SteelSeries Arctis 3 - All-Platform Gaming Headset - For PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, VR, Android, and iOS - White

Okay, these headphones SHOULD be great headphones for $150, BUT there are a few caveats that put me off. I noticed a few other reviews mention these issues. These issues bothered me so much that I sent them back. Simply not worth the price! First off, I wear headphones 12-18 hours a day, 7 days a week. For work, leisure and to help me fall asleep. I know headphones and I have a good collection of a dozen. 1) HOLY DISTORTION, BATMAN! When listening to music at volumes that any other headset can handle (including cheap $30 bluetooth units), these units produce massive amounts of distortion. I can't believe how bad these are at volumes above 50%! Give it a tonal range to cover, and it seems to work well, but add two or three (like a bass guitar and a high-hat at the same time...or, you know, almost any music) and suddenly you can't make out what you're listening to. 2) The volume roller is EXTREMELY easy to accidentally adjust. I mean, incredibly easy. I CONSTANTLY fiddle with the volume when adjusting the headset or mic, and since it's so loose, it's nearly impossible to get the volume "just right". Very very boring! 3) There are no media controls on these. Why? A combination of push-button volume buttons would easily solve the "too easy to adjust" volume and allow for long press media control. 4) The earcups are EXTREMELY hot. I wear a lot of headphones, but these burn my ears in minutes, forcing me to adjust them or take them off temporarily. This also reiterates point 2 in that the volume knob is ALWAYS adjusted by accident. 5) These block absolutely no outside sound, and people can often hear what I'm listening to or playing. Doesn't make sense since the ear pads seem to allow NO airflow. 6) The mic mute button turns on a light........ What? So when your mic is on, there is no light. When your mic is off, like when you're listening to music, hanging out, whatever, there's a BRIGHT RED LED on 100% of the time....... Huh???? How does that make sense? 7) Audio volume is easily 1/3 that of every other headphone I own. I run every setting up to 100% just to be 30% on any other headset... Why? 8) the microphone is garbage!!!! I can't imagine anyone with any sense of intelligence thinking this mic is anything other than painfully below par. Everything sounds either metallic or incredibly digital (like using one of those $5 vocal oscillators that make you sound like a robot.9) while the ear cushions go around your ears, the mesh of the top- speaker is too shallow and will come into contact with your ears. That makes it unbearable on its own, but combined with all the other issues.....10) FINALLY the surround sound effect is negligible. Playing the same surround sound tests, I can't tell the difference between regular 2.0 phones and these. At all. There's also a VERY VERY VERY specific spot you MUST put them, or you'll only hear about 70% of what he's emitting. Unfortunately, the VERY SPECIFIC place they need to be placed is absolutely HORRIBLE. You have to bend and bend your ears to position them correctly even from a distance. 11) I know I said 10 was the final number, but that brings me to another point. These are so uncomfortable in almost every way. After a short session, your jaw will ache, as the buttocks dig right into the hinge of your jaw, your ears will ache and sweat from the total lack of ventilation (it's like putting your ears in a wool coat in July in Florida -- a swamp!) Coming from a company that specializes in headphones, these are full of terrifically poor design choices! One of the worst helmets I have ever owned. Do not recommend it to anyone for any reason!