SteelSeries 800 Wireless (H Wireless) Gaming Headset Review – The best all-round headset I’ve ever come across

2 Replies

Pros: Build quality, wireless integration, cross-platform integration, sound quality, microphone clarity, retractable microphone, accessories, different types of connections
Cons: Maximum sound volume

Build quality: 10/10
Comfort: 9/10
Overall sound quality for a headset: 10/10
Isolation: 8/10
Microphone quality: 9/10
Review price: £235
Value: 8/10 (at £235 price tag)
Overall rating: 9/10

First of all I would like to thank SteelSeries for sending me their headset for review. After having reviewed the Siberia V2 Heat Orange Gaming Headset and the 9H Gaming Headset I was very much curious to see how the wireless offering by SteelSeries would compare, both sonically and in terms of its overall performance as a headset. The H Wireless can be found on AmazonUK for around £235 & AmazonUSA for $278. Thus this is an expensive headset, it competes with a lot of audiophile headphones in its category, let alone headsets. I put it up against the Denon AH-D2000 which has been modded and will thus be the equivalent to a D5000. I spent £270 for the headphones, incl my mods – thus my Denon’s and a ModMic 4.0 offer an audiophile headset equivalent. So the H Wireless has a lot to play for.

Note: At the time of review – it was named the H Wireless, but has since been updated to the 800 Wireless. They are the same headsets, just re-named!

For more information about the headset and its specifications can be found on SteelSeries’ website.

Here’s my video review:

Now let’s get into the written review:

Continue reading →

AntLion Audio ModMic 4.0 Uni-Directional Review – Transform your headphones into a headset

2 Replies

I’ve always been one to be underwhelmed by headsets, that said recently I have been impressed with what SteelSeries have been offering. However, the sound signature and audio traits of a headset have yet to beat or equal the audio quality of my personal headphones at home, the modded Denon AH-D2000 – this is where I came across the ModMic 4.0, the new and just released revision of the previous ModMic version.

I would like to send a huge thanks to Jimmy (who has been incredibly honest about his products via email) at AntLion for sending me this out for review.
To purchase the mic, you should go directly via Antlion’s website:
AntLion ModMic 4.0

Price for shipping internationally (at least to the UK, is an additional $13, which is extremely reasonable) – you’re thus looking at $50 / £30 at a base cost and $63 / £37 incl international delivery.

Before getting into the review, I should share with you Jimmy’s comments on his own product – these are especially useful for those that have the older revisions of the ModMic, where I haven’t had the chance to review the older revisions:

Capsule is a larger 9.7mm uni-directional. It does a better job in noise cancellation, although it sacrifices the overall recording quality a little.
We redesigned the boom so it has no solder/joints in it. Also has a stiffer steel spine/wire than prior flexible booms. This should lead to greater durability.
The cable is thicker
Clasp is stronger and backwards-compatible with prior versions.
We added a mute switch
The mic has a year warranty on it and we’ll quickly replace parts for anyone with issues

What I absolutely love about AntLion, is that they’re completely transparent about their product. Jimmy outlined some problems and limitations and even some improvements he wants to make (ie. Not having a pop sound occur when you mute the mic).
This is honestly the first time, in my years of reviewing that I’ve come across a manufacturer, let alone PR agency etc. to outline the problems with their OWN products, before it even reaches me. What this does is gives honesty – you know what you’re expecting and Jimmy nailed the problems and limitations all in his email to me. They are noteworthy problems, but not ground breaking problems. Just little niggles that Jimmy has the intention to fix and improve.
I absolutely love this approach and before receiving this product, it really depicted to me how this was a “personal” product to Jimmy and how much faith he had in his own product. I guess some might say it is derogatory or pessimistic, coming from a manufacturer, but in my review, you’ll understand what a great mic this is, which make the comments just shine upon the company and show how much passion they have in wanting to improve an already great product.

In order to really appreciate the quality and traits of the microphone – I made a video review, which I would like to share with you!