Creative Fatal1ty USB Headset HS-1000

Fatal1ty, a huge name in video games has had a partnership with Creative for quite some time already. The Creative Fatal1ty Gaming Headset is just another the result of their collaboration and the HS-1000 is the USB version of it.

Design


The Fatal1ty is a pure gamers' device but has a rather low-key design, all in black. You will find some red colour on each earphone and the Jonathan 'Fatal1ty' Wendel signature, but there is nothing tacky going on here and that is quite a relief.

Given this is a USB headset, there is little in the box: no need for a mini-jack adaptor etc. All you get here is the device itself, a CD and the instructions. A transport case would have definitely been welcome.

The Fatal1ty is very comfortable. The headband effect disappears after a few hours and the device will sit perfectly from then on forever. However you ears will get hot very quickly. The Fatal1ty has enclosed earcups with padding that surround the ear but might not suit big ears.

The microphone is easily adjustable. You can also unscrew it, which is good if you need to carry the headset around. The remote has a clip. Highly useful as the cable hangs heavy, so it is a relief to be able to clip it on.


Sound quality

I am always a bit weary of headsets for both gaming and chatting, they tend to increase the gaming experience and forget all the rest. The HS-1000 is a good surprise. Yes blast and explosive bass are very present but all in all, Fatal1ty can be happily used for music purposes too.

Nonetheless it is when you are playing video games that you really see the HS-1000 perform at its best. The couple Fatal1ty + EAX work really well and it would be difficult to find something bad to say about this stereo headset.

Lately models with 3D sound spatialization have appeared on the market and they do indeed deliver more precision than the HS-1000...This can always prove useful when you have to avoid a bullet from your enemy!


The noise-cancelling condenser on the microphone gives good results and the voice comes out clearly. There is a slight alteration in the reproduction but honestly, in terms of gaming, this does not really matter.