Over the past year I have been fortunate enough to review some high-end gaming headsets. The Astro A50’s for example are about as good as it gets. They are wireless, have 7.1 surround sound capabilities, and I consider them second to none in terms of comfort; frankly they kick ass. The only downside is that those suckers will cost you around $300. Many, including myself, just don’t have that kind of coin kicking around. Fortunately Skullcandy has introduced a line of headsets giving an affordable option for their gaming audio needs. I was lucky enough to check out Skullcandy’s SLYR Gaming Headset. At around $80.00 the SLYR offers 5.1 surround sound, has a slick looking design, and you can connect it to your Xbox 360, PS3, PC, tablet or MP3 player. I was even able to hook it up to my iPhone 5. After some time spent with the set this past week I must say I am impressed; but are they as good as some of the more expensive sets on the market? Well not quite, but they are worth checking out and they are a much better set than I anticipated. I should note that they are wired and this will turn some people off, but before you turn your nose up at this headset, you should continue reading.
For starters the SLYR headset sounds fantastic. As I fired up Madden NFL 13 and the orchestra music, which was very NFL Films like, chimed in, I immediately noticed the heavy bass and crystal clear sound. I actually had to turn down the volume because the default levels were very loud. Even when loud I found that the SLYR’s really sounded great. I quickly launched into a game between the Saints and the Niners where I could hear every bone crunching hit, the linebackers chatter on the field, and every little grunt as players collided with one another. It made for a much more immersive experience. Right off the hop the SLYR headset was off to a good start.
The SLYR headset comes with a mixer that has three sound presets: Bass, Supreme and Precision Mode. The mixer also has a toggle button for game volume, microphone chat, and has microphone mute capabilities. I found the Bass Mode knocked the other two modes out of the park. This was evident right from the outset when I hunkered down with Madden. After I played Madden I threw in some Black Ops 2 Multiplayer, as I really wanted to test the mic out as well. Much like Madden, playing Black Ops 2 on the Xbox 360 was impressive. I could hear every little footstep and bullets whizzing by can be heard with incredible clarity and depth. Heck my girlfriend could even heard the bullets going into players bodies and as she described it, “I could even hear a wet ‘splurt’ sound on impact”. I was equally impressed with the mic. Not only could others hear my voice with no issues but I received no feedback, no static noise, and no echo. The mic essentially worked as it should. The mic also flips up and conveniently tucks out of the way which is perfect for those periods when it is not in use.
In terms of the sound quality I experienced no issues with the SLYR headset. Considering it does not do 7.1 Surround Sound I was pleased with the sound and loved the added bass. The headset certainly rivals my home theater setup, which really does not say much considering my theater set up is almost 10-years old. Nevertheless, I was impressed. Playing on Precision and Supreme mode also sounds pretty good, but I cannot envision many departing from the Bass mode. It is just so rich and feels like you have a 10-inch subwoofer right in your ear.
Comfort wise, the SLYR feels very good. They hug your head tightly but the cushioned ear cups and foam on the bridge of the headset provides all the necessary comfort you will need. The cans snug right onto your ears and I never felt like they would fall off even if I whipped my head back. They block out the outside sounds very efficiently as well. I also never found my ears getting too hot, sweaty, or sticky. The headset is also very light which is perfect for those extended gaming sessions and you will find that it is adjustable and ecstatically pleasing. As you can see by the screenshots, the headset looks great and does not appear cheap at all. The trademark Skullcandy skull is on the outside and inside of the ear cups. Overall I found that it is sharp looking and has a futuristic sci-fi look about it. On the downside, the headset does not come with any stand or a case to store it. It would have been nice to have some storage options so that I did not have to look at it lying around collecting dust when I am away from the action. Not to mention the cords are an eyesore when not in use.
In terms of the packaging and set-up, the SLYR is straightforward. The box and packaging is professional but certainly not on par with the packaging you would get with the A50’s or Tritton Warheads. Yet when considering the price it is what I expected. There is a simple little plug and play guide that shows you how to hook up your headset, cords and mixer to any Xbox 360, PS3 or PC. Set-up was super easy and I did not encounter any difficulties. That said, the cords tangle easily with one another and they were rather unsightly dragging across my gaming room floor. The fact the SLYR is wired is let down but I should mention the mixer cable that connects your headset to your console is incredibly long. I found the length of the cord fantastic for my set up given my couch is a ways back from the TV.
Overall, the Skullcandy SLYR Gaming Headset is excellent value for the buck. At around $80.00 it is amazing that it can be used with pretty much any gaming and non-gaming electronic audio device. The SLYR delivers superior sound and comfort while the overall look of the headset is sharp. The wires are certainly a nuisance but if you are looking for a rock solid headset for under a $100 bucks and don’t mind the wires, the Skullcandy SLYR should be on your shortlist.
