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But the budget gaming headset business is rife with stiff competition, including Razer’s aforementioned BlackShark V2 X and their older mid-ranged models like the excellent Kraken Tournament Edition currently sold at lower price points. That being said, can one of the oldest brands in gaming bring enough to the table to warrant your buy-in? That’s what we’re here to find out, in this SteelSeries Arctis 1 review.

In a rush and can’t get through the whole review? Just click any of the links below and you’ll skip right to that section:

What is the SteelSeries Arctis 1?

Arctis is what SteelSeries likes to call its roster of gaming headsets which range from entry-level all the way up to premium. The Arctis 1 sits at the lowest end of the lineup, offering stellar audio performance and comfort but giving up a lot of extra features in the process.

You can’t tell that the headset was built for gaming from its looks alone, as its plainer form factor and one-tone colour scheme is a stark departure from the majority of its Arctis siblings. It’s a neat design that’s sleeker and more professional-looking, making attractive towards gamers who enjoy lowkey peripherals.

It’s listed at $60 on the official SteelSeries website, but you can get it for 50 bucks on Amazon at the time of this writing which is $10 cheaper than the  BlackShark V2 X.

Features

Connectivity

This is an exclusively wired headset that connects to compatible devices via a 3.5mm audio cable. There’s a more expensive wireless variant that’ll cost you 50 bucks extra, in case you’re looking to get rid of the cord.

Noise Cancellation

it doesn’t come with active noise cancellation technology but offers enough noise isolation to block out moderately loud conversations in the room and the humming of an AC. However, it struggles against lower frequency noises like car engines.

Accessories

Don’t expect any freebies in the box, as the Arctis 1 only comes with the headset itself, the detachable microphone, and a Y-splitter for connecting the microphone to a PC.

Software

Due to its wired nature and lack of USB connectivity, this headset isn’t compatible with the SteelSeries Engine software.

Sound Quality

We have yet to encounter a SteelSeries headset with substandard sound quality and that includes the Arctis 1. Its bass profile is full-bodied and punchy, providing a satisfyingly boomy experience when playing video games. The mids are precise but a little underwhelming, so vocals and instruments almost always take a back seat to the powerful bass no matter what you’re listening to.

Similarly, the highs are also accurately rendered but aren’t particularly highlighted, meaning mid-ranged frequencies sound dark and sibilants aren’t too well-represented.  Overall, the Arctis 1 is unmistakenly tuned for gaming and our Doom Eternal test run showed just how great it fared in that regard.

Buckshots and explosions sounded extremely satisfying as they ripped apart Doom Slayer’s enemies and the vicious basslines in the adrenaline-pumping soundtrack were bouncy and brilliantly exaggerated.

The headset’s detachable microphone sounds fantastic, making your voice sound clear, detailed, and natural. It also features top-notch sound isolation, eliminating unwanted ambient sounds even in noisier environments.

What’s it like to use?

Since the Arctis 1 is a wired gaming headset, there really isn’t much to setting it up beyond plugging it into a compatible device with a 3.5mm port. This makes it compatible with pretty much any gaming console, including PS4, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox. Using it on PCs requires the extra step of hooking it up to the included Y-splitter if you intend on using the headset’s microphone.

Unfortunately, one of the Arctis 1’s biggest drawbacks is its lack of software support which is due to the absence of a USB port or any way to establish a PC data connection. So what you hear is pretty much what you get since you won’t have access to any customization options like a graphic equalizer.

It only comes with a couple of controls, namely the volume dial and a mic mute switch, both of which are easy enough to use though you won’t really know if your mic is muted unless you’ve memorized the switch positioning or you take the time to remove the headset and make sure.

The Arctis 1’s ear cups are well-padded but not quite as much as some of its siblings and the absence of the trademark ski-goggle headband means they aren’t as flexible either.  They are lightweight though, so wearing them feels pleasant overall. However, they aren’t very stable so you should probably stay away from activities that require too much movement, though this shouldn’t really be an issue since it’s a wired headset anyways.

