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Creative Digital Wireless Gaming Headset HS-1200 - headset

Manufacturer: Creative Labs Inc. Part number: 51EF0170AA001

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$93.40 - $99.84 at 3 online stores

CNET Editor rating:
3.0 stars Good
Average user rating: 5.0 stars out of 1 review

More product information:: Editors' review; User reviews; Specifications; Manufacturer info

Bottom Line:: The Creative HS-1200 wireless USB gaming headset does a good job with VoIP and games that require voice communication, but overall audio quality is lacking.
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Costcentral.com	Rate this store See store profile	In stock	Enter zip code to get total price: Price +Tax +Shipping =Total price	$93.40 Shop now as of 11/21/2008
Next Warehouse	Not yet rated Rate this store See store profile	In stock		$99.84 Shop now as of 11/21/2008
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*Total price for the Creative Digital Wireless Gaming Headset HS-1200 are estimated and may vary slightly based on exact tax, shipping, manufacturer rebate or any sale/promotion on the merchant site.

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CNET editors' review

Creative Digital Wireless Gaming Headset HS-1200 - headset

price range: $93.40 - $99.84

Reviewed by: Jeff Bakalar
Edited by: John P. Falcone
Reviewed on: 08/21/2008
Released on: 06/15/2008

The good: Wireless USB gaming headset for PCs; microphone performs well; good for VoIP sessions; rechargeable; does a good job of blocking out outside noise.

The bad: Bundled software EQ and filters don't add much; sound quality is average; ear cups are a bit small; not Mac compatible.

The bottom line: The Creative HS-1200 wireless USB gaming headset does a good job with VoIP and games that require voice communication, but overall audio quality is lacking.

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With so many PC accessories cutting their cords, it's no surprise to see wireless headsets joining the party. To that end, Creative has released the HS-1200 Digital Wireless Gaming Headset. As the name suggests, the unit is targeted at PC gamers who play games that allow you to use voice cooperation. But the headset works just as well for any other PC-based communications, such as Skype.

The headset uses a 2.4GHz USB dongle transmitter/receiver that also doubles as the headset's charger. Creative claims that the headset will work up to 72 feet, but in our testing we found that 60 feet was the farthest we could go without hearing static. The headphones themselves resemble a clash of old-fashioned and modern design. The black leather covering along the headband is accented by chrome sliders above each ear cup that allow you to adjust the fit to your head size.

In terms of comfort, the HS-1200s fit snugly when adjusted appropriately. However, the ear cups do seem a bit small and did a poor overall job of completely covering our ears--we would've preferred larger cups, as found on Creative's wired HS-1000 gaming headset. That said, the cups were able to do a good job of blocking outside noise in addition to preventing what we were listening to from leaking out. The HS-1200s also have a retractable microphone that turns on and off depending on the boom's location. Flip the mic all the way up (vertical) to turn off, and bring it all the way back down (in front of your mouth) to turn it on. While this operation is a bit of a nuisance to start, we got used to it as our testing progressed.

The microphone must be tilted all the way down to function properly.

Setting up the HS-1200s is fairly easy. While it is a plug-and-play headset, Creative recommends you install their proprietary software and drivers to optimize the entire experience. (Sorry, Mac fans--the product is only Windows compatible.) To use the HS-1200s, you plug in the small USB receiver/transmitter and hold down the sync button at the same time as the headset's power button. Once synched, we never had to repeat the process again during our testing. The USB dongle also has an AC power plug that will charge the headphones as well. Creative claims a 2.5-hour charge will net you around 8 hours of listening time. But the lack of any sort of cradle means you'll have a spare power wire hanging around your desk when the unit's in use.

The software you install adds an "always-on" audio console launcher that gives you access to settings, 3D-effects controls, an X-Fi Crystalizer controller, an EQ, and a mixer. The 3D effect does a decent job of emulating a surround-sound (especially during our trials with Counter-Strike), however we found the X-Fi Crystalizer to be barely audible. Creative claims the filter provides a much more dynamic listening experience, but we left it off for all of our testing after it didn't seem to make that much of a difference. You will, however, need the software installed if you want to use the hot keys on the right ear cup. These buttons include call pickup and volume up and down.

