SteelSeries 6Gv2 gaming keyboard & 7H headset announced

CeBIT 2010 isn't all about netbooks and tablets; there are peripherals there too.  SteelSeries have outed their latest gaming combo, the SteelSeries 6Gv2 gaming keyboard and the SteelSeries 7H headset.  The former can recognize "as many simultaneous key presses as there are keys on the keyboard" for those particularly hectic late-night gaming sessions, while the latter gets closed ear-cups each with a 50mm driver.

The keyboard also gets quick access to volume, mute and audio controls, though not the audio or USB ports from the SteelSeries 7G.  As for the headset, that breaks down into four pieces for easier transportation, has interchangeable leather or foam ear cushions, and features a retractable microphone arm.  A USB version is also available with virtual 7.1 surround sound support.

The SteelSeries 7H headset is available for preorder now, priced at $119.99, while the USB version – the SteelSeries 7H USB – is $149.99.  As for the SteelSeries 6Gv2, that's up for preorder for $99.99.

Press Release:

SteelSeries Introduces New Mechanical Gaming Keyboard: the 6Gv2

Modeled After the Award-Winning SteelSeries 7G, The New 6Gv2 is the Straight to the Point Gaming Keyboard Option

CeBIT 2010

HANOVER, Germany–(BUSINESS WIRE)–SteelSeries, the leading manufacturer of gaming peripherals and accessories, today, during CeBIT in Hanover, Germany, introduced the SteelSeries 6Gv2 keyboard. Designed with 18-karat gold-plated mechanical switches, the keyboard offers quicker reaction times and advanced key combinations for more Actions Per Minute and a lifetime more than 10 times that of conventional keyboards.

Like the SteelSeries 7G, the new keyboard utilizes a powerful buffer-system created specifically for gaming, supporting as many simultaneous key presses as there are keys on the keyboard. The "anti-ghosting" feature allows users in first person shooter games to move, crouch, aim, fire and even check the scoreboard, simultaneously. The SteelSeries G product line is the only series of keyboards on the market that allows this type of functionality all at once.

"We've been watching professional teams such as Fnatic, SK Gaming, Evil Geniuses and others win grand slam tournaments with the 7G as their weapon of choice and have seen it recognized as one of the most impressive performance keyboards on the gaming market. Keeping that rockstar mentality, we designed the slimmed down SteelSeries 6Gv2 to pack the same punch without compromising response time, durability or performance." said Bruce Hawver, SteelSeries CEO.

The new keyboard will incorporate SteelSeries' Media Controls allowing quick access to volume, mute and other audio controls. Features not present in the keyboard, compared to the SteelSeries 7G, are the audio ports for headphone-in and microphone-out, the two USB ports as well as the removable plastic handrest.

The mechanical tactile system is ergonomically designed to ensure ease-of-use, while the no-click switches and iron-infused plastic makes SteelSeries G Series of keyboards both comfortable and durable. The SteelSeries 6Gv2 also has a switch lifetime of 50 million operations, which is more than 10 times the lifespan of a typical "membrane" keyboard known for a maximum of only 1-5 million total keystrokes in a lifetime.

The SteelSeries 6Gv2 Keyboard is available now for pre-sale at Amazon.com for an MSRP of $99.99 USD.

Press Release:

SteelSeries Introduces the 7H Headset

The Newest H Series Headset Provides Gamers With Superior Noise Reduction and High-Quality Sound In A Durable, Easy-Travel Design

CeBIT 2010

HANOVER, Germany–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Kicking off CeBIT 2010 in Hanover, Germany, SteelSeries, the leading manufacturer of gaming peripherals and accessories, introduced the new high-end SteelSeries 7H headset. Designed and built for competitive gamers, the SteelSeries 7H presents a superior soundscape in an exclusive design that travels well and offers two ear-cup choices, hear-through cloth and noise dampening leather.

"We're introducing the SteelSeries 7H as our high-end headset for gamers who want choices in the type of comfort and sound they need to experience"

The SteelSeries 7H headset features 50mm drivers in the ear-cups which fully cover the ear and delivers a clean soundscape of high, low and mid tones from background, mood setting sounds in MMO games to 3D positional alerts in FPS games. The closed-type headset features superior passive noise reduction, specifically developed in cooperation with competitive gamers for use at loud tournaments and LAN-events. The SteelSeries 7H additionally comes with two interchangeable ear-cushions that offer the option of leather cushions with noise dampening foam or hear-through cloth covered foam.

"We're introducing the SteelSeries 7H as our high-end headset for gamers who want choices in the type of comfort and sound they need to experience," said Bruce Hawver, SteelSeries CEO. "The 7H features were developed based on direct feedback from our sponsored Counter-Strike and QuakeLive players, who need to hear their teammates while practicing at home and need to eliminate external noise while competing at loud tournament venues."

The new SteelSeries 7H all black stealth design features subdued chrome elements around each ear-cup and at the base of either side of the headband. Easily dismantled into four pieces, at the headband, the right and left ear-cup, and at the cord, the SteelSeries 7H is ideal for tournament players who travel often. Its left ear-cup features a retractable, uni-directional microphone that can be hidden when not in use. The durable braided cord is detachable, offering both safety and travel convenience and features a built-in volume and microphone control. An additional 2m extension cord is included for extra convenience.

The SteelSeries 7H headset is available now for pre-sale at Amazon.com for $119.99 USD.

A USB version of the SteelSeries 7H headset is also available, offering optimized sound profiles for first person shooter (FPS), massively multiplayer online (MMO), and real-time strategy (RTS) players as well as customizable environmental settings. The USB version provides 7.1 virtual surround and ensures gamers the exact same sound and settings no matter where they are in the world or at what computer they are playing. The SteelSeries 7H USB is also available at Amazon.com with an MSRP of $149.99 USD.