Gadget Gift Ideas For Everyone

23. SteelSeries Siberia v2 Headset

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SteelSeries Siberia v2 Headset

Along with Logitech, Razer, and Creative, the SteelSeries' brand is well known for gaming keyboards, mice, mousepads, and headsets. The original Siberia headset from SteelSeries is several years old, so a product refresh is no surprise.

The Siberia v2 is available in two flavors: USB and 3.5 mm. We received the 3.5 mm jacks version, which retails for about $90.

One thing I have always liked about SteelSeries is that every headset the company sells comes with 3.5 mm extension cords. Depending on how your gaming PC desk is set up, sometimes you just can’t get enough cord slack if you’re connecting a headset to the back of your tower. The nine-foot extension cable guarantees that you’ll be able to wear the headset comfortably no matter where your tower is in the room. Of course, the headset itself still comes with a ten-foot cord.

The Siberia v2 headset is one of the most comfortable gaming headsets available. This is due largely to the Siberia’s headband suspension system, which uses thin wires attached to an upper white band to raise and lower the padded headband underneath. Once you put the headset on, there is no adjusting, because the headset adjusts itself. When you combine the suspension headband with the leather-covered earcups, the result is one of the best-feeling headsets available for under $100.

The Siberia headsets have always had good mic quality, and the v2 is no different. However, one major difference between the v1 and v2 is the mic design. While the v1 had a clip mic built into the cord, the v2 comes with a boom mic that is retractable. The boom allows for better mic placement and a more standard, stylish look. While the mic has been relocated, there is still an in-line audio control on the v2.

The positional audio quality is superb, and the bass is definitely more present in the v2 than it was in the v1. This is due largely in part to the bigger drivers in each earcup, which now measure 50 mm. However, like many gaming headsets, the v2 isn’t designed for watching movies or listening to music. Instead, the v2 is an excellent first-game audio purchase.

The tested version of the Siberia v2 uses standard 3.5 mm jacks for audio in and mic out, so there is no need for software or configuration. Just plug and play.

Gaming headsets can seem like they’re a dime a dozen, especially if you're considering buying one for the first time. But the SteelSeries Siberia v2 is one of the better options available if you’re looking to spend under $100. --Devin Connors

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