When it comes to the top-notch gaming headset, Steel Series Arctis takes the cake. The manufacturer is renowned for its high-quality products. But two of their great products can be a bit confusing to decide which one is better. The arctis pro and arctis 7 are both good quality gaming headsets but which one is better?
In today’s post, we are going to compare and contrast between arctis pro vs arctis 7 by taking a number of features into consideration and see which one takes the day. When comparing the two products, we will take several factors side by side.
Often many people get confused between arctis pro and arctis 7 but we would like to clear this confusion once and for all. We will start by analyzing each headset separately and then compare them together and make a conclusion. So, without much ado, let’s dive in.
Arctis 7 Review
This is one of the most famous gaming headsets on the market today. It stands out for its quality and affordable price. The following are some of the salient features of Arctis 7.
Audio quality
Renowned for its high-quality sound. It comes with a frequency range of between 20 and 20,000 Hz. Within this range, it captures clearly the sound that you want to hear.
It is designed with surround sound technology which helps to capture the sound without feeling like you are in a tunnel. This is an added merit to gamers because it makes the gaming experience great.
Apart from that, it comes with a microphone that allows you to chat with your gaming opponents. The mic is certified as a D class which means it is one of the best microphones for gaming. However, the mic quality of Arctis pro is better than that of Arctis 7.
Wireless
The arctis 7 has very low latency which makes it the best gaming headset. That is not all; it uses the 2.4G connection. The low latency helps the wireless sound quality with almost zero interference. Similarly, it is significant for the optimum gaming experience.
Battery life
The arctis 7 has a battery that can last up to 24 hours. This is sufficient time for a gamer. However, it comes with only one battery which means if the battery runs out you have to connect a cable to charge.
Design
In terms of design, both the Arctis pro and Arctis 7 have almost a similar design. They are made from high-quality plastic material which ensures that it will last for many days to come.
Pros
- Impressive sound quality
- Value for price
- Compatible with most gaming devices
- Battery life of 24 hours
- Durable
- High-quality microphone
- Affordable
Cons
- Limited frequency response
- Customizable features need to be changed via the app
Arctis Pro Review
The Arctis pro is the upgraded version of the Arctis 7 and it comes with a number of excellent features which makes an overall better option for gamers. However, when compared to its Arctis 7 counterpart, it more expensive.
Here are some salient features which make it stand out from the crowd:
Microphone and Audio Quality
In terms of audio quality, the sound of arctis pro is impeccable. It prides itself on a frequency range of between 10 Hz and 40,000 Hz. Besides that, it is designed with neodymium magnets which enhance the sound quality. However, the high-frequency range is beyond the range that can be tolerated by the human ear, therefore, you should take care while using it.
But the higher frequency range gives you a better sound separation especially if you are using 3D imaging.
Better still, the bass response that accompanies the sound is realistic. You can hear with accuracy the sound of gunshots with a lot of precision. Also, you can hear the treble sound with crispy and enjoy listening to music thanks to the high frequency.
When we come to the microphone, the arctis pro comes with a high-quality mic. It is a ClearCast microphone which produces studio-quality sound. Therefore, if you like chatting with your friends or streaming live, you will enjoy the high-quality sound.
Moreover, the mic is designed with noise-canceling technology which goes the extra mile in enhancing the audio quality.
Battery life
The arctis pro is designed with two swappable batteries which means if one battery runs out you can swap it with another and continue playing while the other battery is recharging. Besides that, each of the batteries have a lifespan of up to 20 hours.
Wireless
The arctis pro comes in both wired and wireless options. The wired option are cheaper and they come with a USB cable. The wireless option on the other hand, is designed with the 2.4G connection which offers a dual wireless technology. Apart from that, it has a transmitter base station which allows you to control various functions such as volume, EQ, mix among others.
