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SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless  Headphones Review

Review updated Nov 11, 2020 at 02:05pm
Tested using methodology v1.6 
SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless
7.8
Neutral Sound 
6.5
Commute/Travel 
7.0
Sports/Fitness 
7.1
Office 
7.5
Wireless Gaming 
7.7
Wired Gaming 
7.5
Phone Calls 
 2

The SteelSeries Arctis 9X are wireless gaming headphones that are compatible with Xbox One consoles. These comfortable over-ears have a neutral sound profile and a long 28-hour continuous battery life. However, their audio delivery isn't very consistent across different users. However, the SteelSeries Engine companion software offers lots of gaming-oriented customization features, which is convenient. Unfortunately, some users have reported that their unit disconnects from their console when using Xbox Wireless. They have also reported that their audio sounds clicky, muffled, or stutters. You can read more about these issues in our Sound Profile and Wireless Connection (Dongle) tests. There have been user reports of their units' hinges breaking over a short amount of time, and you can read more in our Build Quality section.

Our Verdict

7.8
Neutral Sound 

The SteelSeries Arctis 9X are satisfactory for neutral sound. They have a neutral, balanced sound profile that's suitable for lots of types of audio content, though they're lacking a bit of low-bass. You can even customize their sound using a graphic EQ and presets. However, their audio delivery isn't very consistent across different users.

Pros
  • Graphic EQ plus presets available via companion software.
Cons
  • Inconsistent bass and treble delivery.
6.5
Commute/Travel 

The SteelSeries Arctis 9X are fair for commute and travel. They can be comfortably worn for long periods of time without a lot of fatigue, and their 28-hour continuous battery life can get you through long international flights. Unfortunately, their bulky design isn't very portable, and they don't really block out the sound of bus or plane engines.

Pros
  • 28-hour continuous battery life.
Cons
  • Poor noise isolation.
7.0
Sports/Fitness 

The SteelSeries Arctis 9X are decent for sports and fitness. These headphones are comfortable and stable, but they aren't intended for use in a sports setting due to their bulky design that doesn't let your ears breathe.

7.1
Office 

The SteelSeries Arctis 9X are adequate for office use. These comfortable headphones have a long 28-hour continuous battery life that can easily get you through your day. They don't leak a lot of noise, either. However, they struggle to isolate against background noise typically found in an office, like chatter from nearby coworkers.

Pros
  • 28-hour continuous battery life.
Cons
  • Poor noise isolation.
7.5
Wireless Gaming 

The SteelSeries Arctis 9X are good for wireless gaming. They're comfortable enough to wear for long gaming sessions and are wirelessly compatible with Xbox consoles, thanks to Xbox Wireless Technology. Their boom microphone lets you easily communicate with your teammates, and the SteelSeries Engine software offers many gaming-oriented customization options. However, their wireless connection has a bit of latency, which can make all the difference during competitive gaming. Some users also have experienced their units disconnecting on their own. They have noted that the audio stutters, sounds muffled, or there's a clicky sound present.

Pros
  • Great-performing boom microphone.
  • Can be used via Xbox Wireless.
  • 28-hour continuous battery life.
  • Graphic EQ plus presets available via companion software.
Cons
  • Restrictive since they're designed to only work with Xbox One.
  • Not compatible for PS4 and non-Xbox One Wireless enabled PCs.
7.7
Wired Gaming 

The SteelSeries Arctis 9X are impressive for wired gaming. You can plug them into your Xbox One or PS4 controller using their 1/8" TRS connection, but they're audio-only compatible, so you can't use their microphone over a wired connection. However, they're very comfortable, and they have low latency over a wired connection.

Pros
  • Graphic EQ plus presets available via companion software.
Cons
  • No microphone support on any console when used wired.
7.5
Phone Calls 

The SteelSeries Arctis 9X are decent for phone calls. Their retractable boom microphone has an impressive recording quality, and your voice sounds clear and natural even if you're calling from a noisy environment. Unfortunately, they have a poor noise isolation performance, which may be distracting during your calls.

