The one area where the H5 falls a bit short is with its optional Acoustic Engine Lite software. Creative told me feedback from users has shown them that few people will drill down into audio settings to change how a headset sounds, and that feedback dictated the very basic tweaking options in the software. There are presets for four different game types, and ‘effects off.’ That’s it. Those profiles affect Surround, Crystalizer, Bass, Smart Volume, and Dialogue Plus settings, but those values aren’t individually tweakable in the software. I tested the FPS setting, which enabled virtual surround sound and amped up game sound effects, and wasn’t particularly fond of the virtual surround implementation or the unbalanced audio with over-loud sound effects. To tweak sound values, you’ll have to use a different software equalizer.
The H5 is an over-ear headset, but it isn’t noise-canceling. With the headset on at a reasonable volume I was able to hear sound in the room around me. I think this is a good thing—I like some awareness of my surroundings when I’m wearing a headset, generally—but if you want to completely seal out the outside world, you may want something with a tighter seal.
I need to test the H5 directly against Kingston’s HyperX Cloud, but so far they’re my favorite new cans of the year.
Creative has a higher-end model launching soon, the 7.1 surround USB H7, but I think the H5 will hit the sweet spot for anyone looking for an analog headset with great sound quality—especially if the retail price drops down to a more competitive $100.