| Cooler Master Storm Sonuz Headset |
| Reviews - Featured Reviews: Audio | |||||||||
| Written by Olin Coles | |||||||||
| Wednesday, 18 July 2012 | |||||||||
CM Storm Sonuz Headset Review
Manufacturer: Cooler Master Co., Ltd. Full Disclosure: The product sample used in this review has been provided by Cooler Master. Speakers work well for general listening, but when you need to hear sound detail there's no match for good headphones. Taking things to the next level, Cooler Master offers gamers and audio enthusiasts the best of both worlds with their CM Storm Sonuz wired gaming headset, model SGH-4010-KGTA1. Priced around $69, Sonuz delivers smooth analog sound over extra-large 53mm drivers. In this article Benchmark Reviews will test the CM Storm Sonuz headset for range, sensitivity, comfort, and functionality. Cooler Master designed Sonuz to deliver big sound from its (relatively) large 2.1" drivers, boasting a low 10Hz bass and 20,000Hz treble range. Even the microphone has solid characteristics, picking up everything from 100-10,000Hz with 58dB SNR. Designed for analog connections, Sonuz is compatible with any device or computer system that offers a 3.5mm audio jack.
CM Storm Sonuz FeaturesSource: Cooler Master A lightweight and multi-purpose gaming headset, CM Storm Sonuz is designed to be your single powerful solution for crisp and clear sound for any use. At home or on-the-go, the large high quality drivers in Sonuz will blow you away. It includes huge breathable on-ear padding that is both soft and comfortable while facilitating the delivery of deep full sounds far beyond your expectations. With its precise reproduction of audio, Sonuz is your gateway to hearing sounds as they are meant to be heard in your favorite games, movies, and music.
Specifications
Closer Look: CM Storm SonuzCooler Master's CM Storm Sonuz is a wired analog headset that sells for $69.99 (Newegg). Designed to fit many general purposes, especially gaming, Sonuz offers speakers with a wide frequency response range paired to a detachable microphone.
Fashioned from a titanium-colored plastic headband, Sonuz includes an open-cell foam pad to improve comfort. The headband expands in size up to a full inch, which will give users who wear caps or have thick hair plenty of space to custom-fit Sonuz to their profile.
Soft foam earpads measure 97mm, and feature a combed cotton cover for added comfort. The idea behind the soft foam is for users to enjoy listening without the irritation of wearing a headset for prolonged periods.
Volume adjustments can be made using the in-line control on CM Storm Sonuz, which also includes microphone on/off functionality. The volume control features work independently of an electronic device's own volume control, so it's best to use one or the other to avoid confusion.
Cooler Master includes a detachable microphone boom that fastens into place on either side of the headset, allowing users to customize CM Storm Sonuz to fit their needs with maximum utility. The microphone is built with a flexible mid-section that bends into place and retains shape. Of course, if Sonuz is being used for its headphone functionality, the microphone can be removed entirely. CM Storm Sonuz Test ResultsCooler Master set out to design and deliver a straight-forward gaming headset that offers the most essential features. They've achieved this with the CM Storm Sonuz, which sells for $69.99 (Newegg). It would be wrong to say that CM Storm Sonuz is a no-frills headset, because it really does offer a few comfort-added perks, along with a few other minor bells and whistles. In this section, I'll inspect those features and offer my take on how they perform. Headset ComfortAs many gamers know, some sessions can stretch for several hours, and LAN party events could see up to twelve hours of gaming take place in one day. Although I'm not quite as hard core, a recent World of Tanks landing tournament kept me online for nearly four hours. Sonuz is rather hefty, so after four hours you'll begin to feel the weight of the unit transfer into the pad on the headband. In all fairness, I've got very short hair and never wear hats, so I would consider myself more sensitive than others. The 97mm open-cell foam earpads were large and quite comfortable, especially after several hours of constant use. The combed cotton covers and outer vents allowed the cups to breathe, and prevented perspiration issues that are common to coated ear pads. Of course, the side effect of open-cell foam earpads is that they'll let outside noise creep in. The microphone boom is adjustable, and removable, so it's easy to find the perfect position relative to your needs.
