The Creative Sound BlasterX H5 is a no-frills, performance-oriented gaming headset that delivers, in terms of both comfort and sound.
But gamers who are looking for a more luxurious, feature-packed experience may want to explore other options.
The Sound BlasterX H5 is the analog, pared-down variant of the Sound BlasterX H7. It ships without the H7's surround sound, USB connectivity and back-lit ear cups.
The omission of on-board virtual surround sound is a glaring one, compared with other similarly priced headsets.
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TECH SPECS
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PRICE: $199
OPERATING PRINCIPLE: Closed
DRIVER TYPE: 50mm FullSpectrum
FREQUENCY RESPONSE:20Hz to 20,000Hz
WEIGHT: 260g
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RATING
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FEATURES: 3/5
DESIGN: 4/5
PERFORMANCE: 4/5
VALUE: 3/5
OVERALL: 4/5
However, the downloadable BlasterX Acoustic Engine Lite software allows gamers to toggle between preset equaliser modes for different genres of games such as first-person shooter and real- time strategy.
The fit is surprisingly relaxed, and it sits well with very little pressure on the head or ears. The oversized ear cups are lined with incredibly soft leatherette-covered padding, and the headband is cushioned by a thick layer of foam.
At 260g, the H5 falls firmly into the flyweight category for a gaming headset, and will definitely be able to last through long gaming sessions without it feeling like a burden.
But perhaps, because of this loose fit and the lack of noise-cancellation, I found myself overhearing conversations around me despite the H5 being closed-back headphones. My sound volume was turned up relatively high, too.
The overall sound profile of the headset is reasonably well-balanced, with a nice handling of the bass and mids, even when I cranked up the volume.
The H5 is also good on clarity, with nice clear details coming through when listening to classical music.
However, I did find that, on the very high notes, the sound had a tendency to become a little off-puttingly shrill and sharp.
Lisabel Ting
- Verdict: A pair of light,comfortable headphones that is big on performance but lacks features.