Our Verdict
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 Wireless 2017 are okay for mixed usage. While they're comfortable and their boom microphone is retractable, they aren't suited for commuting or offices as they barely reduce background noise and they don't support Bluetooth. They're not very portable and may not be the best choice for sports. Although their audio reproduction varies across users, once you get a proper fit, these headphones produce a fairly balanced sound. These are gaming headphones and their low latency, high battery life, and compatibility with most consoles make them a great choice for wired or wireless gaming.
- Well-built, durable design.
- Low latency for wireless gaming and video streaming.
- Great companion software with graphic EQ and presets.
- Impressive retractable microphone.
- Poor noise isolation.
- Can have a tight fit for some users.
- Bass and treble delivery varies significantly across users. Sensitive to glasses.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 Wireless 2017 are good for neutral sound. Their audio reproduction varies greatly between users however, as the inconsistent bass and treble delivery depend on a proper fit, position, and seal. Luckily, the adjustable headband can get you closer to a neutral sound profile if you take the time to adjust them. Once achieved, these headphones have a slightly overemphasized bass sound but otherwise balanced sound profile. You can easily tweak it using the companion software's graphic EQ.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 Wireless 2017 are passable for commuting. They reduce very little background noise and while they're comfortable enough to be worn for hours, they're bulky and not very portable. They also need to be within the range of their USB transmitter if you want to use them wirelessly. However, you can use them passively with their audio cable.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 Wireless 2017 are okay for sports. Their bulky design isn't very portable and if you want to use them wirelessly, you'll need to plug in the USB transmitter into a PC. You can use them passively with their audio cable but it can be snagged on objects. They're stable, comfortable, and breathable enough to wear during light physical activity. However, they're not designed for intense workouts.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 Wireless 2017 are fair for office use. While they're comfortable, even for multi-hour listening sessions, and their battery life can easily get you through a work day, they do a poor job of reducing background noise around you. You can turn up the volume to drown out noise without disturbing your coworkers too much. Their boom microphone also retracts, which helps these headphones transition into a more formal environment.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 Wireless 2017 are great for wireless gaming. These comfortable headphones have a low latency that keeps you right in the middle of gameplay while their long battery life means you don't have to worry too much about recharging them. They also have a great boom microphone that captures voice clearly, even in loud environments. Although they have some troubles with consistent audio reproduction, once you get a proper fit, you shouldn't have much of a problem. You can also EQ them using their companion software.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 Wireless 2017 are great for wired gaming. These comfortable headphones can be used wired on PC, PS4, and Xbox One with full audio and microphone capability. Their microphone captures voice clearly and even in loud environments, you'll still be understood. However, their audio reproduction is inconsistent and can vary across users. It's easily fixed when you find a proper fit though and you can further tweak their balanced sound profile with the companion software.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 Wireless 2017 are good for phone calls. Their retractable boom microphone is malleable and captures voice clearly, even in louder environments. On the downside, they don't isolate much background noise, so you'll hear everything happening around you.
Changelog
- Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.1.
- Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.
- Updated Sep 05, 2019: We've updated the Base/Dock box and Connectivity section of the review to show this headset isn't wirelessly compatible with the Xbox One.
- Updated Feb 16, 2018: Converted to Test Bench 1.2.
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Compared To Other Headphones
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 Wireless 2017 is a great gaming headset. Like other headphones in the SteelSeries lineup, they have a durable build quality and a unique ski-band headband. Unfortunately, this design can also produce inconsistent bass and treble reproduction across users but with a proper fit, these headphones reveal a well-balanced sound. Unlike some other gaming headphones, however, they lack a charging dock. If you're still looking for gaming headsets, check out our recommendations for the best gaming headsets, the best wireless gaming headsets, and the best gaming headsets for PC.
