In conclusion I’m pleased with the Spectrum 5XB Gaming Headset. It provides great directional audio but still allows you to hear team-mates perfectly and to also be heard by them. The retractable microphone is a neat solution for those that want to play single player without the boom being in the way, just aren’t feeling chatty or want easy access to their favourite gaming snack/drink. When it comes to going back into multiplayer, very little has to be done to be back talking to the world again.

The LiveMix Audio Adapter is very good. With the ability to buy it on its own granting you the freedom to use any PC headset with the Xbox 360, you get independent control of game sounds and voice, the LiveMix feature which takes away your excuse for not hearing your friends over you being shot at and the comfort it will stay in your controller.
Onto something very important when it comes to headsets. Is it comfortable? Yes, definitely so! Despite weighing a bit more than some other headsets on the market (some kitchen scales say 232g) the headset remains very comfortable. Something else I’ve experienced with other headsets is my ears becoming unbearably hot due to no ventilation. Steelseries have done very well in combating this problem by adding ventilation grills to the ear cups and it really does work!



The major downside of the Steelseries Spectrum 5XB is not one that can be ignored. I of course mean the price. With the 5XB headset retailing for £85 or more, when compared to the competition it is not a cheap product and when you compare to the Spectrum 4XB headset which retails for around the £60 mark. The differences are no double braided nylon cable and not being able to disassemble the headset into three parts – which probably are not worth it for the majority of users. This, along with the issues regarding to PC use is the reason the Steelseries Spectrum 5XB Gaming Headset receives a Silver Award from Vortez.