Arctis 7 vs Arctis Pro
This time, we will help you choose between two SteelSeries headsets standing in the same price range, Arctis 7 vs Arctis Pro. Many people are confused between these two models because they both seem to be great gaming headsets, but there are a few key differences that you can consider to decide which one to buy.
Continue reading below to learn further about:
– The design and build quality of each headset
– Which model that is generally more comfortable to wear
– The connectivity and additional features on each model
– The sound quality of Arctis 7 vs Arctis Pro
– Which SteelSeries gaming headphones that you should buy
Design
In terms of design, these two models certainly have some things in common. Unlike the other competitors who are making ambitious headphone designs, SteelSeries has opted for a rather minimalist and streamlined approach. And it definitely works. Their headphones, like Arctis 7 vs Arctis 5 in our previous article, look mature, classy, and elegant.
Both SteelSeries Arctis 7 and SteelSeries Arctis Pro come with a padded metallic headband to connect the two ear cups, and the headband is really durable. However, there is a secondary headband that is made like a ski suspension band, which feels soft and conforms to your head perfectly. This secondary headband has two fool-proof velcro straps for fit adjustment, very simple and easy to use.
However, SteelSeries Arctis 7 does not have any backlight. The ear cups are either black or white, depending on which color variant that you choose. If you don’t really care about having a colorful backlight on your headphones, SteelSeries Arctis 7 remains as a great option. Otherwise, if you consider a customizable RGB system as an important feature, you need to look at the other model.
On the other hand, SteelSeries Arctis Pro has a thin backlit line that borders the back of each ear cup. The RGB illumination is customizable; you can choose from 16.8 million colors or use custom effects to match it with your existing gaming setup. Thanks to the thin line design for the backlight, SteelSeries Arctis Pro can keep its mature and elegant look even with some flashy illumination. The headset itself comes in either black or white.
Fit and Comfort
Although Arctis 7 vs Arctis Pro are mostly similar in terms of design and build quality, they are far from being identical to each other in terms of fit. SteelSeries Arctis 7 is much looser, whereas SteelSeries Arctis Pro is really tight.
SteelSeries Arctis 7 provides a loose fit. Tightening the headband can make the fit just a bit more snug. The headphones will sit on your ears well, but they may move if you shake your head too hard. The standard ear pads are velour, but optional leather and airweave ear pads are also available.
Nevertheless, SteelSeries Arctis 7 is generally the more comfortable headset to wear in a long gaming session. The headphones won’t put heavy pressure on your ears, and they even allow breathability to some degree, so you can remain comfortable even after a few hours of continuous gaming.
SteelSeries Arctis Pro, on the other hand, is much more tight. The headband seems to squeeze the ear cups in. As the effect, the fit is very snug, and the headphones will definitely stay on your head no matter how hard you bang your head.
Because of the tight fit, SteelSeries Arctis Pro won’t be comfortable to wear continuously for more than an hour or two. The pressure on your ears will become too much and unbearable, so that you need to put down the headphones for some time to let your ears rest. The standard airweave ear pads can be replaced with leather ones, which are supposedly able to reduce the tightness and improve the comfort a bit.
Connectivity
Of course, one of the most important differences between Arctis 7 vs Arctis Pro is the connectivity. SteelSeries Arctis 7 is mainly a wireless headset, whereas SteelSeries Arctis Pro is wired.
SteelSeries Arctis 7 can be connected to your PC, PlayStation, or Nintendo Switch wirelessly by using a USB dongle. The wireless connection runs on the 2.4 GHz frequency. This is a major advantage if you don’t want to deal with tangled cables. But, to minimize potential interference problems, make sure that there is no wireless device operating on the same frequency nearby, such as a wireless mouse or even a router.
SteelSeries Arctis 7 also comes with a 3.5mm audio cable. You can use this audio cable to continue listening when the battery goes dead. Though, you can indeed use Arctis 7 wirelessly while it is charging.
