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3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
 One of the best I've ever worn Oct 22, 2007
By Seth C. Short
I heartily recommend this headset. After doing a ton of research online, this had the best reviews that I could see for an OVER-the-ear headset with microphone (there aren't that many out there). I originally went to Target to try to find this (Target is listed as a retailer on the manufacturer's website) but they didn't have it. So, I bought the only other one that fit the bill, the Altec-Lansing AHS 515 Altec Lansing AHS515 Stereo closed ear-cup headset . This one was okay, and I could have lived with it I guess, but it was heavy and made my head sweat. I decided to order the SteelSeries 4H off Amazon, and while I waited for it to arrive I tried out the Altec Lansings.
I just got the SteelSeries set today, and I'm so glad I took a chance! They are MUCH more comfortable than the AL's, and the sound is crisper and seems to provide better localization in-game. But mostly what I appreciate is the lightness and compactness. They are as small as they could possibly be and still cover the ears, and the microphone that tucks into the left cup is a great idea. I only need the mike once in a while, and the AL's mike was always getting in the way, but Steel really thought this one out and provided the best compromise between functionality and getting out of my face.
The only other headset I've ever worn that is MORE comfortable than this is my friend's Bose set Bose® around-ear headphones, for personal and portable listening -- and they cost 3 times as much and don't have a microphone.
I am a bit unhappy with one thing: listening to music or other digitized sounds. Steel designed in extra response in the mid-to-high frequency range, and that works great in games (those frequencies are where you hear positioning cues, so it gives you a better feeling of immersion). However, those same frequencies feel a bit over-emphasized for listening to music or movies. Compressed audio doesn't sound that great in the high frequencies, and these headphones really dramatize that crunchy digital effect. (If Amazon had half-stars, I would have given this 4.5 because of this audio response design).
All in all, though, I'm sure glad I didn't settle for the Altec-Lansings. I'm very happy with the SteelSeries. If you choose this set, you'll be glad you did.
Oh, and I also noticed I felt less isolated from my surroundings when wearing these. They don't block out every sound from around you and make you feel like your in a dead space. On the other hand, when you're listening to something, you definitely aren't distracted by outside noise. I actually felt less claustrophobic wearing these headphones than with all the other over-the-ears phones I've worn.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
SteelSeries 4H Dec 17, 2007
By Andy Mehrabian
This is the first over the ear gaming headset I've used.
I haven't used this thing for 3 days yet and I LOVE IT! It is lightweight, great for FPS games like Counter-strike and Counter-strike: Source, and the price is great. On the original site this is set for a price of $70 US. I thought that was too much, and I found it on Amazon for $40 + $6 shipping. On their website they recommend this headset for FPS games, it works; I can actually hear footsteps in-game from farther away, this gives you an advantage in-game.
The cushioning on the side is very soft and lightweight, and the outside feels sturdy. The top cushioning is OK it isn't that soft, but you don't really feel it after you get used to it. You have to get used to the sound at first then you'll enjoy it.
As the other reviewer said this headset is not that great for music, it's OK, but the higher frequencies make the music sound different, but I still use it for music. The retractable microphone is a great idea. It stays out of the way when you don't need it, and you can also adjust it.
The difference between this headset and the Steelseries 5H v2 (the more better one) is the overall feel of the build, and that 5H v2 dismantles into 3 pieces for easy and safe transfer for LAN gamers.
So if these apply to you:
-Great for FPS games
-Soft cushioning
-Retractable mic
-Cheaper than the 5H v2 BUT the SAME EXACT SOUND QUALITY
Then this is your headset, especially for the great price!
My buddy's advice on these headphones Feb 17, 2012
By JBone
I was looking for a cheap, but high quality headset to listen to music and teleconference with. So I asked my buddy for advice, which you will have to agree is very useful (although he says he may be mistaken about the frequency ranges). Btw he gives it a 4.5, never gives out 5s.
"hey man just getting back to you about headphones. this is what I have been using for the past 4 or so years, and I like them a lot: [...]
do keep in mind that these are gaming-oriented so are perhaps not the most comfortable or best-balanced for listening to music
but I like the fact that the mic is retractable and high-quality and is reinforced so as not to wear down with heavy use and flop around like a limp **** after a few months like with most headsets, and in games they catch a lot of otherwise hard-to-hear sounds
they last a long time (only had to replace mine once over 4 years because I dropped them during shipping and blew out the speaker in one ear) and they are also fairly comfortable actually, although not very portable, and not too expensive either
I'm not a bassphile like you are though and these headphones do have a reduced low-bass and high-treble output (speaker frequency response is 75-16,000 Hz) which cuts out some of the harshest top freqs (less painful to listen to sounds like gunshots) and deepest lows to reduce "mud" (blending together of low frequencies in things like explosions). so you don't get the largest range of frequencies that you might with ones designed for music
the microphone frequency response is great though and the mic is very high quality -- 16 to 28,000 Hz, and it's very clear/powerful for voice chat
price for the "4H' is about $40. steelseries does offer "better" headphones that are better for both music and gaming but considerably more expensive, like their "7H" model ($130 and requires drivers) or Siberia V2 model ($90 with drivers) among others.
that's all I got for ya though, those are too expensive for me and I don't like the fact that they require drivers (if I remember correctly the drivers are usually installed via a portable USB drive), I'm kind of a hardware minimalist good luck!
P.S. and for the record I do also still have a functioning pair of "Medusa USA" 5.1 surround sound headphones that cost like $130 and I like the $40 4H a lot more
SteelSeries 4H Headset Oct 30, 2011
By Sean
I recently purchased this headset to replace a very nice Turtle Beach headset. In all honesty, I expected it to be a direct downgrade. Luckily, it is just as comfortable, and has the same quality of sound (which is a good thing). It has a nice retractable microphone and does not require a USB, making it much better for me. I have heard that it is fragile but so far everything seems fine as long as I don't throw it on the ground and stomp on it. Overall, it's a great headset, and worth every penny.
Good for the price, could be more comfy Aug 31, 2010
Fine headset for the price. I really like how the microphone can be retracted to keep it out of the way. Microphone works well, and it's great to have the "low" and "high" settings for the microphone volume. On the down side, the head band feels a little uncomfortable on top of my head after a couple-few hours. Could use a bit more padding there.
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