CM Storm Pulse-R Overview

The CM Storm Pulse-R Aluminum Gaming Headset came in a giant cardboard box. It was on the doorstep when I got home and I couldn’t figure out what it was. I knew I wasn’t expecting a case, but the box was big enough to fit a small case. I opened the box to discover the CM Storm Pulse-R headset comfortably nestled within at least a mile of packing paper. The actual retail box of the CM Storm Pulse-R is much more manageable.

The box itself is straight black with a hinged top. When closed, it fits inside of a sheath that shows off a graphic of the Pulse-R headset and includes a description of some of the features. Opened, the box consists of a plastic mold that holds the CM Storm Pulse-R snugly in place. It also has a separate slot for the microphone. Under the headset itself is where the expected additions reside; the manual, driver disc, and the cord.

The Pulse-R Aluminum Gaming Headset has large cushioned ear cups that fit completely around my ears. That’s saying something. I guess I must have larger than normal ears, because my Bose QuietComfort 15 headphones don’t cover them completely. The Pulse-R headphones do, so around the ear at least, they are more comfortable for me. The headband is also cushioned. The cushioning is a little thicker than on other headsets I have used, making it pretty firm. That makes it feel a little tighter-fitting around the ears and it sits somewhat heavily on your head. The CM Storm Pulse-R headset is still very comfortable, it just feels a little heavy.

The CM Storm Pulse-R Aluminum Gaming Headset is one of only a handful of gaming headsets that are illuminated. That actually makes sense, considering the fact that you can’t see your headset while you are wearing it. The exception, of course, being the microphone. The Pulse-R Gaming Headset is illuminated on the outside of the earcups as well as the tip of microphone. The end of the microphone lights up whenever the microphone is activated via the inline remote.

Speaking of the earcups on the CM Storm Pulse-R Aluminum Gaming Headset, they are covered by aluminum plates. That aluminum, along with an aluminum strip along the headband, are what gives the Pulse-R its name; Aluminum Gaming Headset. The rest of the body is made of plastic. The aluminum plates that cover the earcups are removable. Cooler Master touts this as a customization feature. You can purchase customized plates, or make your own modifications to the existing plates to make them suit your fancy.

To control the volume levels on the CM Storm Pulse-R Aluminum Gaming Headset, you can use the volume controls on the in-line remote. The volume control is a slider-style control, rather than a rotating wheel. It is convenient, and very sensitive, but it is also very short. In other words, the slide is nearly as long as the slide rail. The distance on the slider between muted and full volume is merely a fraction of an inch. The slider also has to travel about of quarter of the distance before the sound actually kicks on. I’m not a big fan of the slider volume control. I’m not against the design, I just wish the slide were smaller, or the rail longer. As it is, I feel like I have only three volume settings; off, full, and mid-range.