Pros
  • Great-performing boom microphone.
  • Call/music management controls on ear cups.
Cons
  • Poor noise isolation.
  • 7.8
    Neutral Sound
  • 6.5
    Commute/Travel
  • 7.0
    Sports/Fitness
  • 7.1
    Office
  • 7.5
    Wireless Gaming
  • 7.7
    Wired Gaming
  • 7.5
    Phone Calls
  • Changelog

    1.  Updated Jan 26, 2024: The following test groups have been updated following TB 1.6: Bluetooth Connection, and Wireless Connection (Dongle). There have also been text changes made throughout the review, including to the usages and product comparisons to match these results.
    2.  Updated Jan 26, 2024: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.6 , which updates how we measure latency. We've updated and renamed the following test groups: Wired Connection, Bluetooth Connection, and Wireless Connection (Dongle). We've also added new codec latency measurements and provided an audio sample of recorded latency.
    3.  Updated Feb 10, 2023: We've re-evaluated Build Quality based on user reports about the hinges cracking and breaking from regular use. The scoring of this test has changed from 8.0 to 6.0.
    4.  Updated Jan 17, 2023: We've added information regarding user reports of poor muffled sound in theSound Profile and Non-Bluetooth Wireless tests. However, the scoring of these tests hasn't changed.

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    Popular Headphones Comparisons

    The SteelSeries 9X are good wireless gaming headphones that set themselves apart by being specifically designed for the Xbox One. They use Xbox Wireless Technology to connect to this console, just like you would with an Xbox controller. However, these headphones won’t be as versatile as other models as they're not compatible with PS4 consoles or with PCs that don't have an adapter. They work with PCs that use Xbox Wireless Technology, though. See our recommendations for the best gaming headsets for Xbox One, the best gaming headsets for PS4, and the best wireless gaming headsets.

    Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Wireless

    The SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless are much better wireless gaming headphones than the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Wireless. While they both can mix audio from a Bluetooth source, the SteelSeries have a better microphone, their battery lasts over twice as long, and they feel much better-built.

    Xbox Wireless Headset

    The SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless are better gaming headphones for Xbox consoles than the Xbox Wireless Headset. The SteelSeries are better-built, more stable, and have a more neutral default sound profile. Their boom mic also delivers better overall performance, they have a longer continuous battery life, and lower wireless latency.  

    SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless [7, 7P, 7X]

    The SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless and the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless (and their variants) are similarly performing gaming headphones. The 9X are better built, and their mic does a better job recording your voice clearly. However, the Nova 7 and their variants have better battery life.

    Astro A50 Gen 4

    The SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless and the Astro A50 Gen 4 are both very good wireless gaming headphones for the Xbox One, but the Astro perform better overall. The Astro are more comfortable as they have a more ergonomic headband design, and they deliver sound much more consistently than the SteelSeries. They also have a better-performing microphone and come with a full-featured charging dock. However, the SteelSeries connect more conveniently via Xbox Wireless and support Bluetooth, so you can mix in audio from your mobile device while gaming. The SteelSeries battery also lasts longer, and they charge much more quickly.

    Show more 

    Video

    Test Results

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    Category:
    All
    Design
    Style
    TypeOver-ear
    EnclosureClosed-Back
    WirelessYes
    TransducerDynamic

    The SteelSeries Arctis 9X are very similar to the SteelSeries Arctis 7 2019 Edition Wireless Xbox One variant as they have a green accent color on the headband. The rest of the headphones are all black. They also have a unique ski-band headband design and wide ear cups. Their boom microphone is retractable, and their headband frame is one piece of metal, unlike the SteelSeries Arctis 3 2019 Edition Wireless and SteelSeries Arctis 5 2019 Edition's plastic build.

