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When your gaming, sound is half the experience. Having a good set of 5.1 speakers is not always possible, so the
next best thing would be a set of 5.1 headphones. Recently Saitek introduced the Cyborg 5.1 headset.
Features
- True 5.1 Surround sound using integrated USB sound card with in-line volume/mute controls
- Low profile, rotating cans and adjustable headband for total comfort and portability
- Detachable noise-canceling boom microphone
- 6 sonic drivers deliver precise directional audio
- 3.5mm jack included for use with MP3/CD/Handheld devices (in stereo)
Saitek has long been known as a premier maker of gaming devices. They make everything from joysticks down to
gaming mice. It wasn't until a year or two ago that they started making audio products as well.
The headset has an integrated sound card that is used when it is plugged in using USB. This sound card makes it
possible for the headphones to play true 5.1 surround sound. There are also a headphone and Mic 3.5mm jack that are used for stereo
sound. The controls that are in the middle of the cable are used to control the volume and switch between stereo and 5.1 surround sound.
The microphone that is included with the headset is not only detachable, but also noise canceling. This helps to remove
background noise that would otherwise interfere with your communication.
Design
The first thing you are probably going to notice is the nice case that everything comes in. There is space for the
headphones, the manuals other paperwork, and the driver disk.
Case
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Contents
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Headphones in Case
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The Cyborg 5.1 headset is made of all black plastic. The part around the headphones is hard and the plastic that goes
over the head is soft. The ear covers are made of fabric, but they are not particularly soft. They feel soft to the touch, but when you put
them on your head they feel a bit stiff.
Top
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Bottom
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There are lights on each of the headphones. The right headphone has a green light and the left one is red. They only come
on when the headphones are plugged in with the USB cable.
Lights
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The controls are right in the middle of the cable and they can be used to control the volume level of the headphones, and
also switch between 5.1 and stereo sound.
Controls
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Volume
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At the end of the cable there are three connectors. The green one is for stereo audio, the pink one is for the microphone,
the USB connector will do both 5.1 audio and the microphone.
Connectors
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Performance
Using the headphones is really easy. You do need to install drivers, but they are included on the CD and are
quick to install. The only other changes that need to be are made automatically when the USB is plugged in. These changes include
adding playback and
recording devices and switching them to be the default. As you can see from the screen shots below there are several devices added
under both the playback and record screens. There are some loud popping noises made when the headphones are plugged in via USB, so I
recommend that you do not have the headphones on when you plug them in.
Install
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Headset Playback
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Headset Record
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Speaker Playback
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Speaker Record
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Depending on which connection method you use, USB or 3.5mm, you have to use the controls to switch from 5.1 to
Stereo, otherwise you will not be able to hear any sound. USB uses the 5.1 setting and the 3.5mm plugs use the Stereo setting. There are also separate
volume controls for 5.1 and stereo. The 5.1 volume controls are on the front of the controller and they are + and - buttons. The Stereo
volume is on the top and it is a sliding wheel. I have to admit I do not like this setup -- I often found myself mixing up the volume controls and
using the wrong one. There are too many controls doing the same thing. It seems like there should be a way for the controller to switch
between USB and 3.5mm mode automatically. In addition, they should also be able to share the same volume controls.
The sound from the headset is good. I tried listening to a couple movies and playing a few games. Both the 5.1 and
stereo performed as I expected and they sounded great.
The headphones are not the most comfortable that I have ever worn. The cushions around the ears are soft to the touch,
but when I put them on they felt stiff and rough. Keep in mind that
my other pair of headphones are a $350
pair of noise canceling headphones. It is not really fair for me to compare them, especially since the Cyborg headset only costs about
$80. Also, I have a hard time with over-the-ear headphones because my tips of my ears get sore after using them for about an hour.
These headphones have a larger opening than my other pair so it is not as bad, but I can still feel my ears start to get tender after a
while.
Warranty
As with all of Saitek's products there is a two year warranty on the Cyborg 5.1 headset. This is decent, but I keep
hoping that more companies will offer lifetime warranties. For example, my other pair of headphones are from a company named
Ableplanet and they offer a lifetime warranty on their headphones.
Conclusion
The Cyborg 5.1 headset is really a decent headset. The sound was good and I felt that they were fairly comfortable.
The price of $80 is fairly reasonable, but it will make it one of the most expensive products in the Saitek Cyborg line of Gaming devices.
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