Aesthetics

The Arctis 1’s oval-shaped ear cups are attached to swivels that are, in turn, connected to the headset’s metal frame. Towards the top, the metal frame is encompassed by a plastic shell that forms the headband and the bottom portion is lined with padding. It’s a one-toned peripheral covered entirely in matte black, with the SteelSeries logo and label tattooed on either side of the ear cups.

Visually, what sets the Arctis 1 apart from the rest of the lineup is the absence of the signature adjustable ski-goggle headband, along with the lack of RGB lighting. While this means that the headset is a lot more traditional-looking and lacks a particular sense of flair, it’s bound to be more attractive to gamers who took issue with the louder aesthetic that often accompanied other Arctis headsets and prefer something more subtle.

It isn’t nearly as durable as any of the other Arctis models, which is sort of expected considering its low price. The plastic used across the peripheral doesn’t feel dense and the padded lining isn’t stitched so it’s likely to come off after extended use. The hinges, at least, seem well-made unlike the forked ones used in the BlackShark V2 X.

Final Thoughts

If you ever wondered what a bargain bin version of an Arctis headset would look like, the Arctis 1 is your answer. It leaves out some of the things that make its siblings so memorable, like the ski-google headband and SteelSeries Engine customization options, but manages to retain the superb audio quality and awesome mic that make it a great gaming headset.

It may not be as sophisticated as some of the more expensive peripherals out there, but at 50 bucks you really shouldn’t expect it to be. It sounds great, feels good, and looks classy, and that’s enough to make it one of the better budget gaming headsets on the market.

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Review Box

SteelSeries Arctis 1

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In a rush and can’t get through the entire HS70 review? Just click any of the links below and we’ll take you right to that section:

Corsair HS70 Overview?

Corsair has two primary lines of gaming headsets, the edgy Void models that feature oddly-shaped trapezoid ear cups,  and the classier-looking HS models that opt for a more garden-variety circular style.  The Corsair HS70 is the follow-up to the HS60 and is nearly identical to its predecessor except that it ditches the audio cable in favour of wireless connectivity.

So if you were a fan of its older brother, you’ll be glad to know that you’ll still get the fantastic audio design and Virtual Surround Sound that made the original it so loveable. The signature HS look is back too, which is great since it’s one of the line’s best features. It’s stylish enough to catch your eye, but not so overdone that you’d mind wearing them outdoors.

One of the things that pleasantly surprised us about the HS70 is its affordable $100 price tag, which is in line with the fantastic Razer Kraken Tournament Edition but has the advantage of being wireless.

Features

Connectivity

The HS70 utilizes a wireless USB dongle to connect to your PC or PS4 and doesn’t support a wired connection of any kind. If you’re an Xbox owner, this means you’re fresh out of luck, though you might want to try the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 Xbox Edition.

Battery Life

The headset offers 15 hours of continuous use which may not be as long as the SteelSeries Arctis 7 but is still great. Unfortunately, since you can only connect to the headset using the wireless dongle, you won’t have the ability to use it while it’s charging.

Surround Sound

It comes with a standard 7.1 Surround Sound feature that you can enable in the companion app but is only available for PC users. When used with a PS4, the sound defaults to stereo,

Noise Cancellation

This headset doesn’t offer any active noise cancellation and its isolation capabilities are fairly subpar. Bass and mid-range isolation are poor so it won’t be able to block out most noises caused by nearby traffic and in-room chatter. Treble isolation is a lot better, mitigating higher-pitches sounds and sibilants.

Accessories

Corsair didn’t pack much in the box beyond the unit itself, a charging cable,  the wireless USB dongle, and the removable microphone.

Sound Quality

The HS70 excels when it comes to sound quality, featuring an exceptional bass-profile that’s deep and punchy, and exaggerated just enough to make it perfect for both gaming and casual music listening. Mids are also fantastic all around, making instruments, vocals, and voice-overs come across accurate and crystal clear.

