Jun 14 2013, 04:32 PM
Introduction
SteelSeries had released a lot of headsets but there is a catch, most of them are full-sized headsets, means that you either have a case for it to travel with you or a huge bag. Thus, SteelSeries introduced a new portable gaming headset, AKA SteelSeries FLUX.
Technical Specifications
Headphones
-Frequency response: 18 – 28000 Hz
-Impedance: 29 Ohm
-SPL@ 1kHz, 1 Vrms: 118 dB
-Cable length: 2m
-Jacks: 3.5 mm
Microphone
-Frequency response: 50 – 16000 Hz
-Pick up pattern: Omni-directional
-Sensitivity: -38 dB
Packaging
SteelSeries had always made packaging simple and easy. But this is an exception. I have yet seen any headphones packed like this. It resembles the Japanese bento box.
Whats inside the box?
• SteelSeries FLUX Headphone
• 1 meter of 3.5mm jack with microphone cable and in line control (For Phones)
• 1 meter of 3.5mm jack with microphone cable with mic mute control ( For PC)
• Quick Start Guide, FLUX Customization brochure, safety letter, sticker and the SteelSeries Brochure
• 2x Ear plates
Design
SteelSeries FLUX Headphones are designed for maximum customization, well not really. The whole point of the customization SteelSeries trying to advertise here is that there are 4 types of things can be chosen.
1. Headphone color
2. Ear Plate color
3. Cable color
4. Ear Cushion Color
Yes, this is the only customization you can get. But I prefer pure black.
At first sight, it looked like one of those overpriced rapper cans. But I can tell you one thing, it feels nothing like those rapper cans. The built is very solid, hold it to believe it. I never thought it would feel so solid and sturdy. Judging by its look, it looked cheaply made but it’s not. Seriously, grab a hold of them then you will know what I am trying to tell you. The whole headphone is made entirely plastic with rubber wrapped all around it. The top headband made from thick rubber, this will give you a better grip when worn around your head. The headphone is also foldable to an even more compact size.
Onto the customization part, the ear plates can be changed easily. It sticks itself to the headphone by magnet but the attractive force isn’t that great, but it won’t come off naturally; you will have to pull it out from the bottom. Now this is where the fun comes, since the ear plate is flat, you can easily modify it using stickers. Here’s mine modification.
The ear pad need some guidance when removing as it might be damaged when pulled out strongly. Please don’t do this I will make a tutorial for this. Links will be up soon. The ear pad is definitely something new. It feels like cloth but at the same time it blocks out noise quite well. You definitely won’t be able to hear people talking normally, but people can listen a bit to what you are listening. Leaking is there but not much. Here’s how it looked when the earpad is removed.
Now onto cables, please take note that FLUX has two jacks. Both located at the bottom of the ear cups. AND NO this does not mean that you have to plug in two cables supplied for it to function. One cable is sufficient. I own a few headphones like this, but I always practiced to attach the cable to the left cup to make sure there isn’t confusion between left and right. There is L and R indicator on both sides. Both cables supplied are lack of volume control. It doesn’t do much hassle to me since I normally adjust volume directly from my PC or my phone. But to those who usually use a volume control please take note of this. Although the microphone supplied is omnidirectional it does block out unwanted quite well but the recorded audio is clear but slightly muffled. The cable for PC has a microphone mute button. The other cable that is built for phone has a button on the microphone. It functions as a pause button if you press it once, forward if you press it twice. Both given cables are measured around 1m in length and it’s NOT braided.
The sound
What matters when it comes to headphone is always audio quality. FLUX did exceptionally well. I’m going to cover audio quality in two aspects, one is music and the other is gaming performance.
MUSIC
Before doing this review, I gave the headphone a 100 hours burn in as the headphone didn’t sound that good to me out of the box. But after the 100 hours, my view towards the headphone changed. The bass became deeper, and the highs are definitely more sparkly. Bass response in these headphones are great, it’s deep and thumping. For example in the song ‘’Gentlemen’’ by PSY, the starting of the song had some strong bass; it is definitely strong enough for you to feel the beat. The mids are somehow good but not great. Guitars from the song ‘’Holy Ground’’ by Taylor Swift sounded nice but vocals are definitely muffled slightly. The highs are somehow over sparkly sometimes and might be ear piercing sometimes. Soundstage and instrument separation are average.
Gaming
There are a few games I tested with this headphone, and I’m going to tell you the experience I had when playing with this headphones.
Counter Strike 1.6
Playing CS 1.6 is a joy with these headphones. Footsteps from which direction can be told clearly but not as sharp as the 5Hv2, the footsteps are slightly muffled. Bombs explosions are natural.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3
I don’t play this competitively, I liked the storyline. Playing them with these headphones on is enjoyable. These sounded very realistic throughout the whole game. Whether its gunfire from the enemy or even a grenade, all of them sounded great and natural.
DotA 2
DotA 2 is a game that doesn’t necessary needs a headphone. But still for the fun of it I like to hear how it sounds in game. It sounded awesome; you can clearly hear the wave hitting the shore at the river at the middle. And sometime it saved my ass from Bounty Hunter, I can hear him goes invisible if I am close enough to him, alerting me that he is nearby.
Comfort
This headset can last me for 3 hours straight in a hot room while 1+ hours when under the sun waiting for the train/bus to arrive. It lasted a good 4 hours during midnight gaming.
Conclusion
The FLUX is priced at RM479 which is quite expensive for a headset. But with the given sound quality and the ability to customize; it’s worth it. Audiophiles might need to skip over since this headphone is better towards electronic or dubstep. But for gamers who is on the go and who enjoyed music couldn’t find a better headset than this.
I’m just going to rate this headphone a 8.5/10 due to the lack of volume controller and an extension cable.
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