevent the device from accidentally syncing with your PC, Sony has also included a convenient switch to enable and disable syncing on the wired controller, which is a thoughtful touch. On the whole, the dock worked well with nary a complaint from us.

Look past its standard design, the SRS-GD50iP is a surprisingly capable speaker system. Overall, audio performance can be described as full-bodied and spacious. Playing one of our favourite test tracks, Hotel California, we found that the speakers sounded intimate. The plucking of guitar strings in the opening was delicate and precise, and the bongo drums had sufficient oomph to get our feet tapping.

Where the speakers could have done better, however. was in the delivery of vocal clarity. For example, while Don Henley's vocals on Hotel California were gruff and textured. we also felt that it sounded slightly muffled on the Sony speakers. Another gripe of ours had to do with the speaker's subwoofer levels, being inconsistent from track to track. It was fine most of the time, but there were instances where it would sound subdued. Fortunately, the problem can easily be rectified by turning up the subwoofer volume, but really, more consistency would be great.

Overall, the Sony SRS-GD50iP is a great pair of speakers, seeing that it sounds great and works well. But for its price, there's no hortage of competitors. Besides the Creative Gigaworks T3. there's also Altee Lansing's outlandish-looking Expressionist Ultra. But then, none of them come with a built-in integrated dock, and that is enough to set the SRS-GDSOiP apart from the competition.

We've seen countless 2.0 channel speakers pass through our test lab but none yet from a top-tier manufacturer like Sony. Is that an indication of sorts that established brands just don't bother with 2.0 systems? Maybe and maybe not. Either way, the SRS-Z100 is a refreshing change of pace from the mostly teeny 2.0 speakers we've come across. It has a tall, slim design, with a height figure of 23cm and just 8.4cm wide. Despite the absence of a subwoofer, it has a full range bass reflex system that produces quality bass. Each speaker also carries a 21mm tweeter unit that enables the SRS-Z100 to handle high notes very well. Both units are also magnetically shielded as per the custom which means interference with your PC's display is less likely if placed close by. The SRS-Z100 has volume and power on/off controls, dual input and a headphone jack if you don't want to let the bosses know you're actually playing DoTA in the office as opposed to working. It also has a 'Mega Bass' function that lets you turn up the bass for thump-thumping beats. It manages a total output power of 20W - better than most 2.0 channel speakers we've seen. What it lacks though is the ability to be powered from a USB port, requiring an AC adapter instead whereas most 2.0 speakers can be powered via a USB port. It's also pricey but if you're looking for quality sounds in a small package, the SRS-Z100 doesn't fall far off the mark.

The SRS-Z100 looks very good on a desk and with its tall, slim design. The sound quality complements its premium looks, as does its price tag.

• Value: 4/5
• Performance: 4/5
• Features: 4/5
• Score: 8/10

You're sitting at your PC, there's a Live Music Convert DVD in your PC drive and a bowl of chips in your lap. You sit and anticipate that strong, impressive sound, but instead you hear only what seams to be a fractions of the intended audio capacity. If you're one to experience that, the Sony SRS-DB500 PC Speakers will probably make you a much happier person.

The Sony SRS-DB500 is capable of delivering layers of audio lucidity for every scene. Though evidently bulky for PC speakers, it'd make a pleasant companion if you've the extra space to fit it in.

Ideal for the passionate gamer, the ardent movie buff and the one whose hard drive is immensely overidden with audio tracks, this set of PC speakers can do wonders. It's built with easy, separate controls that allow the volume bass, and treble to be adjusted effortlessly as you switch from revving your race car to relishing melodic Motown grooves. Goodbye rigid audio controls, hello flexible audio happiness.

The remote control comes in useful for moments when walking is an overstatement and reclining against couch is the order of the day.

If you don't wish to share the notable audio quality that these speakers deliver, there's always a headphone output for private listening.

Seemingly enormous, the audio feast is made possible with two 75 watt speakers and a 150 watt sub-woofer with bass reflex. Cheers to the power of three.

Sony SRS-DB500

Immense, loud, and over the top. These are attributes you would associate with a gaming rig, and it's no surprise that Sony's SRS-DB500 system possesses these attributes as well. It boasts 300 watts RMS of power, with a whopping 150W dedicated to the sub-woofer alone.

As the SRS-DB500 was designed for gamers, it would be equally unsurprising to know that the speakers take on a classic black appearance as well; lending itself well for display alongside the classic black monitor or your Playstation 3. The subwoofer is accentuated by a matching ring of orange light which outlines the main control knob. Operating the bass and treble is a fairly straightforward affair although there aren't any indicators as to how much adjustment you're making, apart from your ears as a reference. Sony has thoughtfully included a front-accessible second input jack for a secondary input source.

With so much power at your disposal, it's no surprise that the SRS-DB500 delivers that irreplaceable chest-thumping bass ever-so craved by gamers who chase that adrenaline rush. Even at high volumes, the satellites hold up to wattage abuse and don't crack up, although it has to be said that these are not exactly the most subtle speakers ever designed. The trebles are slightly harsh at high volumes in a musical context, though it is spot on from a gaming perspective. The woofer is massive for a desktop-bound device, so interested parties will do well to make space for this behemoth.

Matching Colours

Speakers are like a dime a dozen these days, with many different models from many different manufacturers. Most of the time, the consumer is left standing in front of the speaker hall at PC Fair pondering over the many choices available.

Sony has made this decision easier for its VAIO owners with the release of its cute SRS-D25 system. Available in the multiple color hues of the VAIO notebook, these speakers are meant to compliment your computer by offering the same design language and cheeriness that accompanies most VAIO's.

They are adequately sized for a 2.1 system which is meant to be placed on your desk; the speakers are not too large for a regular-sized desk n the office or at home and they are attractive enough for permanent display.

The only gripe with the SRS-D25 is the small mass of cables running out of the rear of the subwoofer. These cables are not detachable, and unless you have some magic cable tidying capabilities, they will interfere with a clean desk. The volume and power controls as well as the headphones jack are located on the front of the subwoofer, squashing any chance of hiding it.

Even if it's meant to sit on your desk, the SRS-D25 will not interfere with your monitor or other magnetically-influenced items as the speakers themselves are magnetically shielded despite their size.

We found that the system is rather portable, and possessing 25W of power it can be loud enough for a party. With its universal inputs, users are able to attach a multimedia player to the speaker system for quick entertainment.

Sound quality from these speaker units was adequate, considering that they only offered sound between 70Hz to 16Hz frequency band. Other than that, they're perfect for situations and places where you are not able to listen to your music at more than 50% of the volume at any given time.

The sound progression is smooth and it does not exhibit major signs of distortion even when nearing its loudest, playing heavy metal tracks from Black Sabbath.

When we tried our music library on the speakers, the genre that seemed to suit it best was light jazz or lounge music, matching its disposition and capabilities perfectly. Gaming on the speakers seemed slightly out of the question, but it did well with more casual titles such as the Sims or even browser-based games.

It also is a big improvement over regular laptop speakers, largely due to its subwoofer. With this, DVD movies are given added depth; something which is inconceivable on regular laptop speakers!

The Sony SRS-D25 is a speaker system which can be a pleasant addition to your desk; its design and audio quality is more than adequate for most music - from pop to rock to rap.

The better sound quality is a great boost for your multimedia. Portable enough for temporary audio setups at an event or presentation, it also matches the fun side of your VAIO laptop, making it a must-have accessory.