    7.5
    Comfort
    Weight0.82 lbs
    Clamping Force
    1 lbs

    The SteelSeries Arctis 9X are comfortable gaming headphones that have the same design as most Arctis headsets. The ear cups are well-padded, and there’s room for most ear sizes and shapes. The padding material is also soft and porous, which allows for a bit of airflow. However, some people may find the cups a bit shallow. The headphones can also feel a bit tight, especially on larger heads, as the length of the strap limits the size adjustment options.

    7.7
    Controls
    OS Compatibility
    Not OS specific
    Ease Of UseDecent
    FeedbackGreat
    Call/Music ControlYes
    Volume ControlYes
    Microphone ControlAdjustable Level
    Channel Mixing
    Yes
    Noise Cancelling ControlNo
    Talk-Through
    No
    Additional ControlsBluetooth Sync + Presets

    The control scheme of the SteelSeries Arctis 9X is good. There's plenty of buttons and wheels that are not only well-suited for gaming but also nice to use with your phone for casual listening sessions. You get access to a mic-mute button, a channel mixing wheel, and a volume wheel. Also, there’s a Bluetooth button that additionally offers limited music and call management, such as play/pause and answering/hanging up when pressed. The power button lets you cycle between EQ presets.

    6.3
    Breathability
    Avg.Temp.Difference6.2 °C

    The SteelSeries Arctis 9X are passably breathable. The porous padding on the ear cups slightly helps with airflow, but you may still feel a difference in temperature when wearing them for long periods. While they won’t be suitable for most sports, they should be fine for casual gaming sessions. If you want more breathable gaming headphones, you may prefer the ROCCAT Syn Pro Air Wireless.

    5.4
    Portability
    L8.6" (21.8 cm)
    W7.0" (17.8 cm)
    H3.5" (8.9 cm)
    Volume211.00 in³ (3,457.66 cm³)
    Transmitter RequiredNo

    Just like many other gaming headphones such as the Audeze Penrose Wireless, the SteelSeries Arctis 9X have a bulky design. They're not very portable as they don’t fold into a more compact form. However, their cups swivel to lay flat, which makes it easier to slide them in a bag or to wear comfortably around your neck.

    0.0
    Case
    TypeNo case
    LN/A
    WN/A
    HN/A
    VolumeN/A

    These headphones don’t come with a pouch or case.

    6.0
    Build Quality

    These headphones have a mediocre build quality. Some users reported that their unit's yoke and hinge areas are prone to cracking. This area can even completely break off, rendering the headphones unusable. If you've encountered issues with the build quality of your SteelSeries headset, please let us know in the discussions.

    These headphones are mostly made of plastic. They have dense cups and a metal headband frame, which is sturdy yet flexible. The retractable microphone is also malleable.

    7.5
    Stability

    The SteelSeries Arctis 9X are very stable headphones. They shouldn't fall off your head while you're gaming. However, these bulky headphones aren't intended for use while working out, and they may fall off during high-intensity movements. Consider the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 Wireless if you're looking for gaming headphones with an even more stable fit.

    Headshots 1
    Headshots 2
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    In The Box

    • SteelSeries Arctis 9X headphones
    • USB to micro-USB charging cable
    • Manuals

    Sound
    Sound Profile
    See details on graph tool
    Bass Amount
    -3.5 dB
    Treble Amount
    -1.51 dB

    The SteelSeries Arctis 9X have a pretty neutral, well-balanced default sound profile. Vocals and lead instruments are clear and present in the mix, so they're suitable for listening to different types of audio content. However, they're lacking a bit of low-bass, which may be disappointing for fans of bass-heavy music genres like EDM. You can customize their sound using the graphic EQ and presets available in the SteelSeries Engine software.

    Some users have reported that their audio sounds muffled and are unable to fix this via the EQ. There have been several issues with this headset, including clicking and audio stutter, that we've reported in our Non-Bluetooth Wireless test. Although we haven't experienced muffled audio, we have encountered clipping and stuttering when connected via Xbox Wireless to our PC. SteelSeries has provided support for these issues, but we can't verify whether this will solve the issue for all users.

