Setup, Design & Observations
Setting up the siberia 840 will require a little time to understand what your uses will be. For example, if you wanted to be able to use the headset with the Xbox 360, you will either have to connect the transmitter box to your TV via analogue cable, or, to your Xbox 360 via the optical. This will give you the primary audio wirelessly, then for the chat audio, you will then have to connect the included Xbox 360 chat cable to the Xbox 360 controller. The same kind of set up will apply to the Xbox ONE, just that you will have to use the different chat cable.To connect to the PS4, you can either connect it via the optical cable, along with the 3.5mm 3pole-4pole chat cable to transmit voice, or you can connect via the USB cable with no need for the chat cable. Setup for PC the manual recommends connecting via the USB and analogue connectors, however I am not entirely sure why it recommends both when audio and voice can be done via USB alone. It is worth noting that the Dolby modes only work via optical and USB connections and not via analogue.
The headset itself appears to be able to mix up to 3 independent sources, for example, you can take a phone call via Bluetooth while gaming using the optical connections.
The best thing about all these connections is that they are geared to give you the best wireless experience and there is enough versatility to customise your setup in various ways. The only thing I think that it is missing, is a direct 4pole input for the PS4/XBONE controllers, as this would free up the transmitter for alternative sources should you constantly be bouncing between various sources. The headset itself does have another cable option in the form of a miniUSB behind the right side earcup cover, opposite to where the batteries are stored. The transmitter box could also be used as a signal processor to connect to some speakers via the optical pass-through.
We love the idea of having hot-swappable batteries in a wireless headset, as battery life is the bane of all wireless headsets, and once they die, you either have to use them wired, or wait till they recharge. Or, worse still, the battery can die over a period of time and you have no way of replacing it. SteelSeries have stepped over this problem by including 2x batteries, one of which can be charging in the transmitter box, while the other is in use, and it is very quick and convenient to swap over.
The build quality of the Siberia 840 is fairly decent, using high quality plastics, leather, PU leather, and memory foam. Though some may find that the ear cups are a little chunky looking. There is a tendency for 'round' ear cups to lack in the correct dimensions to give enough space for your ears, and I found this to be the case here also. My ears are in no way the largest around, but I found it difficult to get the headset in place without the cushioning pressing down on part of my ear. Combined with the very stiff clamping force, if you don't pay attention, it can cause some fatigue, however, if you get your ears in the right position, it remains very comfortable for long periods of time. This is a shame because the clamping force and earcup shape are retained from the older model headset.
To connect via Bluetooth, you can hold the Bluetooth button for over 3s to enter pairing mode, once paired, you only need to hold the button <3s to instantly pair again. The Bluetooth button also acts as a multi-function button, with a quick single press acting as play/pause, while a double tap will skip to next track while you are playing music. It can also be used to answer call, or end calls (double tap). To mute the microphone, single press the power button and the microphone LED indicator will come on.
Multimedia
Audio quality is great, sharp highs, slightly dipped mids and a warm bass coming through as standard. The drivers that SteelSeries use respond very well to EQ balancing, so you can adjust the tones to suit your preference. The bass doesn't quite have as much rumble as some would like, and the overall precision doesn't reach the same level of clarity as other headsets can at this price point, but we are nit-picking entirely based on price, and that doesn't go to consider the fact that this is a wireless headset. The maximum volume is restricted by default, and is at a fairly decently level, though if you want that extra kick, you can delimit the volume and have an additional 10% volume. Though not the loudest out there, we felt that there isn't any need for louder, besides this will be cutting into your battery life.
The Dolby Pro Logic II via USB cable sounds great, really opening up the audio with no real detrimental effects. Spatial awareness in game is certainly improved though, not necessarily better that standard stereo, so this will entirely be down to preference.
Microphone
The microphone is easily extended/retracted and is flexible/opposable. It picks up voice well and some background noise, but doesn't quite sound as good as many would expect for this price, nowhere near as good as SteelSeries' own 'Clearcast' microphone. That being said, there isn't any hiss/pops and sounds clear enough, making perfectly feasible for gaming.