Trebles aren’t quite as stellar but still great, though you can expect higher frequency instruments and sibilants to sound slightly shrill and sharp. By default, the headset offers great stereo audio distribution between the left and right ear cups, but turning on the 7.1 Surround Sound adds three-dimensional positional audio and a deeper and wider sound stage.

While testing the HS70 with a game of Warzone,  sniper shots and shotgun blasts were accompanied by resounding booms that felt extremely satisfying and left a subtle rumbling in my ear. The Surround Sound feature also made it a lot easier to tell which directions enemies were firing from, though it lacked the precision of the Razer Kraken Tournament Edition’s THX Spatial Audio.

The microphone’s recording quality is okay but it leans a little too much towards the treble, meaning your voice will likely sound a little sharp but still clear and understandable. Fortunately, the mic is a lot better at isolation than the ear cups, allowing it to separate most moderate ambient noises without any trouble, as long as it’s not too loud.

What it’s like to use?

Setting up the HS70 is as simple as connecting the USB dongle and firing up the headset. Most of the controls can be found on the left ear cup, which isn’t much since it’s just the volume control and a button for muting the mic.

The detachable mic is also located on this side, with its socket being a 3.5mm jack. The socket comes with a piece of rubber which you use to cover the socket, though it isn’t attached to anything so it’s easy to lose. On the right ear cup lies a solitary power button. The controls feel tight and provide a good amount of tactile feedback, but more advanced gamers will likely want more buttons and dials to fiddle around with.

The headset supports Corsair’s iCUE app which is straightforward and easy to use, albeit lacking quite a bit when it comes to features. It allows you to do the basics like enabling your Surround Sound, messing with the EQ, and creating your own presets, but not much more beyond that.

Issues have also surfaced among multiple users (myself included) where the drivers installed automatically by Windows were at odds with the Corsair drivers, which resulted in iCUE not recognizing the headset. Fixing it entails a great deal of software and driver installing and uninstalling. In addition, the features that require the iCUE are also sorely missing when used on a PS4.

Just like its older brother, the HS70 is delightfully comfortable thanks to the generous padding and memory foam on its ear cups and headband, as well as the large size of the ear cups themselves which should suit a variety of ear sizes and shapes. Its grip is tight enough to ensure the headset sits still even with some minor movements, just not enough for exercise.

Aesthetics

The HS70’s design leans more on a “gamer” look but it does so in good taste, making the headset look sleek and chic. The large, cylindrical ear cups are made of plastic on the outer side and a plush, padded leatherette on the inner side. They’re connected to metal clamps that join together to form the headband which is encased in more padding.

If you prefer your headsets to be more subtle looking, then the all-black colourway would probably be more your speed, but if you’d rather something more spiffy there’s a black and white colour scheme that’s quite stylish. Corsair didn’t skimp on the materials either, as the headset feels dense and durable and the metal hinges seem like they can handle years of regular use.

Final Thoughts

With the HS70, Corsair manages to nail the basics spectacularly. You’ve got exceptional sound quality, a tough yet good-looking build, and high levels of comfort, all at an affordable price.

Corsair HS70

• Headset Wireless Range Up to 40ft.Headphones fit type:On-Ear.Headphone...
• Adjustable ear cups fitted with plush memory foam provide exceptional...
• High-quality, custom-tuned 50mm neodymium Audio drivers deliver superb...
• An omnidirectional microphone picks up your voice with exceptional clarity,...

$ 139.56

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Yes, it does stumble in a few places like the lacklustre sound isolation and iffy software, but those are things that can easily be forgiven. If you game primarily on PC but want a wireless gaming headset that works well with your PS4 then the Corsair HS70 is right on the money.

FAQs

Full Spec List

The post Corsair HS70 Review – A Mid-range Monster appeared first on Mr Gadget.

But how well does it fare against the far cheaper Stealth 600? And is it worth your hard-earned cash if you’re also part of the master race? We’re looking at its ins and outs to see just how good it really is, in this SteelSeries Arctis 9x review.