    5.3
    Frequency Response Consistency
    See details on graph tool
    See details on graph tool
    Avg. Std. Deviation
    1.47 dB

    These headphones have a disappointing frequency response consistency. They have an inconsistent bass and treble delivery, so their audio delivery may be inconsistent depending on their fit, seal, and positioning on your head.

    Raw Frequency Response
    See details on graph tool
    See details on graph tool
    7.6
    Bass Accuracy
    See details on graph tool
    Std. Err.
    3.2 dB
    Low-Frequency Extension
    59.07 Hz
    Low-Bass
    -6.1 dB
    Mid-Bass
    -0.36 dB
    High-Bass
    2.35 dB

    These headphones have good bass accuracy. The range is quite neutral, so you feel the punch and body of bass-heavy instruments. However, the low-bass is underemphasized, so you may not feel the deep thump and rumble from action-packed scenes. Their bass delivery is inconsistent, so your experience may vary.

    8.9
    Mid Accuracy
    See details on graph tool
    Std. Err.
    1.45 dB
    Low-Mid
    0.93 dB
    Mid-Mid
    0.13 dB
    High-Mid
    -1.33 dB

    The SteelSeries Arctis 9X have excellent mid accuracy. For the most part, the range is very flat and neutral, which results in present and clear vocals and lead instruments.

    8.5
    Treble Accuracy
    See details on graph tool
    Std. Err.
    2.29 dB
    Low-Treble
    -2.03 dB
    Mid-Treble
    1.13 dB
    High-Treble
    -5.88 dB

    These headphones have an impressive treble accuracy. The range is quite balanced and neutral, so vocals, lead instruments, and sibilants like cymbals are present and detailed in the mix. However, their treble delivery can vary across users, so your experience may vary.

    7.9
    Peaks/Dips
    See details on graph tool
    Peaks
    1.49 dB
    Dips
    0.64 dB

    The SteelSeries Arctis 9X have very good peaks and dips performance. There's a sustained peak throughout the bass range, which adds a touch of warmth, thump, and punch to your mix. The slight dip in the low-treble can hurt the comprehensibility of vocals, while the peak in the mid-treble overemphasizes sibilants like cymbals and makes them a bit piercing.

    8.2
    Imaging
    See details on graph tool
    See details on graph tool
    Weighted Group Delay
    0.45
    Weighted Phase Mismatch
    5.59
    Weighted Amplitude Mismatch
    0.65
    Weighted Frequency Mismatch
    2.34

    The SteelSeries Arctis 9X have a great imaging performance. There are some peaks in the bass range, but it's not enough to affect the tightness of the bass significantly. Also, the L/R drivers of our test unit are well-matched in amplitude, frequency, and phase response, ensuring the accurate placement and localization of objects such as voices, instruments, and footsteps in the stereo image. However, these results are only valid for our test unit, and yours may perform differently.

    6.3
    Passive Soundstage
    See details on graph tool
    PRTF Accuracy (Std. Dev.)
    3.49 dB
    PRTF Size (Avg.)
    5.73 dB
    PRTF Distance
    21.61 dB
    Openness
    5.7
    Acoustic Space Excitation
    2.6

    The SteelSeries Arctis 9X have an acceptable passive soundstage performance. There's a lot of outer ear activation, but it’s not very accurate. That said, the soundstage is perceived as being relatively large as if it's coming from in front of your head. It's a bit unnatural-sounding, though, and their closed-back design makes them less open-sounding than some open-back headphones like the Astro A40 TR Headset + MixAmp Pro 2017.

    2.0
    Virtual Soundstage
    Head Modeling
    No
    Speaker Modeling
    On/Off
    Room Ambience
    No
    Head Tracking
    No
    Virtual Surround
    Windows Sonic Spatial Audio

    The SteelSeries Arctis 9X have a virtual soundstage feature via Windows Sonic Spatial Audio.

