Arctis 7 vs Arctis Pro Wireless
Both are wireless gaming headsets, but Arctis 7 is available at a much lower price than Arctis Pro Wireless. Besides, Arctis 7 has received a lot of positive reviews. So, is Arctis Pro Wireless worth your money? Read the comparison of Arctis 7 vs Arctis Pro Wireless below to make sure that you spend your money on the right product!
The discussion below will cover everything about:
– The design, fit, and comfort of each headset
– The features and connectivity of each headset
– The battery life of Arctis 7 vs Arctis Pro Wireless
– The sound quality comparison between the two headsets
– Which model that gives a better value for the money
Arctis 7: Design
Arctis 7 is indeed the older model of the two, but the two headsets look quite similar design-wise. We have compared Arctis 7 vs Arctis Pro in a previous article; the lack of RGB illumination on Arctis 7 becomes a notable difference against the wired Pro. However, Arctis 7 and Arctis Pro Wireless are similar that neither of them has RGB illumination.
Arctis 7 vs Arctis Pro Wireless may look relatively simple compared to most gaming headsets in the market nowadays. It is without any hard edge or backlight. However, it is far from looking cheap. The streamlined design has a certain elegance that tells you it is a premium quality headset.
The metallic headband has a padded underside, but there’s another layer of suspension band which will conform perfectly to the shape of your head. The suspension band is really comfy. There is a pair of velcro straps that will allow you to adjust the fit in a quick, simple way. Equally impressive are the velour ear pads, which are soft and gentle.
The fit of Arctis 7 is just snug enough to prevent the headset from moving around when you turn your head. The headphones won’t pressurize your ears, so you can wear them continuously for a few hours without discomfort. Compared to Arctis Pro Wireless, many people find Arctis 7 to be more comfortable.
Arctis 7: Features
On the headset, you can find the ChatMix dial. This feature will allow you to adjust the volume balance between voice chat and in-game sound. It is really handy. Sometimes, loud gunshots or explosions may muddle your communication with your team. With the ChatMix dial, you can quickly make an adjustment so that you can hear your teammates in all situations.
The headset is equipped with the ClearCast microphone. The company claims that it is the best gaming mic in the market right now, as it is capable of providing studio-grade voice clarity and excellent noise cancellation. In use, the mic performance is indeed good, as it seems to consistently allow clear communication.
Arctis 7 already supports DTS Headphone:X 2.0 for high-accuracy 360-degree sound. Through the SteelSeries Engine software, you can adjust the surround sound settings or create custom EQ profiles. You can create different profiles for different games and music.
Arctis 7 is mainly a wireless headset, although it does have the option to connect via a regular 3.5mm audio cable. Arctis 7 can be used wirelessly on PC, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch. You need to attach the USB dongle for that. The wireless connection utilizes the 2.4 GHz frequency.
Of course, Arctis 7 needs some battery in order to work wirelessly. The battery life is great. This headset can last for 24 hours per charge. However, if you run out of battery in the middle of a game, you can resort to the audio cable.
The headset is compatible with SteelSeries GameDAC, even though it is not usually sold in a bundle with the device. You can get the GameDAC separately. By using the audio cable to connect the headset to the GameDAC, you will enjoy even better sound quality.
Arctis 7: Sound Quality
If you are willing to spend some bucks for the GameDAC, then choosing between Arctis 7 vs Arctis Pro Wireless is easy – you should go with Arctis 7. But, even if you are not planning to get the GameDAC, Arctis 7 already offers excellent sound quality.
Arctis 7 has a frequency response range of 20 Hz – 20,000 Hz. Without the GameDAC, Arctis 7 is already capable of delivering accurate lows, mids, and highs. The sound separation and imaging are impressive. You can clearly hear different sounds in the mix. With the GameDAC, the sound becomes even more crisp and detailed.
When used for playing games, the surround sound is really useful. You can easily hear footsteps and where they are coming from. The bass performance is great. You will enjoy the powerful and immersive rumbles and explosions.
