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Sandberg Savage USB 7.1 HeadsetIn this review we have to look at a slightly different headset from Sandberg. It's their Savage USB 7.1 headset with RGB lights and alternate design. We look at that further down.
Choosing Sandberg is choosing a safe and conscientious product that meets all applicable regulatory requirements. A product made by subcontractors, all of whom are committed to following Sandberg's "Code of Conduct" to ensure dignified working conditions and reducing environmental impact in production and disposal.
Let's look at the packing. Sandberg is known for having some great wraps. There are nice pictures of the product on the outside, along with good lists of specifications and features. You can see the headset itself through the plastic front of the box, so you don't have to unpack it to see it.
The technical specifications. As you can read, there is a fairly long cable on the headset, which is great if the computer is a little away. There are LED lights in the headset and the speakers are 50mm units, which is also really good. The microphone is Omni directional, so it records everything around it. But there is probably some mechanical noise reduction that shields the microphone from the surroundings.
General:
Earphone:
Microphone:
Compatibility:
Let's look at the headset. The Sandberg Savage headset is a bit special in appearance as there is no headband. The steel bracket is covered with rubber so that it does not ring throughout the headset. It's pretty good.
The head cushion is replaced by a pair of support cushions, which protrude from the sides instead. It's a fun solution, but it actually works pretty well.
The microphone is on a fairly soft rubber arm, which cannot be adjusted very well. So it will be exciting if it records well with the distance it has from the mouth.
The ear cups are 10 x 8.5 centimetres and the hole in the ear pads is 6.5 x 4 centimetres. It will be on the small side for some, I have longer ears than the hole allows. But nothing more than it won't irritate. The cushions are made of soft foam covered with artificial leather.
60 cm from the headset there is a remote control. It has volume on the side and a switch for the light as well as a microphone switch. The remote control itself is 7 x 3 centimetres, which is quite large. However, it does not matter, because you should be able to find it.
The USB plug is also relatively large, and the headset cable is also rigid, soft and fabric covered. It's not often you find a headset where the fabric cord is as soft as this, which I really like.
The software. Unfortunately, Sandberg has opted out of making a driver for the headset. This means that the features are VERY limited in the form of a standard Windows driver. However, there are a few things you can adjust to a limited extent.
How is the headset in use. I've been using the headset for a few days to give me an idea of ​​what it's like to use. Games have been played, seen movies and listened to music. The comfort: It's the first time I try a headset with this kind of headband. You just have to get used to the contact points being on the top/side of the head instead of on the top with a strap over the head. It actually feels pretty comfortable and you get used to it pretty quickly. It seems less stressful to the head than a strap actually.
The sound: The sound in the headset is actually pretty good. You can hear that a little more energy has been put into this headset compared to the Dizruptor I reviewed some time ago. There is good depth in the bass and the sound is reasonably determined and firm. There is a lack of treble and details in music and games. Unfortunately, you cannot adjust it as there is no driver for the headset. A driver with an equalizer should have really been a good thing with this headset, so you can adjust the sound to the needs you now have. And with a USB headset, you can only use the headset on the computer, and not elsewhere.
The microphone: Of course I did a few sound tests of the microphone itself. One without music in the background, and one with. Then you can hear how the microphone records the voice and how well it shields / removes the noise from the surroundings.
This recording is without music in the background and as you can hear, the microphone records the voice quite nicely and clearly. You do sense some reverberation, but it is not bothersome in any way.
This recording is with music in the background and you can actually hear the music quite clearly. However, it is not bothersome to the voice itself, which can also be clearly heard. However, it will matter if you are in conference with others, or play with some friends, as the noisegate has difficulty distinguishing between surroundings and your own voice, now that it is so clear.
The light: The light in the headset is actually quite nice and subdued. It is RGB light, and constantly changing at a slow pace. You can turn off the headset light on the remote control.
The microphone light is not controlled in any way and goes off with the rest of the headset light. It would have been great if the light went off with the microphone button so others can see if it is on or not.
The Sandberg Savage USB headset is actually a good solution when you consider the price. You get a headset with a different design, where a lot of comfort is present. The two cushions are a different solution than you are used to. And it's actually quite comfortable. If we look at the quality itself, the headset seems quite robust and solid. There are some nice details in the headset, like the metal mesh on the side of the ear cups, and rubber on the steel bracket, which is super great compared to the noise inside the headset itself. The cable mounted on the headset is also really nice. It's thicker and softer than on many other headsets. On the headset cable is a good remote control, where you can control the sound, light and microphone in the headset. It is also a pretty good solution, where you have a quick overview of all the buttons and can easily get to them without having to mess with the headset itself. Of the downsides, I find the missing driver as the biggest. It is quite critical that you have a good driver with a lot of adjustment options when you have a USB headset. Unfortunately, Sandberg has completely failed to make one. Then there is the light that cannot be controlled in any way, except you can turn it off and on. And then there is the light in the microphone, which unfortunately is not controlled by the microphone button on the remote control, but which turns on and off with the light in the headset itself. The pricing: The price of the Sandberg Savage USB Headset is usually 399 at the suggested retail price, but at the time of writing I can find it for 299 at webshops in denmark. No matter which one of the prices, it is actually a good price for this headset. What is my overall assessment. Compare the price with what you buy and the quality and features. Then I will give this headset a nice silver rating. The headset actually plays well considered the price, and there are nothing to complain about when talking the comfort and quality. I need a driver so I that can adjust the sound to my needs, rather than having to settle. Read more about the product here: |
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