Cooler Master Storm Sirus 5.1 Gaming Headset

Software and Testing

The CM Storm Sirus comes with optional software to further tune the performance of the headset to each user’s wants and needs. The CM Storm Sirus is designed to function flawlessly without any software assistance, but those with a keen ear will appreciate the capability to dig deeper into the settings.

Note: At the time of this review the CM Storm Sirus Software is currently in beta and was intended for review purposes. The final version of the software will be different and all updates can be downloaded at the Cooler Master Support Page 

The installation of the software went fast and easy as there was just the minimal amount of screen to process through.

Once your PC restarts aftert the install you will get a CM Storm logo button in the taskbar.

The beta software of the Storm Sirus give a a quick look as to what the final version migh be like. The current software works well and has a few items that can be tweaked. The top red tool bar gives you quick access to some preset audio adjustments. From left to right we have Gaming, Movies and Music. The gaming mode is a good mixture of bass and treble while the movie mode seems to drop out most of the higher end treble and flatten outs the rest of the sounds. The music preset has higher treble with about a 3/4 bass setting. I did not mention the default preset as well you will just want to stay away from that one as it flatten everything to a middle of the road setting. I think the final version of the software you will have much more control When using the all USB connections. If you use your onboard or a discreet sound card you will have all the normal controls that the manufacture software allows.     Edited: The current software brings you all rich features you want for tweaking the sound to your liking. A simple right click on the speaker gives you full access to the all the controls and features.

Right click…

Just one of the many screens you have access to.

The microphone settings are as you see basic.

Right Click…

Just one of the many screens you have access to.

One of the options available is that you can adjust how the user GUI can be used or look like. You are able to enable or disable the icon in the tray, change how transparent the GUI is and the language.

Recommended Software Settings

For best sound quality we recommend the following settings:

Speaker Settings- 5.1 Surround with “Surround Max” Enabled

Sample Rate – 48khz

 Equalizer- Enabled with “Classic” preset selected for best music quality

Environmental Effects- Disabled 7.1 Virtual Speaker Shifter – Disabled

Flex Bass- Enabled

Testing in the real world

Like everything on the site we test the hardware from a real user look in order to give you a true review of the products. My headset for the past several months have been the Tritton AX 51 Pro which was a great jump up from the Plantronics I was using. The sound from the AX 51 was very nice and clear, but they just did not feel like they fit me very well as kind of have a lack of padding on the ear cups and at the head rest on top of your head and after a while of playing Call of Duty 4 they did not feel well. Once I put on the Cooler Master Storm Sirus headset I could feel the thicker padding at the headrest and ear cups felt like they covered more of my ears. Even though the AX 51’s appeared to a pretty tight and sealed of the ear headset, there was a lot of outside noises that could be heard. Taking them off and putting on the Storm Sirus I noticed the dB levels went down and there was much less noise. 

Jumping in the music scene I first tested the bass with a little bit of Van Halen from Hot for the Teachers. The intro of that one is Alex Van Halen pounding away on a double bass drum and them a second set of drums come in giving you a real feel for the base. While that is going on he brings in the top hat symbols to give you the high end treble and if that was not enough Eddie comes in with the guitar blazing way up high for a total of 1 minute… this cranks the S*@# out of your headset. OK it passed this test. The bass was great, while the treble was high and clear.

Gaming was next on the list and I had to play some Call of Duty 4. For gaming I think you will get the most bang for your buck from the CM Storm Sirus is by using the all USB set and the Tactical Mixing Console. This is where you be happy that you have the ability to change the volumes on the all the channels on the fly. By increasing the rear channel you can hear if some is coming up behind you or if you lower the center channel the typical noise from the gun almost disappears and you can hear the front and rear channels much better.

The different ways to connect to the pieces is kind of cool and one way or the other will best for someone out there but I kind of wonder who? Like I said if travel to LAN or just want a quick headset to take with you then the mini audio jack setup would be the choice. But doing this you lose some control over the headset. You will no longer be able to quickly adjust the master volume or mute the microphone at will. You’ll have to jump to another screen out  to the CM Storm software. Now if you use the all USB/Tactical Mixer you gain all that control back, but you lose the ability to fine tune the treble, bass and mid-ranges. It is up to you to decide what you can live with or without.