SteelSeries 9H Specifications, Tests and Review

The SteelSeries 9H are wired headphones. In the case of studio and professional DJ headphones, a wired connection is a standard and a necessity. In this case, connecting via cable reduces audio transmission delays and prevents unwanted battery drain as it would be in case of wireless headphones. The same is de facto true for gaming headsets. In case of headphones for normal music listening, the cable is rather a relic, although it still has its fans. However, the wireless option is much more popular for everyday use in today’s world.

This type of headphones has a design that surrounds the entire ear to improve isolation from external noise. As a result, they provide a great quality of listening without interference. However, unlike on-ear headphones, they are usually heavier and less suitable for frequent wearing.

The sound quality can be affected by many factors. When it comes to frequency range, a wider range will allow more detail to be heard during your listening session. However, it is important to note that the ability to perceive frequencies varies from person to person. The average person is able to hear frequencies in the range of 16 to 20 000 Hz. That is why headphone manufacturers usually focus on the 20 to 20 000 Hz range. If the lower values are lower, headphones are better able to reproduce bass tones, as these represent frequencies up to approximately 256 Hz. Conversely, values from 2 048 Hz upwards are treble. Thus, headphones with a high upper limit will provide a much more accurate reproduction of high tones. Headphones SteelSeries 9H have a frequency range of 10 - 28000 Hz. The SteelSeries 9H reaches the sensitivity values of 110 dB. The sensitivity of the headphones expresses the ability of the headphones to pick up the signal from the source and reproduce it with sufficient volume. The higher the sensitivity, the more easily the signal is converted to sound and the louder the headphones are able to play at a lower power consumption. It is important to remember that high listening volume can consume more energy from connected devices. So if you want to listen to music from your cell phone, it's better to choose headphones with low sensitivity to avoid draining your phone's battery too much. Headphones with a lower sensitivity value (around 85 dB) are better suited for listening in quiet environments, while medium values (around 90 dB) allow for quality listening in noisy environments such as public transport or cafes. Headphones with a high sensitivity value (100 dB or more) are designed for use in really noisy environments such as concerts To control the optimum playback volume you can use the manual control directly on the cable.

The device connected to the headphones also plays a role most times. The lower impedance value (approximately 100 to 150 Ohms) is suitable for playback from mobile phones, laptops or other portable players that do not have a powerful enough amplifier. The lower impedance will ensure that the required volume level is achieved with less power, thus extending the life of the player. However, at the same time, with lower impedance, there is more distortion of the sound. Headphones with a higher impedance of around 250 Ohms and above are then more suitable for playback from really powerful signal sources or using a headphone amplifier, otherwise the sound coming out of them might not be loud enough. At the same time, higher-impedance headphones will also ensure less distortion in the sound. In the case of these headphones, the impedance reaches the 32 Ohm value.

The design of the headphones and their ear cups can also affect the quality of the audio output. The closed design does not allow ambient noise or sound from the headphones to flow outwards. Not only will you enjoy music in noisy environments, but you won't disturb anyone while enjoying listening session. The closed-back design makes the headphones suitable for the office or for travel.

SteelSeries 9H has a boom–type microphone. The microphone sensitivity is -37 dB. A lower microphone sensitivity will generally ensure that even quieter sounds are caught. On the other hand, in noisier environments, distortion of the recording may occur. With a higher sensitivity, the microphone will not distort the recording even in noisy environments. On the other hand, the microphone will not pick up quieter sounds. So it depends on the environment and the purposes you plan to use the headphones for.