INTRODUCTION

   At the time i was writing these lines Paul Walker the actor we all learned and loved from the Fast movies died at the age of 40 after a very tragic car crash involving a red Porsche GT driven by one of his friends. We are well aware that this is not something that has to do with a technology related site but we are all humans above all else so we would just like to extend our condolences to his family and close friends, he will be missed by millions around the world that's for certain. Moving back to today’s review i think we all know the importance of having a good quality headset when watching your favorite movies, playing your favorite games and listening to your favorite tunes. However most of the time really good headsets that deliver high audio clarity cost quite a bit but thanks to SteelSeries and their latest H line of headsets featuring their brand new tournament grade audio driver technology this may change for the best. Today on our test bench we have the 2nd best model in the new H line and more specifically the 5HV3 Gaming Headset.

   From day one, SteelSeries has been focused on making professional gaming gear that provide meaningful benefits to gamers of all skill-level, with the most demanding being those gamers whose lively hood depends on the performance of our products. We believe, as most gamers do, in winning, not trying! What originally began as a small two-person operation in Copenhagen back in 2001 has become a global leader in professional gaming products. SteelSeries recognized the need for superior, high-quality professional gaming gear that would give players a competitive edge. Fast-forward to today, and we've come a long way since our first glass mousepad. We have global offices in North America, Europe, and Asia, providing an integrated portfolio of products designed specifically for gaming. Fueling our growth is you, the gamer!

   It's been roughly 3 years since I’ve tested the previous 5Hv2 version of this particular line so i have very high hopes for the 5Hv3 since i can't believe that SteelSeries sat idly for all these years just to introduce something similar in performance. However based on the numbers both the 5Hv2 and the 5Hv3 share the same frequency response for their stereo drivers (16Hz-28KHz), the same impedance (40 Ohm), same sensitivity (110dB) and the same exact uni-directional microphone (75Hz-16KHz frequency response/-38dB sensitivity/2k Ohm Impendence). Both headsets can also be dismantled into 3 pieces making them ideal for LAN events. The only three differences are the 7.1 USB virtual surround soundcard that comes with the 5Hv2, the different driver size (50mm vs 40mm if I recall correctly) and the different swappable connectivity cables bundled with the 5Hv3. So basically the old 5Hv2 offered 7.1 virtual surround sound via two stereo drivers and a USB soundcard while the new one misses out on that feature something which i personally don't care much about. The only real question is just how good the new 5Hv3 is and whether or not SteelSeries actually improved on its predecessor so let's find out.