Want a wallet friendly way to improve your gaming audio? Whether you are a PC or console gamer, CM Storm may have what you are looking for.
Product on review: CM Storm Ceres 300 & 500
Manufacturer & Sponsor: CM Storm
Street Price: £34.99 & £54.99
Revamping the entry level headset stable from CM Storm we have the latest in the Ceres series, being the 300 and the 500. The latter of which is aimed at multi-platform/ console gaming. Edging away from the aggressive black and red designs and opting for a more minimalistic, clinical black and white design that displays a clear shift in culture from CM Storm.
The Ceres 300 is a sleek non-folding design that connects using a pair of traditional 3.5mm jacks, while the 500, similar in design aesthetic, uses a combination of USB and a 3.5mm jack depending on which platform it is used with and is foldable. Both are armed with 40mm drivers and equipped with detachable, flexible microphones.
Overview by CM Storm
Ceres 300
Following the Ceres-400, Ceres-300 comes with a more streamlined profile and glossy finished look. Thicker padded cushions and an adjustable headband means you’ll game in absolute comfort with the perfect fit at any time. Powerful 40mm drivers deliver high quality and booming sound. A detachable, flexible, and omni-directional microphone ensures clear and close communication with teammates.
Ceres 500
Ceres-500 is designed with full ear coverage and breathable mesh ear cups that not only provide great comfort, but noise isolation as well. Its foldable, swivel ear cup design gives gamers easier storage and transportation around LAN parties or during downtimes in between battles. Ceres-500 offers a dual usage mode to switch between Console/PC mode. A built-in amplifier paired with 40mm drivers provides gamers with a deep, full-range, and booming sound to give them the competitive edge in a match.
Following the Ceres-400, Ceres-300 comes with a more streamlined profile and glossy finished look. Thicker padded cushions and an adjustable headband means you’ll game in absolute comfort with the perfect fit at any time. Powerful 40mm drivers deliver high quality and booming sound. A detachable, flexible, and omni-directional microphone ensures clear and close communication with teammates.
Ceres 500
Ceres-500 is designed with full ear coverage and breathable mesh ear cups that not only provide great comfort, but noise isolation as well. Its foldable, swivel ear cup design gives gamers easier storage and transportation around LAN parties or during downtimes in between battles. Ceres-500 offers a dual usage mode to switch between Console/PC mode. A built-in amplifier paired with 40mm drivers provides gamers with a deep, full-range, and booming sound to give them the competitive edge in a match.
Specifications & Features
Ceres 300
Features
– Powerful 40mm drivers deliver highest sound quality
– Adjustable headband for perfect fit
– Detachable, flexible omni-directional microphone
– In line remote allows volume adjustment, microphone on/ off switch
– Reinforced padded cushion for absolute comfort
Headphones
Driver: 40mm drivers
Frequency Response: 20Hz-20,000Hz
Impedance: 32 Ohm
Sensitivity@1KHz: 112dB ± 4dB
Connector: 3.5mm jack
Cable Length: 2.5m
Microphone
Pick-up Pattern: Omni-Directional
Frequency Response: 100 Hz – 10,000 Hz
Sensitivity: -54 ± 3dB
MIC/ in-line remote
Removable Mic ; Volume control; Mic on/off
Features
– Powerful 40mm drivers deliver highest sound quality
– Adjustable headband for perfect fit
– Detachable, flexible omni-directional microphone
– In line remote allows volume adjustment, microphone on/ off switch
– Reinforced padded cushion for absolute comfort
Headphones
Driver: 40mm drivers
Frequency Response: 20Hz-20,000Hz
Impedance: 32 Ohm
Sensitivity@1KHz: 112dB ± 4dB
Connector: 3.5mm jack
Cable Length: 2.5m
Microphone
Pick-up Pattern: Omni-Directional
Frequency Response: 100 Hz – 10,000 Hz
Sensitivity: -54 ± 3dB
MIC/ in-line remote
Removable Mic ; Volume control; Mic on/off
Clear Sound
Powerful 40mm drivers in Ceres-300 produce a wholly different audio experience with lifelike sound that makes music, moves, and games come alive. The over-ear, breathable mesh ear cups provide highly effective noise cancellation while delivering premium sound without interruptions.
Key outfit
An in-line remote lets you freely adjust sound volume and mute chat during game sessions without any distraction. A detachable and flexible omni-directional microphone can receive sounds from virtually any direction and can be adjusted to focus on any spot / angle to ensure all commands are delivered with absolute clarity.
