SteelSeries Arctis Pro Headset Review

SteelSeries is well known for its headsets. They make a large variety of headsets at different price points. Therefore, there is a headset for everyone. You can find SteelSeries wired models, which are priced modestly.

There are also wireless pairs with a hefty price tag attached to them. Obviously, there are certain differences between them that justify each of their prices.

One of the most popular headsets from this brand is the SteelSeries Artics Pro headset which is a massive upgrade from their previous models, such as the arctic steel series 5.

These headsets are not the cheapest headset on the market but it has a lot of features that justify the price. Made for gamers, this headset has a premium build that has excellent built quality and performance.

It also includes a lot of features, including Hi-Res audio. In fact, these headphones are the first headsets that are certified for this technology. This fact alone gives an insight into how powerful these headphones are.

Design

This SteelSeries headset has a sturdy build that sits comfortably on your head and is neither too tight nor too loose. The materials used include Aluminium which adds to the durability of the design.

The aluminum frame is paired with a suspension band. This suspension band, unlike others, is adjustable, which means that you can customize the fit of your headset and have it exactly how you like it. The adjustment can be done using a velcro patch that is attached.

The hinges are slightly offset on this headset, and the pads used on the ear cups are extremely comfortable. They use airweave fabric, which is the perfect middle ground between flexible and stiff.

Therefore, they are incredibly comfortable to wear, and you will not face any issues even if you wear them for long periods of time. The material is such that it does not block air. Therefore, unlike leather, it does not get too hot.

Additionally, the cups are designed to cover your entire ear, so there is no pressure on one corner of your ear. With your entire ears covered, you do not have to worry about there being extra pressure on your ears and them hurting when you remove the headset.

Additionally, there is a retractable mic housed in the left ear cup of this headset. This mic can extend up to four inches as it is set on a flexible wire. When you aren’t using it, the mic sits in a non-obstructive way, and you may even forget that it is there.

Along with the microphone, there is also a headphone jack on the left earcup that allow you to connect to most different device. Since these headphones are wired only, the 3.5mm headphone jack is extremely important.

The side of the headphones has a gorgeous matte black panel that is in place only because of magnets. You have the option to take them off or even replace them as SteelSeries offers panels and straps that come in different colors.

Music Performance

In terms of music performance, the SteelSeries Artics Pro can handle music quite professionally. The sound it offers has bass, which is typical for headsets but is nevertheless enjoyable when it comes to listening to music.

Additionally, the bass it offers is such that it can reproduce the throbbing bass drums in certain songs. However, the electric slap bass is not as impressive and does not sound as punchy as it should.

Game Performance

The SteelSeries Artics Pro headset is gaming headphones. Therefore, they perform the best when used as so. This headset has stimulated surround sound that creates a larger audio field that makes it sound like the noise is coming from all around you.

It does this by a complex process of processing and mixing. This feature makes gaming a lot more immersive and enjoyable which is a huge bonus.

The headset also produces enough low-frequency response that it makes the sound of hits have some punch. However, it is not overwhelming.

Small features like these really enhance the gaming experience and make buying expensive headphones worth it. Additionally, more softer and more delicate sounds are also heard clearly as there is a high-frequency finesse that ensures that no sound is missed.

Connectivity

The connectivity on this device is excellent as it offers the option to connect with many different devices. The SteelSeries Artics Pro headset can be used with a PlayStation and a PC both.

GameDAC

Even though the SteelSeries Artics Pro headset has many features, the best is probably the GameDAC. This GameDAC allows you to convert digital analog to analog. Specifically for gaming, this is a great feature to have.

Most consoles and PCs have their own converts but the GameDAC included in the SteelSeries Artics Pro headset is way better in quality. Therefore, it offers high quality audio that is a delight when gaming. Furthermore, it also features its very own amplifier circuit that helps lower distortion even at high output levels.

Ergonomically, it is not as sleek and discrete as it requires a USB power source which is why you cannot just take the whole setup and use it wherever you want.

The GameDAC also features an OLED screen that allows you to do many things such as adjust the volume, change LED colors, adjust the input, and so on.

