{"id":31897,"date":"2012-10-19T07:02:04","date_gmt":"2012-10-19T06:02:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/?p=31897"},"modified":"2013-12-11T18:04:34","modified_gmt":"2013-12-11T18:04:34","slug":"cm-storm-400-ceres-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/cm-storm-400-ceres-review\/","title":{"rendered":"CM Storm 400 Ceres Review"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"text-align: center;\" align=\"left\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\/\/ < ![CDATA[\n                                                           google_ad_client = \"pub-7021221536180758\"; \/* 468x60, created 11\/11\/09 *\/ google_ad_slot = \"1949837292\"; google_ad_width = 468; google_ad_height = 60;\n\/\/ ]]><\/script><script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"http:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/show_ads.js\">\/\/ < ![CDATA[\n\n\n\/\/ ]]><\/script><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Differentiating between many headsets comes down to a few factors: price, quality, background noise control, and the look. What is especially important to FPS gamers is a quality headset with the ability to reproduce voice\/chat and game sound with clarity. <\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Cooler Master\u2019s <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.cmstorm.com\/en\/products\/audio\/Ceres-400\/\" onclick=\"_gaq.push(['_trackEvent', 'outbound-article', 'http:\/\/www.cmstorm.com\/en\/products\/audio\/Ceres-400\/', 'CM Storm Ceres 400']);\" ><span style=\"font-size: small;\">CM Storm Ceres 400<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> is an affordable headset that is lightweight, stylish, portable, and the sound is superb.\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"font-size: small;\">The 400 is the\u00a0entry-level model from the new <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.cmstorm.com\/en\/start\/\" onclick=\"_gaq.push(['_trackEvent', 'outbound-article', 'http:\/\/www.cmstorm.com\/en\/start\/', 'CM Storm']);\" ><span style=\"font-size: small;\">CM Storm<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-size: small;\"> gaming headset line and may ultimately be a perfect headset for a PC gamer on a budget. <\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><a href=\"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/IMAG0055.jpg\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"background-image: none; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px; border-width: 0px;\" title=\"IMAG0055\" src=\"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/IMAG0055_thumb.jpg?resize=555%2C314\" alt=\"IMAG0055\" border=\"0\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong>First Impression<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Cooler Master\u2019s 400 Ceres was designed with portability and comfort in mind.\u00a0 <span style=\"font-size: small;\">The mic is on the left side and it is adjustable with a click-wheel. The mic is easily handled and is more forgiving to positioning. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">The headset features a plastic body with foam padding for the top of your head and ears. The 400 Ceres tends to feel sturdy but a little on the stiff side in the hand. Most of the movement comes from the sides of the headset. <\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/IMAG0062.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"background-image: none; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px; border-width: 0px;\" title=\"IMAG0062\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/IMAG0062_thumb.jpg?resize=254%2C449\" alt=\"IMAG0062\" border=\"0\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">In actual use, you realize the beauty of this stiff plastic design. Most headsets feature rubber or a hard plastic that is often heavy but the CM Storm 400 Ceres is one of the most lightweight headsets we have used. The 400 Ceres feels light like paper while still maintaining a sense of durability, compared to our older Turtle Beach X12 headset. <\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">This lightweight, sturdy and flexible body\u00a0is comfortable over extended periods of times.\u00a0 The padding on the head and ear buds was plenty and the adjustable headband made using it very comfortable.\u00a0 Heavier headsets often begin to induce headaches after only a few hours of playing, something we do not miss. <\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Features<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Pricing and availability with major retailers is hard to find, but generally the price of the CM Storm 400 Ceres averaged around the <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.bing.com\/shopping\/search?q=cm+storm+400+ceres&amp;qpvt=cm+storm+400+ceres&amp;FORM=HDRSC7\" onclick=\"_gaq.push(['_trackEvent', 'outbound-article', 'http:\/\/www.bing.com\/shopping\/search?q=cm+storm+400+ceres&amp;qpvt=cm+storm+400+ceres&amp;FORM=HDRSC7', '$45 mark.']);\" >$45 mark.<\/a><\/span> At this price\u00a0headsets should come with some decent internals and offer bang for your buck. Cooler Master designed the Ceres to be an \u201con the go\u201d headset for gamers that want to experience high-quality sound.