Perfect Fit
Its reinforced padded cushion and adjustable headband comfortably hold on to a user’s head and provide excellent comfort during, and after, a marathon game session. Breathable mesh ear cups provide ventilation to keep your ears cool and fit firmly over your ears.
Sleek Style
Following Ceres-400, Ceres-300 comes with a more streamlined profile. Metallic mesh and glossy finished ear cup exteriors along with a leatherette headband all round out a sleek look and premium feel.
Ceres 500
Features
– Powerful 40mm drivers deliver highest sound quality
– Over-ear, breathable mesh ear cups ensure reinforced comfort with greater noise isolation
– Built-in amplifier provides thumping sound and boosted signal levels
– Adjustable headband for perfect fit
– Foldable design for easier storage and transportation
– Swivel ear cup design for leisure usage on shoulder
– Detachable, flexible omni-directional microphone
– In line remote allows volume adjustment, microphone mute, chat volume (in console mode) and PC/ console mode switch
– USB powered audio output; no batteries or AC adaptor are required
Headphones
Driver: 40mm driver
Frequency Response: 20Hz-20,000Hz
Impedance: 32 Ohm
Sensitivity@1KHz: 116dB ± 4dB
Connector: 3.5mm jack/ USB
Cable length: 3m
Microphone
Pick-up Pattern: Omni-Directional
Frequency Response: 100 Hz – 10,000 Hz
Sensitivity: -54 ± 3dB
In-line remote
Removable Mic / Volume control / Mic mute / PC/ Console mode switch
Features
– Powerful 40mm drivers deliver highest sound quality
– Over-ear, breathable mesh ear cups ensure reinforced comfort with greater noise isolation
– Built-in amplifier provides thumping sound and boosted signal levels
– Adjustable headband for perfect fit
– Foldable design for easier storage and transportation
– Swivel ear cup design for leisure usage on shoulder
– Detachable, flexible omni-directional microphone
– In line remote allows volume adjustment, microphone mute, chat volume (in console mode) and PC/ console mode switch
– USB powered audio output; no batteries or AC adaptor are required
Headphones
Driver: 40mm driver
Frequency Response: 20Hz-20,000Hz
Impedance: 32 Ohm
Sensitivity@1KHz: 116dB ± 4dB
Connector: 3.5mm jack/ USB
Cable length: 3m
Microphone
Pick-up Pattern: Omni-Directional
Frequency Response: 100 Hz – 10,000 Hz
Sensitivity: -54 ± 3dB
In-line remote
Removable Mic / Volume control / Mic mute / PC/ Console mode switch
Dual More for PC/Console
Ceres 500 designed precisely tuned for both PC and Console game enthusiasts. It provides easy access for gamers to critical functions with on-the-fly adjustments to volume of the headphones, microphone and chat, or even switch between PC/ Console mode. A strong built-in amplifier boosts signal and produces clear booming sound that makes audio really shine.
Outstanding comfort and impressive power
The powerful 40mm drivers Ceres-500 features give gamers a groundbreaking and full range sound experience while allowing gamers to precisely pinpoint their foe’s position. The over-ear breathable mesh ear cups provide highly effective noise cancellation while delivering premium sound without interruptions.
Easy to carry and use
A foldable design saves space while the headset is stored or transported between locations or events. Smooth motion swivel ear cups allow gamers to comfortably rest their shoulders during the downtime between battles, or could function as a quick speaker for music on you desk.
Ultimate comfort and quality
Breathable mesh ear cups paired with the adjustable headband being wrapped by reinforced cushioned pads provide users with the highest comfort. A detachable and flexible omni-directional microphone can receive sounds from virtually any direction and can be adjusted to focus on any spot/ angle to ensure all commands are delivered with absolute clarity.
Packaging & First Look: Ceres 300
Packaging front
Simple elegant design with an over sized image of the product and the product name.
Packaging rear
On the back there is some information about the details as well as multi-lingual specifications.
3.5mm jacks
The Ceres 300 is equipped with 2x 3.5mm jacks for stereo channel and microphone.
The in-line remote
The inline remote is small and feels a little weak but does the job, features volume control and mic mute.
Removable microphone
The removable microphone is a flexible boom type.
