Steelseries is a well-known brand of gaming accessories. Arctis 7x and 9x are both the second-generation headphones of this company specially made for Xbox. One may be better for you than the other depending on your budget and personal demands, but it will come down to certain unique distinctions. They may seem inconsequential, but when you think about it, they all add contributes to some elevated differences.
Today, we’ll try to give you a thorough overview of the headphones that will help you select your desired device.
Arctis 7X
The SteelSeries Arctis 7X is perhaps the ultimate gaming headset. It’s not surprising, as the first generation of the headphone that is the SteelSeries Arctis 7, was a big hit. Although in the three years after the Arctis 7 was launched, SteelSeries resolved the few remaining problems on the headset, eliminated them, and added some valuable upgrades along the way.
Product Differentiator
The headphone costs you about $179, the Arctis 7X is specially made for Xbox but there is a similar version of this we can call it its twin 7P that can be used for PS5, and every other device you hold like Nintendo Switch, PC, phone, or tablet. With outstanding wireless connectivity, convenient fit, good battery life, and excellent audio quality, the SteelSeries Arctis 7X has everything you need for a gaming headphone.
Arctis 9X
The Arctis 9X is a popular portable gaming headphone that is compatible with Xbox One. The built quality of the headphone will certainly impress you it is quite comfortable over-ears and have a balanced sound profile. Nevertheless, they fail to minimize the background noise, and their audio delivery is not quite stable for some users.
Product Differentiator
The Arctis 9x offer excellent sound and good fitting like every other SteelSeries headphone, but there are a lot of drawbacks of this device as well. It’s difficult to pair, the buttons perform many functions as a result it gets confusing to control. For a gadget that is $199 and doesn’t work with every device is quite disappointing. But if you are an Xbox fan and already own an Xbox one and you have money to spend then the device won’t hurt you.
A brief difference between Arctis 7X vs 9X
| Arctis 7X | Arctis 9X | |
|---|---|---|
| Compatible with | Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 5, and PlayStation 4 | Xbox One and Next-Gen Xbox, PC |
| Google Stadia Controller | Yes | N/A |
| Headphone frequency response | 20-20000Hz | 20-20000 Hz |
| Neodymium Drivers | 40 mm | 40mm |
| Headphone Sensitivity | 98 dBspl | 98 dBspl |
| Headphone Impedance | 32 Ohm | 32 Ohm |
| Headphone Volume Control | On-Ear Cup | On-Ear Cup |
| Microphone Frequency Response | 100–6500 Hz | 100–10000 Hz |
| Microphone Sensitivity | -38 dBV/Pa | -38 dBV/Pa |
| Microphone Pattern | Bidirectional | Bidirectional |
| Microphone Impedance | Retractable | Retractable |
| Wireless range | 40ft ,12 m | 20ft,6m |
| Battery life | 24hrs | 20hrs |
| Included in the box | Arctis 7X Headset USB-C wireless transmitter Mobile audio cable Charging cable USB-C to USB-A adapter | Arctis 9X Headset USB charging cable |
Steelseries 7x
Pros –
- Audio is sharp and clear
- Long battery life
- Comfortable to wear
- Have versions for both PlayStation and Xbox
- Excellent gaming sound
- Fits comfortably
Cons –
- The music experience is not great
- The 7P model is more diverse
- Charging through USB
- Bass response is not great
- Sensitive mic
- Needs audio tuning
Steelseries 9x
Pros –
- Great microphone
- 20 hrs battery life
- Comfortable
- Xbox themed design
- Graphic Equalizer + available
Cons –
- Only can be used for Xbox
- Not compatible with PS4
- Not compatible for pc that does not have Xbox one wireless
- Soft bass
- Ear cups are light
Arctis 7x and Arctis 9x: At a glance
| Feature | Arctics 7x | Arctics 9x |
|---|---|---|
| Product description | A perfect gaming headphone it fits on your head beautifully and will give you a true gaming experience. | Good for wireless gaming. It is only compatible with Xbox One. The boom microphone built-in with this is amazing. |
| Weight | 12 ounces | 13.1ounces |
| Pros | Audio is sharp and clear Long battery life Comfortable to wear Have versions for both PlayStation and Xbox Excellent gaming sound Fits comfortably | Great microphone 20hrs battery life Comfortable Xbox themed design Graphic Equalizer + available |
| Cons | The music experience is not great The 7P model is more diverse Charging through USB Bass response is not great Sensitive mic | Only can be used for Xbox Not compatible with PS4 Not compatible for pc that does not have Xbox one wireless Soft bass Ear cups are light |
Design and fit: Arctis 7x vs 9x
Arctis 7X
The design of the first Arctis 7 remains the same except few minor changes. The headphones feature the same signature Ski Goggle headband that provides maximum comfort without adding a lot of weight to your head.
