Siberia Neckband for iPhone, iPod and iPad. Review (IOS)

Audiophiles rejoice – there is an alternative to the stock iPhone headset

iDevices are great. Millions of people have them in their pockets right now, working as a phone or a media tablet or in some cases a music player. It is this music heritage that some forget when they think about an iPhone. The iPhone was born of the iPod – a music player. Yet how do we all listen to music on the iPhone. Do we have great headphones, with super clear highs and deep, bowel trembling lows? No, we mostly have little tinny white ear buds.

The reasons for this are many, but the two most common are; apathy and the need for the little remote and the mic that come built in to iPhone headsets. Now apathy can’t really be helped. However, there is a better solution for those who just hold on to the iconic white buds because of the technology held within them.

The fact of the matter is, these are extremely comfortable and deliver stunning sound.

Steelseries have offered a few neat solutions. Combining their excellent range of headsets with an Apple remote and 3.5mm jack, they have answered many an audiophiles prayers.

The first headset in the series that I have been testing is the slightly strange Siberia neckband. Based on the one of Steelseries most successful headsets, this is a headset that is just a little different. However, I shall get onto that in a bit. First let’s look (or listen) to the sound quality.

The Siberia Neckband has a pair of 40mm speakers taking care of business (full specs below). These deliver superb quality with the afore mentioned clear highs and rumbling bass. Whether it was watching films, listening to music or playing games (especially the audio only Nightjar) the Siberia headset outperformed the stock ear buds in every way.

However, the Siberia Neckband is not just about what you can hear. There are loads of good quality headphones on the market. Here we have a concealed secret. On the left headphone, there is a cleverly hidden microphone. Anyone who has used or seen a Steelseries headset with be aware of this great little feature. The microphone can be extended from the headphone and positioned anywhere near your mouth, making it easy to get the perfect position. As with the headphones, the microphone is clear and well shielded from background noise. No one that I called had an issue with the quality from my end.

As this is designed to replace your standard iPhone headset, it also includes an Apple remote on the wire. This works in just the same way as you would be used to. Press the centre to answer a call, the top to turn up the volume and the bottom to turn down the volume. It is also compatible with the various click combinations that allow you to navigate your music collection on the go (E.G. double click to skip, triple click to go back etc.). My only complaint about this remote is it is bigger and a little less sensitive than the standard ones.

So far so positive. However, there is slight sting in the tail. Design. I mentioned that this was a little different. Unfortunately, in this case, different doesn’t mean better. The actual headphones are very comfortable XL cans. They fit over the ears and are nicely padded. This gives comfort and cuts out a lot of noise. The way they are attached to you is a different story. Instead of the standard method of having a band that sits on top of your head, here we have one that sits on your neck. To put them on, you stretch out the neckband, and then clamp the headset to your head, with the band on the back of your neck. Whilst this is quite comfortable and does not mess up your hair, it does have some fatal flaws. The biggest problem is getting them to sit still when you are moving. Because they are not anchored to your head, they slip and slide with every movement. At times, due in part to the short lead, they came off altogether. I tried to go for a run wearing them, and had to go back and get my ear buds after about five minutes.

So, not all good, but not all bad either. Some may wonder how these get a 7 when they are seemingly so obviously flawed in design. The fact of the matter is, these are extremely comfortable and deliver stunning sound. They are also designed with gamers in mind. Those of us who use the iDevices for gaming as much as for making calls or listening to music. For this purpose, they are great – due mostly to the fact you don’t move about much.

The Specs

Headphones

• Freq. response: 18 – 28,000 Hz
• Impedance: 32 Ohm
• SPL@1kHz, 1Vrms: 104 dB
• Cable: 1.0 m / 3.3 ft. Jack: 3.5 m

Microphone

• Freq. response: 80 – 15,000 Hz
• Pick up pattern: Uni-directional
• Sensitivity: -42 dB
• Impedance: 2K Ohm

The Scores