CM Storm have some impressive peripherals in their armoury. The Sonuz is the latest to blast it’s way on to the gaming headset scene. How does it compare? Read on…
Product on Review: CM Storm Sonuz
Manufacturer and Sponsor: CM Storm (Cooler Master)
Street Price: Approx. £59.99 inc. VAT
It’s been a while since we reviewed the CM Storm Sirus 5.1 gaming headset which impressed us here at Vortez. Many gamers however remain unconvinced by the surround sound audio the Sirus puts out so to combat this, CM have developed the Sonuz, a stereo headset with a pair of huge 53mm drivers capable of delivering low bass and high treble thanks to a 10-20,000Hz range. Comfortable yet lightweight, sleek yet powerful, the CM Storm look set to take it to the competition with Sonuz stereo headset.
The Sonuz is aimed primarily at gamers with its lightweight design yet encompassing quality drivers capable of delivering booming explosions and crisp voice reproduction. As we will see though, gaming is not the only area in which the Sonuz is a capable performer. Movies and musical audio reproduction are also important factors that need to be considered if the Sonuz is to compete with the highly contested mid-range headset market.
About CM Storm
Owning the PC trenches for almost two decades, Cooler Master ’s veterans present their scars from battles past as claims of triumph over the competition. United with a new generation of eSports athletes and engineers, now marching under the flag of CM Storm, the time has come to reveal truly ground-breaking, military grade hardware for the gaming revolution.
Through long-standing research programs, CM Storm is co-developed with the world’s most prolific enthusiasts and eSports prodigies. Thanks to intensive testing and continuous feedback, the CM Storm division has been able to encompass and improve upon gamers’ needs and their tough to handle scenarios.
By working directly with the gaming community we have injected our Storm Tactics into each and every product we make. Storm Tactics, with a heavily dedicated focus on Strength, Security and Control, will keep your most vital gear fortified and well tuned at all times.
Owning the PC trenches for almost two decades, Cooler Master ’s veterans present their scars from battles past as claims of triumph over the competition. United with a new generation of eSports athletes and engineers, now marching under the flag of CM Storm, the time has come to reveal truly ground-breaking, military grade hardware for the gaming revolution.
Through long-standing research programs, CM Storm is co-developed with the world’s most prolific enthusiasts and eSports prodigies. Thanks to intensive testing and continuous feedback, the CM Storm division has been able to encompass and improve upon gamers’ needs and their tough to handle scenarios.
By working directly with the gaming community we have injected our Storm Tactics into each and every product we make. Storm Tactics, with a heavily dedicated focus on Strength, Security and Control, will keep your most vital gear fortified and well tuned at all times.
Specification & Features
Model Number
SGH-4010-KGTA1
Headphone
Driver diameter: φ53mm
Frequency range: 10 – 20,000 Hz
Impedance: 45 Ω
Sensitivities(@1kHz): 98 dB ± 3 dB
Connector: 3.5 mm gold-plated headphone jack
Inner Ear Cup Diameter: 97.0 mm
Cable Length: 2.0m
Max Output: 200mW
Microphone
Frequency range: 100–10,000 Hz
Sensitivities(@1kHz): -47 dB ± 3 dB
Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 58dB
Pick Up pattern: Omni-Directional
Diameter: 4×1.5mm
Hardware Requirements
Audio Usage: Devices with 3.5mm audio jack and microphone jack
Audio + Microphone Usage: Devices with 3.5mm audio + microphone combined jack(Compatible with Apple iPhone®, HTC®, BlackBerry®)
Features
– Massive high quality 53mm drivers deliver amazing sound quality
– Innovative detachable 3.5mm microphone for use on either side of the headset
– Huge 97mm earpads provide great comfort
– Flexible headband for a perfect fit
– In-line remote with Volume control and microphone on/off button
SGH-4010-KGTA1
Headphone
Driver diameter: φ53mm
Frequency range: 10 – 20,000 Hz
Impedance: 45 Ω
Sensitivities(@1kHz): 98 dB ± 3 dB
Connector: 3.5 mm gold-plated headphone jack
Inner Ear Cup Diameter: 97.0 mm
Cable Length: 2.0m
Max Output: 200mW
Microphone
Frequency range: 100–10,000 Hz
Sensitivities(@1kHz): -47 dB ± 3 dB
Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 58dB
Pick Up pattern: Omni-Directional
Diameter: 4×1.5mm
Hardware Requirements
Audio Usage: Devices with 3.5mm audio jack and microphone jack
Audio + Microphone Usage: Devices with 3.5mm audio + microphone combined jack(Compatible with Apple iPhone®, HTC®, BlackBerry®)
Features
– Massive high quality 53mm drivers deliver amazing sound quality
– Innovative detachable 3.5mm microphone for use on either side of the headset
– Huge 97mm earpads provide great comfort
– Flexible headband for a perfect fit
– In-line remote with Volume control and microphone on/off button
Packaging & First Look
The front of the box is very attractive with near identical packaging we saw with the Sirus 5.1 headset. A window cut-out shows off both the volume control device and an ear cup to which a mic is connected so this window, while small covers most of the features of the Sonuz.
