Tests


This first test checks frequency response. Lower is generally better, and all three cards stay pretty much equal. It is worth noting how erratic the results from the USB cards are compared to the Audigy2. This seems to indicate that the program had difficulty getting a good read on the card, so take these results with a grain of salt.


Once again, for this test, lower is better. It measures the level of noise caused by the audio setup. The fluxuations here aren't nearly as extreme as the results from the frequency response test, so they can be taken at face value. As you can see, the Audigy2 provides much less noise in this quantitative test.


This final test is stereo crosstalk. Once again, lower is better. However, the USB devices put up a much better showing than they do in the noise test. Moreover, since there's almost no fluctuation, these tests are probably the most accurate.

Looking at these results, you might say to yourself that these USB devices are quite inferior to the Audigy2. Though the Audigy2 is unquestionably a better sound solution, the real-life differences you'll sense in audio quality are minimal. Put simply, you probably won't know anything's different.

Now there's the completely opinion-based question of positional audio. The software for these USB devices allow for normal playback, and then also a feature they call “virtual 7.1”. According to the documentation, this setting simulates a complete 7.1 surround sound system on your headphones, allowing for unprecedented positioning of audio signals. Sounds too good and gimmicky to be true, doesn't it. Well, it is true! The positioning of sounds with this setting turned on even outclasses games running EAX 4.0, supposedly the pinnacle of 3D sound engines. After playing CoD2 for a couple of missions, with the Audigy2 and EAX I had a basic idea of where people were, but after turning on this virtual 7.1 setup, I could snap shot to people who weren't even on the screen just by hearing them. It really is that good. Probably the best part of this setup is that, unlike EAX, the game does not have to be specifically programmed to take advantage of virtual 7.1. The calculations are all done on the USB card itself. Naturally, the more advanced a sound engine is before it reaches the USB device the better, but even games with relatively primitive sound engines, such as CS 1.6, benefit greatly from it.

The bottom line on these USB sound cards is that they work. They provide great positional audio, which more than makes up for any imperceptible loss in quality they have. Most of all, at only a $20 price premium, it's still $30 cheaper than the least expensive Audigy2 on the market, the Audigy2 Value, and you can transport it with you to any system, as long as you have the conveniently small mini-CD.

Conclusion
This concludes our first full-scale hardware analysis. Thanks once again to Steel Series and Icemat for the samples. As our tests and opinions show, we believe that either of these high-dollar headsets are worth every penny, and are the perfect complement to a high-end gaming machine. We'd like to leave you with a quick run down of each headset for future reference:

Steelsound 5H
+ Neat microphone retracting system
+ Very good in-game sound quality
+ Design features make it ideal for LAN parties
- Music playback quality leaves a lot to be desired
- Higher price than Siberias
MSRP: $119.99 ($139.99 for USB version)
www.steelseries.com

Icemat Siberia
+ Equal to the 5H in in-game sound quality, which is saying a lot
+ AMAZING music playback quality
+ Ideal for games or professional music creation
+ Very comfortable, unique design
- No microphone attachment on the headphones
- A LOT of different cables and parts that could get lost
MSRP: $79.99 ($99.99 for USB version)
www.icemat.com

Sennheiser PC150
+ Decent price
+ Good quality sound in games
+ Decent music quality
- Not nearly on the level of either the 5H or the Siberia in sound quality
- Not very useful in any situation other than computer games
MSRP: $49.99
www.sennheiserusa.com