SteelSeries SteelSound 4H Headset
Review by: Steve
Edited by: Ji4m
Provided by: SteelSeries
Price: $80 Canadian

Introduction:
To follow up with the previously reviewed SteelSound 5H and 5H V2 Headsets, SteelSeries has released two new versions. The SteelSound 3H and 4H headsets are aimed at consumers who want all the features of the 5H but at a fraction of the cost. Still promising the same great sound and the retractable mic, these two new headsets are designed with not quite as large of a budget in mind. Today will be the first of two reviews in which we'll be looking at both the 3H and 4H. In the limelight today: the 4H.

  
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In The Box:
(1) SteelSound 4H Headset

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Specs:
Headphones
Frequency response: 16 - 28.000 Hz
Impedance: 40 Ohm
SPL@ 1kHz, 1 Vrms: 110 dB
Cable length: 1.8 meters (6 feet)

Microphone
Frequency response: 75 - 16.000 Hz
Pick up pattern: Uni-directional
Sensitivity: -38dB
Impedance: 2k Ohm

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Features:
The overall design of the 4H Headset is quite similar to that of the 5H. They have kept a colour scheme which is relatively identical to it's bigger brother. The retractable mic was one of my favourite unique features of the 5H and it's nice to see that it was also included in the 4H. This mic extends out of the left speaker cup on a flexible arm for easy unobstructed voice communication while hard at play or work. Mic sensitivity and headset volume are adjustable on the control clip on the wire from the headphones, another feature kept the same as the 5H model.

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Comfort is a big factor I look for in headsets being as I personally get headaches when something is tight on my head for extended periods of time. I can be very picky when it comes to choosing a good headset. The 4H has large felt cloth ear cushions and a padded strip of felt cloth along the top band as well. I was
happy to see the absence of padded faux-leather on this model compared to the 5H. Cloth is known to last and wear better in the long run helping you get your money's worth out of the headset!

Of course you can't produce a cheaper priced headset without cutting the occasional corner. On the 4H model we have lost the ability to disassemble both ear cups from the top band. This was something I really liked on the 5H for safe and easy transportation. I obviously can not hold this against the 4H as it is designed for a cheaper budget, but I wanted to point out that comparison for people wondering the difference between the two.

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