    7.4
    Weighted Harmonic Distortion
    See details on graph tool
    WHD @ 90
    0.316
    WHD @ 100
    0.176

    These headphones have decent weighted harmonic distortion performance. Although there's a small peak in the high-treble, it likely won't be audible to most listeners. Overall, all frequencies fall within good limits, which should result in clear and pure audio reproduction.

    Test Settings
    Firmware
    Unknown
    Power
    On
    Connection
    Wireless (Proprietary)
    Codec
    PCM, 24-bit, 48kHz
    EQ
    Default
    ANC
    No ANC
    Tip/Pad
    Default
    Microphone
    Boom

    These are the settings used to test the SteelSeries Arctis 9X, and our results are only valid when using these settings.

    Isolation
    4.2
    Noise Isolation
    See details on graph tool
    Isolation Audio
    Overall Attenuation
    -10.57 dB
    Noise CancellingNo
    Bass
    0.06 dB
    Mid
    -9.61 dB
    Treble
    -23.05 dB

    The SteelSeries Arctis 9X have a poor noise isolation performance. They struggle to block out bass-heavy sounds like bus and plane engines. While they perform a bit better against higher-frequency noises like voices or the hum of nearby AC units, these sounds may still be audible. For gaming headphones that offer better noise isolation thanks to their ANC feature, check out the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless or the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Portal.

    7.7
    Leakage
    See details on graph tool
    Leakage Audio
    Overall Leakage @ 1ft
    35.49 dB

    The SteelSeries Arctis 9X have a good leakage performance. They don't leak a lot of sound, and it shouldn't be noticeable to the people around you in an average office setting.

    Microphone
    Microphone Style
    Integrated
    No
    In-Line
    No
    Boom
    Yes
    Detachable Boom
    No
    MicYes

    The SteelSeries Arctis 9X have a retractable boom microphone. If you're looking for gaming headphones with a detachable boom mic, check out the Corsair HS75 XB WIRELESS.

    8.3
    Recording Quality
    See details on graph tool
    Recorded Speech
    LFE
    85.99 Hz
    FR Std. Dev.
    3.36 dB
    HFE
    9,805.86 Hz
    Weighted THD
    0.46
    Gain
    15.13 dB

    The boom microphone has a great recording quality. Your voice sounds full-bodied, clear, and detailed. However, the mic is noticeably bright, which could help with cutting through the game audio, but it won't sound neutral.

    8.0
    Noise Handling
    See details on graph tool
    SpNR
    34.17 dB
    Noise Gate
    Always On
    Speech + Pink Noise Handling
    8.0
    Speech + Pink Noise Audio Sample
    Speech + Subway Noise Handling
    8.0
    Speech + Subway Noise Audio Sample

    Update 09/09/2021: These headphones have been updated to test bench 1.5. In this update, we made changes to the way we test noise handling. We now use a subjective evaluation of our audio clips. This new method has resulted in different results than what we had reported in our previous test bench. As a result, the scoring of this box has changed and we have updated our results.

    The boom microphone has a great noise handling performance. It can separate speech from moderate ambient noise such as a car passing by an open window.

    Active Features
    8.1
    Battery
    Battery Type
    Rechargable
    Continuous Battery Life
    28 hrs
    Additional Charges
    0.0
    Total Battery Life
    28 hrs
    Charge Time
    2.4 hrs
    Power-Saving Feature
    No
    Audio While Charging
    Yes
    Passive Playback
    Yes
    Charging Portmicro-USB

    The SteelSeries Arctis 9X's battery performance is great. The battery offers about 28 hours of continuous playback and only takes about two hours to fully charge. You can also still receive audio while they're charging, which is convenient. However, while they can be used passively with a 1/8" audio cable, there isn't one included in the box.