To the rear we find a lengthy introduction to the headset along with the feature list written in multiple languages below.
The accessory list is very small with only a booklet and a microphone cap to cover the spare socket provided. It would have been nice to include a spare set of ear cups with the headset as with the Sirus and perhaps a couple of 6mm adaptors to complement the 3.5mm plugs the Sonuz has but as this is a mid range headset CM Storm can perhaps be forgiven for this omission.
Above we get a first glance of the headset. I initially had some concern over the shape of the headset. With a solid looking appearance, while attractive, it might be a little too rigid for some.
Let’s take a closer look…
Closer Look
The profile of the headset is quite odd in that the cushioned headrest is quite small in comparison to the oversized ear cup holders. The headset certainly looks futuristic with its curved lines and sculpted inners. The mainframe is made from plastic which is painted a very attractive gun metal grey. The cushioning is black along with the mic and also the faux speaker holders which have black mesh inserts. This makes for a very attractive looking headset spoilt only when the cups are extended by a maximum 40mm each side. Thankfully the extension is headband is made from metal which flexes quite well yet sturdy enough to grip to your head comfortably.
You can see from the side just how odd looking the headset really is with the cups pointing forward. It’s certainly one of those marmite looking products where you will either love them or hate them. Personally, I like the futuristic look although I’m not the type to go around town wearing such large headsets. Either way, wear these in public and you will no doubt draw attention!
A neat feature of the headset is the removable microphone. Not only is it removable though but you can position the microphone to the left or right depending on your preference with a jack positioned on both ear cups. the mic unit is rubber coated and has a flexible mid section which can assist in positioning the mic to the most convenient location. As the base is attached via a 3.5mm jack it can also swivel through 180 degrees so you don’t need to remove it when not in use.
The ear cups are removable and can be washed (at low temperature) but in all honesty, these are not the type that require cleaning as sweating is not an issue thanks to the material used. The cups are easily removed and replaced due to the elasticised membrane but care should certainly be taken when doing so as these does appear like they could be easily damaged. Beneath the cups there is a foam insert which would explain why they sometimes appeared muffled (see performance testing section).
The drivers are 53mm in size and have a frequency range of 10-20,000Hz. These drivers are capable of delivering a peak 200mW which should be enough for all but the hard of hearing!
For ease of use, there is an in-line module which has a volume control wheel and a mic mute switch.
Finally, we see that the Sonuz has 3.5mm connectors. There is no 3.5mm-6mm adaptor so if you intend on using these on larger audio equipment then you will need to buy this adapters separately. Both plugs are gold plated for excellent connectivity and durability with each plug (mic and audio) having the corresponding coloured banding on the plug itself (pink and green). It’s also worth noting that the cable is braided which should prevent any chaffing/damage of the cable.
Let’s plug them in and hear how they perform…
Performance Testing
Setup
The Sonuz does not require and software given that the adaptors are 3.5mm audio plugs and not a USB therefore no drivers are required.
Comfort
Despite its odd shape, the Sonuz was very comfortable to use for long periods. The headset was easily adjustable and wasn’t too tight that it crushed my skull nor was it too slack that it slipped. The cushioning on the headband, while small, ensured that the headset was very comfortable to wear. The ear cups, being faux velvet were again very comfortable and large enough that most of the ear sits inside the cup rather than being crushed beneath it.
As the cups are open, there is some noise escape, especially at high volume which may disturb those around you.
Music Test
Our first music test is via classical. Classical music with it’s string, wind and brass instruments is perfect to test for clarity. Sadly, the Sonuz sounded slightly ‘muffled’ while playing this type of music which was a surprise considering the frequency response of the 53mm drivers. While it wasn’t poor, it wasn’t great either. Dance tracks however sounded infinitely better with pounding bass and clear synth. Rock music was very good with excellent percussion and guitar reproduction. Rap was generally good however, the vocals again sounded just a little muffled.