Design
Are you a hardcore gamer? The arctis pro is designed for exactly that. It is designed with a mixture of steel alloy and aluminum. Therefore, durability is well taken care of. Also, it is lightweight and portable.
Thanks to the lightweight, you can wear the headset for long hours without experiencing any discomfort. Apart from that, it is designed to fit on your head with a snug and it is very comfortable while wearing it.
DTS headphone X:
This feature takes the audio quality of the arctis pro to a whole new level. With this feature, you will you will experience 3D surround sound which makes the gaming experience so real. When you are playing a game with directional audio, the DTS headphone X will make the whole difference.
Pros
- DTS headphone X audio
- High fidelity audio frequency range from 10 – 40,000 Hz
- Customizable controls
- Comes with both wired and wireless versions
- ClearCast microphone
- Durable
- Lightweight
- Comfortable
- Studio-quality clarity
- Noise cancellation
Cons
- Costly
- Surround sound is available only on PC but not on PS4
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Comparison between Arctis 7 vs Arctis Pro
When it comes to quality, both Arctis pro and Arctis 7 are top-notch gaming headsets. They are designed by a manufacturer who takes quality seriously. But although they are produced by the same company, one must be better than the other even by one feature or the other. Let’s consider a few factors side by side and then make a conclusion on which option is better.
Design and Comfort
When compared the design and comfort between Arctis pro and Arctis 7, we will start by looking at the common things in both headsets as far as these features are concerned. Then we will look at the difference. Instead of writing the similarities and differences separately, we deemed it convenient to compare and contrast both under the same heading.
Across all the products from SteelSeries Arctis, including both Arctis pro and Arctis 7, the design is a consistent feature.
They are both designed with the signature ski goggle suspension headband. The headband is adjustable which allows you to adjust to fit your head size with a snug. Also, they are well cushioned to offer maximum comfort for long hours of gaming.
On one of the ear cups, there is a microphone with control buttons for volume and mute. Other functions are placed on the periphery.
In terms of construction quality, both Arctis pro and Arctis 7 have a solid build which ensures durability. Both are designed with steel metal on the outer part. However, Arctis pro has a better finish as compared to its Arctis 7 counterpart.
In addition to that, both come with retractable microphones which is a great plus for gamers. Also, if you enjoy listening to music, you will find the retractable mic helpful.
However, in terms of design Arctis pro stands apart from its Arctis 7 counterpart in that pro supports RGB illumination. This function makes the headset handy when you are in a dimly lit room. You can also improve this feature by snapping the headset.
Overall, Arctis pro is better as compared to Arctis 7 in terms of comfort and design.
Audio Quality
In terms of audio quality, both the Arctis pro and Arctis 7 offers impressive sound. Thanks to the neodymium drivers with 40mm which enhances the sound. Also, they have a wide frequency range.
The frequency range of Arctis pro is between 10 and 40,000 Hz and that for Arctis 7 is between 20 and 20,000 Hz. This range is coupled with low latency which enhances the crispy highs and mids.
The noticeable difference between Arctis pro and Arctis 7 in terms of sound is the audiophiles. Another difference is the quality of their mics. To say but the least, the mic quality of Arctis 7 is average as compared to its Arctis pro counterpart which has a near studio-quality sound.
Also, both Arctis pro and Arctis 7 features surround sound but the Arctis pro comes with the DTS headphone X technology which makes the 3D imaging real. When you are gaming with pro headset, you will get a competitive edge over the 7 series. With 3D imaging, you can be able to accurately locate the position of the enemy in the game.
Therefore, in terms of audio quality, the Arctis pro is the ultimate winner.
Battery
Another area that we would like to compare and contrast between Arctis pro and Arctis 7 is the battery. Both headsets come with batteries that have the same lifespan – 24 hours.
However, the only difference in terms of battery is that Arctis pro comes with 2 rechargeable batteries as opposed to Arctis 7 which comes with only one battery.