    8.0
    App Support
    App NameSteelSeries Engine
    iOSNo
    AndroidNo
    macOSYes
    WindowsYes
    Equalizer
    Graphic + Presets
    ANC Control
    No
    Mic ControlAdjustable Level
    Room Effects
    No
    Playback Control
    No
    Button MappingNo
    Surround Support
    Yes

    These headphones have great companion software called SteelSeries Engine. To use it, you need to connect these headphones via a USB cable. You won't be able to use them wired via USB on a PC. This easy-to-use software has a 10-band graphic EQ, four editable presets, and microphone level adjustment as well as sidetone control. You can also save different profiles and switch between them. Also, you can disable the Bluetooth auto-startup when the headphones are turned on. While these headphones support Xbox's native Windows Sonic Spatial Audio, you can't control it inside the app.

    Note: Some users have reported an issue with the headphones' volume decreasing when EQ settings are applied. We did a test and can confirm that when connected via Bluetooth or USB and EQ changes are applied, the volume decreases. We aren't sure what causes this. Please leave a comment if you've experienced a similar issue.

    Connectivity
    9.1
    Wired Connection
    Analog Audio
    Yes
    USB Audio
    No
    Detachable
    No
    Length
    N/A
    Connector
    1/8" TRS
    Latency - Analog
    0.2 ms
    Latency - USB
    N/A
    Recorded Latency
    Recorded Latency ConnectionAnalog

    Although the SteelSeries Arctis 9X don’t come with a 1/8” audio cable in the box, they support audio over their 1/8” jack. However, you won't be able to use the microphone, even if you're using a TRRS connector. If you're looking for similar SteelSeries headphones with an included audio cable, check out the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X Wireless instead.

    6.6
    Bluetooth Connection
    Bluetooth Version
    4.1
    Multi-Device Pairing
    Bluetooth + Console/Non-BT Wireless
    Quick Pair (Android)
    No
    Quick Pair (iOS)
    No
    Line Of Sight Range
    139.00 ft (42.37 m)
    Latency - SBC
    242 ms
    Latency - aptX
    N/A
    Latency - aptX Adaptive (High Quality)
    N/A
    Latency - aptX Adaptive (Low Latency)
    N/A
    Latency - LDAC
    N/A
    Recorded Latency
    Recorded Latency CodecSBC
    AAC Support
    No

    The SteelSeries Arctis 9X have okay Bluetooth connectivity. You can use them to stream music from your phone while gaming on the Xbox One, which is convenient if you like to use your headphones for more casual use. However, they only support the basic SBC codec. Their latency is quite high via this codec and isn't ideal for gaming, as your audio and visuals will be out of sync. Some apps and devices compensate for lag, though.

    7.5
    Wireless Connection (Dongle)
    Line Of Sight Range
    70.00 ft (21.34 m)
    Latency - Dongle
    56 ms
    Recorded Latency

    The SteelSeries Arctis 9X support Xbox Wireless. We used an Xbox Wireless adapter to test them on a PC and measured a slightly higher latency than most wireless gaming headsets. We also achieved similar results while using an Xbox console. Overall, audio lag is minor but still noticeable. If you're looking for a dedicated Xbox headset with lower non-Bluetooth latency, try the Xbox Wireless Headset or the SteelSeries Arctis 7X Wireless.

    Unfortunately, some users have reported that their headset disconnects on its own and that the audio stutters or sounds clicky. We noticed this issue after using the headphones for a couple of days, even when using two different dongles. The headphones were also still showing as connected, even though they had disconnected, and we would have to turn them off and on again. SteelSeries has put out a troubleshooting guide to address this issue, noting it could be caused by minor interference. However, we are unable to adjust our router or turn off other devices to test for interference. Instead, we followed the steps to reset the headphones and Xbox, and this didn't solve this issue for us. If you've experienced this issue, please let us know in the comments.

