Introduction
Steelseries is a known name in the market of gaming, as you’ll probably be aware. With the Arctis 7X Wireless it seems SteelSeries is putting its focus on the Xbox Series X|S. However, this headset seems to have a lot of options, which options?
You’ll read that here!
Specifications
Let’s kick it off with a short video about the SteelSeries about the Arctis 7X Wireless.
Compatibility
Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One
Wireless USB
PC
*ChatMix function only supported on Xbox
Wireless USB or USB-C
Nintendo Switch
Docked: Wireless via USB
Handheld: Wireless via USB-C
Switch Lite: Wireless via USB-C
Wireless USB
PlayStation 4/5
Android
Google Stadia Controller
Neodymium Drivers: 40 mm
Headphone Frequency Response: 20–20000 Hz
Headphone Sensitivity: 98 dBSPL
Headphone Impedance: 32 Ohm
Headphone Total Harmonic Distortion: < 3%
Headphone Volume Control: On Ear Cup
Microphone Frequency Response: 100–6500 Hz
Microphone Pattern: Bidirectional
Microphone Sensitivity: -38 dBV/Pa
Microphone Impedance: 2200 Ohm
Microphone Location: Retractable
Range: 40 ft, 12 m
Battery life: 24 hours
Contents of the package:
Product Information Guide
Arctis 7X Headset
USB-C wireless transmitter
Mobile audio cable
Charging cable
USB-C to USB-A adapter
Steelseries Arctis 7P
And here are the in-depth specifications of the SteelSeries Arctis 7P Wireless gaming.
Neodymium Drivers: 40 mm
Headphone Frequency Response: 20–20000 Hz
Headphone Sensitivity: 98 dBSPL
Headphone Impedance: 32 Ohm
Headphone Total Harmonic Distortion: < 3%
Headphone Volume Control: On Ear Cup
Microphone Frequency Response: 100–6500 Hz
Microphone Pattern: Bidirectional
Microphone Sensitivity: -38 dBV/Pa
Microphone Impedance: 2200 Ohm
Microphone Location: Retractable
Range: 40 ft, 12 m
Battery life: 24 hours
Contents of the package:
Product information/manual
Arctis 7P-headset
USB-C wireless transmitter
Mobile audio cable
Charging cable
USB-C to USB-A-adapter
There are no discernable differences between the SteelSeries Arctis 7X and the Arctis 7P when it comes to visible specifications.
Unboxing
Because both of the headsets are similar in appearance and the cables provided with them, I’ll be unboxing them together in the images. That will save you some scrolling! 🙂
As an old PS4 player and now Xbox gamer (Still haven’t been able to get myself a PS5) we’ll kick things off with the SteelSeries Arctis 7X.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7P and 7X both came with 3 cables and a dongle.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7P and 7X both included the following:
USB-C wireless transmitter
Mobile audio cable
Charging cable
USB-C to USB-A-adapter (You can use this to extend the wireless transmitter to put it in the perfect spot).
When it comes to appearance -except the color- both the headsets are identical design-wise.
The dark X variant’s headband is colored with green accents. The P variant doesn’t have any extra accents.
The neat thing about SteelSeries headsets is the ability to actually turn the earcups.
Whilst gaming I bet you’ll have the need once in a while to just rest the headset around your neck. A lot of headsets will press the ear cups into your chest, not a great feeling!
By turning the cups itself the soft side will be on your chest, a lot nicer in my opinion.
SteelSeries managed to make an easily adjustable headband for the headset. And due to the band being all around your head, there are no pressure points of the weight. The weight is evenly distributed, promoting comfort.
Both the P and X and the plus variants (I will get back on that) are equipped with a retractable microphone that is flexible as well. It’s quite easy to put the microphone back into the headset.
It is a little bit of a shame that you’re not able to replace the outside shell of the ear cups.
After a few session of ‘gamer rage’ and throwing down the headset, you’ll see a few scratches or little dents on the shell. Even with normal use. And this also means that you aren’t able to replace the batteries.
I can’t even imagine how I can say this appropriately, but here is an image I made of the P variant…
Both the 7X and 7P have a red indicator light that turns on when the microphone is on mute.
This enables you to see if you’re free to gossip, or let out frustration playing with teammates.
Besides being able to replace the headband, you are also able to replace the ear cup lining. Always nice to have a fresh one after a few years.
The 7X and 7P do differ slightly when it comes to these options. The 7P has the ability to listen to sidetone – meaning you can either hear yourself back, or not. The 7X has the option to turn your friends in Discord/Teamspeak (Other party chats are available) louder as opposed to the game you are playing and vice versa.
No differences to be found here; on/off button, mute-button, volume switch, connection to charge, 3.5mm and the mini-usb input (that goes to the 3.5mm TRRS connection).
SteelSeries Arctis 7P+ and Arctis 7X+
And we’re not even close to being done. You can also find every ‘plus’ variant of all the released headsets in the series. This variant looks exactly the same as the non-plus variants, but the main difference is that you can charge through USB-C and the battery performance has been upgraded. After a 15 minute quick charge you’re good to go for another 3 hours. The maximum amount of battery life has been improved from 24 hours to 30 hours. And that is certainly noticeable!
The plus-side of all headsets (Pardon the pun) is that all of them get delivered with a small USB-C dongle. Using the switch on it, you can easily switch between sources, i.e PC and console. Or even on your phone if you’ve got a call!
Software
Steelseries just like all their other products uses SteelSeries Engine. In my opinion it’s a very successful app looking at the amount of functions. No need to make an account, ease of access is great and not something that draws the resources of your PC.
The pro about SteelSeries’ uniform software is that it is able to control different devices, provided its SteelSeries of course. And maybe you’ve noticed, I’m quite fond of testing all their products!
