Verdict
The Arctis 9X is a wonderful gaming headset that works nicely with each Xbox One and PC, utilizing the platforms to its benefit to ship a transparent, concise and satisfying audio product. It prices a reasonably penny, but it surely’s virtually actually price it.
Pros
Slick and engaging design
Excellent audio that is straightforward to customize
Works seamlessly throughout Xbox One and PC
One of probably the most snug headsets on the market
Cons
Design’s reliance on plastic is usually a distraction
Key Specifications
Review Price: £179.99
20 hours’ battery life
Compatible with Xbox One and PC
Intergrated Xbox wi-fi assist
ClearCast noise-cancelling know-how
What is the SteelSeries Arctis 9X gaming headset?
Bluetooth headsets are oftentimes a combined bag. Used between diverse consoles, gaming rigs and different gadgets is usually a recipe for catastrophe, as you deal with potential interference and different challenges when looking for the right candy spot in your gaming expertise.
I encountered such points throughout my time with the Arctis 9X, tainting an in any other case spectacular piece of package. This wi-fi headset works splendidly with Xbox One, connecting with the simplicity of a controller and instantly moulding itself to suit my console expertise.
SteelSeries has additionally adorned the machine with many bells and whistles, justifying its the asking worth. A number of blemishes apart, this is a wonderful headset providing spectacular audio, a smooth design and a lot extra.
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SteelSeries Arctis 9X design and construct – A small, snug type issue that’s splendidly trendy
Compared to different headsets I’ve examined, what instantly jumps out concerning the SteelSeries’ Arctis 9X is the superbly flat ear-cup design. There’s no overblown lighting nor snazzy equipment hanging off my ears, including problems to what must be fast and easy performance. Instead, what you get with the Arctis 9X is a flat, delicate floor that feels wonderful.
However, watch out when inserting the Arctis 9X on a desk or comparable tough floor: its predominantly plastic exterior is surprisingly susceptible to scuffs and marks. This is certainly one of my main qualms past the metallic headband, which itself is flanked by different supplies.
While the Arctis 9X feels solidly premium, the plastic supplies used over a lot of the headset’s actual property may delay customers hoping for one thing a bit extra fancy. This plastic chassis extends previous the ear cups and into the scarf, which itself doesn’t lengthen like I’ve come to count on from comparable gadgets.
Instead, you’ll must fiddle with the material band weaving itself across the headset to discover a stage of consolation that works for you. However, it took me solely a few minutes to regulate the headset to suit my head and I used to be high quality for dozens of hours. If something, it negates the potential put on and tear you’d see from conventional headsets.
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This consolation extends to the ear cups themselves, that are among the finest I’ve examined. As a wearer of glasses, I’ve usually discovered that with many gadgets I’m struggling a uninteresting ache round my head after a couple of hours of use. Here, that merely wasn’t the case; the Arctis 9X actually does really feel great to put on. Note that the headset may be on the small facet for some, although.
In phrases of buttons, wheels and different modes of enter, the vast majority of these sit on the suitable ear cup, from which you’ll be able to management the facility, Bluetooth connection, quantity and whether or not or not the interior microphone is muted. On the left ear cup is a solo scroll wheel to find out the stability between software audio (video games, movies, and so forth) and the microphone. Everything is intuitively positioned and straightforward to find with out the necessity to take off the headset totally.
SteelSeries Arctis 9X audio and options – This headset is a massively spectacular all-rounder
The common high quality of audio throughout the Arctis 9X and its numerous profiles is super-impressive, particularly for a wi-fi headset connecting by way of nothing greater than a Bluetooth dongle. By urgent the facility button as soon as you may cycle by way of a wide range of completely different presets, offering soundscapes that match specific genres or purposes. Shooters may require a profile with distinctive bass tones, whereas an atmospheric horror expertise favours small, refined audio cues that really feel brilliantly crisp right here.
Default choices proper out of the field really feel wonderful – though audiophiles hoping to carve their very own choice of sound profiles can obtain SteelSeries’ Engine and modify issues to the smallest element. You’ll want to put in it on a PC or laptop computer to utilize the software program.
Otherwise, console players ought to really feel content material with the choice of profiles accessible from the get-go. The flexibility is welcome, offering a component of customisation that not all competing headsets can match.
SteelSeries has mentioned the Arctis 9X boasts what is called “immersive sonic spatial audio”, which basically means the audio efficiency is engineered to detect all the noises occurring across the participant, no matter how refined or abrasive they may be. From a few weeks’ testing, I can vouch for the impactful realism it brings to a wide range of completely different genres.
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The Arctis 9X can be utilized each wirelessly and wired, though a cable isn’t provided within the field. It connects to Xbox One similar to a controller, and it’s a breeze to arrange. To make use of it on PC you’ll must personal a Xbox Wireless dongle and, like earlier than, join simply as you’ll a controller. It’s comparatively seamless, though I needed to restart the Discord software for the microphone to be recognised.
The headset additionally comes with dual-connectivity choices, which basically means you may hook up with PC/Console and one other Bluetooth machine concurrently. For instance, you can take a cellphone name or hearken to music in your smartphone whereas taking part in on the Xbox One. This extends to purposes akin to Discord, Skype and Spotify, offering the Arctis 9X with a way of versatility I actually appreciated.
Should I purchase the SteelSeries Arctis 9X gaming headset?
If you’ve gotten £180 kicking round then the SteelSeries Arctis 9X is likely one of the best gaming headsets you should buy proper now. It presents versatility throughout consoles and PC, together with a variety of customisation choices, audio profiles and different options that culminate in a incredible expertise.
The plastic aesthetic and small measurement may delay some gamers, diminishing the premium really feel, but it surely’s a small worth to pay for one of the crucial spectacular wi-fi headsets I’ve examined in fairly a while.
Verdict
The Arctis 9X is a wonderful gaming headset that works nicely with each Xbox One and PC, utilizing the platforms to its benefit to ship a transparent, concise and satisfying audio product. It prices a reasonably penny, but it surely’s virtually actually price it.
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Games Writer
Jade is the devoted video games author at TechSwitch. She handles all issues gaming whether or not or not it’s information, critiques, occasions or foolish options. Seen at retailers akin to MTV UK, Kotaku and TechSwitch (…
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