Possibly the Most Underrated Mid Range Gaming Headset Ever
What makes this headset underrated? Well it's hard to write down but its probably one of the few gaming headset companies who try to provide something new. Steelseries has implemented a headset band for comfortability, decent sound quality that has a good enough range to track your enemies while still enjoying other media, and provides debatably the best audio software out of all other gaming headset companies at a fair price.
GTT Quick Score: 7/10
Quick Summary: The Arctis 7X+ is a very good upgrade over the original 7X when you listen in on the smaller things. It wasn't some massive design overhaul, but rather a focus on fixing what was broken to make one of the best 'Mid-Range' headsets you can buy. The audio is great out of the box, giving a clarity boost over other brands in-game. This can also be adjusted using SteelSeries Sonar to tune media or gaming to your exact preference. Latency-wise, it’s solid, but so are most gaming headsets right now, no one is bringing massive innovation there just yet. The real improvements are the quality of life changes. Keeping the ski goggle band makes the headset feel light and comfortable, while the battery is bumped to 30+ hours with a much needed switch to USB-C.
How does this headset impact your gaming: While latency is a factor, we’re staying clear of that data for now since game design and audio drivers are the real bottlenecks currently. Most headsets, including this one, are already as good as it gets for wireless gaming speeds. The most important note here, besides comfort, is that SteelSeries provides good clarity. You can pinpoint in-game footsteps and distant noises even when things get loud. Plus, you can improve that out of the box experience by using SteelSeries Sonar to tune audio for individual games or media. Many players even call it an 'unfair advantage,' because you can increase the effects of in game clarity like footsteps. When you combine that sound 'buff' with the long battery life and the comfort of the ski band, you get one of the best headsets on the market.
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Steelseries Arctis 7X+: The Specifications
Technical Specification | Arctis 7x+ Details | Why It Matters for Gaming |
|---|---|---|
Connectivity | USB-C 2.4GHz Dongle (w/ Toggle) | One headset that actually works on Xbox, PC, Switch, and Mobile without extra cables. You can even use the headset wireless on PC and connect with a 3.5mm AUX cable to a console or mobile device. |
Battery Life | 30+ Hours | Massive upgrade over the original; you can easily pull a full weekend of gaming without plugging in. |
Charging Type | USB-C Fast Charging | 15 minutes on the cable gets you 3 hours of play. Finally kills off the old micro-USB struggle. |
Headband Design | Adjustable Ski-Goggle Band | Distributes weight so well it feels "weightless." Less chance of a headset dent and headaches from weight on several hours of gaming. |
Audio Software | SteelSeries Sonar | Gain an Unfair Advantage: Allows you to boost footsteps and reload sounds specifically while drowning out bassy explosions. |
On-Ear Controls | Physical ChatMix & Volume Dials | Lets you mute your screaming teammates instantly in a clutch without ever alt-tabbing out of your game. |
Mic Type | ClearCast Retractable Mic | Discord certified bidirectional design. It filters out your keyboard clicks so your comms stay clean. (Other noise suppression is recommended still.) |
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Pros & Cons
Pros
Steelseries Sonar buff for adjusting sound for any game for an in-game advantage.
USB-C replaced old Micro USB on the previous generation.
Ski Google headband design is very comfortable for long periods of gaming
Cons
Bulky wireless dongle, can be annoying for plugging into mobile devices.
The Ski-Band wares out after a lot of use, cleaning or replacing the band is recommended.
Real World Performance
Here is our comparison between the SteelSeries Arctis 7X+ vs Logitech G Pro X 2 and how the Arctis 7X+ competes with another great gaming headset.
Specification | SteelSeries Arctis 7X+ | vs. Logitech G Pro X 2 |
|---|---|---|
Connectivity | Uses a USB-C dongle with a physical toggle for Xbox. Works on everything. | Features Bluetooth and 2.4GHz Lightspeed. Great for PC/PS5, but you need a specific version for Xbox. |
Driver Tech | 40mm Neodymium drivers tuned for a flat, clear soundstage. | A 50mm Graphene diaphragm designed to reduce distortion and provide "pro level" sound detail. |
Comfort | Suspends the weight above your head. Best for preventing "headset dent." | High-quality memory foam and rotatable hinges. Very premium feel, but puts more direct pressure on your head. |
Gaming Buffs | Sonar Software: Offers the "Presets" to pull quiet cues out of the game noise. | Blue VO!CE: Focused heavily on microphone filters to make your comms sound like a broadcast studio. |
Daily Use | 30+ hour battery with USB-C fast charging. Simple and reliable. | Up to 50 hours of battery life. Includes Bluetooth so you can take phone calls while gaming. |
Our favorite features of this headset come down to comfort and audio adjustability.
The Arctis 7X+ feels extremely lightweight due to the ski-band and the cool ear cushion experience. Even on hot days or during long sessions with friends, it has never bothered our gaming. However, we do have a gripe with how the ski-band can eventually stretch if you aren't taking care of the headset. That is expected, though everything has wear and tear, even the ear cushions if they aren't kept clean. Overall, it provided a long-lasting, comfortable gaming experience.
As for the audio configuration, while it’s technically not exclusive to this headset, the Sonar settings provide what some call 'cheats.' You also have comprehensive control through the SteelSeries software, where you can manage dynamic noise compression, the equalizer, and mic volume. You can see the multimedia control buttons for your headset and create multiple saved configurations within the Engine side of the software, which also shows any other supported SteelSeries devices you have connected. It makes everything a nice, compact space to find the perfect audio and mic settings for gaming.
Should you purchase the Steelseries Arctis 7X+?
We’re going to recommend this with a 'yes,' especially if you are in the market for a gaming headset with unique advantages, which is rare to find for under $200 right now. This is a great option with moderately good sound quality.
Who should avoid buying this headset: Unfortunately, it is still on the higher end of the mid-range market. It's a great headset, but it is still fairly expensive. You’re forking out $150 when you could go cheaper and still have decent audio for competitive games like Fortnite. For example, the HyperX Cloud III usually goes on sale for around $60, and you can still use SteelSeries Sonar with it to get those audio benefits on a budget. (Note: Even Peterbot, the Fortnite pro, uses the HyperX Cloud III headset. (MSRP: $100))
Game Tested Tech Score: 7/10
The Verdict
If you want a mid-range headset that sounds fairly good out of the box, offers superior comfort over most budget headsets, and provides deeper control over your audio settings, then this is easily a top 10 mid-range headset. We recommend the Arctis 7X+.
Our Personal Advice
At the end of the day, our advice is to always double-check the specific features and audio quality of any headset before buying. That includes the Arctis 7X+, especially since it can be expensive for most people. You might find another model you prefer, similar to how choosing a gaming mouse depends entirely on your preferred grip style. Different headsets offer different types of head comfort and out of the box audio, so make sure it fits your specific needs.
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