STEEL SOUND 5H PROFESSIONAL GAMING HEADSET REVIEW

[TN] Nathan · ALMIGHTY PWNER! Joined: 14 Feb 2002 Posts: 7406

Please fel free to post your questions here.

Review can be found here:

http://www.tweaknews.net/reviews/steel5h/

Pricing on this product can be found here:

http://tweaknews.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=10431267
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Amdboy · TweakNOOB Joined: 04 Aug 2005 Posts: 1

when u say ventilation , do u mean for heat? Just asking ebcuase the holes on the headphones are not for heat ventilation, they are for sound quality. Generally headphones use holes as a ported design so to speak, it adds better clarity and sound quality because the sound doesn't bounce around as much inside, causing low sound quality.

FreeTheRock [banned] · Posted: Fri Aug 05, 2005 10:56 pm Post subject:

those look good but are too excpensive, the Icemat Siberias and the Sennheiser PC160's are better IMO

Dante · TweakNOOB Joined: 04 Oct 2005 Posts: 6

A very weak review by Jeff Caldwell...

Jeff, did you ever consider that you received a defective set of headphones?

Do you think that Steel (with the excellent reputation that they have) would put out a set of headphones that were so obviously bad?... Especially at that price?

No offense but please help us all out here and stick to your day job

No, I'm serious, please do.

-Dante

[TN] Nathan · ALMIGHTY PWNER! Joined: 14 Feb 2002 Posts: 7406

Sally · UberTweaker Joined: 31 Mar 2004 Posts: 1158 Location: WA

Dante · TweakNOOB Joined: 04 Oct 2005 Posts: 6

My point was that the review is very limiting for the people reading it. The impression is given that the product line was near worthless - and though it does point out that quality control isnt up to snuff and that a defective headset should have never made it the shelves - it doesnt give the reader any further information about what the headset should sound like. I do not own this headset nor do I intend to buy it - nor have I purchased anything from Steel or Soft Trading (parent company) so I'm not advocating for any of their products.

What I'm pointing out is that there are plenty of reviews out there for this headset and they arent nearly as short sighted as this one.

Wouldnt the readers like to know if the set is defective? Better yet, wouldnt we like to hear what the company's reaction was when he called in for warranty service? Is it a hastle? Do they give him the run-around? Do they ship a replacement quickly? Are they professional? Was this an isolated incident? Perhaps the 5H is just a substandard design and the company can't manufacture anything outside of mouse pads...

The fact is that we will never know because of the lack of follow through of the reviewer.

Just my humble opinion - and the remarks in my last posting were to throw in some sarcastic humor with my criticism (yes, perhaps I could have taken more care with it). How will the reviewer ever gain a larger audience without some type of feedback from the readers...

-Dante

[TN] Nathan · ALMIGHTY PWNER! Joined: 14 Feb 2002 Posts: 7406

Feedback is one thing, arrogant a-hole remarks on how someone should keep their day job is the sign of arrogance.

We recived the product and actually I contacted them about the possibility of the set being bad. I received no reply.

But there is no chance in hell that we are obligated to tell you how there replacement policy is to make you feel better nor do we have the time to go through the RMA procedure.

Also realise, just because other people say it is great doesn't mean they are right and we are wrong. It just so happens we had other sets testing right beside these and I think the Icemat Siberia model blew these right out of the water.

We are not a bunch of "yes men" here taking photos and calling everything an amazing product.

We call them as we see them. If we get something bad to review, we say it. Just because it says Stell Sound on the side of it doesn't make it a sure thing.

Why don't you question the other sites that might have given it a glowing review? You think maybe they are saying anything so they keep on getting products?

I bet you money that some of them are.

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fussnfeathers · Lord of the Tweak Joined: 14 Dec 2004 Posts: 2763

comdak · Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2005 8:50 pm Post subject:

Well time for me to step in,

I trully think your comments were arrogant. I reviewed that product with knowledge in the sound industry, as I have done other reviews on headphones as well as am adamant myself of having excellent sound quality and clarity.

The review was written on the basis of the product that I recieved, after discovering the quality in this product I spoke with Nathan, who heads up the client contacts and told him of the lack of quality in the 5H.

We have no obligation to waste our time and our readers with how a company handles defective equipemt, especially with companies who wont even respond to an email.

Steel makes excellent products, this one is a huge flop though. Simple as that.

I, personally, think that if a company had any sort of quality control that they would make sure that products they are shipping to be reviewed, would be properly tested twice over, to make sure that they wouldnt get a bad review.

Also, on the topic of what it should sound like... how the hell would I know, when I recieved a defective/poorly made product.. I can not predict what I do not have proof of.

The point of reviewing is to show how it works in real life instances, not how it SHOULD work.
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Dante · TweakNOOB Joined: 04 Oct 2005 Posts: 6

First off Nathan, you are correct, the comments that I made on my first post were uncalled for. Most of the people on this site don't know me or my humor so it was completely out of place.

You also seem to be repeating that "We are not a bunch of "yes men"" Understand that I never said, nor did I think that you were. I also understand more than you might think about review whoring to get product - and I know that many people do (I work in the publishing industry). This has nothing to do with the constructive part of my posts (Once again - my appologies for my "arrogant a-hole remarks") . I also don't equate product name or price with quality. I do have several friends that own 5H headsets and after reading the review I called them to get an opinion and referenced your review.