In reality, the headphone is almost floating over your head with its balanced design. The headband can be customized to meet different head sizes, and when correctly dialed it provides a very comfortable fit.
The headband frame is quite durable and the lightweight aluminum, giving it a nice feel without looking like it might break if it was stretched too much.
The majority of the headphone is made of matt plastic that goes well with the design gives it a premium look to it. The ear cups do have an oval shape and SteelSeries special ear cushion Airwave.
The inside of the foam is covered and filled with a fluffy, breathable mesh design that makes room for improved airflow for your ears. Controls are on the outside of the ear cups.
The regular volume button is big and has a patterned hold on it therefore easy to find. The mute button is just above the volume and can be easily traced on the mic. The button actually pops out of the microphone if it’s silenced, so it would be easy for us to say know which state it’s in.
Arctis 9x
The Arctis 9X SteelSeries is also amazing. The strange green highlights on the headband make it look different and, the elegant black design on the ear cups makes the headphone look more aesthetic.
The SteelSeries Arctis 9X looks excellent from top to bottom, from the steel headband to the Premium woven ski goggle cloth that can be used to change the fit.
You can use these headphones for hours and binge on playing games but it won’t make you feel uncomfortable at all. All the buttons and ports are found on the right side of the headphone there you also have a power and Bluetooth button. there is also a 3.5mm audio jack on it.
On the left side, you’ll find a single dial that will help you to control the game. Overall, most of the features we expect from a gaming headset are available in this headset the price point is high but it is worth its money.
Something odd about the Arctis 9X audio port is that it’s only a 3.5 mm connection and the headphone will not come with a cord. Prior Arctis devices used a patented connector at one end, with a standard 3.5 mm jack at the other end and it used to come with the box.
As the Arctis 9X provides Bluetooth, you do not even need the cable, but it is useful for a ps4 controller, Nintendo switch, or older devices. And for a 200 dollar headphone, it was a must to have these cables as they are not that costly as well.
Performance: Arctis 7x vs 9x
Arctis 7x
Like its precursor, the SteelSeries Arctis 7X fits wonderfully with any kind of game. I’ve tried it with a number of games across several platforms like Blasphemous on the Xbox One, Age of Empires III: Definitive Version on the PC but to enjoy u need to tune it up with an equalizer otherwise you won’t have the best of experience with this headphone.
Before turning it up I have faced problems like not hearing clear footsteps, one side of the headphone performing better than the other so you need to tune it up for getting crisp and clear audio.
The audio Equalizer is a great addition to your PC since you can pick from a variety of presets like, Entertainment, Performance, Immersion, and Music.
Each of the presets has a noticeable difference between them. There are also many other options available to improve your audio experience. Before getting into that many details about every system, the efficiency of the Arctis 7X was good throughout the line.
The arctics 7x did a good job balancing a vibrant soundscape and good balance between bass and treble while playing colonial gunfire, sweeping adventure scores, and cheerful anime dialogue.
The only concern is how the Arctis 7X performs while playing music. This was a little bit of a problem with the Arctis 7 as well, and one of the few things SteelSeries hasn’t changed between models. Most of the music has a kind of flat tone that borders as things get noisy or confusing.