Microphone

The microphone featured in the SteelSeries Artics Pro headset is extremely good as it allows your voice comes through clearly. Thus, if you are playing with people online, they will be able to hear you crystal clear. It also has plenty of details and low-mid resonance.

In terms of the ergonomics of the headphones, the boom mic is retractable and thus remains inside the left earcup when it is not in use. This retraction allows the mic to be non-obstructive, and it does not become a nuisance when it is not in use. The mic can extend for an impressive four inches as it is built on a flexible wire. This mic is on the left earcup and remains hidden unless needed.

It’s pointless to use the high-resolution audio mode here. It will only introduce potential upsampling artifacts/lag into your games, and the placebo effect will probably cause any improvement you detect from high-resolution audio. Anyone who tells you differently is trying to hype you up for something.

Hi-res audio theoretically alleviates some of the production constraints of digital music in some limited instances, allowing for hundreds of effects channels with no quality degradation while mixing and mastering. Even in such cases, 24-bit 48kHz audio is usually adequate and makes files smaller and easier to manage.

End customers simply do not require high-resolution audio. The potential of hi-res audio to reproduce frequencies up to 40kHz has received a lot of attention. However, human hearing only goes up to 20kHz, and the majority of speakers (even hi-res certified ones) struggle with producing audio much higher in tone beyond that. So, presuming your entire chain works correctly and the audio file is properly encoded, all you’re receiving from hi-res playback is a bunch of high-pitched squeakiness that your ears can’t hear.

Getting that cleared up the way, the microphone here is excellent! It’s a touch extra treble-focused than the wireless model’s capsule, but it’s still quite clear and realistic, with outstanding acoustic noise suppression. If you acquire the SteelSeries Sonar program, you may improve the microphone’s quality even more through its latest AI noise cancellation option. I strongly advise you to do so. PS5 players will not have this option, although the regular mic quality continues to be excellent.

The Sonar software additionally provides a more powerful EQ than the DAC’s built-in EQ, as well as an effective virtual surround mode.

Transmitter

The SteelSeries Artics Pro headset also comes with a transmitter. This is a small black box that has a monochrome OLED display. It also includes a clickable dial, a back button all on the front. On the right side, there is a battery slot. At the back, you will find a 3.5mm standard headphone jack, a micro USB port, and a plug power connector.

The job of the transmitter is to allow high-res audio playback that can take your gaming to the next level. This transmitter can support up to 96kHz, 24-bit audio. This is more than what most games offer, but it can be used to listen to lossless music if you wish.

What does the SteelSeries Artics Pro sound like?

The reproduction of sound in the SteelSeries Arctis Pro is not the most accurate, but it does have some redeeming qualities that make up for it. It has a bass output that is lower than usual. However, the headset makes the mid-range sounds sound clear and sharp. Therefore they are nicely emphasized.

Furthermore, subtler sounds are quite clear on this headset, and even when the bass is booming, you can pick out subtler sounds. In terms of music, the SteelSeries Arctis Pro sounds good. It does have some issues with songs that contain string parts. These parts and certain instruments tend to sound louder than the others, which can distort the sound of the song.

The sound stage of this headset is incredible as it feels quite large, and once you have your headphones on, it feels as if the sound is coming from all around you. However, some might perceive the soundstage to be a bit unnatural because of the closed-back design. This design makes it so that it seems as if the sound stage is not open at the back as you cannot hear much from behind.

Pros and Cons

Now that we know all the different features of the SteelSeries Arctis Pro, the next step is to decide whether or not they are the right fit for you. The best way to decide that is to look at the pros and cons of the device. Here are some pros and cons for the SteelSeries Arctis Pro.

Pros

The SteelSeries Arctis Pro has an extremely comfortable design that fits perfectly on your head and is not too tight. They are also durable as they make use of an aluminum band. Furthermore, the headset is adjustable. Therefore you can customize it to fit perfectly on your head.

The ear cups are large and have foam that is soft and allows airflow. The audio quality of these headphones is also top-notch, and the microphone attached is also great at picking up your voice. The microphone is also retractable, so you can tuck it away when you are not using it. Additionally, this headset makes use of a large soundstage that is perfect when playing games.