Closer Look: Ceres 300
Overview of the Ceres 300
The Ceres 300 is non-folding and looks attractive and sleek. The headband is padded with thick very soft padding and the ear cups are large.
Side view
The SM Storm logo finishes the central design on the exterior of the ear cups nicely, while on the inside we can see the CM Storm name written along the fabric. The ear cup padding is thick, slightly firmer than some and covered in a breathable mesh.
Adjustable strap
The adjustment strap is plastic but firm, and because the Ceres 300 is not foldable, the joints holding the ear cup to the headband is solid in construction.
Simple microphone port
At the base of the left side ear cup we can find the home for the removable mic, no fancy designs needed here.
The Ceres 300
Packaging & First Look: Ceres 500
Ceres 500 Box front
Unlike the 300, here we find a cut out window to see the product inside.
Reverse side of packaging
As the rear we find information about setup and features as well as the customary multi-lingual specifications.
Bundled accessories
The Ceres 500 comes with a user guide and setup guide for various situations as well as a 3.5mm female to RCA splitter as well as a 3.5mm to 2.5mm cable.
The Ceres 500 I/O
There Ceres 500 has both 3.5mm jack and USB connections.
The inline remote
The in-line controller acts as a switch between PC and Console modes as well as including Volume control, mic-mute and chat volume dial.
Flexible boom mic
The Ceres 500 also has a removable microphone, the jack is mounted at a right angle so is mounted on the side of the earcup rather than at the bottom.
Closer Look: Ceres 500
Folded up
Unlike the 300, the 500 is foldable for travel or easy storage.
Side view
The adjustable strap although plastic, is firm and clicks into place well just like the 300. Again we find very soft padding across the headband. There is also the port for the microphone to be plugged in on the ear cup.
Opened up
The 500 also folds flat, here we reveal the large ear cups that should be capable of covering most peoples ears. The ear padding is thick and covered in the same breathable mesh as with the 300.
The Ceres 500
Due to the foldable joints, the overall aesthetic looks a little clunkier than the 300 but still attractive and clean cut.
Performance Testing
Setup, Design & Observations
Ceres 300
As the Ceres 300 uses jacks, setup is simple and for this price point build quality is fairly good. As an entry level product, the Ceres 300 does feel as such with cheap plastics being used, though the lightness will add to comfort, and the product overall is strong and fairly robust. The material used to cover the ear padding feels strange at first as it is noticeably different to something such as PU leather, however, it is not irritating, it is comfortable (even when wearing glasses) and it is breathable. The headband padding is soft and feels more extravagant than necessary. The inline remote felt a little uncomfortable and distracting in hand and seems a little weak but functioned properly and should hold up to general wear and tear in use. Unless of course you plan on using the headset as a bolas… Don’t use your headset as a bolas!
Ceres 500
Setup for the 500 is fairly complicated depending on circumstance. For PC, it uses USB and is P&P, this does however mean that it will be using basic windows audio drivers. When using the consoles, setup is significantly different and potentially annoying. You can use the Ceres 500 using RGB connectors or HDMI with both XBOX 360 and PS3. With the PS3 you can use the RCA pass through cable regardless which method you connect to your TV. Though with the XBOX 360, when using a HDMI cable your TV will need an RCA audio out/aux out or a headphone port, to which, if it is the latter you will need to purchase a 3.5mm male to female extension cable. If using the RGB cable with the XBOX 360 you can use the RCA passthrough. Both methods will require you to use the 3.5mm jack to 2.5mm jack that plugs into the XBOX 360 controller – inline remote.
If this all sounds Greek, then pictures can tell a thousand words.
Setup Diagram A
Setup Diagram B
The cables on the Ceres 500 are long and heavy, as with the large in-line remote, dropping all the cables at once while the headphone in use can produce an uncomfortably strong tensile yank which could cause damage over time to the cable that is connected to the headset. The cable lengths however are well measured and the 3.5mm-2.5mm cable is perfect length as to not have excess nor too little slack. Comfort is similar to the 300, very soft headband, decent ear cup comfort however, due to the cheap feeling plastics combined with the foldable joints and heavy cableage, it does beg the question of ‘How much wear and tear can this product really take?’.
A sleek shot of the Ceres 300 gaming headset!
