SteelSeries SteelSound 3H Headset
Review by: Steve
Edited by: Ji4m
Provided by: SteelSeries
Price: $57 Canadian

Introduction:
Today we're looking at the second of the two new SteelSound headsets from SteelSeries. This one being the 3H, the headset with the lowest price in the series. Cheap doesn't always mean a mediocre performing product though! I've always been impressed with products from this company, so let's see if the 3H will prove to be a worthy headset for the price!

    
(Click to enlarge)

In The Box:
(1) SteelSound 3H Headset

(Click to enlarge)

Specs:
Headphones
Frequency response: 10 - 27.000 Hz
Impedance: 50 Ohm
SPL@1kHz, 1Vrms: 102dB
Cable: 2 meters (6.5 feet)

Microphone
Frequency response: 50 - 18.000 Hz
Pick up pattern: Non-directional
Sensitivity: -40 dB
Impedance: 2.2K Ohm

(Click to enlarge)

Features:
The 3H is the cheapest headset available in the SteelSeries SteelSound line of headsets. Built with much more of a bare design, it isn't crowded with all the flashy features of the 4H and 5H headsets. If you've seen the 4H and 5H headsets then you'll be quick to notice the smaller ear cups on the 3H. Instead of fully covering the ear the faux-leather pads sit on top with a gentle pressure to hold them against your head.

(Click to enlarge)

As with all headsets in this series there is a mic which slides out of the left ear cup. The mic is on a bendable plastic-coated wire, but I found it extremely flimsy and any attempts to adjust it result in it springing back to a position nowhere near my mouth.

The headband along the top of the headset is made of a cheap, bendable, textured plastic with the SteelSound Logo. No fancy padding unfortunately like both the 4H and 5H's had.

I also found that the wire on the 3H was really thick compared to most headsets, but nothing wrong there, thicker is far more robust to taking a beating on the road. The plugs are not your standard green for speakers and pink for mic though, instead they're black and red which may be confusing for some at first.

I was pretty impressed with how small the 3H headset can fold up to. As you can see in the pictures, both ear cups fold in and you're left with a pretty compact little headset to transport or tuck away in a bag to go to a LAN party with.

(Click to enlarge)