Moreover, if you want to move your listening experience to the next level, then we’ve reviewed two headphones from Turtle Beach, which is the cold comparison between stealth 600 and 700.
Arctis 9x
The Arctis 9X does wonderfully on Xbox. Games like strategic supervision of Wargroove, the first-person shooting of Doom, the fast-paced, angry battle of Injustice 2, and the Dead Cells created a perfect, loud, clean tone on the Arctis 9x.
Every battlefield scream in Wargroove and every roar from DOOM was heard properly. The Arctis 9x can also be connected with the pc via Bluetooth or an Xbox wireless adapter.
The microphone is very efficient, accessible, and clear and is a perfect device for a multiplayer match. one of the very useful features of this microphone is that it can be muted with a single button and if you are playing a single-player game then there is no need to use the mic options.
Now about listening to the music with the 9x was a great experience. Music from Old Crow Medicine Show, Flogging Molly, G.F. Handel, and the rolling stones all sounded pretty good.
The built-in equalizer will help you to find a perfect balance between bass and treble. The soundscape came across nicely it was bright and crisp.
The Arctis 9x does not need a lot of tuning to perform well n the music part therefore it seems a good deal because it would have been unpardonable if a 200 dollar headphone does not perform well on the music.
Performance-wise Arctis 9x is definitely the winner.
Comfort: Arctis 7x vs 9x
Arctis 7x
The SteelSeries Arctis 7P/7X has no notches or expandable sides, it depends more on the elastic band for an ideal fit. You can just place the headphone over your head, and the band corresponds to the form of your head.
With a Velcro band, you can tighten or loosen it slightly. And like all SteelSeries headphones, this also includes ski goggles elastic band that will make sure ur comfortable.
Arctis 9x
SteelSeries came to lead the market for headphones if it comes to comfort. The adjustable headband of Arctis 9x will make sure that you get a perfect fit around your head.
With a balanced weight distribution and lightweight, it is comfortable to wear the Arctis 9X for hours straight, either you’re listening to music or binge gaming for hours. but some users have complained about the ear cups being too big for their ears.
For me, comfort-wise Arctis 7x is the winner. However, it is almost the end of this article and before the grand closure, we want to leave you with another amazing brand which is Logitech.
We’ve compared Logitec G933 and G533 which can give you an ample gesture to choose one of them.
Features: Arctis 7x vs 9x
Steelseries 7x
Using the SteelSeries Engine 3 app, users can customize mic options, equalization profiles, and inactivity timeouts. The mic itself is a red-light adjustable design that allows you to control when the audio is muted.
This retrieves a little background noise and that can get heavy on “S” sounds, but overall it’s simple and sensitive. The program and the mic work well, but what’s more fascinating is the wireless networking of the Arctis 7X.
Connectivities
It sets Arctis 7X apart from most other game headsets on the market in that it uses USB-C for pairing. That implies it can connect to smartphones, Nintendo Switch, and tablets very easily.
My view, on this, that it’s a cleaner alternative to Bluetooth, and it operates easily and smoothly. Do not let the color combination of the Arctis 7X confuse you, though it’s black and green to match the Xbox, it can sync with almost any device.
Battery life
I can’t disagree about battery life also, since SteelSeries is announcing 24 hours of performance, and the headset appeared to endure my day-to-day tasks.
The one drawback of this is that you can’t know the battery life on your headphones to know if it’s ending soon or not. Through the SteelSeries Engine 3 app, you can adjust the equalization profiles, even modify the mic settings for the Arctis 7X.
Customization
After checking both the music and gaming element with the default options, I wanted to how it can be changed and customized, and let me tell you, it did wonders.
When adjusting the Equalizer settings to audio, it became a lot more fun, solving almost every issue I faced. I tried the Apex Legends immersion modes, and again, it seemed to solve a lot of the issues I’ve had.
5 best SteelSeries Headset
Steelseries 9x
Arctis 9X’s greatest selling point is not just its Xbox compatibility, but also its ability to connect with a Bluetooth device. You may be curious how any of this works and what the disadvantages it has; I’m going to explain it with my experience on both pc and Xbox one.
