Comfort

The Sonar 5.1 is very comfortable and is adjustable from the upper band, but the earcups also pivot allowing for a better fit. The earcups cover the ears entirely, much like the Barracuda and the Steelseries 3H, however the Sonar 5.1 earphones are covered in sexy red velour. If you feel uncomfortable with sexy red valour then you’re out of luck because they don’t come in any other color.

Personally I think it’s great that they went for a color other than gunmetal gray, black, or future blue. I like to have my sex god status displayed through my headsets. Also, it’s a color women can get behind too, which is still rare in the industry. Honestly it’s the first computer anything I’ve owned that I thought looked attractive. Which is both awkward and tantalizing. Maybe I should ask it out? What if it says no? I’m not good with rejection…

An added bonus to the Sonar 5.1 is a very long cord. Given that your USB ports could be anywhere on your computer, and your computer could be anywhere in comparison to your head, a three meter cable is extremely handy. To give westerners an idea of just how long this cable is I, a 6’4” man of leisure, can and have jump-roped with it.

Price

Isn’t this what we all really care about? While not cheap, they are definitely affordable for what they offer. The Sonar 5.1 is half the price of the Barracuda (and a better total package) and is yet somehow cheaper than the Razer Piranha (which does far less than the Sonar 5.1). As far as other headsets on the market it’s really a question of quality. The Sonar is more expensive than those of Logitech or Steelseries, but you’re paying for a totally different experience.

My Only Insignificant 1-PT Complaint

If you’re using Windows Vista the control panel is different than it is pictured in the manual. Normally this wouldn’t even be an issue, but I honestly found the controls provided as a Vista user to be unintuitive. In fact, the unit actually seemed to have terrible audio until I closed the control panel and Windows Sound Control took over in what I can only describe as a “terrible and wonderful moment of bass.” Trying to adjust the Sonar 5.1 in its packaged control panel was, for the average audiophile, a series of trial and error. Having the manual appear different only furthered the frustration, as there was little instruction.

As far as I’m concerned the Sonar 5.1 is perfect for its price. Everything a gamer, any kind of gamer, would want without shelling out a stupid amount of money. It would seem CyberSnipa has actually listened to what gamers want and given us exactly that. Which is why I’m happy to make the Sonar 5.1 my…