Creative Labs 51EF0180AA001 Sound Blaster Arena Surround USB Gaming Headset

by Creative Labs

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 2.6 x 10.4 inches ; 1.3 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B002J9HCV0
• Item model number: 51EF0180AA001
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (107 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: July 27, 2009

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

The Sound Blaster Arena USB Gaming Headset from Creative Labs brings a fully immersive gaming audio experience to any computer. Thanks to Sound Blaster X-Fi technology with EAX support integrated into the headset, you'll get 3D positional surround sound experience regardless of the computer you're using,. And with a comfortable design and detachable noise-canceling microphone, you'll be ready to dominate all-night gaming sessions.

Sound Blaster Arena Features Amazing Gaming Audio X-Fi and EAX gaming effects technology gives you 3D surround sound and an unrivaled sense of realism. Suppress Background Noise Silencer technology suppresses noise so teammates can hear you in noisy gaming environments. Disguise Your Voice With VoiceFX, you can alter your voice to disguise yourself or take on different personas.

"We have been reaping the benefits of Sound Blaster X-Fi audio for years and can't imagine playing without it. Now with the addition of Silencer, we have the most advanced audio arsenal in competitive gaming. And because it's USB, it's easy to take out on the road to tournaments." –Jason Lake, Founder and CEO of Team Complexity, the premiere competitive gaming brand in North America

Features inline volume control and USB connectivity. View larger.

Built-in X-Fi Technology for 3D Positional Surround Sound
The Sound Blaster Arena is designed to be an all-in-one gaming sound system that will bring an amazing audio experience to your system of choice. Whether connected to a desktop or laptop, the USB connection provides a 100% digital connection for superb audio.

And since Sound Blaster X-Fi technology with EAX support is built into the headset, you will be armed with all the power of a Sound Blaster sound card with the portability and convenience of a USB headset. The Sound Blaster Arena will deliver unrivaled 3D positional surround sound no matter what system you're using. With X-Fi technology and EAX gaming effects, you'll even be able to hear the soft footsteps of your enemies walking towards you--no matter where they are in game.

Bring the Same Sound Everywhere
The ear cups are reversible for compact storage, letting you take the headset wherever you go so you'll enjoy the same, consistent surround sound and gaming audio no matter where you're playing.

Noise-Canceling Microphone Can Disguise Your Voice
Gain an advantage on the competition with the Arena's built-in microphone featuring Silencer and VoiceFX technology. Silencer uses an intelligent noise-canceling technology, so when you're giving orders to your teammates, they'll hear you loud and clear even in a noisy gaming environment. And with VoiceFX, you can alter your voice to sound like different characters, whether as a strategic ploy or for fun and amusement.

And when your gaming is over, you can remove the microphone boom and use the headset to enjoy some high-quality music.

Designed with the Gamer in Mind
The Arena headset is designed to meet the needs of even the most competitive gamer. It features a lightweight, flexible headband that reduces fatigue, and ergonomic, cushioned ear pads that remain comfortable even during extended gaming sessions. The contoured ear cups also provide great sound isolation, so you can concentrate on your gaming.

An inline volume control pod provides added convenience, letting you quickly change the volume and mute the microphone when needed.

The Sound Blaster Arena USB Gaming Headset is backed by a one-year limited warranty.

What's in the Box
USB Headset with detachable microphone and in-line volume control, and X-Fi Installation CD.

With X-Fi and EAX surround effects, you'll have such a gaming advantage over others, it'd be almost unfair.

