Page 6: Functionality, Testing Procedure
Functionality
One of the more impressive things about the Sirus is the Tactical Mixing Console control puck. It offers complete control for the headset with just three buttons and a dial. To raise levels, you simple rotate the dial in the correct way. To mute the microphone outright (or the headset, if you are so inclined), you simply push one of the buttons to the left and right of the mode button.
The LEDs arrayed along the perimeter of the puck show how loud each individual level is currently set at, and the current mode is also highlighted by a red LED when it is selected. It is a really simple system that works really well. We are also happy to report that the Sirus worked instantly in 5.1 mode on both Windows XP and Ubuntu, as did all of the controls offered by the Tactical Mixing Console. The PS3 also recognized the headset, but its only use in that case would be for voice chat.
The functionality of the headset using the TRS cables is much less straightforward, however. When using the headset with them, the audio quality and volume relies directly on your soundcard, and the adjustments must all be made through the OS volume settings. Altogether, while it ultimately works perfectly fine using either method of connecting, using the dual-USB connections and the Tactical Mixing Console is probably the best way to go if only because of the simplicity involved.
One thing to note is that, for whatever it is worth, the headset does function perfectly fine as a normal stereo headset. That means that if you had some way to power it you could theoretically use it with any TRS-equipped audio device. We hooked it to a JVC X'Eye and a Sony PSP and played music and some games on both, and the audio worked for both systems. Similarly, the microphone on the headset works the same way with any TRS connector-equipped microphone.
Testing Procedure
So it is built well, is comfortable to wear and it is easy to use. But what about the audio itself? For surround sound headsets, there are also things to consider above and beyond the sound quality. You also need to consider how well the channels are separated from each other, and how well they position the audio in comparison to what is shown on screen. Each parameter was tested using different methods to try to weed out inconsistencies.
General audio quality tests were done with Winamp playing back CDs, making sure to include the same specific audio file from our previous tests to make the comparison easier. Audio channel separation was tested using VLC and several movies, all of which chosen for their channel separation when watched with dedicated audio equipment. Finally, channel location was tested using Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne. For both of the tests comparing the separate channels, direct comparisons were made to an Onkyo TX-SR502 6.1 surround sound receiver to determine the accuracy of both tests.
One of the more impressive things about the Sirus is the Tactical Mixing Console control puck. It offers complete control for the headset with just three buttons and a dial. To raise levels, you simple rotate the dial in the correct way. To mute the microphone outright (or the headset, if you are so inclined), you simply push one of the buttons to the left and right of the mode button.
The LEDs arrayed along the perimeter of the puck show how loud each individual level is currently set at, and the current mode is also highlighted by a red LED when it is selected. It is a really simple system that works really well. We are also happy to report that the Sirus worked instantly in 5.1 mode on both Windows XP and Ubuntu, as did all of the controls offered by the Tactical Mixing Console. The PS3 also recognized the headset, but its only use in that case would be for voice chat.
The functionality of the headset using the TRS cables is much less straightforward, however. When using the headset with them, the audio quality and volume relies directly on your soundcard, and the adjustments must all be made through the OS volume settings. Altogether, while it ultimately works perfectly fine using either method of connecting, using the dual-USB connections and the Tactical Mixing Console is probably the best way to go if only because of the simplicity involved.
One thing to note is that, for whatever it is worth, the headset does function perfectly fine as a normal stereo headset. That means that if you had some way to power it you could theoretically use it with any TRS-equipped audio device. We hooked it to a JVC X'Eye and a Sony PSP and played music and some games on both, and the audio worked for both systems. Similarly, the microphone on the headset works the same way with any TRS connector-equipped microphone.
Testing Procedure
So it is built well, is comfortable to wear and it is easy to use. But what about the audio itself? For surround sound headsets, there are also things to consider above and beyond the sound quality. You also need to consider how well the channels are separated from each other, and how well they position the audio in comparison to what is shown on screen. Each parameter was tested using different methods to try to weed out inconsistencies.
General audio quality tests were done with Winamp playing back CDs, making sure to include the same specific audio file from our previous tests to make the comparison easier. Audio channel separation was tested using VLC and several movies, all of which chosen for their channel separation when watched with dedicated audio equipment. Finally, channel location was tested using Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne. For both of the tests comparing the separate channels, direct comparisons were made to an Onkyo TX-SR502 6.1 surround sound receiver to determine the accuracy of both tests.