<\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Let\u2019s run down the specs before we decide if their goal was accomplished:<\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong>Headphone:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\" align=\"left\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><br \/>\n-Driver diameter: 40mm x 7.5 mm(H)<br \/>\n-Frequency range: 20 \u2013 20,000 Hz<br \/>\n-Impedance: 32<br \/>\n-Sensitivities(@1kHz): 108 dB \u00b1\u00a0 4 dB<br \/>\n-input: 100mW<br \/>\n-Connector: 3.5 mm headphone jack<br \/>\n-Inner Ear Cup Diameter: 90 mm<br \/>\n-Cable Length: 2.5m<br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong>Microphone:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\" align=\"left\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong><\/strong><br \/>\n-Pick Up pattern: Noise-cancelling<br \/>\n-Frequency range: 100 \u2013 10,000 Hz<br \/>\n-Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 50dB<br \/>\n-Sensitivities(@1kHz): -38 dB \u00b1\u00a0 3 dB<br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong>Hardware Requirements:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\" align=\"left\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong><\/strong><br \/>\n-Audio Usage: Devices with 3.5mm audio jack<br \/>\n-Audio + Microphone Usage: Devices with a 3.5mm audio + mic<br \/>\njack (smartphones)<\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/IMAG0057.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"background-image: none; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px; border-width: 0px;\" title=\"IMAG0057\" src=\"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/IMAG0057_thumb.jpg?resize=356%2C464\" alt=\"IMAG0057\" border=\"0\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><strong>Notable Features<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">-Large high quality 40mm drivers deliver great sound<br \/>\nquality<br \/>\n&#8211; Huge 90mm ear pads provide great comfort<br \/>\n&#8211; Adjustable headband for a perfect fit<br \/>\n&#8211; In-line volume control and microphone on\/off switch<br \/>\n&#8211; Rotatable flexible microphone arm<\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\">-2 year warranty<\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/IMAG0061.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"background-image: none; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px; border-width: 0px;\" title=\"IMAG0061\" src=\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/IMAG0061_thumb.jpg?resize=474%2C489\" alt=\"IMAG0061\" border=\"0\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><em><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Sound<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\">Consumers considering the 400 Ceres will have some major decision factors when shopping around, but the 40mm drivers are the most important.\u00a0 We played a couple of hours of \u201c<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">The Walking Dead\u201d<\/span> and \u201c<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Fear 3\u201d<\/span> as our test games and the 40mm drivers are, in a word, acceptable.<\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/IMAG0065.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"background-image: none; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px; border-width: 0px;\" title=\"IMAG0065\" src=\"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/IMAG0065_thumb.jpg?resize=502%2C284\" alt=\"IMAG0065\" border=\"0\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">The ear buds are static (not movable). Most people like to take off their headsets and turn the buds in while resting the headset on their chest. This is not a big deal but it is something that we wish were included. <\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Games have ambient sounds, music, guns firing, and voices. The 400 Ceres handled everything well, but it did feel held back at times. There were these moments in which the sound was fantastic but the volume too low; or times where the sound was at a very low frequency and it sounded somewhat muddled. Music playback was crisp and clear, but again the \u201cvolume\u201d of the driver could be higher. Outside noise was not a factor as the ear buds covered our ears with comfort and good isolation.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><em><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Voice<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Voice communication tested in <em>Team Fortress 2<\/em> and in\u00a0other multiplayer games was reported as loud and clear by gamers we encountered. The Omni-directional mic (a microphone that can hear from all directions) cancelled out all background noise and our teammates never mentioned any\u00a0of our background noise\u00a0on their end.<\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">The in-line volume control and microphone on\/off switch was in a good enough location that it was quickly reached and easy to feel for. This cable is also 2.5 meters in length and\u00a0for our use was good enough.<\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\">\u00a0<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/www.cmstorm.com\/files\/ceres-400_In-line_remote_control.jpg?resize=251%2C188\" alt=\"\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">The mic is also where the 400 Ceres lost most of it\u2019s \u201con the go\u201d factor for us. Our Turtle Beach X12 headset requires USB power,\u00a0whereas the 400 Ceres only needs a single jack to function. <\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">This meant portability and one less wire to plug in; however, the mic is not detachable from the headset and it sticks out.