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Normally, designing a headset for one specific game would limit you to a relatively small segment of the gaming community. But we’re talking World of Warcraft here—a game whose massive popularity makes a game-specific headset seem viable.
Enter the Sound Blaster World of Warcraft Wireless Headset from Creative Labs. The headset uses a small USB dongle that broadcasts in the 2.4GHz range. We found the reception to be fairly good, allowing us to walk into a different room during use without static.
Horde or Alliance? Interchangeable lenses advertise your allegiance.
The headset itself feels solid and fits snugly on the head. Thick, squishy padding on the headband and around each of the cans keep things comfy throughout even the longest gaming sessions—Creative obviously knows its target demographic. The headset is rechargeable and runs about nine hours between charges and can be used while recharging, as well.
The cans themselves are larger than average, which combined with the deluxe padding, provide excellent sound isolation. The 40mm neodymium drivers deliver clear, powerful surround sound—some of the best we’ve heard from a gaming headset.
But, at $120, you’re buying more than just a pair of headphones—you’re buying branding, which is apparent the second you hold the WoW headset in your hands.
First, the headset’s design is far from subdued. Adorned with the same plastic plate-mail aesthetic as the SteelSeries WoW MMO Gaming Mouse (an earlier Blizzard collaboration), the WoW headset also sports giant, swappable, backlit Alliance- or Horde-themed lenses on each ear. Even the downloadable control panel looks like it’s been ripped straight out of World of Warcraft, borrowing the game’s iconic fonts and interface elements. The control panel allows you to change the color and intensity of the headphones’ jewels, apply THX effects, and even morph your voice using included voice effects with names like “female blood elf” and “male orc.” There are 17 voice morphers—more than enough to drive even your most level-headed raid buddies insane.
In other words, you probably already know if the Creative World of Warcraft headset is for you. If you’re a big fan of the game, and looking to drop more than a Benjamin on a pair of headphones, then sure, go for it—you won’t be disappointed with the set’s construction, comfort, or sound quality, and the styling and feature set could well seal the deal. On the other hand, if you don’t know the difference between a murloc and a makrura, you might as well save some dough and look elsewhere.
Large, comfortable cans; clear sound; good wireless signal.
Gaudy aesthetics; pricier than comparable non-WoW headsets.
Craig234
May 21, 2010 at 11:33am
The review is for the wireless headset, but lists the price at $120, which is for the wired USB version.
The wireless headset is $160. (Not sure why the wired version wasn't reviewed with it).
schmag
May 20, 2010 at 6:42am
I have never really had much of a driver problem with my audigy II platinum ex. I have been using it for I dunno 5+ years. now throughout different operating systems the functionality has changed a little bit due to driver support however I have always been able to get it to do everything I want. remote functions playing sounds from the tv etc. it has always worked satisfactory even though they don't have windows 7 drivers posted for it. just use the drivers windows installed. and install the newest software mixer etc that is on their website. just have to get "creative" from time to time. :)
s1r 70nk
May 20, 2010 at 5:23am
I've seen this headset before out on blizzstore. I play w.o.w from time to time and find that you really don't need much. Maximum pc is right on the money with the price; it has to be for the brand name.
If you are in-search of a pair of gamming headsets with would suggest turtle beach's x1 series headsets. You can most likely find them at best buy in the xbox360 area, but they can be used on a pc. also half the prices of the pair above. Sorry no light lenses. If you really want them, you could build it yourself.
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Problems with drivers:
I would think if you had problems with creative lab's drivers you could find a 3rd party driver or write your own which would be time consumming.
bloodgain
May 19, 2010 at 9:31pm
If Creative would release the HS-1200s in a new model with bigger cans, I'd be all over it (software be damned). My roommate has a set, and they sound quite good, and he can talk to his wife over Skype from the basement while the receiver is on the 2nd floor. That's pretty good, especially considering that we live in old, dense base housing built in the 50s or 60s. I'm just not willing to buy another on-the-ear headset, since even the most comfy on-the-ear phones get un-comfy after a few hours.
COMMANDER_COOK
May 19, 2010 at 6:34pm
"A 2.4 Ghz usb dongle" Why the hell don't manufacturers just use blutooth?
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mls067
May 19, 2010 at 6:03pm
I seriously think they have one guy/girl working for them. It is unreal at how slow they are to respond to issues.
ScrafFD
May 19, 2010 at 5:01pm
I registered here on Maximum PC just to let everyone know how BAD the driver support really is for Creative Labs' Headphones (amongst other things). I have a headset from them, the HS-1200 series. Although the headphones sound really good, in my experience Creative does NOT release proper drivers, only the ones bundled with the headphones. So any time there is an issue with software, or even a new OS, they really don't bother updating drivers in a timely fashion at all.
I have owned many sound cards over the years by these guys, but in the future, I WILL not purchase anything else by a manufacturer that does not support their own products.
Creative Labs:
Good hardware
Terrible software
aviaggio
May 19, 2010 at 5:32pm
I agree 100%. I will NEVER buy another Creative product due to their piss-poor drivers and support.