The fact that the headset was distorted at all volume levels is what makes it so obvious that the set was defective.

If you can look past my initial off colored remarks, take from my posts what you can. Many of us come to your site because we want honest reviews - and fair reviews.

-Dante

comdak · Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2005 9:32 pm Post subject:

I dont actually post often enough, so if any readers are wondering. I am Jeff Caldwell.
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Dante · TweakNOOB Joined: 04 Oct 2005 Posts: 6

Jeff,

First off, my appologies, no excuse on my part for the poor taste of my initial post.

I hope that Steel does get back to you and I think that you will find that if they do and the set is replaced that the quality of the replacement will be improved.

-Dante

comdak · Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2005 11:26 pm Post subject:

First of all thank you for your apology.

Secondly, if Steel does get back to me (well.. to Nathan specifically) and have a new product that is proven to be better, I will definitely adjust the review accordingly. Though I will still mention that the first product was poorly made/defective and that their customer service is obviously lacking as well, because of the huge amount of time between contact and reply.

It has already been over a month.

Also, for you and for all the other tweakers.. please feel free to read any of my other reviews, as well as my upcoming review of Turtle Beachs new gaming headset coming in near future.
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fussnfeathers · Lord of the Tweak Joined: 14 Dec 2004 Posts: 2763

I knew who you were.........

For the record, just because a company makes a good product, doesn't mean an "extension" product will be as good. Plain fact is most companies outsource. Steel doesn't have the capability to produce speakers, wires, plastic casings, etc..........basically, they can't produce headphones. They can design (but most likely just "tweak" a selection they like, visually). Unfortunately, when it comes to small consumer electronics like headphones, they're produced in one of 3 or 4 factories in China, along with 100 other brands.

To my mind, that makes it more imperitave that the company with the name on the product back the product. Since you have the same people physically making the same product as IceMat, Senheiser, Logitech, et al............it all falls on the company that put that name on the product to provide and support a quality product.

This is a fact of life in today's market, guys.
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[TN] Nathan · ALMIGHTY PWNER! Joined: 14 Feb 2002 Posts: 7406

Wow, interesting, out of the blue I get an email from Steelpad.

Dante, you better fess up to this and you better not be a retailer or marketing rep going undercover.
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Ham_fisT · Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2005 12:04 pm Post subject:

yeah...i was thinkin something smelled funny here

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mojo1340 · UberTweaker Joined: 19 Jun 2004 Posts: 1022

I smell it too, Ham!

fussnfeathers · Lord of the Tweak Joined: 14 Dec 2004 Posts: 2763

comdak · Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2005 7:31 pm Post subject:

Lookie here,

Dante has mysteriously disappeared now as well. *cough* scam *cough*
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Dante · TweakNOOB Joined: 04 Oct 2005 Posts: 6

Hey now,

I was being honest about not being a retailer (or connected to Steel or Soft Trading in any way) and about working in the publishing industry.

The least I could do after my prickish rant about the review was apply a little pressure where needed to get someone to take care of the people that do the reviews.

Seroiusly though...note to self...don't post after not sleeping for 36 hours and be a prick to people that dont deserve it...end note. And again Jeff/Nathan, my appologies.

-Dante

Response to me from Copenhagen below:
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Dear Dante,

I can say that we have not received any emails from Nathan or TweakNews at any of our review e-mails, nor have I received a personal email from Nathan, even though I have been his contactperson at Soft Trading throughout the latest years, where TweakNews have been reviewing our products. I am glad that you make us aware of this issue, as it is in our best interest to clear out any miscommunication which has been rised due to what seems to be a faulty product.

I will take make contact to Nathan at this instant to send them a new unit of the Steel Sound 5H.

Med venlig hilsen / Best regards

Danny N. Ramkvist

Marketing department

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Soft Trading ApS

Ryesgade 19E, 3

DK-2200 Copenhagen - Denmark

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[TN] Nathan · ALMIGHTY PWNER! Joined: 14 Feb 2002 Posts: 7406

Well,

I guess there is another set being sent. I don't know why he didn't respond to my previous email but responds to yours.

Oh well, but seriously, what if they sound the same though?
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Dante · TweakNOOB Joined: 04 Oct 2005 Posts: 6

If they sound the same I'm going to feel like even more of a jerk - haha

I'm quite a hardware and audio junkie and when I listened to my friend's set I thought they didn't sound too bad. Something in the ball park of the Sennheiser pc 150,160s quality with perhaps a touch more low end.

If they still suck though I know you guys will call it like you see it and with very good reason.

-Dante

FreeTheRock [banned] · Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2005 10:35 pm Post subject:

i have heard bad things from the 5h's, personally the only thing that stands them out from most headsets is the mic being able to retract into the mic. I have the Sennheiser PC155's and they are great with everything, i may pic up some Icemast Sibera black because they look really cool and they sound really good too a little better with mp3's than my PC155's but not better in games.

Zero_Fresh · Posted: Wed Apr 12, 2006 3:13 pm Post subject:

Excuse the thread CPR here.

I was curious as to what ever happened of this? I was going over old reviews, like Hammy told me too (blame him!! LOL) to find the banning of FTR that he claimed to be entertaining and got really interested in finding out what came of this situation.
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