INTRODUCTION
Due to severe time restrictions we may not be as much into gaming as we used to but that doesn't mean we've given up our search for the best gaming headset in the market (nor for the best gaming peripherals in general). Now as many of you are aware for good or bad gaming peripherals haven't really advanced that much over these past few years and the same certainly applies to gaming headsets. Sure some manufacturers have added/introduced new features such as RGB lighting, earcup vibration and compatibility with PCs, consoles and even Bluetooth capable devices like smartphones and tablets but when it comes to audio quality little (if anything) has changed. The Arctis 7 Lag-Free Wireless Gaming Headset is currently the second highest-end model in the entire SteelSeries line (only second to their Flagship Siberia 840 - the Siberia 800 is pretty much EOL by now) and after testing the quite good Arctis 3 a while back we were too curious to check the wireless version.
SteelSeries has fueled the gaming industry by creating innovative new products, designed specifically for eSports and passionate gamers everywhere. Here at SteelSeries, we are obsessed with “firsts”. Dating back to 2001, our company was formed to meet the surface needs of hardcore gamers by introducing the first glass mousepad, the Icemat. Since that original innovation, we created the first mechanical gaming keyboard, the first suspended headband for gaming headsets, the first World of Warcraft mouse and endless other innovations. SteelSeries is dedicated to building products that push professional gaming further than anyone dreamed. Those innovations make gaming more competitive and more fun for gamers everywhere.
The Arctis 7 uses the same S1 40mm neodymium stereo drivers (frequency response of 20Hz-20KHz with 98dB sensitivity and 32Ohm impedance) found in the Siberia 840 so SteelSeries makes it clear right from the start that this headset has nothing to be jealous from their flagship model, at least when it comes to audio quality. These drivers also support Headphone X the latest technology by DTS (only available for Wireless PC connection via the Engine 3 software) that simulates the 3D environment of the audio’s original mixing stage thus producing results the way the artist intended. The Arctis 7 also uses the same bidirectional noise cancelling retractable microphone found in the Arctis 5 (SteelSeries calls it the ClearCast) and has a frequency response of 100Hz-100KHz with -48dB sensitivity and 2200Ohm impedance (strangely enough the one used in the Arctis 3 has a different frequency response). Also thanks to a external 2.4GHz USB transmitter the Arctis 7 has a wireless range of up to 12 meters (40 feet) so you don't have to worry about cable length while using the headset (unfortunately unlike the Siberia 840 it's not Bluetooth compatible).
SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES
PACKAGING AND CONTENTS
As usual the front of the box in which the Arctis 7 arrived in features a large product picture, the company logo and the main product features.
Three product pictures placed at the rear as used to showcase the various parts of the headset.
Much like every other product by SteelSeries the Arctis 7 was developed (or at least tested by) with the help of several eSports teams listed at the top of the box.
The headset is placed inside a formed piece of plastic which provides more than just adequate protection during shipping.
Along with the Arctis 7 SteelSeries also bundles the 2.4GHz wireless transmitter, micro USB to 3.5mm cable, USB to micro USB cable, product information guide and a happy/sad opinion card.
THE ARCTIS 7
The Arctis 7 is available in black and white color and is not much larger compared to its more affordable brother the Arctis 3.
To better showcase their size we placed the Arctis 7 right next to the very compact Jabra REVO Wireless headset.
We also use a small to medium sized head made out of black foam to showcase the size of the Arctis 7 and its adjustable elastic fabric headband.
It's worth pointing out that SteelSeries has a number of available elastic fabric headbands which you can replace the stock one with.
The SteelSeries logo is printed on the exterior of both earcups.
Just like the Arctis 3 the Arctis 7 features a flexible retractable bidirectional microphone which is one of the best ones we've ever encountered with a gaming headset.
Right beneath the left earcup we find a micro USB port (charging), 3.5mm port and a mini USB port (PC connection).
