If there's one thing I've learned from spending years immersed in consumer tech, it's that when a company tries to create a multifunction device, the resulting product generally does a lackluster job with most (if not all) of the tasks it has been designed to tackle. Then again, I can appreciate the drive to create do-it-all devices that save space, time, and most important, money. So when a product comes along that achieves its multifunction goals and then some, I tend to get excited.

The SteelSeries Siberia Neckband is just such a cause for celebration, especially if you're an XBOX/PC gamer who also enjoys bopping along to a song or two between fragfests. These full-size over-the-ear headphones sit comfortably on the back of the neck, pumping pristine in-game audio from a PC or Xbox (thanks to the included adapter). And the flexible microphone neatly slides away inside the left ear compartment when not needed, making using these phones in non-gaming situations much more appealing.

And you're going to want to use them where you can, because not only do they sound great, but they are among the best-looking full-size headphones you'll probably ever see outside of Japan. And the highs are crisp and clear, while lows thump nicely without being artificially heavy. That's not to say these are the best-sounding headphones I've ever used, but for a sub-$100 multi-function set of cans, they sound very, very good. Because they are over-the-ear phones, the sound actually resonates a bit in the small space between the speaker and your head, which makes for a sound a bit closer to actually listening to speakers in a room--a nice change from having earbuds jacked into your skull.

Don't expect any kind of outside sound isolation, though; the foam used for the ear pads is soft and porous. On the downside, it means these phones won't drown out the screaming kid kicking the back of your seat. But that also means they don't make your ears sweat, and when using them in public, you might actually hear the truck barreling down on you and blaring its horn before its grill makes contact with your face. Always a plus.

Also important to the Siberia's multifunction capabilities are the included adapters and cable extensions: The 4 or 5 feet of cable attached to the phones is enough to reach your MP3 player but nowhere near long enough to reach the back of a PC or an Xbox sitting next to a TV, while you lounge on the couch. Thankfully, the pair of extenders SteelSeries includes in the box add about 6 feet to the reach, while the PC extension adds a nice in-line volume wheel.

As happy as I am to praise SteelSeries for a great product, that's not to say that these headphones are perfect. They have a tendency to slide down now and then, placing uncomfortable pressure on the outer parts of the ear. But a slight adjustment easily eliminates the pressure. Still, the extent to which this will be an issue depends largely on the individual.

Also, the Xbox connection, which has one cable plugging into the controller and a second wire snaking to your TV or receiver to pipe in the game audio, is a bit awkward. Thankfully, SteelSeries made that second cable 9 feet long, which should provide adequate reach for most living-room gaming setups.

Many a gamer might prefer some sort of virtual surround-sound in a headset at this price, which the Siberia lacks. But the sound is so good, I often found myself forgetting it was only two-channel audio. Unless you simply have to have virtual surround, you won't likely miss it.

It's obvious that a lot of thought went into both the design and construction of the SteelSeries Siberia Neckband. What emerged was a very solid product that could conceivably be the only pair of headphones you'll ever need, especially if you're the type to wear full-size headphones over ear buds when in public and don't really need noise cancellation. The list price of $99 is a bit steep, but smart shoppers can find it at a number of online retailers for closer to $50, making the Siberia Neckband headphones a true value for their performance, versatility, and sweet style.

Post by Matt Safford