In general, the Sonuz is ‘OK’ for music but audiophiles may wish to look for a higher end model as in certain scenarios, the headset pales in comparison to other headsets specifically designed for music reproduction.
Gaming Performance
As the Sonuz is classified as a gaming headset we had high hopes it would perform well in this environment and we were not disappointed.
Battlefield 3 was sublime with bullet ricochets and voices clearly heard over the backdrop of explosions. COD: Modern Warfare 3 was also great to play with this headset.
The voice reproduction in Skyrim was good but I couldn’t help feel I was watching the game rather than involved in it. The audio seemed to isolate me from the action because it sometimes sounded ‘hollow’ if that makes any sense. It wasn’t an echo, rather the acoustics replicated like I was in a large room rather than an open environment. Not a deal breaker as software adjustments can rectify this however, I hadn’t encountered this issue with other headsets.
Voice communication was good but due to the mic having pick-ups on both sides, ambient audio was inadvertently transmitted occasionally. This can again be rectified with sensitivity and better mic adjustment. Once this was done, there didn’t seem to be any more interruptions.
The muffled mid-range sounds can be enhanced by removing a thin sliver of foam behind the ear cups which make the sound noticeably clearer/crisper. I personally prefer this type of sound rather than the dull mid-range the foam produces but either way, it is nice to have the option to modify them without affecting the warranty status.
Let’s wrap this review up with my concluding thoughts…
Conclusion
When we first got a glimpse of the Sonuz we were eager to try the headset out. It looks excellent, certainly better than the bulk of today’s DJ style ‘phones. The materials used to build the Sonuz are of a very high quality and certainly feel like they will last the test of time. Even the microphone, a weak point in many headsets, feels robust and because it is removable (both for transport and orientation), the chance of this breaking are slim.
The sleek appearance of the Sonuz is paired with good performance too. Music reproduction was fine and for all but the audiophiles among us will be perfectly adequate. Those that crave the best in music wouldn’t likely be looking at a gaming headset anyway so to that end, I can safely say that this headset does the job for general audio use if you are an everyday Joe and not working in a studio.
The Sonuz is clearly a gaming headset though as this is where its strength lays. It not only looks the part but it also has what it takes to reproduce some deep explosions, reload ‘clicks’ along with human and game voices very well. The mid-range did suffer occasionally due to the heavy bass which sometimes drowns out all but the highest frequencies. This is however a minor point which most stereo headsets have to combat and one which can be adjusted by software equalisation. The microphone worked very well for the most part once adjusted to eradicate unwanted transmissions and due to the flexibility, was relatively easy to adjust to your (and your team mates) preference.
I would have preferred a little more volume at the top end, especially given that the Sonuz has large drivers but with the headset whacked up to full, there was the occasional crackle of distortion so this is perhaps a good thing that the volume cannot be increased further. Most stereo headsets suffer from positional audio due to their physical design limitations and the same can be said of the CM Storm Sonuz. While it does a good job, it simply pales in comparison to its bigger brother, the CM Storm Sirus 5.1 headset however, the Sonuz is cheaper and thus allowances have to be made. Stereo vs 5.1 in a headset is very much a personal preference thing and thus if you like stereo gaming headsets and believe 5.1 to be a gimmick then I’m sure the Sonuz will not disappoint because as far as stereo headset positional audio goes, the Sonuz is certainly better than average.
Overall, the Sonuz is a good headset at a competitive price point. You will struggle to find a better gaming headset under £50 and while the Sonuz has some shortcomings compared to high end offerings, they are easily forgotten about when you consider the cost savings to be made over high end offerings. All in all, the Sonuz is a perfectly weighted mid-range stereo gaming headset which unless you are a pro gamer or audiophile will prove to be a delight to use.
Pros
+ Great Looking
+ Quality Materials
+ Durable
+ Removable microphone
+ Lightweight
Cons
– Dull mid tones (foam in-situ)
– Basic packaging (no 6mm adapter, replacement cups or travel pouch)
– Mid range sometimes muffled
+ Great Looking
+ Quality Materials
+ Durable
+ Removable microphone
+ Lightweight
Cons
– Dull mid tones (foam in-situ)
– Basic packaging (no 6mm adapter, replacement cups or travel pouch)
– Mid range sometimes muffled
Click here for an explanation of our awards at Vortez.net.