Short on time and can’t read through the entire review? Click any of the links below and you’ll skip right to that section:

What is the SteelSeries Arctis 9x?

Just like the previous entries in SteelSeries’ Arctis lineup, the Arctis 9x is essentially the Xbox variant of their Arctis 9 wireless headset. Since the Xbox requires a different kind of connection compared to PCs and PS4s, tech companies continuously have to come up with special editions that cater specifically to Microsoft’s variety of consoles.

Connectivity aside, the Arctis 9x features the stellar audio fidelity and loveable design that the SteelSeries is known for, along with one of the best batteries we’ve seen in a wireless headset.  It doesn’t come cheap, however, as its $200 price tag puts it in the same room as the fantastic Razer Nari Ultimate, and double the price of the beloved Turtle Beach Stealth 600. The Arctis 9x sports a look that’s easy to love and fairly similar to the other headsets in the SteelSeries roster, though it’s a tad on the wilder side.

Features

Connectivity

The Arctis 9x connects directly to your Xbox consoles in the same way its controllers do – via Xbox Wireless. Unfortunately for PC gamers, you’ll need to purchase the Xbox Controller Adapter separately if you want to connect wirelessly since this version of the headset doesn’t come with a transmitter. Alternatively, you can connect to PCs and smartphones via Bluetooth or 1/8” audio cable.

Battery life

One of the best things about this headset is its amazing battery life which can last up to 28 hours of continuous use. This beats out the Arctis 7’s impressive 24-hour runtime by quite a bit. It also takes only 2 hours to charge it back to full power.

Noise Cancellation

The Arctis 9x doesn’t come with any form of active noise cancelling and its isolation capabilities are mediocre at best. It struggles to block out moderately loud voices in the same room and planes flying overhead will sound just as loud as if you weren’t wearing a headset at all.

Accessories

If you were hoping for some nice freebies you’re going to be sorely disappointed, as this headset only comes with the peripheral itself and its USB to micro-USB charging cable. The wireless transmitter that came with the original is notably missing since this version was built to synergize with the Xbox Wireless feature.

Surround Sound

This variation of the headset utilizes Windows Sonic Spatial Audio which is Microsoft’s version of virtual surround sound.

Software

As with all of its more recent headsets, the Arctis 9x makes use of the intuitive SteelSeries Engine software which allows you to experiment with equalizer levels, create your own presets, adjust your mic volume, and manage your different profiles. There’s also an option to stop the Bluetooth from automatically turning on whenever you fire up the headset. Perhaps its only flaw is that it gives you no control over the Windows Sonic Spatial Audio.

Sound Quality

Luckily for the Arctis 9x, its best feature is the remarkable audio quality that makes it one of the best-sounding headsets for Xbox consoles. Its bass profile boasts great accuracy as lower frequency sounds come across full and punchy. Thuds may not feel as resounding as you’d like and you won’t get as much rumbling as you would with more bass-heavy headsets, but it still sounds fantastic whether you’re playing your favourite shooter or watching a good ol’ action flick.

Its mids are crystal clear, rendering vocals and instruments almost perfectly, and its phenomenal trebles tie everything together nicely, with voices, sound effects, and the musical scores sounding individually distinct and precise.

The Arctis 9x’s microphone offers excellent recording and has your voice sounding nice and clear. You might sound a little crisper than you’re used to which is likely be part of the way the headset separates in-game audio from your vocals. The mic’s noise isolation is also exceptional as it’s able to block out ambient noises in even rowdier environments.

What’s it like to use?

Since the Xbox doesn’t need a USB dongle or wireless transmitter, connecting your headset to the console is even easier than most. Just press the connect button on your console then hold the power button on your headsets for a few seconds and you should receive a prompt telling you that the pairing was successful. As a bonus, you can simultaneously connect to your smartphone via Bluetooth and listen to music or continue a phone call while you’re playing.