Gaming Headsets	HS-980 Fatal1ty Professional Series MKII Gaming Headset	HS-800 Fatal1ty Gaming Headset (Analog)	HS-1000 Fatal1ty USB Gaming Headset	Sound Blaster Arena Surround USB Gaming Headset
Headphone Quality	Ergonomic ear cups with sound isolation	Velvet Padding	Velvet Padding	Ergonomic ear cups with sound isolation
Audio Speaker Size	40mm Drivers (Full-Spectrum)	40mm Drivers	40mm Drivers	40mm Drivers (Full-Spectrum)
Removable Microphone?	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Connection Type	3.5mm jack	3.5mm jack	USB 2.0	USB 2.0
Inline Volume / Mute	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Sound Control Location	Along the cable	Along the cable	Along the cable	Along the cable
Sound Control	Volume control / Mute on and off	Volume control / Mute on and off	Volume control / Mute on and off	Volume control / Mute on and off
Silencer Tech Enabled	Yes (with Sound Blaster Titanium Series Sound Card)	No	No	Yes
Voice FX Enabled	Yes	No	No	Yes
X-Fi Enabled	Yes (When used with an X-Fi Sound Card)	No	Yes	Yes
Ideal For	FPS Desktop Gamer / MMO (Recommend Sound Blaster TI Series Sound Card)	Everyday Desktop Gamer/ MMO (Recommend Sound Blaster Sound Card)	Everyday Desktop or Laptop Gaming / VOIP	MMO / FPS / Competitive LAN Gamer

Product Description

Creative Labs brings you the Sound Blaster Arena USB Gaming Headset, an all in one sound system for the ultimate gaming audio experience powered by award winning Sound Blaster technology. Laptop or desktop? The100% digital USB connection delivers hassle-free, crystal clear audio whatever your system choice is. Powerful built in Sound Blaster X-Fi technology with EAX support gives you unrivaled 3D positional surround sound so effective it’s like being able to see in the dark. Combined with VoiceFX to cloak your voice and Silencer technology to suppress background noise, it’s the clear weapon of choice for the demanding gamer. Designed for extended gaming sessions, its light, flexible headband and soft earpads ensure maximum comfort, Precision Full Spectrum drivers deliver unparalleled sonic accuracy, while the detachable noise-canceling microphone and handy in-line volume control, ensure optimum performance. Sound Blaster Arena – a sensory advantage that’s so good, they’ll say it’s unfair.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Do not game without these!, December 17, 2009

By 

Jennifer "Techie Mama" (MN, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Creative Labs 51EF0180AA001 Sound Blaster Arena Surround USB Gaming Headset (Personal Computers)

(What's this?)

At the current price, you absolutely cannot go wrong with this headset. I admit, this headset is my husband's as I currently use Logitech G35 7.1-Channel Surround Sound Headset which I had received a few months prior. Due to the constant jealous glares and pouty faces I endured while my husband gamed without a quality headset, I decided it was time for him to have his own! I have tested it quite thoroughly and compared it with it's much more expensive counterpart and I have good news. The Sound Blaster Arena headset is almost as awesome as my aforementioned Logitech headset and it's currently half the price.

We game online a lot and so the mic is a necessity. After lots of surprise tests with both headsets, my friends and guildmates could not tell a difference when I was using either of the headsets. My voice was heard loud and clear on both and I had no complaints. The silencing feature present on both headsets is also very important to game immersion and I will admit, I didn't feel quite as immersed with the Sound Blaster Arena. The ear cups fit my head perfectly and very comfortably, but for some reason I could hear more background noise with this headset on than with my Logitech headset. The difference was minor and I don't think one would notice if they weren't directly comparing the two.

One thing this headset lacks are the extra "G" buttons that the Logitech headset has on the left side. I have never used these buttons so it's not really a loss, in my opinion. I do believe they control the voice changer (which is good for a few laughs and then your friends will tire of it quickly!) and can also be customized to other tasks as well, such as controlling your media player. Handy, but again, I don't use them so I can't really fault this headset for not having them.

Volume control is handled differently on both. The Sound Blaster Arena has a small piece of plastic right on the cord itself where you adjust the volume. It works fine, but I do prefer my volume control on my Logitech where it is right on the headset. I like to tuck the cord out of the way and with this headset you kind of have to have it present in your lap at all times. Not really a drawback, but I do kind of tend to think the volume control on this headset will wear out more quickly.