    PC Compatibility
    Analog
    Audio Only (Not included)
    Wired USB
    No
    Non-BT Wireless
    No
    PlayStation Compatibility
    PS4 Analog
    Audio Only (Not included)
    PS4 Wired USB
    No
    PS4 Non-BT Wireless
    No
    PS5 Analog
    Audio Only (Not Included)
    PS5 Wired USB
    No
    PS5 Non-BT Wireless
    No
    Xbox Compatibility
    Xbox One Analog
    Audio Only (Not included)
    Xbox One Wired USB
    No
    Xbox One Non-BT Wireless
    Audio + Microphone
    Xbox Series X|S Analog
    Audio Only (Not included)
    Xbox Series X|S Wired USB
    No
    Xbox Series X|S Non-BT Wireless
    Audio + Microphone

    The SteelSeries Arctis 9X are fully compatible with Xbox consoles. You can also plug these headphones into your controller with an audio cable, but you only receive audio.

    Some users have reported that their headphones disconnect on their own or that their audio stutters or clicks. We have also experienced this issue, even after using two different dongles. SteelSeries has put out a troubleshooting guide to address this issue. However, it didn't solve this issue for us. If you have experienced this issue, please let us know in the comments.

    3.4
    Base/Dock
    Type
    Wireless USB Dongle
    USB Input
    Yes
    Line In
    No
    Line Out
    No
    Optical Input
    No
    RCA Input
    No
    Dock Charging
    No
    Power Supply
    USB

    The SteelSeries Arctis 9X work with the Xbox One thanks to the Xbox Wireless Technology, which is also available on some PCs, meaning a dock isn't necessarily needed. However, since our testing PC doesn't have this technology built-in, we purchased an Xbox Wireless Adapter to better represent the headset's performance on the Xbox One. With this adapter, you can fully use the headset on a PC, but it won't be compatible with the PS4 and won't be needed on the Xbox One.

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    SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless: Main Discussion

    Let us know why you want us to review the product here, or encourage others to vote for this product.

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    1. Hi, I’m searching a headset and the SteelSeries are like the top of the line headset, name a feature, there’s a model that has it. My biggest fear is build quality, like users reported, hinges are prone to break, which is a pity. Other thing, you say that they haven’t a detachable analog cable, but they do, just it doesn’t support microphone (what the hell, SteelSeries??!), I suggest uploading the connectivity section or at least the filter, because it doesn’t appear in results. One must be clearly warned about the mic thing, but technically, the cable is perfectly detachable, thanks, have a good day!

      Hello! Help with personalized buying advice is something our experts offer only via our insider forums. We do have lots of self-service tools and recommendation articles that should be helpful as well though!

    2. 2
      1
      0
      1
      0

      Hi, I’m searching a headset and the SteelSeries are like the top of the line headset, name a feature, there’s a model that has it. My biggest fear is build quality, like users reported, hinges are prone to break, which is a pity. Other thing, you say that they haven’t a detachable analog cable, but they do, just it doesn’t support microphone (what the hell, SteelSeries??!), I suggest uploading the connectivity section or at least the filter, because it doesn’t appear in results. One must be clearly warned about the mic thing, but technically, the cable is perfectly detachable, thanks, have a good day!

    3. 1
      0
      -1
      0
      0

      I bought this headset as a recommendation from Rtings.com when I bought my Xbox Series X. They have a great sound profile and I love the connectivity across devices. After 3 years of use, I’ve had a few issues. The headset will at times need to be factory reset, it do this you need to remove one of the earcups and insert a tool to press the reset button. My biggest issue has been the build quality of the hinges by the earcups, the inside of the joint is plastic and every once in a while a small piece of plastic will crack and chip off. When this has happened, I have to take apart the earcup to remove the piece as it moves around in the earcup and gets really annoying. After a few times the hinge feels very brittle like it may break.

      All in all, it’s a great headset if you are only going to use it for gaming. Since I use them everywhere the build quality has been my biggest issue. My next headset will hopefully have everything metal.

    4. Update: The following test groups have been updated following TB 1.6: Bluetooth Connection, and Wireless Connection (Dongle). There have also been text changes made throughout the review, including to the usages and product comparisons to match these results.

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