The Arctis 9x comes with a healthy amount of buttons, all of which are placed in convenient locations on the left and right earcups. The power button doubles as the equalizer preset control and you also have a dedicated button for muting your mic. There are two wheels that control volume and channel mixing while the Bluetooth button serves multiple purposes, including answering and dropping calls and pausing and playing music. This shows you that SteelSeries built the headset for more than just gaming and really intended it for casual use as well.

They didn’t skimp on comfort either, as the large earcups fit a variety of ear shapes and sizes and are well-padded yet permeable. As with other Arctis models, the ski-goggle headband feels great but only if it fits your head well. If your head is a little on the larger side, the headset might feel a bit too snug since the headband’s elasticity is limited. In return, you get a satisfactorily stable experience that can withstand moderate movements without much trouble. Just don’t go using it in the gym or for your daily jog.

Aesthetic

If you’ve seen one Arctis headset, you’ve seen em all. Kidding aside, the Arctis 9x looks a lot like the Arctis 7 which is completely fine considering its design was one of its best features. Its oversized oval earcups are connected to arched swivels that end in hollow square shapes. This is where the ski-goggle style headbands run through, making an adjustable loop that’s more rigid on top but flexible on the bottom and secured together by a velcro flap.

The microphone is pliable and retractable so you can easily move it around or get it out of your way when needed. It’s a great-looking design that’s youthful and fresh but isn’t so loud that you’d avoid using it outdoors. It also happens to be very sturdy thanks to its well-built earcups and the metal sheet that runs through the top of the headband.

Final Thoughts

Xbox fans rejoice, as SteelSeries manages to usher one of the best console-compatible headsets around over to Microsoft’s beloved consoles. The Arctis 9x connects seamlessly through Xbox Wireless and brings a top-shelf audio experience, tremendous battery capacity, and the distinguished build and design that made the Arctis line so famous in the first place.

Be warned, however, that the headset’s connectivity is quite clumsy on PC and you’ll have to buy a Controller Adapter just to make it work. But if you’re on the lookout for the best wireless headset for your Xbox One or Xbox Series X/S, the SteelSeries Artics 9x is surely a frontrunner.

SteelSeries Arctis 9x

• Integrated Xbox Wireless connectivity: Connect directly to your Xbox Series...
• Bluetooth: Simultaneously connects to Bluetooth and Xbox to mix in music...
• Clearcast Microphone: The Arctis mic uses a bidirectional design, the same...
• Award winning sound: The award winning soundscape of Arctis emphasizes...

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The post SteelSeries Arctis 9x Review – Best Xbox Headset? appeared first on Mr Gadget.

In this Astro A50 Wireless review, we’re going to find out if it makes good on its promises and whether or not it’s time to mortgage your house so you can afford it.

Pressed for time and can’t get through the whole review? Click on any of the links below and you can skip right to that section:

What is the Astro A50 Wireless?

Astro Gaming is actually a branch of the design firm Astro Studios and is dedicated solely to crafting quality headsets aimed at gamers. The Astro A50 originally made its debut back in 2012 and has received several iterations over the years, each bringing moderate improvements over the last. Its fourth and most recent generation dropped last year and with it came a more streamlined charging station, visual tweaks, and way better wireless connectivity.

If you enjoy low-profile headsets, you’ll be disappointed to know that the A50 is the complete opposite. You can tell from a mile away that his headset is intended for gaming thanks to its angular robotic design and abundance of decals. It’s not bad-looking per se, but you’re definitely not gonna want to take a walk around the neighbourhood with this thing on your head.

The Astro A50 is also one of the priciest gaming headsets on the market. – putting it in the same league as the slightly more expensive Sennheiser GSP 670 and Steelseries Arctis Pro Wireless.

Features

Battery life

While it’s not quite at the level of the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro or the Steelseries Arctis 7, the Astro A50 offers great battery life that lasts for more than 17 hours of continuous use, and charging it back up to full power shouldn’t take more than a couple of hours (four if you’re charging wirelessly via the base station).

