The SteelSeries Arctis collection of headsets has been one of my favorite gaming headset lines since its release. The SteelSeries Arctis headset is an effective and impressive blend of style and performance, where the headset itself sports a very approachable and sleek appearance. Often, gaming headsets are designed in flashy and techy fashions, with the frequent addition of bright LED’s. While this look is right at home with gamers, many would not want to take those headsets out into the streets because of that very look.
The SteelSeries Arctis did a great job at going against that grain. Now, SteelSeries endeavors to push the envelope of performance with their latest flagships, the SteelSeries Arctis Pro line. Here, the SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless takes the already attractive silhouette of the Arctis series of headsets and upgrades its body with premium components and even more features. Let’s take apart the SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless headset for the PC and PS4.
Build and Comfort
SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless Specs
| Neodymium Drivers | 40mm |
| Headphone Frequency Response | 10-40,000 Hz |
| Headphone Sensitivity | 102 dBSPL |
| Headphone Impedance | 32 Ohm |
| Headphone Total Harmonic Distortion | <1% |
| Microphone Polar Pattern | Bidirectional Noise-Canceling |
| Microphone Frequency Response | 100 – 10,000 Hz |
| Microphone Sensitivity | -38 dBV/Pa |
| Microphone Impedance | 2200 Ohm |
| 2.4G Transmitter range: | 40 ft, 12m @ 5-40,000 Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (10 per battery) |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 |
| Bluetooth Profiles | A2DP, HFP, HSP |
The goal with the Arctis Pro line was to make a headset that was Hi-Res capable. Off the bat, the direct upgrade from the Arctis line, now seen in the Arctis Pro line, comes in the form of redesigned speaker drivers. Where the original Arctis headsets were able to produce sound at up to 22,000 Hz, the Arctis Pro drivers can reach a frequency of up to 40,000 Hz. This wider range gives the headset more capability of achieving a more accurate sound, one that is as close as possible to what the sound content creator wanted us to hear.
Where you once had plastics for the Arctis frame and body, you now have a body containing lightweight aluminum alloy and steel parts. “SteelSeries”, indeed. You have a gunmetal finish on the headband as well as aluminum alloy hangers. Similar to the Arctis 7, the Arctis Pro Wireless uses a woven ski goggle fabric suspension headband that wraps around the top of the frame. The headband uses Velcro to stay in place while allowing for loosening and tightening adjustments. The Airweave fabric ear cushions make a return, touting comfort and breathability throughout longer periods of play.
The Arctis Pro Wireless still carries many of the physical features you are used to seeing in the Arctis line as well as other SteelSeries headset designs. You have a retractable boom mic on the left ear cup that illuminates a red LED when the mic is muted. Also on the left ear cup, you have a master volume control dial that doubles as a setting toggler, the mic mute button, a 3.5mm port for daisy-chaining another headset, a proprietary input for the included 3.5mm cable, and a microUSB port for charging. On the right ear cup, you have the power button and a Bluetooth button that acts as both a pairing and media controller.
On the outside of each ear cup you have removable plates, which give the Arctis Pro Wireless some additional customizability outside of simply changing the headband. Behind the removable plate of the right ear cup, you have the headset’s swappable battery. This allows you to swap out a depleted battery with a fully charged one, minimizing the Arctis Pro Wireless’ downtime when you are low on power. The depleted battery could then be plopped into the Arctis Pro Wireless’ transmitter to be charged while you continue gaming.
As far as comfort goes, the orginal SteelSeries Arctis line always excelled at comfort. As such, I did not expect anything different with the Arctis Pro Wireless in that regard. SteelSeries made subtle tweaks to improve on the comfort level based on customer feedback. The changes appeared to be negligible, as I felt just as comfortable with the Arctis Pro Wireless as I did with ones prior to the Pro line. However, that is not at all bad. The Arctis Pro Wireless continues with that exceptional level of comfort.
The Airweave ear cup cushions are soft, plush, and are less taxing to the skin than cushioning made of leather. Aside from giving your head and ears breathability, the slickness of the Airweave fabric helps the headset play nicely with glasses and eyewear. The plushness of the cushions keep the headset having that pinch or squeeze on your glasses, while the slick fabric keeps the cushions from snagging onto eyewear frames.
Speaking of squeeze, that adjustable headband allows you to precisely adjust the tightest of the headset to fit your exact taste. The Arctis Pro Wireless is practically as comfortable as you want it to be. Also, it continues to achieve that high level of comfort while dropping none of the bells and whistles from the previous line.
Let’s move onto Features to see what exactly we get with the Arctis Pro Wireless.
Continue on to read about the Arctis Pro Wireless’ features…
– Or if you are more into “too long didn’t read” versions and you want to jump right into the cliff notes, then skip straight to Performance and Final Thoughts…