The newer SteelSeries Arctis 7 2019 Edition Wireless are slightly different style-wise from the SteelSeries Arctis 7 Wireless 2017 and seem to have more padding on the ear cups, making them deeper and more suitable for big ears. However, the overall performance of the two models is fairly similar and may not be worth the upgrade if you didn’t have any issue with the fit of the 2017 model. The 2019 Edition has a better wireless range, and you can now set your desired auto-off timer in the SteelSeries Engine software.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 Wireless 2017 and the Logitech G Pro X Gaming Headset are both good wired gaming headphones, although the SteelSeries are more versatile since you can use them wirelessly as well. The Logitech are more comfortable for long gaming sessions, though, and they feel even more durable. Their microphone doesn't perform as well as the SteelSeries' though, even though it's wired.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 Wireless 2017 are a better gaming headset than the HyperX Cloud 2/Cloud II. You get the freedom of wireless technology on top of better audio reproduction and great customization software. However, you'll have to manage battery life, which not everyone prefers. The HyperX is a wired headset, so you won't have to worry about this. The HyperX also has a slightly better isolation performance and is better built and more comfortable.
The SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless are a bit better than the SteelSeries Arctis 7 Wireless 2017 for gaming headphones. The Pro Wireless have more connectivity options since they support Bluetooth and have a base that acts not only as a wireless transmitter but also as a charging station. Their microphone also has a better overall performance. The 7 are more breathable, though, and are significantly cheaper. If you don’t need Bluetooth and don’t care for the swappable battery design, the 7 may be a better choice, considering the huge price difference.
Test Results
Unlike bulkier gaming headphones such as the HyperX Cloud Flight, the SteelSeries Arctis 7 Wireless 2017 have an understated, sleek look. The unique ski-band headband may turn heads but these headphones still look fairly casual as the boom microphone is retractable. If you prefer a more colorful style, you can purchase more vibrant headband straps from the SteelSeries website.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 are comfortable gaming headphones. They have spacious ear cups with soft, breathable padding. The distinct ski-band headband design is adjustable too, although its length might not be enough to fit larger heads and could feel a bit tight for some. If you need more room for your ears, the upgraded SteelSeries Arctis 7 2019 Edition Wireless have thicker, deeper pads.
The control scheme is okay. There are two sets of physical buttons on both ear cups. There's a channel mixing wheel and on/off button on the left ear cup while the right ear cup has a volume wheel and disable mic button. On the downside, the controls lack versatility outside of gaming use as they don't have call management or music controls.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 Wireless 2017 are reasonably breathable. Their over-ear and closed-back ear cups hold in some heat and aren't very suitable for intense physical activity. However, if you're casually gaming or listening to music, you shouldn't sweat too much, although you may notice a change in temperature.
Like many gaming headphones such as the Logitech G Pro Gaming Headset, these headphones aren't very portable. Their rigid headband can't be folded to save space, and unlike its successor, the SteelSeries Arctis 7 2019 Edition Wireless, the ear cups don't swivel to lay flat. They also have to be used within its USB transmitter's range to be used wirelessly which can limit their portability.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 Wireless 2017 don't have a carrying case or pouch.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 Wireless 2017 have a great build quality. They're sturdy and feel durable enough to survive multiple drops or impacts without getting too damaged. The metal headband is decently flexible too and the malleable boom microphone can be retracted into the headset.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 Wireless 2017 have good stability. Their tight fit keeps them from moving too much on your head while their wireless design reduces the chances of your headphones getting yanked off your head by a hooked audio cable. These headphones are bulky though and aren't suitable for more intense physical activity. However, they should be stable enough for a light jog.
- SteelSeries Arctis 7 headphones
- USB transmitter
- Micro-USB charging cable
- Audio cable
- Manuals
The sound profile of these headphones depends on their fit, position, and seal as they all can all affect sound reproduction, and result in inconsistent bass and treble delivery. If you take time to adjust the elastic ski-band headband to get a good fit, their sound profile is well-balanced and suitable for most audio genres. A slight emphasis on bass is good for explosions and gunshots.
The frequency response consistency of the SteelSeries Arctis 7 Wireless 2017 is disappointing. Bass delivery varies and a drop in bass can occur if the ear cups are not flush to your head. There are inconsistencies from mid-mid into the treble range. However, once you achieve a good fit and seal, you'll get the same sound each time you use these headphones.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 Wireless 2017 have a great bass accuracy but its delivery can vary across users. Although there's a slight dip in the low bass that can reduce thump and rumbles, it shouldn't be too noticeable. The bump in the mid and high-bass, in comparison brings punch but also slight boominess to your mixes. As the bass delivery is sensitive to fit, positioning, and seal as well as whether you wear glasses or have thick hair, this bass accuracy performance represents the average response and your experience may vary.