Multi-Media
Ceres 300
Sound quality was actually surprising with the Ceres 300, the 40mm drivers gave well rounded definition across the board. The bass was boomy and impressionable but not overpowering, the mids were well accentuated and the highs were glassy. Considering the price, those 40mm drivers chosen by CM Storm give their worth. Listening through Sabrepulse’s Termination shock was enjoyable and overall performance in music, games and movies was pleasing.
Ceres 500
After setting up the Ceres 500 with an XBOX 360, audio at first was strange and noticably ‘not right’, I had to recheck all the cable connections, once reaffirming them all, audio was clear and impressive. Something I struggled with previously in regards to console headsets, is the inability to control chat volume, fortunately, the Ceres 500 has this covered, you can dip in game audio so you can comfortably hear your chat party conversation without struggling with competing audio sources. Playing through Assassin’s Creed IV gave some very good audio, massively improved over TV speakers to say the least. Overall the max volume reached by the Ceres 500 was quite loud and can give a good punchy response. As with the 300, the 500 also has a well balanced audio profile allowing tones to harmonise rather than compete. Plugging into the PC via USB we could notice a slight improvement in audio quality, tightening up in the mids and highs, however, the 500 could still be out matched by the 300 when paired with a good sound card.
Microphone
Ceres 300
The microphone gave clear vocal pickup with little to no hiss or static, however, has little by way of noise reduction and can pick up a lot of background noise. Curb the sensitivity and all should be good.
Ceres 500
The Ceres 500 gave similar results to the 300, not surprising as they look pretty similar. In the XBOX 360 party chat, the mic was described as very good, clear and little interference.
Conclusion
CM Storm Ceres 300
Entry level headsets are vast like an ocean, some look better than they sound, others sound better than they look while others can be so tight and uncomfortable that you need a crowbar to pry them off of your head. The Ceres 300 shines in simplicity and balance, it is comfortable, it sounds good, it looks good and is well priced.
To really pick the Ceres 300 apart, maybe the microphone could be improved by simply adding a windbreaker, or the in-line remote could be improved with some ergonomic attention and strengthening, it would also be good to see a braided, modular cable. To keep a sensible hat on, there is little to complain about as most improvements one could suggest are materialistic and/or non-economically friendly.
The CM Storm Ceres 300 earns our gold with its perfect balance of well designed aesthetics, comfort and punchy performance.
Pros.
+ Well balanced audio
+ Comfortable
+ Attractive design and aesthetic
+ Removable microphone
+ Price
Cons.
– None
+ Well balanced audio
+ Comfortable
+ Attractive design and aesthetic
+ Removable microphone
+ Price
Cons.
– None
CM Storm Ceres 500
The Ceres 500 is not so much a step up from the 300 as it is a sidestep in function, that being aimed at use with games consoles. The audio performance is punchy, loud and well balanced. If you are a console gamer looking to improve their audial experience and are stuck between the likes of Turtle Beach and expensive wireless headsets, the CM Storm Ceres 500 can offer what you are looking for, as long as you don’t mind the long cables. Setup, for those experienced is pretty straight forward, but if it is for a young child or the inexperienced, setting up the various cables may cause some confusion (and a trip hazard).
Though the Ceres 500 is attractive, comfortable and has some neat features, if I was to judge it for use on a PC alone, I would say it is over priced, offers poor performance, poor build quality and is not worth looking at considering the competition as you effectively pay £20 extra over the 300 for some cables and potentially negative performance. Thus the conclusion would have to be that this product should be considered primarily for console use but ‘can’ easily be used with a PC too. In that scenario, the Ceres 500 is an attractive proposition to which one can recommend. So, we proudly present the CM Storm Ceres 500 our Silverware.
The CM Storm Ceres 500 can give console gamers a great new experience by taking their game audio to the next level. Compatible with various setups, the Ceres 500 is certainly worth considering.
Pros.
+ Well balanced audio
+ Comfortable
+ Attractive design and aesthetic
+ Versatile configurations for PC and consoles
+ Huge sound improvement over TV speakers
Mediocre
+- Value is primarily in console gaming
Cons.
– Potentially troublesome setup
– Cables Cables Cables
+ Well balanced audio
+ Comfortable
+ Attractive design and aesthetic
+ Versatile configurations for PC and consoles
+ Huge sound improvement over TV speakers
Mediocre
+- Value is primarily in console gaming
Cons.
– Potentially troublesome setup
– Cables Cables Cables
Click here for an explanation of our awards at Vortez.net. Thanks to CoolerMaster & CM Storm for providing today’s review sample.