Therefore, if you are using the Arctis pro, if one battery runs low you can exchange with the other battery and continue gaming while the other battery is recharging. This allows you to game without minding about running out of battery.
But when using the Arctis 7 if the battery runs low while gaming you will be forced to connect with the charger or wait at least until it recharges.
Controls
As mentioned earlier, both Arctis pro and Arctis 7 come with onboard controls that feature microphone muting and volume control. In addition to that, they both have a Chatmix feature which allows you to tweak how loud you want your in-game and audio sound to be.
The Arctis pro has a ChatMix on the USB cable while the Arctis 7 has its ChatMix control on the right ear cup which makes it easy to control.
Variants
In terms of variant, it’s only the Arctis pro that is available in 3 models while the Arctis 7 is available only in one model.
The 3 models of Arctis pro are:
- Arctis Pro standard wired,
- Arctis Pro + GameDAC, and
- Arctis Pro Wireless
The 3 models are similar in terms of construction and audio quality but differ in connectivity. For instance, the Arctis Pro + GameDAC connects via the DAC and has an amp. This feature allows the headphone to play the hi-res gaming audio. Also, you can access the various functions such as volume and EQ via the DAC.
The Arctis Pro Wireless comes with a transmitter base and it is supported by the 2.4G and Bluetooth. While the Arctis Pro standard wired connects via a USB cable.
Depending on the connection console on your gaming device, you can buy a headphone that is compatible with your device.
Other Differences
| Feature | Arctis Pro | Arctis 7 |
| Connection | Wired: USB, 4-Pole 3.5 mm Adapter GameDAC: USB, Optical, 3.5 mm Adapter Wireless: USB, Optical, 3.5 mm Adapter, Lossless 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth 4.1 | USB, 4-Pole 3.5 mm Analog, Lossless 2.4 GHz |
| Weight | Wired and GameDAC: 0.9 lbs Wireless: 0.8 lbs | 0.8 lbs |
| Compatibility | Wired: PC, Mac, PS4, Nintendo switch, Xbox One, mobile phones GameDAC and Wireless: PC, PS4 (Original, Pro, and Slim) | PC, Mac, PS4, Nintendo switch, mobile phone |
| Colors | Wired: Black GameDAC and Wireless: Black and White | Black, and White |
| Frequency response range | 10 Hz – 40 kHz | 20 Hz – 20 kHz |
Conclusion
The Arctis pro is a pro-level gaming headset that is ideal for PC gamers thanks to its impeccable sound quality. Of the 3 variants, the wireless model stands out from the rest as the best wires gaming headphone.
That is not all; it comes with a wide frequency response range which allows you as the gamer to hear every detail of the sound. The large frequency range is not only ideal for gaming but also for music listening. Also, the customizable interface allows you to be in control of all the features to meet your gaming needs. However, to some people, that might not be desirable but the best depends on an individual.
Also, although the Arctis pro is costlier as compared to its Arctis 7 counterpart, by all means, you will get value for every extra penny you pay for it. You will likely be blown away by the salient features of the Arctis pro. The RGB lights are a great add on which makes them stand apart from its Arctis 7 counterpart.
Another selling point of the Arctis pro is the swappable batteries which allow you to game without worrying about the battery running out because if one does, you can swap it with the other and continue gaming.
The microphone quality of the Arctis pro is way better than that of Arctis 7 and can cancel out all background noise to all you to enjoy your game without any disturbance. In addition to that, the pro comes with hi-res audio a feature that is not found in the Arctis 7 headset. The bass response of pro is better and higher as compared to its counterpart. However, your budget is the deciding point between the two.
On the other hand, if you are working on a budget you can go for the Arctis 7. It is equally a solid gaming headphone at its price range.
You cannot go wrong with either of the two headsets, because if you have read this post carefully, you can be able to make the right choice. But we will have to go with Arctis pro as the ultimate winner.
Which headset is better between Arctis pro and Arctis 7 according to you? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below.