Charging station

Unlike the GSP 670 and Arctis Pro Wireless that come with little more than the headset itself, the Astro A50 comes with a base station that acts as a charging dock. It allows for wireless or wired charging and includes USB, aux, and optical ports. The dock is fully compatible with PC and either your PS4 or Xbox depending on the variant you choose. It even displays your battery level, which device you’re connected to, your equalizer preset, and surround sound status.

Noise cancellation

Not only does is this headset void of active noise cancelling, but its noise isolation is exceedingly subpar, allowing most ambient sounds to seep right into the earcups. That being said, you’re going to want a quiet place to game or listen to music in peace.

Software

The A50 Wireless utilizes the Astro Command Center software which is pretty intuitive and easy to use. Problem is, it’s sorely lacking a lot of sought-after features and does little beyond allowing you to customize your presets and assign it to the headset’s equalizer button. You’d expect a premium headset to have premium software, but that’s just not the case.

Connectivity

The headset only connects to devices wirelessly, though its performance has improved markedly over its predecessor, providing seamless performance at low latency.

Sound Quality

One of the Astro A50 Wireless’ most alluring features is its sound quality which is amazing all across the board. Bass notes are spot-on and sound nice and full yet strike a realistic tone, as opposed to most gaming headsets that tend to overdo the lower frequencies so much that you’ll feel your head rumbling between the earcups.

The mids are even more impressive, rendering musical instruments and vocals in a wonderfully precise and crisp fashion. Experiencing dialogues in games and movies is extremely satisfying and listening to your favourite band sing that chorus you love never sounded sweeter. Finally, the fantastic trebles round out the Astro A50’s audio ensemble by ensuring sibilants and cymbals are well-levelled, thus avoiding ear-piercing surprises in the middle of your listening pleasure. Whether you’re playing video games, listening to music, or watching your fifth episode of The Mandalorian in a row, the A50 Wireless always manages to sound fabulous.

As for its microphone, it offers some of the best recording quality in the gaming headset market. It’s a vast improvement over its previous generation as voices this time around come across incredibly defined and remarkably full. This makes it perfect for competitive games that require a lot of talking, like Dota 2 and Overwatch. It’s also great for video chat and voice conferences as well. While the headset itself does a poor job of noise isolation, the mic actually handles noises extremely well by effectively separating ambient sounds from speech. The Command Center app also offers four different microphone profiles for you to choose from depending on the noise level of your surroundings.

What’s it like to use?

Despite its edgy design, the Astro A50 Wireless is exceptionally comfortable thanks to its roomy earcups, gracious amounts of supple padding, and evenly distributed weight. It grips your head just tight enough to allow you to go for hours upon hours of gaming or binge-watching without causing any discomfort. Unfortunately, this looser level of grip makes the headset ill-suited for activities that require a wider degree of motion like walking or exercising.

The buttons offer a satisfying click when pressed and their layout is well-placed and fairly easy to wrap your head around. The controls are mostly gaming-oriented, like the buttons that manipulate the volume levels between in-game sounds and voice chat, and the flip-to-mute feature that silences your mic when you have it raised.

There’s also a button dedicated to cycling between your presets which you can customize through the Astro Command Center app. While we’re on the subject, the Command Center’s UI is refreshingly straightforward, making it easy to see all the features the headset has to offer. I just wish there were more options to play with, like surround sound customization or the ability to deactivate the pesky auto-off feature which automatically shuts off the A50 Wireless if it remains stationary for too long. The feature sounds good on paper but is disastrous for users who simply sit really still during their gaming or viewing sessions.

The headset’s base station is perhaps its most stand-out feature, allowing users to charge the headset wirelessly even while in use. Our favourite thing about the dock is how it provides nifty visuals of the different statuses of the A50, such as its battery level, whether it’s connected to your PC or console, which preset you’re currently on, and whether or not you’re rocking the Dolby surround sound. With Astro throwing in such a great charging station with their premium headset, other top brands need really should start following suit.