One thing I need to clarify my issues with Arctis 9X, you have to note there are two individual audio signals in the headset, one for Xbox Wireless and one for Bluetooth.
Bluetooth
I’ve encountered some odd Bluetooth restrictions with Arctis 9X. The Headset interprets the signal as hands-free sound, however, when I pause media like Youtube or Spotify, the sound gets muted. I only learned this when I answered the call in Discord and the audio came in. It wasn’t until I pressed Spotify to play that all the audio began streaming in.
Xbox compatibility
The best way around this was to play some audio channel in the background, like my Spotify music, and leave it silent so I could hear the people I was talking to.
This happens because the headphone thinks you will be playing on Xbox headset is connected only for calls. You would be able to solve this if you buy an Xbox Wireless Adapter for the PC, but it feels like a rip off to spend 30$ as you are already spending $200 on the headphones.
On Contrary, it was best to have the Arctis 9X on the Xbox. Firstly, I attached the headphones on my Xbox by holding the power button and then I synced it with my phone. What this does is it allows me to take receive a call or play Spotify even if I’m playing games.
Here, Arctis 7x is the winner.
Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Premium Wireless Surround Sound Gaming Headset for Xbox One ($150) and the LucidSound LS35X Wireless Surround Sound Gaming Headset - Officially Licensed for Xbox One & Xbox Series X S - Works Wired with PS5, PS4, PC, Nintendo Switch, Mac, iOS and Android ($180), these are both a little cheaper and have designs and good Xbox wireless connectivity
Comparing between Alternative Products
SteelSeries Arctis Pro vs Arctis 7X
The SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless are superior to the SteelSeries Arctis 7X Wireless in terms of gaming headphones.
While both headphones are comfy and well-made, the Arctis Pro supports Bluetooth and comes with a wireless transmitter dock that has USB and Optical inputs. The base also serves as a charging station for the headphones, as well as providing settings like as volume, channel mixing, and EQ presets. The Arctis 7X, on contrary, has complete non-Bluetooth wireless compatibility with Xbox systems.
SteelSeries Arctis 9X vs Astro A50
Although both the SteelSeries Arctis 9x Wireless and the Astro A50 are excellent wireless gaming headphones for the Xbox One, the Astro outperforms the SteelSeries.
The Astro is more comfortable than the SteelSeries because to its more ergonomic headband design, and it delivers sound more reliably. They also come with a full-featured charging station and a better-performing microphone.
The SteelSeries, on the other hand, connect more easily via Xbox Wireless and feature Bluetooth, allowing you to use music from your mobile device while gaming. The SteelSeries battery also has a longer life span and charges considerably faster.
Final verdict
One important thing about a gaming headset is to have excellent sound. The second most critical thing that can be achieved is to give a seamless fit. Arctis 9X performs on all counts. Also, it attaches wirelessly to the Xbox One.
Yet still, for everything right, the Arctis 9X can feel somewhat disappointing. maybe because of its no battery indicator, or a shortage of modification choices, multifunctional buttons the Arctis 9X just doesn’t seem as whole or as efficient as, the SteelSeries Arctis 7x for only $150.
Author’s Pick: Arctis 7X
The Arctis 7X is a very decent headset and easy to recommend for console players and pc. It is indeed the best headphone currently available in the $150 range.
And even if you’re planning to spend $100 or $200 instead, it’s always worth a look. With a few small alterations, Arctis 7X could be as close to a perfect gaming headset. However, if you are searching for any studio headphones, we’ve compiled some of the best studio headphones available in the current marketplace. if you are a gamer, then you should know that studio headphones are of great quality.
Related article:
- Features difference between Sennheiser two headphone HD800 and HD800s
- Which one is best for gaming Sennheiser HD 650 headphone or Beyerdynamic DT990 Pro headphone
Hi, my name is Afnan Bin Ibrahim, and I’m an aspiring freelance writer. Read more
