This gaming headset helps you heed the Call of Duty
When you think of gaming headsets, it's easy to picture something large and gaudy, replete with LED lights, sharp angles, and huge microphones. While there aren't many options for gamers seeking something more portable and low-key, the SteelSeries 3Hv2 Gaming Headset (MSRP: $39.99) is one solution. These gaming cans are affordably priced, and feature a compact, travel-friendly design.
Unfortunately, the sound quality doesn't live up to its end of the bargain. These headphones are designed for first person shooters, and thus downplay treble frequencies in favor of bass. If you want to use them for anything other than holding the line with your brothers-in-arms or listening to chest-rumbling music, they won't hold up very well.
Like the sound quality, the design also has pros and cons. SteelSeries engineered this headset with a goal of saving space. To that end, when they're folded up, the 3Hv2 looks like it could almost fit into a pocket. A retractable microphone that rests inside the left ear pad when not in use is even more good news for travelers.
One downside of the compact design is an overly tight fit that presses a little too firmly after a few hours. This, combined with the padded leather cushions, creates a heat seal around your ears— before long my ears started to turn red. If you're looking for a headset to take you deep into the night on a gaming binge, these may not be a good choice.
Where these headphones truly find their place is as a travel headset for LAN gaming parties. The quality is good enough to get you through a session with friends, and when you're done it folds small enough to travel easily. Unfortunately for a gaming headset built for portability, there isn't a carrying case to ferry them from game to game.
In fact, there is only one accessory in the package: a small cable adapter that unifies the separate microphone and headphone jacks. It's a nice touch, letting these easily function with mobile devices (both Android and iOS), so you can play games and take voice calls without switching your gear.
Rounding out the features of this introductory model are the retractable microphone and the in-line mic/volume controls. The microphone's clarity wasn't perfect, but it performed well enough for my uses — both in-game and during a voice call.
While the 3Hv2s are adequate for gaming, they are simply not designed for listening to music. Any song you listen to will be very unbalanced, with an emphasis on bass and the lower mid-range sounds and a severe drop in anything higher than that.
Basically, you wouldn't want these on your head if you were playing a game that features a detailed musical score, like Final Fantasy. Instead, the 3Hv2 are engineered for first-person shooters, a genre that revels in the deeper sounds of gunfire and action.
The low price tag on the 3Hv2 makes this headset enticing at first glance, but you'll have to remember that you're mostly paying for the compact design and not the audio quality. These headphones were engineered for a particular type of video game and video game player — one that is constantly on the go and under fire.
Even with those considerations, the 3Hv2 may be a difficult buy. If you're looking for an affordable gaming headset that doesn't sacrifice quality, we recommend the Razer Carcharias, which you can usually find online for $70.00.
If you game on the go, need a headset that locks in sound, or one that is compatible across computers and mobile devices they could be an effective budget alternative. If you want a gaming headset that also stands in a great pair of headphones, the 3Hv2s aren't the best fit.