Aesthetics

I’m not gonna lie, the Astro A50’s on-the-nose gamer design isn’t for everybody. It’s monochrome, bulky and angular all around, with rods on both its sides connecting the earcups to the headband.

For some reason, the rods have ruler-like notches along its sides that are either functional or there to give it more of a heavy-duty vibe. Astro seems to love slapping their labels on anything they can, whether it’s their brand name, model, or logo, you’ll find one of them wherever you look.

The flat, perforated boom mic is neither retractable nor detachable, meaning it remains very noticeable even if you point it upwards. This pretty much cements the headset’s overall design as a gaming one since nobody’s about to walk around town sporting a mic on the side of their head.

On the plus side, its earpads are magnetic, making them easy to snap off and replace in case they’re damaged or if you just want to swap them out for the comfier synthetic leather ones that come with the A50 Mod Kit. Personally, I like the look of my gaming headsets to be on the subtler side. But if you prefer a more avant-garde peripheral that looks like it was designed by Skynet, then you’re going to love the Astro A50 Wireless.

Final Thoughts

The Astro A50 Wireless’ excessively gamer look may scare away some people, but that really shouldn’t stop you from giving it a real shot. Underneath its futuristic exterior lies a remarkably comfortable headset with sound quality so good that it would give the best in the industry a run for their money. Not to mention the highly functional base station and top-notch microphone.

Astro A50

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We all know this is a lot to spend on a gaming headset, but the Astro A50 Wireless is one of the few that truly makes the price feel justified.

FAQs

Full Spec List

The post Astro A50 Wireless Review – A Wireless Wonder appeared first on Mr Gadget.

Pressed for time and can’t get through the entire review? Just click any of the links below to skip ahead to that section.

What is the SteelSeries Arctis 7?

SteelSeries’ Arctis line refers to their gaming headsets both wireless and wired. The SteelSeries Arctis 7 is a wireless headset variant that caters to gamers looking for high-quality audio for their PCs and consoles without the hassle of a cord getting in the way. It is SteelSeries’ first truly wireless headset, though the Arctis 3 did have a Bluetooth edition. While it was first introduced in 2017, this gaming headset was updated last year with slight changes to the design and minor improvement to wireless range among other things.

The Arctis 7 can be classified as a mid-range wireless headset with its acceptable $179 price tag and offers gamers stellar sound quality, low-latency connection, a capable microphone, and lengthy battery life. Its design is a good blend of classy and chic and is perfect for people who are looking to veer away from gaming headsets that are just too edgy or busy-looking.

SteelSeries Arctis 7 Features

Battery life

SteelSeries’ Arctis 7 sports an excellent battery life of up to 24 hours on a single charge which obliterates the already impressive 16 hours of the Sennheiser GSP 670. This, of course, depends on a variety of factors so a 20-hour estimate would be more realistic but still very impressive.

Stand/Carry case

Aside from the cords and detachable boom mic, the Arctis 7 doesn’t come with any freebies so don’t go expecting a shiny stand or case.

Active/Passive Noise cancellation

The Arctis 7 isolates noises as well as you’d hope without the help of Active Noise Cancellation technology and can satisfactorily block out minor ambient sounds at home or when you’re out and about. Just don’t count on it to drown out the blaring sounds of your morning commute.

Software

Just like the other headsets in the SteelSeries roster, the Arctis 7 utilizes the SteelSeries Engine 3 software suite, allowing you to fiddle with the device’s audio range and output as well as toggling the 7.1 surround sound. While having to install the accompanying software just to enable the surround sound feature isn’t the worst thing in the world, it can still be a drag especially for console gamers looking for a plug and play experience.

Connectivity

The headset features wireless connectivity through a USB dongle that works perfectly fine with a PC, Playstation 4, and docked Nintendo Switch. It also comes with a 3.5mm cord that you can use to establish a wired connection with any of your devices. Bear in mind, however, that you’ll be missing out on some software-related features and different audio channels that are specific to wireless.