\u00a0\u00a0It doesn\u2019t look good while out in public to have a microphone that does nothing on a smartphone. <\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Since this is mostly a PC headset by nature, the portability is in the fact that it is lightweight and easy to plug into any computer quickly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/IMAG0064.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"background-image: none; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px; border-width: 0px;\" title=\"IMAG0064\" src=\"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/IMAG0064_thumb.jpg?resize=482%2C273\" alt=\"IMAG0064\" border=\"0\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Conclusion<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Compared to most competing headsets, the CM Storm 400 Ceres has the features and a good enough driver to compete at the $50 dollar price range. <\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">At first use, the headset felt cheap but it turned out to be sturdy, and flexible enough to be comfortable. The 400 Ceres is light,\u00a0 meaning that over extended periods of time your head will not get weighed down by a larger headset. <\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">The sound was enjoyable, although at very low frequencies the headset suffered. Voice quality was perfect, and the in-line mic controls were very easy to use. We think Cooler Master&#8217;s design team did very well, but they just missed the opportunity to make the mic detachable &#8211; which would have made this mic completely\u00a0portable. The mic sticking out just makes a person look weird in public. <\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">As it stands, the CM Storm 400 Ceres is a budget-friendly headset with a 2 year warranty, great sound, and is very comfortable to use. While it lacks the higher quality drivers, it is worth considering. The Ceres is ultra-light and CM did hit portability with the headset, just not in every situation. ABT recommends this headset fully, and after using this\u00a0entry-level product from the CM Storm line we can only imagine how good the top of the line headset may be. <\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\" align=\"left\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">We give the CM Storm 400 Ceres the ABT Great Value Award.<a href=\"http:\/\/t3.gstatic.com\/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRxfBInukmNMVXQcYJY0wCMOdhHwRU0JTDjOyJ9ndAkl47y1hm2mW-KUQ\" onclick=\"_gaq.push(['_trackEvent', 'outbound-article', 'http:\/\/t3.gstatic.com\/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRxfBInukmNMVXQcYJY0wCMOdhHwRU0JTDjOyJ9ndAkl47y1hm2mW-KUQ', '']);\" ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"http:\/\/t3.gstatic.com\/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRxfBInukmNMVXQcYJY0wCMOdhHwRU0JTDjOyJ9ndAkl47y1hm2mW-KUQ\" alt=\"\" width=\"120\" height=\"200\" \/><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><p>Please join us in our <a href=\"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/abt\/index.php\" target=\"_blank\">Forums<\/a> Become a Fan on <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/pages\/AlienBabelTech\/123268467142\" onclick=\"_gaq.push(['_trackEvent', 'outbound-article', 'http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/pages\/AlienBabelTech\/123268467142', 'Facebook']);\" target=\"_blank\">Facebook<\/a> Follow us on <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/alienbabeltech\" onclick=\"_gaq.push(['_trackEvent', 'outbound-article', 'http:\/\/twitter.com\/alienbabeltech', 'Twitter']);\" target=\"_blank\">Twitter<\/a> For the latest updates from ABT, please <a href=\"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/?feed=rss2\" target=\"_blank\">join our RSS News Feed<\/a>Join our Distributed Computing teams<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Folding@Home \u2013 Team AlienBabelTech \u2013 164304<\/li>\n<li>SETI@Home \u2013 Team AlienBabelTech \u2013 138705<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.worldcommunitygrid.org\/reg\/viewRegister.do?teamID=3P39R3SRV1\" onclick=\"_gaq.push(['_trackEvent', 'outbound-article', 'http:\/\/www.worldcommunitygrid.org\/reg\/viewRegister.do?teamID=3P39R3SRV1', 'World Community Grid \u2013 Team AlienBabelTech']);\" target=\"_blank\">World Community Grid \u2013 Team AlienBabelTech<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/?p=31897\"><img decoding=\"async\" align=top title=\"Author: Mark Poppin\" src=\"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/Ceres400ImageLINK.jpg\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2053,"featured_media":32611,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7814,5,4454],"tags":[5844,182,5842,23,5843],"class_list":["post-31897","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-articles","category-gaming","category-mini-reviews","tag-ceres","tag-cm-storm","tag-cm-storm-400-ceres","tag-cooler-master","tag-pc-headset"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31897","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2053"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=31897"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31897\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/32611"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=31897"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=31897"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=31897"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}