Skip to main content
DEAL WATCH: Keurig K-Express | 22% off $69.99

Keurig has changed the face of coffee, and snagging one of these for less than $70 is a solid deal. Read Review

BUY NOW
  • Introduction

  • Comfort Design & Features

  • Audio Quality

  • Conclusion

  • Science Introduction

  • Frequency Response

  • Isolation

  • Distortion

  • Other Tests

  • Introduction
  • Comfort Design & Features
  • Audio Quality
  • Conclusion
  • Science Introduction
  • Frequency Response
  • Isolation
  • Distortion
  • Other Tests

Introduction

Comfort Design & Features

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

Well featured, but somewhat uncomfortable

The {{product.model}} is fairly comfortable due to a very low clamping force on your head, which is good, because the ear cups won't fit everybody as well as they may want. Because of this low clamping force, which has its advantages, there's the added disadvantage of the product sliding around a bit if it doesn't fit your head well. If you can, please try these on ahead of time before plunking down the coin to avoid any issues in the future.

The Sound Blaster Tactic 3D Sigma is about as durable as you could hope for at this price range.

Because the Sound Blaster Tactic 3D Sigma is big and beefy, it’s no surprise that it is similarly durable. We wouldn’t recommend chucking these off your head in the middle of a gaming session, but the Sound Blaster Tactic 3D Sigma is about as durable as you could hope for at this price range, and the thick plastic should protect the inner components well from abuse. Additionally, plugged into the left ear cup is the microphone, which is not only able to be articulated to the user’s preference, but it can also be removed should something break.

As far as connectivity goes, the Sound Blaster Tactic 3D Sigma has a 6.5 foot cable that terminates in dual 3.5mm jacks, and hangs from the left ear cup of the Sound Blaster Tactic 3D Sigmas themselves. The dual 3.5mm jacks are delineated by color: green for the headphones, pink for the microphone. If you wish to give the USB dongle a whirl, you can connect both plugs to it and take advantage of the feature.

{{photo_gallery "Aesthetics Image", "Speaker Image", "Side Image", "Back Image", "Band Image", "Cable Image", "Plug Image", "Cord Guards Image", "Additional Features 1 Image", "Additional Features 2 Image", "Additional Features 3 Image", "Additional Features 4 Image", "Additional Features 5 Image", "In the Box Image", "Durability Image", "HATS-Front Image", "HATS-Side Image"}}

Audio Quality

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

Fair for fans of shooter games, about nobody else

While this set of cans isn't all that great for music, fans of FPS shooters and other games that have a lot of explosions, small arms fire, and other highish-pitched sound effects will notice that these often sibilant and deafeningly loud sounds are somewhat de-emphasized, which is a great thing for your hearing, not so good thing for in-game music.

Like most headphones, this headset has a little bit of distortion, but well below what can be heard by the human ear. However, there are quite a few shifts in speaker volume from left to right, but most of the shifts in channel preference are below the threshold of what is audible to humans outside one major blemish in very high notes.

Often sibilant and deafeningly loud sounds are somewhat de-emphasized, which is a great thing for your hearing, not so good thing for in-game music.

Also keep in mind that these will not isolate you well from the outside world, as they’ve proven to isolate a little less sound than many of the closed-back cans we’ve seen. It’ll block out a good amount of the mid-high end, but about nothing else. Additionally, because it’s often difficult to get a good seal with the Sound Blaster Tactic 3D Sigmas due to the type of foam used and low relative clamping force, the headset leaks a fair bit of sound if your ears don’t fit inside the pads. If you listen too loudly, you will greatly annoy those around you.

Conclusion

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

Not bad for an entry-level headset

So much as that is the case, the {{product.name}}s do not score well in many areas, but they are perfectly fine for certain uses, like for FPS games. While they're not going to light the world on fire for you, they are perfectly serviceable if you just need an entry-level gaming headset for a Mac or PC.

That being said, if you are a fan of MMORPGs, or any game that is heavy on music, this headset is probably not for you. Because it dampens the mid tones and high end, you're far less likely to hear what you want without having to crank the volume to a high degree. It's a preference thing.

If you've read the review and think that this is the headset for you, by all means pick up a set and get going on your quest to top the server leaderboards. While this isn't the best gaming headset we've reviewed, it does exactly what is asked of it, and for a price that won't empty your bank account.

Science Introduction

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

The {{product.name}} is a good choice for a gaming headset. It's has a good sound quality and is fairly comfortable. With an MSRP of $90, it won't break the bank.

Frequency Response

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

Calling Doctor High Pitch, Calling Doctor High Pitch

Though an erratic response isn't all that good for music, fans of FPS shooters and other games that have a lot of explosions, small arms fire, and other highish-pitched sound effects will notice that these often sibilant and deafeningly loud sounds are only about 3/4 as loud as they should be, saving their eardrums from unexpected damage. By downplaying the upper range of frequancies anywhere from 5-10dB, Creative is saving gamers from noise fatigue and potential tinnitus.

{{photo_gallery "Science Section 1 Images"}}

Isolation

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

This gaming headset is for the solitude of gamers.

As far as isolation goes, the Creative Sound Blaster Tactic 3D Sigmas are somewhat on the low end of average, but about what you can expect from a gaming headset, as they’ve proven to isolate a little less sound than many of the closed-back cans we’ve seen. It’ll block out a good amount of the mid-high end, but about nothing else. Still, it’s not a huge worry if you game in an environment with a sound pressure level lower than 70dB. Because it's often difficult to get a good seal with the {{product.model}}s—due to the type of foam used and low relative clamping force—the headset leaks a fair bit of sound if your ears don't fit inside the pads. If you listen too loudly, you will annoy those around you.

{{photo_gallery "Science Section 2 Images"}}

Distortion

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

Creative keeps accurate sound with their headset.

Distortion is a measurement of how far off the sound a set of headphones produces from the actual audio file. The {{product.name}} had no issues with making accurate sound. This headset is capable of blasting sound out at 108.89dB before hitting the 3% mark, which is the threshold before distortion becomes noticeable. However, prolonged exposure to those levels of noise, you'll suffer from hearing damage.

{{photo_gallery "Science Section 3 Images"}}

Other Tests

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

{{photo_gallery "Other Tests Images"}}

Meet the tester

Chris Thomas

Chris Thomas

Staff Writer, Imaging

@cthomas8888

A seasoned writer and professional photographer, Chris reviews cameras, headphones, smartphones, laptops, and lenses. Educated in Political Science and Linguistics, Chris can often be found building a robot army, snowboarding, or getting ink.

See all of Chris Thomas's reviews

Checking our work.

Our team is here for one purpose: to help you buy the best stuff and love what you own. Our writers, editors, and lab technicians obsess over the products we cover to make sure you're confident and satisfied. Have a different opinion about something we recommend? Email us and we'll compare notes.

Shoot us an email

Up next