Gaming peripheral manufacturer SteelSeries has made an impressive debut into the microphone market with their first dedicated microphone, the Alias. This simple, plug-and-play microphone offers excellent audio quality right out of the box, providing the same ease of use as other SteelSeries products like mice and keyboards. Despite the existence of cheaper products with comparable audio quality, the Alias stands out for its user-friendly setup and exceptional sound.
In addition to its impressive performance, the Alias boasts an understated and high-quality design, with a unique LED display on the front that provides useful information such as noise levels and mute status. However, the accompanying SteelSeries Sonar software is found to be somewhat basic, lacking extra features beyond voice filters and a volume mixer.
Priced at $179.99 / £179.99 / AU$399, the Alias competes with other high-end gaming microphones in terms of affordability. While it may seem expensive compared to non-gaming options, its convenience and all-in-one features make it appealing for casual gamers. The Alias is available for purchase on the SteelSeries website, Amazon, and other retailers in the US and UK, while it may be harder to find in Australia.
The Alias sports a stylish design, with a durable metal body and an easy-to-use suspension mount for setup. The microphone’s LED display and RGB lighting add a touch of flair, while the audio quality is impressive, even without software customization. However, the SteelSeries Sonar software is criticized for being basic and redundant, though its background noise removal feature is notably advanced.
Overall, the Alias offers convenient, high-quality audio for gamers and content creators, making it a good investment for those seeking an all-in-one solution. However, those in need of advanced software features might find the Alias lacking.