SteelSeries 51100 Siberia V2 Headset (White)

My first true headset. I had been choosing between this and the Razer Kraken (no reason for choosing this over that, probably because I see Siberias used more than Krakens in streams). I've been using this for atop a year.
 
It works for games as much as it should. Rumbling and grumbling of ballistics are portrayed with direction and clarity, noise rarely gets muffled. Works wonders for ambient sound, especially in environment/psychological horror. Mic is not outstanding but is adequate for most communication intensive games such as CS:GO. To be honest, gaming wise it's hard to fault it at all seeing these are already forefront com
Bass is full bodied and clear, and I totally enjoyed every bit of detail from the lower end of the spectrum. Mids are adequate. Highs are overpowered by the bass and undetailed, a little grainy when it comes to e.g. pop. Its clarity might be a little impeded by the other frequencies. Using it for genres that portray few distinct instruments (such as rock).
 
You look like a buffoon if you wear it outdoors, so keep it at home. The elastic bridge is a tad too tight for me and it strains my ears if I use it for long periods of time. They not satisfactorily sound-isolating (another reason not to wear them outdoors) as somewhere within the headset is open for airflow.
 
IDK I think it's not too bad.

Have had these for almost two years. Though I'd at least write a few basic impressions.
 
First, the intended gaming and media use:
Well, I have to say I've found them excellent. Voices are clear, environment sounds are crisp and the lower end does subsonic rumbles and concussive thumps equally well. The phones actually still make me check if I have left my external subwoofer turned on from time to time. Headphone surround with the included sound card and drivers works decently, though I haven't had much to compare with. Borderlands 2 sounds open and wide, Bioshock 2 sounds confined and eerie as hell. They are comfortable enough for a weekend of Civ 5. DiRT 3, GRID 2 and Shift 2 have worked well without making engine sound annoying.
 
There are probably other gaming phones that sound about as good in the price range, but I haven't tried any that come close to the Siberas when it comes to comfort.
 
Over to music:
Gaming sound is a lot about high dynamic range, and with music I think the phones show their weakness at the other end. As the soundspace fills up the soundstage and separation go away. So, in my opinion they are not really for big rock and pop productions or for metal, hard electronica and other loud genres in general.
 
But, I think they really shine with more intimate recordings. The kind where you want a room rather than a stage. Vocals and acoustic instruments benefit from the mids and warmth in the lower end. Regina Spektor and Natalie Merchant sound as good as Leonard Cohen and Tom Waits. For club/electronic music I've enjoyed listening to chill/trip stuff like Air, Massive Attack and Portishead, and I think the bass works really well without taking over too much. Not much of a jazz or classical guy, but from what I've listened to I'd say small sessions and chamber music/solo/quartet performances work fine as well.
 
Some sort of conclusion:
I've talked a lot about mids and bottom, and those are the strong points to me. I'd say the sound is crisp with a dark sweetness. Honey roasted, maybe? The treble could be little stronger, but there are no real flaws there to my ears.
 
I haven't tried the phones with a proper amp, and as I feel they get muddier with portable devices and enjoyable with half decent sound cards and regular hifi headphone outputs it could be that a little more power could help keep those 50mm drivers in check even with louder music.
 
I've written this with the price in mind, and I think they are a bargain that rivals more expensive phones in the areas where they shine. With the retractable mic they make a practical and affordable all-in-one solution for all desktop needs like gaming, casual music listening and Skype calls.

The Sound is just WOW! Bass is unbelievable, best for EDM, Rock, Acoustic etc. Low frequencies doesnt muffle the highs and mids.
 
Some alternatives are better