These headphones have great mid accuracy. Although there's still a bit of an overemphasis in the low-mid that makes mixes sound a bit muddy and cluttered, the rest of the mid range is relatively smooth.
The treble accuracy is outstanding but its delivery can vary across users. While there are some small dips across the range that could darken or veil vocals and lead instruments, it shouldn't be too noticeable. However, this treble accuracy performance represents the average response and your experience may vary.
The peaks and dips performance of these headphones is very good. There are relatively few peaks and for the most part, they aren't very high. There's a peak that starts in the mid-bass and extends to the low-mid which can muddy or clutter your mix. There's also a tiny peak between the high-mid to low-treble that can add a touch of harshness. The dips in comparison are relatively shallow, although the dip in the low treble can lower clarity.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 have great imaging. The group delay response is fairly low and it falls below the audibility threshold, which should result in a tight bass and a transparent treble production. The L/R drivers of our unit are fairly well-matched in amplitude, frequency, and phase response, ensuring accurate placement and localization of objects such as voice, instruments, and footsteps in the stereo image. However, these results are only valid for our unit, and yours may perform differently.
The soundstage is mediocre. Although the soundstage may be perceived as large, it also feels a bit unnatural and as if coming from inside the head. These headphones are also closed-back so they won't sound as open as open-back headphones.
The weighted harmonic distortion performance of the Arctis 7 Wireless 2017 is very good. Its frequencies fall within good limits, which should result in clear and pure audio reproduction.
The noise isolation performance is poor. They let in all bass range sounds like bus and plane engines. While they do a better job of reducing mid-range noise such as chatter, they still let in a lot of sound and may not be suited for an office setting. However, these headphones can significantly reduce sibilants such as S and T sounds in the treble range.
The leakage performance of the SteelSeries Arctis 7 Wireless 2017 is decent. Most of the leakage is concentrated between the low-mid to low-treble and sounds fuller than in-ear headphones. However, the level of leakage isn't too high and unless you're blasting your music in a quiet place, it shouldn't be too much of a concern.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 Wireless 2017 headset has a retractable boom microphone.
This microphone has a very good recording quality. Voices recorded sound full, clear, and detailed. However, the mic sounds noticeably bright while lacking airiness and brilliance. If you're looking for gaming headphones with a better sounding mic, try out the Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless.
The Arctis 7 Wireless 2017's microphone has outstanding noise handling and can separate speech from ambient noise, even in loud environments like gaming tournaments.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 Wireless 2017 have an impressive battery performance. Their 24 hours of continuous battery life is great for long gaming sessions while their auto-off timer can help you save battery life. On the downside, they do take a while to charge but you can use them passively with an audio jack if the battery dies, which can be a lifesaver if you're unable to put down your game.
SteelSeries Engine is a great and easy-to-use companion software that offers a lot of customization on one page such as a graphic EQ with presets, DTS surround sound, and volume control. You can even save your configurations so that you can switch between them if you need. If you like to have control over settings like RGB lighting, check out the Razer Nari Ultimate.
These headphones don't have Bluetooth connectivity. If you're looking for a gaming headset that supports Bluetooth, try the SteelSeries Arctis 3 2019 Edition Wireless, the SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless, or the LucidSound LS31 Wireless.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 Wireless 2017 have excellent non-Bluetooth wireless connectivity. While their line of sight range is okay, their latency is quite low and shouldn't impact your gaming or video watching.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 Wireless uses a proprietary audio cable. It's not OS-specific and is compatible with most consoles. If you prefer a more wired gaming experience with more control options, check out the SteelSeries Arctis Pro GameDAC.
These headphones are compatible with PC and PS4 via a USB transmitter. You can also plug in the audio cord directly into the PS4 controller or with your PS4. For both devices and connections, you'll be able to receive audio and use the microphone.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 Wireless 2017 can only be used on the Xbox One with their audio cord plugged into the controller. You'll be able to receive audio as well as use the microphone.
The base/dock is a wireless USB dongle that has a line in and a line out. It doesn't offer dock charging and it's only compatible with PC and the PS4. Xbox One users can only use these headphones when plugged into the controller.
