The Arctis 7+ ($169.99) from SteelSeries is a good wireless gaming headset. It's high-end, but it's not as high-end as the company's flagship models (the Bluetooth-enabled Arctis 9 and the dual-battery Arctis Pro Wireless, both a few years old). It looks excellent, sounds well, and can connect wirelessly to a range of devices other than PCs, such as the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and 5, and Android phones with USB-C connectors.
Simple, solid, and comfortable.
From the matte plastic backs of the earcups to the anodized metal headband to the broad elastic strap that provides the headset's ski goggles-like suspension, the SteelSeries Arctis 7+ is all black. The huge ear pads are soft memory foam covered in breathable fabric (of course, black), and the headset is easy to wear thanks to these and the springy suspension of the headband.
The built-in boom microphone on the left earcup retracts inside the earcup when not in use and has a red indication LED on the capsule to indicate when it's muted. A micro USB port for charging the headset, a proprietary connector for the provided four-pole 3.5mm cable, a volume dial, and a mic mute button are all located at the bottom edge of the left earcup. The right earcup houses the power button as well as a game/voice mix wheel. The main difference between the Arctis 7+ and the PlayStation-focused Arctis 7P+ variants is the mix wheel; both headsets connect to the same devices and feature essentially identical hardware, but the Arctis 7P+'s right wheel regulates mic sidetone rather than game/voice balance.
A lot of connections, especially on a computer.
The Arctis 7+ uses a flat, rectangular USB transmitter to connect wirelessly to a PC, Mac, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, or an Android phone (with a USB-C connector). The transmitter is roughly an inch broad and little more than half an inch deep, making it small enough to plug into a phone or Switch. However, if you put the transmitter into the PlayStation 5's USB-C port, it would block the system's USB-A port. The Bluetooth-less transmitter is required for wireless use, but the provided cable may also be used to make a 3.5mm wired connection.
A USB-C-to-USB-A cable is included with the Arctis 7+, in addition to the 3.5mm cable and transmitter, enabling connecting the transmitter to any compatible device with a USB-A connection. I also provide a USB-C-to-USB-C connection for charging and attaching the headset to a PC for firmware updates or manually pairing the headset with the transmitter (which is normally not necessary because the headsets are pre-paired).
When linked to a PC, the GG Engine software and its new Sonar component, which is presently in early access, allow you to fine-tune the Arctis 7+'s settings extensively. A 10-band EQ, as well as mic volume and sidetone changes, are standard device settings outside of Sonar. Sonar, on the other hand, has separate 10-band EQs for game audio, chat audio, and microphone audio, among other things. In the game audio's EQ, you may modify gain and configure various filters for each band, as well as specify unique frequencies for each band.
Sonar's 7.1-channel simulated surround sound functionality, as well as customizable bass boost, treble boost, speech clarity, and smart volume capabilities, are all accessible through the game audio tab. The EQs in the chat audio and microphone bands have preset bands, however noise reduction, noise gate, volume stabiliser, and impact noise reduction all have their own sliders.
Microphone that isn't too loud
The microphone is functional but not very amazing. Although my voice was readily audible on test recordings, it sounded a little fuzzier in the upper frequencies. The microphone reduces sibilance, but it also makes the audio unsuitable for recording or streaming. We discovered that Razer's gaming headsets, such as the Barracuda X, had the greatest boom microphones, with the Logitech G Pro X's Blue Microphones-powered mic coming in second. Regardless of your headset, we recommend investing in a dedicated USB microphone for serious podcasting and content creation.
Both games and music benefit from good sound.
The Arctis 7+ has good bass, but it won't make you feel like you're wearing a subwoofer on your head. In our bass test track, The Knife's "Silent Shout," the bass synth notes and kick drum beats deliver sufficient of thud without becoming dangerously head-rattling. Even though they don't distort at that volume, you shouldn't listen to it at maximum volume.
The Arctis 7+'s overall outstanding, balanced sonic balance for music is seen in Yes' "Roundabout." The beginning acoustic guitar plucks have a lot of resonance, while the upper frequencies have a hint of string texture. The bassline sits somewhat in front of the mix as the track properly kicks in, but owing to some sculpting in the highs, the vocals and guitar strums pierce through to retain their presence. The backbeat has enough powerful low-end energy to propel The Crystal Method's "Born Too Slow," while the synth riffs and voices come through cleanly owing to the headset's sculpting. With the simulated surround sound function switched off, the Arctis 7+ sounds better in the Music EQ setting through Sonar in both circumstances.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7+ is capable of handling Fortnite, and Sonar even includes a Fortnite-specific EQ setting. Everything from distant gunfire to the rustle of grass to the stomps of boots in buildings is plainly apparent in the sound effects. Footsteps and gunshots have a strong bass presence, but they don't overpower the audio, allowing the other noises to shine.
For a free, software-based feature, Sonar's 7.1-channel virtual surround performs admirably. The strong left-right directionality enabled superb panning and mixing to produce an impression of sound coming from all directions. The effect isn't as exact as Dolby Atmos or THX Spatial Audio, but it's good enough to give you a sense of where enemy fire is coming from.
On the Arctis 7+, Monster Hunter Rise also sounds great. Light bowgun rounds are snappy and aggressive, as they should be, while monster noises are clear and crisp. Hunter quips and menu noises are vital for coordinating activities during hunts since they cut through the game's soundtrack and other elements. The simulated surround sound isn't as strategically beneficial due to the game's nature, but there is still strong left-right imaging to provide some feeling of directionality.
An Excellent Gaming Headset That Isn't Quite a Flagship
The SteelSeries Arctis 7+ is a feature-rich wireless gaming headset with plenty of headphone and mic modifications for PC usage, as well as the option to connect wirelessly to a phone, Nintendo Switch, or PlayStation 4 or 5. It's well-made and comfy, and it sounds great while playing games or listening to music. Its weakest point is the microphone; it's not horrible, but it's a little fuzzier in the upper frequencies than we'd like to hear. Despite the flaw, this is an excellent pick, particularly for PC gaming.
For roughly $30 more than the Arctis 7+, the JBL Quantum 800 gaming headset delivers outstanding performance, active noise cancellation, Bluetooth connection, and even RGB lighting. The $299 Audeze Penrose Gaming Headset and the $329 Bose QuietComfort 35 II Gaming Headset, respectively, provide audiophile-pleasing planar magnetic drivers and active noise cancellation, albeit the Bose is designed to be used wired when gaming. In the opposite way, the Razer Barracuda X offers good performance and USB-C wireless connection for less than half the price of the Arctis 7+, however it lacks the comfort and luxury feel of the Arctis 7+.
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