INTRODUCTION

   Inside 2014 we are going to witness the release of several highly anticipated game titles for both the PC and consoles so this is a very good time for people not only to upgrade their systems in terms of firepower (PC users obviously) but also to swap their old peripherals for new ones in order to get the best possible experience. Gaming keyboards and mice are without doubt very important for both casual and serious gamers but a good gaming headset might just offer a bit more enjoyment in some games. Now as many of you know the market is filled with 5.1/7.1 virtual surround headsets most of which are no better than your average stereo headset however from time to time we have received some very decent solutions that can almost go toe to toe with "real" surround sound headsets. I'm certain that SteelSeries needs no introductions and since aside the excellent Elite Gaming Headset they also released the 9H Gaming Headset at around the same time we decided to see just how good it is.

   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!

   Since the 9H Gaming Headset is not a "real" surround sound model it wears two 40mm audio drivers (featuring 10Hz-28KHz frequency response with 32Ohm impedance and 110dB sensitivity) which in turn offer 7.1 Dolby pro logic IIx virtual surround sound with the help of a separate USB soundcard. The 9H also comes ready with a retractable uni-directional noise-canceling microphone (50Hz-16KHz/2KOhm/-37db) and swappable cables that allow a person not only to use it with a PC but also with mobile devices and generally any device that has the typical 3.5" mini jack analog audio port. Also just like the 5Hv3 headset which we tested a while back according to SteelSeries the 9H features a custom-engineered soundscape which makes it ideal for use with games although judging by the 5Hv3 it's not really something you will notice while playing (it's not bad to have all the help you can get however). Overall the 9H seems to be a couple of steps above the 5Hv3 in both performance and quality so let's take a close look to see if that's the case or not.