The battery life of the SteelSeries Arctis Pro is also quite impressive and can last you for a long time before it runs out of charge.

Cons

Along with pros, every device has some cons as well. The SteelSeries Arctis Pro has poor noise isolation, and many sounds can seep in when you are trying to immerse yourself in your game. Additionally, there are no buttons to adjust the volume on the microphone. There is only one volume that it captures. You cannot make yourself sound louder or quieter.

Another con is that the bass and treble output varies. Many users have different delivery of these two, which shows inconsistency in the manufacturing process.

The SteelSeries Arctis Pro is also quite expensive. In terms of specifications and features, they are better than most gaming headsets on the market. However, the price quoted for this headset is not justifiable. They built too does not feel as premium as some other headsets in this pricepoint.

FAQs

Are the SteelSeries Arctis Pro Headset good?

Yes, the SteelSeries Arctis Pro Headsets are extremely good headphones if you intend on using them for gaming. They are comfortable to wear, and extended wear does not cause any heaviness or discomfort. The sound quality is also quite clear and allows you to hear all the subtle sounds, even between loud fights.

Furthermore, these headphones are extremely durable and can last you a long time. This durability is thanks to the aluminum bands, which also offer customization options. There is also a mic which is incredibly useful for gamers. This mic is retractable, and if you wish, you can tuck it away into the left earcup where it is attached.

Do you always have to use the GameDAC when you are using the SteelSeries Arctis Pro Headset?

No, you don’t always have to use the Steel series arctic pro gamedac. In fact, you don’t have to use it at all. You can simply ignore the device and plug in your headphones as normal. However, when you do so, you are losing out on all the benefits that come with using a SteelSeries arctis pro gamedac which includes high audio quality.

High quality sound can be a delight when you are playing games as it enhances the entire experience. However, if you are not going to use the arctis pro + gamedac combination, it is a better idea to opt for something cheaper.

Does the SteelSeries Arctis Pro Headset sound good?

Yes, the SteelSeries Arctis Pro Headset has a great sound, which can be delightful when you are playing games or listening to music. This headset creates a well-balanced sound profile that helps keep all the sounds in a game balanced so that you can hear the loud and the soft voices clearly.

Their sound profile allows these headphones to be super versatile. Therefore, you can use them to listen to virtually anything. You can use them for any genre of music and even for podcasts. Additionally, the SteelSeries Arctis Pro Headset also has a great microphone that adds to the headset.

Are there any SteelSeries Arctis Pro Headset alternatives?

SteelSeries’ other new headsets are the largest elephant in the room. Consider the Arctis Nova 3. It includes an excellent DAC, as well as full passive analog as well as active digital connection compatibility, RGB illumination, plus an even more comfortable and lightweight fit. Its sound is comparable to that of the Nova Pro, and it is $150 less. Alternatively, how do you feel about Arctis Nova 7? It includes the stainless steel headband of the more pricey Pro versions, as well as wireless and Bluetooth connectivity – but it costs far less.

If you appreciate the style and feature set of the Arctis Nova Pro, it’s an acceptable product in a vacuum. However, in today’s market, it appears to be a dinosaur. I’m still waiting for the first game with high-resolution support. We doubt it will ever happen (or make a discernible difference) because the file size plus memory/processing demands would be harmful to game efficiency. Still, We would love to see one of them appear to back up all the years of publicity hype.

Conclusion

Choosing the correct headset for you and your needs is extremely important. If you do not pay attention to the features, pricing, and pros and cons, you may end up with a headset that simply does not sound good.

This article gives a detailed overview of the SteelSeries Arctis Pro Headset, which shows that these headphones have a great sound profile that can work for both; music and gaming.

Furthermore, this headset is also extremely comfortable, and you can wear it for extended periods of time without facing any aches or discomforts. It also has many additional features such as a GameDAC and a retractable microphone that set sit apart from the rest of the headsets out there.

There are a few cons as well, such as the lack of microphone buttons and the hefty price tag. Therefore, in the end, it depends on you and your needs.

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