SteelSeries Arctis 7 is compatible with SteelSeries GameDAC, which is a dedicated hi-res DAC and amplifier designed for gaming. It will greatly improve the sound quality, even though the headset alone already sounds great without the DAC. You need to use the 3.5mm audio cable to connect the headset to the DAC.
SteelSeries Arctis Pro, on the other hand, does not have any wireless connectivity. It is connected to PC or PlayStation by a USB cable. As an alternative option, a 3.5mm audio cable is also included, and you can utilize this connection to use SteelSeries Arctis Pro on Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, or mobile phone.
Of course, SteelSeries Arctis Pro is also compatible with SteelSeries GameDAC. In fact, you can get a bundle that includes both the Arctis Pro headset and SteelSeries GameDAC. The headset is also connected to the DAC with the 3.5mm audio cable. Getting the DAC is highly recommended to enjoy the headset’s best performance.
Features
Both Arctis 7 vs Arctis Pro come with the ChatMix feature. ChatMix enables you to adjust the volume levels of in-game sound and audio chat. This way, you can have clear communication with your team without affected by loud gunshots and explosions.
On SteelSeries Arctis 7, the ChatMix dial is put on the ear cup. This feature is available on Windows and Mac, but not on other platforms. Meanwhile, SteelSeries Arctis Pro has the ChatMix dial put on the USB cable, so you can’t use this feature if you are not using the USB cable. Then again, it is most likely also works on Windows and Mac only.
They both have the retractable ClearCast microphone. You can pull out the mic when you need voice chat or voice commands, then hide it back when it is not in use so that it won’t get in your way. SteelSeries claims that the ClearCast mic has been recognized as the best gaming mic, capable of providing studio-grade voice clarity as well as background noise cancellation.
The latest models of these headsets already support DTS Headphone:X 2.0. They both are capable of providing highly accurate 360-degree sound for the best spatial imaging and immersive experience. Not only that this technology makes the game environment more realistic; it can also give you an edge in competitive games by providing precise audio cues.
Both Arctis 7 and Arctis Pro are compatible with the SteelSeries Engine software. You can use this software to create custom EQ profiles and adjust the surround sound settings. In the case of Arctis Pro, you can use the software to customize the backlight.
Arctis 7 runs on a rechargeable battery in the wireless mode. The battery life is quite impressive. It can last for about 24 hours per charge. This is definitely more than enough for an extended gaming session.
Performance
In terms of performance, Arctis 7 is generally better, especially if you can get the GameDAC. Arctis Pro actually has excellent sound quality, but the it somehow lacks volume and power.
Without the GameDAC, SteelSeries Arctis 7 sounds good, although not as impressive as Arctis Pro. With a frequency response range of 20 Hz – 20kHz, Arctis 7 is able to deliver accurate lows, mids, and highs. The bass is deep and controlled, hence giving you realistic thumps and rumbles without disturbing the mids and highs. The midrange is well-separated so that you can hear clear voices and soundtracks. The treble has good presence without making it too shrill or sharp.
The best thing about SteelSeries Arctis 7 is that it has more power. It can deliver loud enoug sound without requiring you to crank up the volume. When used with the GameDAC, the sound quality becomes really impressive and powerful – even better than Arctis Pro with the DAC.
On the other hand, SteelSeries Arctis Pro actually has a wider frequency response range of 10 Hz – 40 kHz. This headset is indeed able to deliver more accurate and more detailed sound. The bass goes really deep, but again still controlled. The midrange and treble are crystal-clear. Unfortunately, compared to Arctis 7, SteelSeries Arctis Pro is significantly lacking power. Even after turning off the volume limiter and using the DAC, the lack of power still affects the overall performance.
Arctis 7 vs Arctis Pro
Conclusion
Between these two headsets, SteelSeries Arctis 7 is generally more recommended. It has more power and better overall performance, especially if you get it with SteelSeries GameDAC. It also has more versatile connectivity options and is generally more comfortable.