Headset: Creative Sound Blaster Arena

Bagi pengemar game tentu sangat mengidamkan adanya tata suara yang baik. Salah satu pendukung sound system adalah speaker yang bagus. Jika menggunakan speaker biasa tentu akan sangat mengganggu lingkungan bila bermain game. Solusinya adalah dengan menggunakan headphone atau headset. Kali ini penulis coba sajikan salah satu headset keluaran Creative, salah satu pemain tata suara yang sangat banyak mengeluarkan produk dan fokus kepada sound system, Creative Sound Blaster Arena.

 Pasar yang ingin diincar kiranya adalah para gamer yang mendambakan kualitas bagus dengan harga relatif terjangkau. Berikut spesifikasi pokok Creative Sound Blaster Arena:
* Type: Virtualized surround headset
* Output: 105mW total
* Driver size: 40mm x2, 15mm voice coil for ferro fluid damping
* Response range: 20Hz - 20kHz
* S/N ratio: > 90dB
* Microphone THD(%): > 0.03
* Cable length: 8 ft.
* Released date: September 2009

Paket penjualan:
* Sound Blaster Arena Surround headset
* Installation CD-ROM
* Quickstart Guide
* Safety guide

Menurut R. Scott Clark dari www.everythingusb.com kelebihan dan kekurangan headset Creative Sound Blaster Arena:
Kelebihannya:
* Relatively inexpensive $78.75 (Lowest) di Amazon.com
  Di Jakarta sekitar Rp.896.000,-
* Lightweight and flexible
* Stereo music sounds remarkably LOUD and clear
* Detachable microphone features impressive quality and noise canceling
* Earcups swivel flat for storage / transport
* Circumaural leatherette earpads filter ambient sound
* In-line remote offers mic mute and digital volume controls
* Supports EAX 5 for older games that make use of it, maybe
* Crystalizer audio enhancement works well for most music

Kekurangannya:
* Appears as a Stereo-only device to Windows 7, limiting surround sound compatibility to roughly 60% of titles tested
* CMSS-3D stereo upmixing doesn't suit most music
* Windows 7 drivers and auto-update required an installation workaround
* Plastic construction feels cheap
* Detachable microphone is too springy
* Thin headband can become uncomfortable
* Creative phone support contacts are obscured from view

Hasil review selengkapnya dapat user lihat di Creative Sound Blaster Arena Review
(sumber: www.everythingusb.com-R. Scott Clark)