Audio PerformanceCooler Master uses large 53mm (2.1") drivers on Sonuz, which means there's a naturally wide range of frequency response available. Specifications indicate a low 10Hz bass and high 20,000Hz treble range, and Sonuz certainly delivered at each end. Bass was rumbled at the low frequencies and felt punchy in the 100Hz range. Treble highs were sharp and crystal clear, but not so harsh they pierced the eardrums. Games and communication applications like Skyp, TeamSpeak, and Mumble all sounded great through the Sonuz headset. Audiophiles might notice some flat bands just above and below the vocal mid-range, which stood out and separated itself very well. Overall you'll get solid low, mid, and high ranges, but not tremendous definition in-between like a 5.1 headset might provide. Based on the specifications, Sonuz offers speakers with a 98dB sensitivity (@1kHz). Most users won't raise the volume beyond 70dB, and 80dB is within the extreme range. Unfortunately, Cooler Master does not offer SNR (Signal-Noise Ratio) ratings for the 53mm drivers. The detachable microphone has solid characteristics, picking up everything from 100-10,000Hz with 58dB SNR. Designed for analog connections, Sonuz is compatible with any device or computer system that offers a 3.5mm audio jack (which is still standard on modern motherboards).
FunctionalityCM Storm Sonuz delivers all of the most essential headset functions, avoiding unnecessary luxury features that might go unnoticed. In the broad spectrum of headsets, it's probably best described as midrange in price and functionality. Having volume controlled on the cord is a feature I consider standard, along with microphone mute. Because Sonuz is an analog device that lacks a power source, there's no fancy backlighting. The detachable microphone is a unique feature that isn't available on many headsets, including the high-end premium products. Sonuz's microphone detaches from the frame and can be repositioned onto the opposite side - or not connected at all. Headset Final ThoughtsHeadsets, especially those designed for gamers, have become quite popular as more and more video games feature voice over IP technology. Many titles feature in-game communications, while those that don't can be supplemented by any number of free programs such as TeamSpeak, Mumble, and Ventrillo. Of course, not everyone buys a headset for the purpose of gaming. There's a fine balance between the features a gamer might want from their headset, and those an audiophile demand. Most agree that a wide frequency response range is important, but clarity and definition are essential. This isn't always easy to achieve with mass-produced headsets, so component quality often determines performance potential.
CM Storm Sonuz ConclusionIMPORTANT: Although the rating and final score mentioned in this conclusion are made to be as objective as possible, please be advised that every author perceives these factors differently at various points in time. While we each do our best to ensure that all aspects of the product are considered, there are often times unforeseen market conditions and manufacturer changes which occur after publication that could render our rating obsolete. Please do not base any purchase solely on our conclusion, as it represents our product rating specifically for the product tested which may differ from future versions. Benchmark Reviews begins our conclusion with a short summary for each of the areas that we rate. For a mid-range analog gaming headset, CM Storm Sonuz performs very well. The headset drivers respond to a wide frequency range, with sharp high's and rumbling low's. Middle bands test to stand out, which bodes well for voice communication but can be overpowering with some music. The microphone head has openings on the front and rear, allowing it to pick-up voice input even if when poorly aimed at the source. It's not easy to grade appearance for a product type that's been seen in so many different shapes and forms. Sonuz isn't square and boxy like so many headsets that have debuted lately, nor does it resemble the iconic round ear-muff style commonly found prior to the new millennium. Using smooth edges and subtle curves, CM Storm Sonuz meets somewhere in the middle and delivers a conservative look that doesn't stand out like some design gimmick. Sonuz has very few parts that can wear out or break, especially since its detachable microphone boom reduces the chance of damage. Construction is solid, and because Sonuz is analog there are very few electronic components to fault. Short of a being crushed, losing the detachable microphone, or cutting the cord, Sonuz should stand up to many years of use. In terms of functionality, CM Storm Sonuz delivers all of the most essential headset functions. In-line volume control and microphone mute are standard features, but the detachable microphone is a truly unique feature that can be repositioned on either side and helps sets Sonuz apart. By utilizing large 53mm drivers Sonuz also boasts a low 10Hz bass frequency range, while most other headsets with 40mm drivers can only reach down to 20Hz. As of July 2012 the CM Storm Sonuz wired gaming headset SGH-4010-KGTA1 is available for $69.99 at Newegg. CM Storm Sonuz is more expensive than most wired analog headsets and impacts on our value rating, but Cooler Master justifies this with larger drivers that feature wider response frequency and a detachable microphone that can be repositioned to either side. In my opinion Cooler Master's $70 MSRP is too high to be competitive, despite added features, and forces Sonuz to compete with wireless headsets. Based on the product alone, CM Storm Sonuz delivers more than most other headsets on the market. However, when the sale price is taken into consideration it's not easy to justify the extra cost. Large 53mm drivers are rare on headphones/headsets, just as much as a detachable boom microphone, so if these are features that consumers value then the price is within reasonable reach. Obviously there are dozens of options also available if you're willing to sacrifice sound quality, which cost less. Pros:
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