Setting up the siberia 840 will require a little time to understand what your uses will be. For example, if you wanted to be able to use the headset with the Xbox 360, you will either have to connect the transmitter box to your TV via analogue cable, or, to your Xbox 360 via the optical. This will give you the primary audio wirelessly, then for the chat audio, you will then have to connect the included Xbox 360 chat cable to the Xbox 360 controller. The same kind of set up will apply to the Xbox ONE, just that you will have to use the different chat cable.To connect to the PS4, you can either connect it via the optical cable, along with the 3.5mm 3pole-4pole chat cable to transmit voice, or you can connect via the USB cable with no need for the chat cable. Setup for PC the manual recommends connecting via the USB and analogue connectors, however I am not entirely sure why it recommends both when audio and voice can be done via USB alone. It is worth noting that the Dolby modes only work via optical and USB connections and not via analogue.
The headset itself appears to be able to mix up to 3 independent sources, for example, you can take a phone call via Bluetooth while gaming using the optical connections.
The best thing about all these connections is that they are geared to give you the best wireless experience and there is enough versatility to customise your setup in various ways. The only thing I think that it is missing, is a direct 4pole input for the PS4/XBONE controllers, as this would free up the transmitter for alternative sources should you constantly be bouncing between various sources. The headset itself does have another cable option in the form of a miniUSB behind the right side earcup cover, opposite to where the batteries are stored. The transmitter box could also be used as a signal processor to connect to some speakers via the optical pass-through.
We love the idea of having hot-swappable batteries in a wireless headset, as battery life is the bane of all wireless headsets, and once they die, you either have to use them wired, or wait till they recharge. Or, worse still, the battery can die over a period of time and you have no way of replacing it. SteelSeries have stepped over this problem by including 2x batteries, one of which can be charging in the transmitter box, while the other is in use, and it is very quick and convenient to swap over.
The build quality of the Siberia 840 is fairly decent, using high quality plastics, leather, PU leather, and memory foam. Though some may find that the ear cups are a little chunky looking. There is a tendency for 'round' ear cups to lack in the correct dimensions to give enough space for your ears, and I found this to be the case here also. My ears are in no way the largest around, but I found it difficult to get the headset in place without the cushioning pressing down on part of my ear. Combined with the very stiff clamping force, if you don't pay attention, it can cause some fatigue, however, if you get your ears in the right position, it remains very comfortable for long periods of time. This is a shame because the clamping force and earcup shape are retained from the older model headset.
To connect via Bluetooth, you can hold the Bluetooth button for over 3s to enter pairing mode, once paired, you only need to hold the button <3s to instantly pair again. The Bluetooth button also acts as a multi-function button, with a quick single press acting as play/pause, while a double tap will skip to next track while you are playing music. It can also be used to answer call, or end calls (double tap). To mute the microphone, single press the power button and the microphone LED indicator will come on.
Multimedia
Audio quality is great, sharp highs, slightly dipped mids and a warm bass coming through as standard. The drivers that SteelSeries use respond very well to EQ balancing, so you can adjust the tones to suit your preference. The bass doesn't quite have as much rumble as some would like, and the overall precision doesn't reach the same level of clarity as other headsets can at this price point, but we are nit-picking entirely based on price, and that doesn't go to consider the fact that this is a wireless headset. The maximum volume is restricted by default, and is at a fairly decently level, though if you want that extra kick, you can delimit the volume and have an additional 10% volume. Though not the loudest out there, we felt that there isn't any need for louder, besides this will be cutting into your battery life.
The Dolby Pro Logic II via USB cable sounds great, really opening up the audio with no real detrimental effects. Spatial awareness in game is certainly improved though, not necessarily better that standard stereo, so this will entirely be down to preference.
Microphone
The microphone is easily extended/retracted and is flexible/opposable. It picks up voice well and some background noise, but doesn't quite sound as good as many would expect for this price, nowhere near as good as SteelSeries' own 'Clearcast' microphone. That being said, there isn't any hiss/pops and sounds clear enough, making perfectly feasible for gaming.