Sharkoon B2 USB Gaming Headset – Successful upgrade to the predecessor?

1 - Unboxing 2 - Technische Daten und Tragekomfortkomfort 3 - Sound- und Mikrofon Check 4 - Sharkoon Software 5 - Vergleich zum Vorgänger und Fazit

Soundcheck

At this point, of course, I was particularly excited. I have to note that neither the B1 tested at the time nor Igor’s extensive measuring equipment is available to me, and we are guaranteed to have very different ideas and preferences about or with regard to “sound”. However, since I have Igor’s test and the corresponding results, I can judge quite well whether the corresponding points of criticism still exist with the B2, or whether they could be fixed.

Sound

First of all, the level stability. The B2 has quite a high maximum volume and can also reproduce it without distortion, with a few exceptions. I would therefore describe it as quite level stable, which was obviously not the case with the predecessor.

In terms of sound, the headset actually meets my expectations exactly for a model in this price range. The low bass lacks pressure and volume, but bass fetishists can correct this quite well with the equalizer – the driver still has some reserves in this respect, but tends to boom if you overdo it. At least the rumble described by Igor seems to be under control, even if kick basses still don’t come across as “dry”. At least the reverberation described for the B1 has been eliminated. The tweeter lacks clarity and resolution, so that fast hi-hats, for example, get a bit muddy. In general, the sound seems a bit muffled.

On the inline controller you can select different EQ presets, “off”, “music”, “game” and “movie”, which are actually quite different from each other.

• In “Music”, the mid frequencies are cut, which emphasizes voices and would have been more appropriate for “Game” mode in my opinion.
• “Game” emphasizes the treble, making the sound a bit clearer and actually would have been a better choice for “Music”.
• “Movie” boosts the low end, making explosions sound a bit fatter and booming.

It makes more sense, however, to use the 10-band equalizer and the Xear functions in the included software, with which you can enhance the sound or adjust it to your own listening habits. But be careful with the bass settings, so you get the headset then quickly again boomy and boomy, like the predecessor.

Furthermore, a virtual 7.1 mode can be activated, which I still consider a superfluous marketing stunt for stereo headphones.

Microphone

The microphone fulfills its purpose and is, apart from the somewhat muffled sound, in the midfield in terms of quality. Although it’s very sensitive, it doesn’t come close tonally to the microphone of the slightly cheaper Sharkoon SGH30 mic, which had absolutely surprised me.

The obligatory sound file was recorded at 97% sensitivity, because the mic tends to be very noisy and overloaded at 100%. The pop shield was on, but doesn’t make much difference as the mic doesn’t tend to hiss with the somewhat muffled sound.

All in all, the microphone is absolutely okay in this price range – we have produced much worse recordings with significantly more expensive devices.