Sound Quality

While the Arctis 7’s bass is competent enough, it’s easily its weakest trait as the bass isn’t as pronounced and boosted as it is in some rival headsets. In video games, explosions and ambient rumble sounds may come across as underwhelming, especially for audiophiles who prefer deep, punchy bass. Music-wise, the bass comes across okay but isn’t as defined as some would like, particularly to those who enjoy bass-heavy music like Hip-Hop, R&B, and EDM.

The mids are excellent, though some of the lower ranges can cause muddled audio on account of the lacklustre bass. Trebles are fine for the most part, but there are some inconsistencies when it comes to low and mid-treble. Dips in the low-treble could reduce the clarity in video game voice-overs and song vocals, while the spike in mid-trebles may cause higher pitch syllables to sound shrill. Overall, the Arctis 7 isn’t the best gaming headset when it comes to audio quality but is competent enough to provide the average gamer with a great listening experience.

Microphone

The headset’s mic offers solid recording quality and is Discord-certified, meaning it automatically processes your voice in a way similar to how the app would. It also comes with remarkable noise-cancelling that’s capable of distinguishing your voice from loud sounds in your environment as if you were in a gaming event or internet cafe.

Surround Sound

The Arctis 7 features exceptional 7.1 surround sound technology, bringing games that properly support 3D audio to life. it’s especially useful in shooter titles like Escape from Tarkov and PUBG where you can place your enemies through the noises they make and the direction they’re coming from.

What’s SteelSeries Arctis 7 like to use?

As with most of the SteelSeries headsets, the Arctis 7 is exceedingly comfortable thanks to its signature adjustable velcro strap and supple earcups that don’t trap much heat. Unfortunately, it doesn’t handle movement very well and moderate twists and turns may be enough to dislodge it from your ears, let alone getting up and walking around. This is particularly disappointing since its a wireless headset and the freedom to move around should’ve been one of its upsides.

The headset works perfectly fine right out of the box and connecting it to your device of choice is painless thanks to the USB dongle. If you want to fine-tune your audio a little bit more, the accompanying SteelSeries Engine 3 is user-friendly and shouldn’t give you much trouble. Sadly, if you want to enjoy the surround sound feature, you have no choice but to download the app to enable it.

Operating the Arctis 7 is simple enough. On the bottom of the left earcup, there’s a volume dial, microphone button, and three ports:  a four-pin port, a Micro USB port, and a 3.5mm port. On the bottom of the right earcup lies the power button and a dial dedicated for switching between supported audio channels. The retractable mic can be extended from the left headphone and reaches around 10 cm in length.

Since the Arctis 7 utilizes a 2.4GHz wireless RF USB dongle, its flexibility and range of devices are more limited compared to Bluetooth capable headsets. In return, however, you can enjoy almost zero latency which is absolutely perfect for online gaming with friends.

Aesthetics

Unlike most gaming headsets, the Arctis 7 doesn’t go out of its way to make itself look like it’s meant for video games. There’s no elaborate RGB lighting or edgy, futuristic design. Just a couple of sleek, oval-shaped earcups and its trademark adjustable suspension headband that oozes style. The porous, over-sized earcups are comfortably padded to easily accommodate larger ears and provide ample airflow to avoid discomfort. While most of the headset is designed to be remarkably flexible, it’s also surprisingly sturdy and more than capable of withstanding the occasional bump or drop.

Final Thoughts

The SteelSeries Arctis 7’s has a lot to offer for a headset at its price range. Its low-key yet stylish design will appeal to gamers looking for a more toned down gaming headset, and its comfortable fit, lengthy battery life, and above-average sound quality make extended gaming sessions a delight. Shooter fans will adore the surround sound feature which can come increasingly handy in competitive matches. Even though its mediocre bass profile may turn off audiophiles and its lack of stability limits its use away from a couch or desk, the Arctis 7 remains one of the best mid-range wireless gaming headset options around.

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