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Cyber Acoustics Pro Grade Stereo Headset AC-960

It’s been awhile since I’ve put anything to my ears other than my MP3 player’s tiny, extremely uncomfortable plastic headphones, so it was a pleasant surprise to slide into Cyber Acoustics’ new AC-960 stereo headset with soft leatherette padding. Needless to say, I’m not eager to punish my inner ears with my old headphones again…

Company:

Cyber Acoustics, www.cyber-acoustics.com

Price:

Suggested retail price is $25.99 US.

Ratings

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Getting Started

From the time you open the package, you’re looking at no more than three minutes to be up and running with your new Cyber Acoustics Pro Grade Stereo Headset. Simply match the green (audio) and pink (microphone) connections with the color-coded inputs at the back of your computer and –PRESTO- you’re all set. The ample 9’ cord provides plenty of slack. If you’ve ever jumped up quickly while wearing a headset with only a standard length cord (ouch), you understand why this feature is important.

Each ear cup features its own independent rotary volume knob, a benefit for the many users with unequal hearing disorders. I asked Dr. Stanley Harmer, an audiologist with Southwest Idaho E.N.T., about this feature and he said that it really sets this headset apart from the crowd by enabling people with unequal hearing loss to benefit from the product.

Appearance

Unlike other companies who pepper their products with wild colors and brash logos, the Cyber Acoustics Pro Grade Stereo Headset is straight black (with a subtle touch of gloss on the ear pads and top head pad), with a classy “CA” logo on each bracket. This isn’t your old elementary school computer lab headset with a wiry frame and bright orange ear cups – it will be a sleek addition to any computer desk (it goes especially well with my all black desktop model).

Applications

The Cyber Acoustics AC-960 Headset is ideal for activities like Internet voice chat, basic computer gaming, and even classroom language labs.

Sound Blockout

This is where the AC-960 Headset really shines. I brought it along to a regional LAN gaming event. While seated smack dab in the middle of 200+ gamers (all clicking, tapping, and yelling their heads off), I slipped on the AC-960 headset and was immediately launched into WWII, fighting alongside the Allies against the German war machine – a freight train could have pulled up beside me and I wouldn’t have heard a single whistle. In fact, I had to be tapped on the shoulder more than once by people trying to get my attention.

Sound Quality

To test the sound quality of any audio device, I recommend trying it out on a child. My daughter is 2 years old and has an average attention span of roughly 3 seconds. I plopped her down in front the PC and dropped in a copy of Shrek 2. She was only remotely interested until I unplugged the speakers, plugged in the CA Pro Grade Stereo Headset, and placed them over her ears. She was stunned. At one point, the prince character drops his helmet to the right side of the screen, and my daughter instinctively turned her head 90 degrees to look where the sound had come from – now THAT is quality stereo sound! And I’ve never seen her sit still for so long. So if nothing else, I want to personally thank Cyber Acoustics for 20 minutes of rare peace and quiet.

Microphone

This headset boasts a “noise-canceling microphone.” To put it to the test, I wore the headset through an intense round of Battlefield Vietnam during the LAN gaming event. Using Team Speak software, our team of five players was able to communicate with one another throughout the round. The AC-960 Headset performed without a hitch, and although I was surrounded by a sea of noisy players, I was able to communicate with my team without the slightest hint of static. And when I was done using the mic, I simply pushed it up into its resting position – out of site, out of mind.

Pros:

• Stylish appearance
• Clear stereo sound
• Outstanding external sound blockout
• Ample 9’ cord
• Easily recognizable “Left” and “Right” indicators
• Individual volume control knobs on each ear cup

Cons:

• Lack of reference numbers on volume rotary knobs

Adding It All Up

I highly recommend the Cyber Acoustics Pro Grade Stereo Headset AC-960 for your basic audio and microphone needs – and for the price, this headset is an absolute steal.

A special thank-you to Cyber Acoustics for providing this fine product for review on UpgradeAdvisor.com.

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