In terms of sound quality, we felt the HS-1200s delivered mostly average performance. During our gameplay sessions in Counter-Strike, the gunfire and sound effects sounded a bit flat. That said, the microphone performed quite well. Our teammates reported that we sounded very clear and the HS-1200 did a great job of preventing any audio leakage or voice echo from coming through as well. When we switched to music, the HS-1200 really underperformed. Our concerns with flatness were confirmed as almost every music sample we tested failed to impress us. We tried tinkering with some of the available EQ settings, but to no avail.

Moving on, we tested the HS-1200 with a few VoIP (voice over Internet protocol) programs. Since the headset is preconfigured to play nicely with Windows Live Messenger, we attempted a session. The headset performed well and our other party said we sounded clear and crisp. We then tried out a few sessions with Skype and were just as pleased with the results. Even better, the HS-1200 has provisions in place so that you can assign hot keys on the right ear cup to work with the program. A one-time setup is required in the Skype settings menu and the headset should then be able to initiate a call pickup with the click of a button. We should note that you cannot have the headset configured with more than one VoIP program without changing settings each time.

Summing up, the Creative HS-1200s do a good job on the voice and game communication side of things, but fall short of most dedicated audio headphones for soundtrack quality on music, games, and movies. Available online for as low as $70, the HS-1200s are a good choice for any avid users of PC communications who don't like to be tethered to their computers--though interested parties should also check out the similarly designed and priced Logitech ClearChat Wireless PC Headset. But if audio quality is of the upmost importance to you, we'd suggest stepping up to the Turtle Beach Ear Force AK-R8. They're not wireless--and they can be a bit pricier-- but they'll provide you with better audio quality (and true 5.1 channel separation) that the HS-1200 simply cannot touch.

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User reviews

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Average user rating: 5.0 stars out of 1 review
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10 stars

All Around Exceptional Product

by Tbdsamman on November 2, 2008

Pros: Sound Quality, Wireless Range, and Battery Life are all Excellent
Not having to stop talking/listening to recharge is a huge plus
Good job of blocking outside noise and stopping noise leakage
Comfortable to wear for extended periods of time

Cons: Microphone is a little weak volume wise
Quirk with Ventrilo, occasionally trigger voice activation but no sound is sent
USB and charging cables are a little short

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Specifications

Manufacturer: Creative Labs Inc.
Part number: 51EF0170AA001
Description: Give your play an edge with Creative's Digital Wireless Gaming Headset HS-1200. The transmitter/receiver module, which connects via USB, features the wireless technology, ensuring top-quality audio as well as maximum freedom and comfort during intensive gaming sessions! Built-in X-Fi technologies deliver crystal-clear audio and positional 3D effects via the powerful Neodymium drivers, while the low-latency design and high-end noise-canceling microphone get you straight to the heart of the action. This is the headset to choose when you want to control every situation with your team members 'as it happens'!

General
Product Type Headset - 2.4 GHz radio frequency
Recommended Use PC multimedia, Game console
Additional Features Skype compatible, X-Fi Crystalizer technology, Noise canceling circuit, X-Fi Xtreme Fidelity, Volume control, Creative Multi Speaker Surround (CMSS) - 3D, Wireless audio delivery
Headphones
Headphones Type Headphones - Binaural
Headphones Form Factor Ear-cup
Connectivity Technology Wireless - 2.4 GHz radio frequency
Sound Output Mode Stereo
Response Bandwidth 20 - 20000 Hz
Diaphragm 1.6 in
Magnet Material Neodymium
Microphone
Type - Boom
Microphone Technology Electret condenser
Response Bandwidth 100 - 16000 Hz
Remote Control
Type None

Wireless Link
Radio Frequency Range 2.4GHz
Transmission Range 72 ft
Connections
Connector Type 1 x USB ( 4 pin USB Type A )
Miscellaneous
Included Accessories USB wireless transmitter
Power
Battery Headphone battery - Rechargeable

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