WHILE THERE’S no doubt SteelSeries has
nailed its gaming headset designs, the
ever-expanding nature of its range can
be confusing. Take this 7+ model—it's an
upgrade on the standard 7, but below the
more premium 9 series, which also has a
Pro version. Confused? Thankfully, we’re
here to help.
On the design front, it's no surprise
this is a comfortable pair of headphones.
SteelSeries’ ski-goggle headband is one
of the best on the market, suspending the
headset from a steel band and creating
an even pressure across your head
thanks to the elasticated headband. This
makes the headphones feel lightweight
whilst still being durable. The rest of the
construction is strong, with soft-touch
black plastic feeling pleasant to hold,
with no sharp edges in sight. The earcups
are cozy around the ears, with plenty
of cushioning to spread any potential
pressure evenly. The result is that the
7+ provides cloud-like comfort, and
maintains SteelSeries’ reputation for the
best gaming headsets on the market.
But what about functionality? On the
right earcup, there's a power button that
also functions as a multimedia button for
picking up calls, playing music, pausing,
and skipping tracks. It also has an LED
indicator that shows the power left in the
battery, running from green down to red.
Above the power button, you also get a
wheel for balancing between game or
voice chat which is perfect for adjusting
the audio mix on the fly.
On the left can, there’s a mic mute
button, a smooth volume wheel, a port
for a four-pole 3.5mm audio cable, and
a headphone share jack to allow friends
to join in the music—a rarity on most
gaming headsets. Finally, there’s a
retractable microphone, which boasts
great clarity and pick-up so you’re alwaysAnother impressive
Arctis headset?
SteelSeries
Arctis 7+
Wireless
Headset
8
VERDICT SteelSeries Arctis 7+
Wireless Headset
MASTER CHEF Pillow-like
comfort; clear microphone; well rounded
sound; diverse compaptibility.
TOO MANY COOKS No Bluetooth
connectivity; similarly priced to Arctis 9
wireless; odd-shaped USB-C dongle.
$170, http://www.steelseries.comSPECIFICATIONS
Driver Type 40mm Neodymium
driver
Frequency Response 20Hz-20,000Hz
Impedance 32ohmsConnectivity Analog, 2.4 GHz
lossless, USB-C
Compatibility PC, Mac, Playstation
4, PS5, Nintendo
Switch, Android
Battery life 30+ hours
Design Style Closed-backclear when talking to your squad in party
chat. It’s worth noting this updated 7+
model now also boasts USB-C charging,
which means you should always have a
charging cable around you can use.
Another great feature of the 7+ is the
impressive 30-hour battery life, though
if you've forgotten to charge it overnight,
15 minutes of quick charging is enough to
get you a few hours of use. That’s plenty
of time to go grab some snacks before an
evening gaming session.
The Arctis 7+ comes with an odd-
looking USB-C wireless dongle, but it
has a wide range of compatibility. You can
use this headset on PC, Mac, PlayStation
4/5, Nintendo Switch, Android (if it has
USB-C connectivity), and any 3.5mm
device. Although these headphones have
analog, USB, and wireless connectivity,
they don’t have Bluetooth, unlike its
pricier sibling, the Arctis 9 Wireless.
Sound quality from the 7+ is what
you’d expect from SteelSeries. Out of the
box, the naturally flowing soundscape
focuses on the high-end, providing you
with plenty of clarity and detail which
sounds great in most games. Using the
SteelSeries GG engine and its Sonar
tool, you can tweak the sound to suit
your taste. Increasing the bass gave the
headphones a fuller and richer sound,
which ticks all the boxes, sonically.
If you’re looking for a reliable,
comfortable headset that provides
versatile compatibility then you won’t
be disappointed with the Arctis 7+. It'san updated version of a solid device and
features some modern touches that its
predecessor lacked. SteelSeries has
nailed the formula and has produced
another well-rounded pair of headphones
with a detailed soundstage.
If Bluetooth is a must, then you should
try the Arctis 9 Wireless. If not, the Arctis
7+ does everything you need. –SAM LEWISin the lab
88 MAXIMU MPC APR 2022