The Sound Blaster Arena headset also lacks the heavy duty braided cord. One thing I don't like about that, aside from it lacking some durability, is on these cold winter nights when we're gaming, I get cold and like to keep a blanket on my lap. When this cord rubs against that blanket, I get shocks sent straight to my EARS! Ouch! But if you're careful and don't like blankets, you won't really miss the braided cord of the Logitech headset.

Overall, both are very similar and if you're simply going for sound quality without all the fancy extras, you will not be disappointed with this great headset. If you're willing to pay $50 more for above mentioned features, then Logitech won't let you down. At this current price, however, this awesome headset is a steal. Very comfortable, durable and lightweight. And has one very unique feature that causes me to often steal these from my husband: The mic is removable and can be used as normal headphones. Awesome since we don't have any quality headsets just for listening to music. Every gamer and music lover should have these!

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Compared to the Logitech G35's, December 17, 2009

By 

Gavin Scott (Sunnyvale, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Creative Labs 51EF0180AA001 Sound Blaster Arena Surround USB Gaming Headset (Personal Computers)

(What's this?)

I also have the Logitech G35 headset so this will be a comparison between the two.

The Arena headset is nicely made, though not as heavily over-engineered as the G35 in my opinion. The Arena have the advantage of lighter weight and probably more comfort for most people.

The mic boom on the Arena is springy and you really can't control the distance between the mic and your mouth as a result.

On Ventrilo, people reports that I sounded better on the Arena than on the G35, so on outgoing sound quality the Arena wins. I didn't notice a significant difference on received sound quality on either when using them for gaming.

I tried the Arena on two computers, and had some issues with Ventrilo on each, once with incoming and once with outgoing voice. In each case the sound would break up and become distorted and unintelligible. I did not have this problem with the G35. I was unable to isolate the cause of the problem so I can't say for sure that the Arena headset was at fault.

The Arena headset is relatively light weight, quite comfortable, and definitely in the premium headset category. It does not quite feel as serious as the G35 with their fabric wrapped cord and additional bulk, but many people will probably prefer the light weight of the Arena.

41 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Does not have directional surround sound. I repeat, Does NOT have DIRECTIONAL surround sound., May 26, 2010

By 

StealthBeast - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Creative Labs 51EF0180AA001 Sound Blaster Arena Surround USB Gaming Headset (Personal Computers)

PC FPS gamer here. I've used a variety of actual surround sound headsets with mixed results. Some of them sound terrible, some of them break within a month, some of them are great and I can literally hear people's footsteps through the walls and shoot 'em (HEHEHE...) Some were so spectacular, that I'd find myself taking the headset off to react to a sound I heard in my room, only to realize it came from the game. So I know a thing or two about surround-sound headsets from the consumer's end.

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The good news:

Flexible yet tough. RIDICULOUSLY comfortable, seriously, all headsets should be this nice. The mic works beautifully. The sound sounded nice to me (remember, I'm a gamer, not an audio artist). The price seemed okay, it was easy to set up, the mic is removable (yet not prone to droop), and it doesn't suffer from "stupidly-short-cord"syndrome. It would be the best headset I ever used if it weren't for...

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The bad news:

This product was flaunted off as a surround-sound headset. This is NOT a surround-sound headset, this is a STEREO headset with "engulfing" sound. At first, you'd swear it WAS surround sound, but once you go into a 3d environment, it becomes apparent that it is simply stereo.. So it was not quuiiite as advertised. Is that illegal? No. It IS... ear-surrounding sound... But there was definitely some misrepresentation here. While it is my fault for not researching thoroughly enough into other customers reviews... that doesn't mean I'm cool with getting tricked...

If it was a surround sound headset, this product would have gotten a happy 5/5.

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I don't think I'd recommend this even if you ARE looking for stereo. The price would have been steal if it was an actual 5.1 SS or 7.1 SS headset. But STEREO? You don't need to spend 80 dollars on a set of stereo headphones... 20 to 40 dollars will get you a nice, comfortable headset.