The sound quality is also great for music. The bass is quite powerful, but still controlled so that it won’t muddle the mids and highs. Meanwhile, the midrange is so clear that you can distinguish different instruments easily. Vocals have good presence. The treble is pretty bright without going too shrill.
Another notable advantage of Arctis 7 over Arctis Pro Wireless is that it is actually more powerful. It can deliver loud enough sound without requiring you to crank up the volume too much.
Arctis Pro Wireless: Design
In a glance, Arctis 7 vs Arctis Pro Wireless may look similar. Despite coming at a much higher price point, Arctis Pro Wireless still retains many similar features. There is the padded metallic headband, and there is also a layer of suspension band which you can adjust via two velcro straps. There is no backlight. Just like Arctis 7, Arctis Pro Wireless looks streamlined, yet classy and elegant.
The build quality is good. The headband is solid and rugged. The ear cups are also durable. However, Arctis Pro Wireless comes with Airweave ear pads, which are cushy and breathable. Compared to the regular velour ear pads, these ones feel a bit cooler, though the difference is not dramatic.
This model comes with a box-shaped wireless transmitter, instead of a small USB dongle. All connection ports are on the transmitter. Another notable difference is the swappable battery. There are two batteries included, and you can quickly swap them if the one currently installed runs out of power.
The fit is quite different. When observed, the headband is indeed more curved, hence putting the headphones closer to each other. The result is a tighter, snugger fit. For some people, this is an undesirable trait. The headphones tend to put more pressure on your ears, so you may experience fatigue after a few hours of continuous gaming.
Arctis Pro Wireless: Features
On the included transmitter unit, you can find several connection ports: line in, line out, optical in, optical out, and USB. You can connect your gaming PC or PlayStation to the transmitter unit by using a USB cable or an optical cable. Then, the transmitter will send lossless audio to the headset. The company claims that the lossless audio will give the best sound reproduction.
Arctis Pro Wireless also has built-in Bluetooth for use with mobile devices. There is a button on the headset that will allow you to activate or deactivate the Bluetooth.
Arctis Pro Wireless also comes with DTS Headphone:X 2.0 and the ClearCast mic. There is the ChatMix dial as well, for adjusting the volume balance between voice chat and in-game sound. The OLED display on the transmitter unit will allow you to see the levels precisely. In addition, an on-board equalizer is available for quick and simple sound adjustment without requiring any software. Though, you can also use the SteelSeries Engine software for more extensive customization.
The swappable batteries are quite interesting. The idea is, you can use one battery while the other one is charging. You can swap them around when the current one is dead. Since the headset doesn’t have an audio jack for wired use, the swappable battery system makes sense. Each battery can last for about 20 hours per charge. But it is not exactly more convenient than simply plugging an audio cable.
Arctis Pro Wireless: Sound Quality
Make no mistake; Arctis Pro Wireless indeed has excellent sound quality. After all, it boasts for having lossless wireless audio. The frequency response range is also wider, 10 Hz – 40,000 Hz, which means that the sound separation will be better.
But keep in mind that humans can only hear sounds in 20 Hz – 20,000 Hz frequencies, so you won’t hear “more sounds” coming out from this headset. The wider frequency response range only allows better sound separation and imaging.
The bass performance is good. It gives excellent immersion through realistic rumbles, gunshots, and explosions. The midrange is clear, accurate, and detailed. The treble also has good presence. The headset is good for gaming as well as music.
However, compared to Arctis 7, the improvement in sound quality is not significant. In fact, Arctis Pro Wireless doesn’t have as much power, so you need to crank up the volume in order to reach the desired loudness level. So, it doesn’t really justify the much higher price point.
Arctis 7 vs Arctis Pro Wireless
Conclusion
In general, Arctis 7 with the GameDAC will give you a better value for the money. It already offers excellent sound quality and power. In addition, the headset is also more comfortable to wear over several hours, and the battery also lasts longer although it is not swappable.