Audio Quality and Comfort
I will touch on the comfort aspect of the Ceres-300 first. From my first impressions of the headset I took note that the headset as a whole feels extremely light. Being almost fully constructed from plastic is the main reason for this but it left me with a feeling of doubt as to how comfortable the headset could really be for longer sessions of gaming and the like. I was pleasantly surprised.
The larger size of the ear cups coupled with the cloth padding eliminate any of the usual strain on the ears (even larger ones like mine) as well as provide a bit of passive noise cancellation. The light, full plastic design doesn’t weight down your head even during long sessions and the adjustable headband keep the headset securely on your head without any feeling of added pressure.
The removable microphone deserves a mention here as it is quite the unique feature included with the Ceres-300 but the greatest compliment I can give it is that it is barely noticeable. Once plugged in, the microphone operates just like any other headset and is fully adjustable to any face. The omnidirectional design cuts down on the inclusion of foreign sounds while you chat and the ability to remove it is the ultimate mute button. The removable microphone is clear though it will take a bit of tweaking to get a true mute without simply removing the mic altogether as the by default the microphone off function tends to pick up game sounds as communication when in the off position. Just be sure to not lose it when the microphone isn’t in use.
Comfort is certainly a very important feature but when it comes down to it, headsets are for sound output. To this end the Ceres-300 performs slightly better than for average, run of the mill headset.
Bone Thugs ‘N Harmony – The Crossroads: A strong bass track with core subtlety that is most akin to something you would expect to find in most games. While the sound is clear the bass lacks muscle and overpowers many of the underlying instrumentals at times when both are present.
Nat King Cole – Unforgettable: A mellow piano track, the Ceres-300 once again produces clear sound and this time without an overpowering bass track, more intricacies are noticeable.
Eric Clapton – Tears in Heaven: An emotional rock ensemble with numerous instruments and a light vocal track. Again the Ceres-300 is clear and transitions well from low to high creating an enjoyable experience.
Ludwig van Beethoven – Fur Elise: A classical masterpiece with transitions and subtlety. Unfortunately many of the lowest lows are lost on the Ceres-300. Everywhere else it maintains clarity and is able to keep up with the transitions admirably.
Game – DOTA2: MOBA games aren’t generally looked at for their sound quality and presentation but it is just another way many of them attempt to immerse the player in the overall experience. The physicality of connecting abilities and the character voiceovers are all clear here.
TV/Movie – The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey: Like all the Middle Earth movies, The Hobbit possesses a deep and enriching soundtrack as well as masterfully crafted soundscapes. The Ceres-300 is able to pick up on most of these and convey the overall intended experience. Bass is unfortunately the headsets weakness. While sound remains clear, deep bass lacks the powerful feeling of a higher end model.