Using the SteelSeries Engine you can also fine tune everything SteelSeries. Not as many options as the Arctis 9, but that’s not a surprise considering this is more aimed for Xbox or Playstation users. Hence the X and P!
The only main difference between the Arctis 7X and the 7P is that the 7P is unable to set the sidetone through the PC. However, you can edit this through a dial on the headset itself. By using sidetone, you can hear yourself, or not at all through your own headset. Having sidetone on high you can hear yourself talk clearly. And that’s a good feature. You’ll know if you’re not screaming over people, or how audio is perceived. Maybe a good feature to have at home, the wife would definitely like it if I talked a little softer…
Using the Dynamic Range Compression you can edit the audio to flatten out all the high tones. for example, Battlefield 5 (lol.. I’m not saying 2042..I’m so sad about that one…) with DRC on high means you’ll have the explosions on a normal volume instead of artillery fire in your ear.
Having DRC off, the Arctis 7x might shake off of your head…Oke, maybe not that bad..
Like we are accustomed to with the SteelSeries Engine you can configure everything on the left side. You can save game-A presets, and for game-B, switch to a different configuration.
You do need to edit these yourself.
But be warned, this only is applicable to PC games/applications. The SteelSeries Engine settings won’t transfer over to PS or Xbox.
Sound
Having high expectations for the SteelSeries Arctis 9, the Arctis 7X and the 7P Wireless I didn’t have high hopes for. The Arctis 7X/P is – Like the 9 – not a high-end headset. With that I mean that music sounds alright through them, but won’t give you any goosebumps.
But that’s also not what the headsets are designed for. The Arctis 7X Wireless does what it should do. Whilst playing Forza Horizon (I can’t wait for the new one!) or Far Cry 6 (on the PS5 with the 7P Wireless) you hear exactly what you should hear. If you’re into shooters like CoD or Battlefield, you can hear footsteps perfectly fine. Having those few extra frames of advantage of your opponents can be crucial in a firefight. Provided you have skills to follow it up. 🙂
Whilst reviewing the Arctis 9 I’ve also put it to the test concerning music, and I’ve done the same in this review. What can you notice with the Arctis 7X and 7P? The mids and highs are a little bit ‘flatter’. The bass/low tones are incredible.
Which translates into far more immersion into the games you play. And no…Don’t expect to be shaken to the core with every explosion making you lift off…But good lower tones. High tones are decent, Mids are decent to good.
Conclusion
SteelSeries with their Arctis 7X Wireless and the 7P Wireless have released a good pair of headsets. The headset is aimed at gamers that just want to have fun in their shooters, RPG and race games. It doesn’t matter what you play, it will all suit you just fine. I do have to reiterate that the high end talk is nice, but it just isn’t a high end headphone to listen to hi-fi audio. Listening to only three verses of Aretha Franklin I called it quits, but that is just personal. It’s not a headset designed to extract the maximum amount out of music, but it’s ideal for gaming. And luckily, that’s what it is designed to do.
Playing shooters, footsteps are crisp and clear enabling you to do better. And that might sound lame, but with cheaper/worse headsets or earbuds, you won’t stand a chance of hearing any direction, and said footsteps will walk over you within no time…
What I can’t seem to figure out is that the 7X and 7P still use micro-usb for recharging.
If they are utilizing a USB-C dongle, why not implement a USB-C port for the headsets?
You will be supplied with everything you’ll need (minus the charger) but it’s still strange.
But thankfully, SteelSeries listened to the feedback of people and equipped the plus variants with a USB-C connector to recharge as opposed to micro-usb.
Both headsets are neat in my opinion. Easy to hook up to different devices such as PC/Xbox, PS4/5, mobile phones and Nintendo Switch. Enough options.
The reach of the headset is very good as well. In my ‘small’ apartment I’m able to walk around and continue to talk to my friends clearly.
And for the gamer that – and sadly I know them…- needs to go to the toilet during a long gaming session, this headset will enable you to take your friends to your bathroom sessions!
If you’re just looking for a good wireless headset to play games, this is definitely a headset to consider. And actually, I would personally recommend the plus variant, just for the longer battery life and battery performance.
Steelseries does manage to provide the Steelseries Engine with all their products. That way everything can be controlled centrally on one application, not even needing an account for it.
A plethora of options can be found here, to fine tune your headset the way you like it.
A slight disappointment is the inability to replace the battery. If you’ve used it for a few years, you’ll be forced to look for a replacement or a different headset. And the same can be applied for the outside of the ear cups. Other headsets do manage to give that ability.
Although, you are able to change the inside of the ear cups, and the headband.
Despite everything, it’s ‘just’ a headset costing 200 Euros. Looking at the options, wireless, decent battery, option to use it with a cable and on multiple devices/consoles, I’m quite pleased with it.
I’ve used the headset for months on end on the Xbox Series X, and I must admit that I’d prefer this headset over the Microsoft Xbox Wireless Headset. And the latter has been used by me before being able to use the 7X. Despite the Microsoft one being half the price of the 7X the differences are drastic. The tones are superior on the 7X, it doesn’t have the distortion that I was accustomed to as well, and it didn’t require multiple on and off resets to fix it. The 7X’s dongle works incredibly stable, and without any latency. And that is a prerequisite for me in gaming, those little milliseconds can make the difference.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7X and 7P Wireless are in my opinion good (gaming) headsets. With a price tag of 200 euros, they are not cheap.
A score of 4 out of 5 stars is rightfully earned for both the SteelSeries Arctis 7X and 7P.
The plus variants Arctis 7X+ and 7P+ are eligible for a full 5 stars due to the battery life and USB-C connection.