At the rear of the left earcup SteelSeries has placed the microphone mute button and a volume control knob.
The ChatMix dial which can be used to balance game and chat audio is placed at the rear of the right earcup right next to the power button and the battery status LED.
Left and right markings are placed on the interior just over the earcups.
SteelSeries has once again used their patented AirWeave Ear Cushions which are extremely comfortable (although not as large as some other headsets).
As you can see both earcups can rotate 90 degrees to allow for easier storage.
The 2.4GHz USB transmitter may not be among the smallest ones we've ever seen but it makes it up with its good signal range and quality.
ENGINE 3 SOFTWARE
Once you download and install the Engine 3 software from the official SteelSeries support page chances are it will require downloading additional software for your Arctis 7 headset as seen above.
To perform a firmware update you will need to have both the 2.4GHz wireless transmitter and the headset plugged into the USB ports of your system.
The Engine 3 software is very easy to navigate and use so through here you can enable the DTS Headphone X feature and optimize it for one of the 3 available presets (Game, Music, Movie), manually adjust the equalizer or pick one of the 6 available presets, enable dynamic range compression, set the microphone sidetone levels (allows you to hear your own voice in the headset as you speak into the microphone) and you can also adjust the volume of the microphone.
Of course you can also save your settings into several different configurations and "tie" them with specific programs.
CONCLUSION
When SteelSeries send us the Arctic 7 roughly 2 months ago the very first thing i did was to check consumer opinion and the vast majority had very good things to say about it. As a matter of fact i was particularly impressed to read that some consumers (even some reviewers) considered the Arctis 7 to be the best wireless gaming headset in the market today so that peaked my interest even more. So after testing the Arctis 7 for over a month do we believe it's the best Wireless Gaming Headset in the market today? Well it really depends on what you plan on using it with. If your goal is to get a very good wireless headset for your PC then the answer is very close to that. You see you can only use the DTS Headphone X feature with a PC since that's where the Engine 3 software supports it (strangely enough the MAC version does not). Now it doesn't make a huge impact on your experience when playing games, watching movies or listening to music but it does add just enough to make the Arctis 7 stand out from the rest of the crowd. Not only does it improve surround sound to a point where it "tricks" you into thinking that the headset has more than just 2 drivers (left and right) but it also slightly enhances mids, highs and bass and produces a more accurate soundstage. That being said if you want to use the Arctis 7 with a MAC, console or any 3.5mm analog device (and with those you lose the wireless feature) things are not nearly as impressive so for such use the Arctis 7 is probably far from the best choice out there. Moving to battery life SteelSeries claims the Arctis 7 can give you up to 15 full hours of playback but once again that largely depends on the volume levels you use so although during our tests we were unable to surpass the 13 hour mark we believe that they are right on the spot. As for wireless range well we were able to use the Arctis 7 from the next room with a concrete wall placed in between but that's just about it since we were unable to go to another room and still use it. Of course i see no reason for any gamer to use the Arctis 7 from 2 rooms away so we're quite satisfied with those results.
Right now the Arctis 7 Lag-Free Wireless Gaming Headset will set you back no less than USD149.99 inside the USA (Amazon.com) and 151Euros inside the EU (Amazon.co.uk) and although it's nowhere near as affordable as the Arctis 3 we feel it's worth every cent. Of course this is only if you plan on using it with a PC cause if not and you end up missing on all the extra features offered by the Engine 3 software you just might be better off with something else. That being said SteelSeries has indeed designed and manufactured one of the top wireless gaming headsets currently available for the PC and for that the Arctis 7 deserves our Golden Award.
PROS
- Very Good Build Quality
- Design (Available In Black & White)
- Very Comfortable
- Audio Quality
- Positioning Audio Via DTS Headphone X
- Wireless Range
- Battery Life (15 Hours)
- USB & 3.5mm Ports
- Engine 3 Software
CONS
- Price (For Some)
- DTS Headphone X Only Available For PC