STEELSERIES SIBERIA 840
Are we witnessing the best wireless headset?
It’s a widely held opinion among tech journalists that if you’re after the best wireless headset money can buy, the SteelSeries H Wireless is your best bet. So with the launch of the Siberia 840, an updated variant of the H Wireless, we had to get our hands on it to see what had changed.
The soft foam padding at the top of the band is still exceptionally comfortable, and you still get two interchangeable batteries included with the charging dock. The dock is also almost identical we well, supporting a variety of EQ adjustments, and with many options for audio out.
But there’s been a slight adjustment to the overall aesthetic design. Instead of plain plastic ear cups, you’re now greeted with a faux brushed aluminium metallic finish. Bluetooth has also been included and really impresses. On top of that, the company has integrated support for its SteelSeries Engine desktop software, so you can control your profiles and EQ settings on your rig, as opposed to on the dock.
How does it fair as a headset? Pretty damn good. The audio quality is exceptionally well rounded. It could do with being a touch crisper on the upper end of the treble, for the sake of clarity.
The omnidirectional mic does a swell job of ensuring little background noise is heard, and your voice remains crisp and clear. Range is a good 6m and battery life is roughly 16–20 hours, depending on usage and volume.
$400 is a lot for a headset. The 840s are impressive and provide wireless freedom but lack the audio quality of something more traditional.