SteelSeries Arctis 7 Wireless Gaming Headset Review

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SteelSeries Arctis 7 Wireless Gaming Headset Review – SteelSeries Engine 3

SteelSeries Arctis 7 with Engine 3

When initially installing the Engine 3 software with the Arctis 7, you will be prompted to update the firmware and install additional software. This additional software is actually the DTS Headphone:X 7.1 software extension, which is integrated into the Engine 3 software. The main section of the Engine 3 software show the current battery life of the Arctis 7, along with the currently running Configuration.

Arctis 7 w/Firmware Info

After the initial install, you are prompted to reconnect your Arctis 7. Then, the Engine 3 software will verify you are using the latest version of the firmware and software for the device. From here, you can configure the sound properties of the Arctis 7 to your liking in single-page configuration section for the headset.

SteelSeries Engine 3/Arctis 7 Main Section

The Arctis 7 only has one configuration section in the SteelSeries Engine 3 software. Setting the Equalizer, Surround Mode and microphone settings are all a very straightforward affair. Dynamic Range Compression sets the volume at a set point to eliminate variances in volume, which may come in handy to some users. I personally stay away from this setting and try to let audio be processed naturally, but some titles do benefit from the enhancements that the Arctis 7 is capable of.

Arctis 7 Software Customization

The Arctis 7 allows for per-game/program profiles to be created. This comes in especially handy if you want to load up a specific profile depending on the game you are playing. For example, I want the default setting to load when I am in a desktop environment or playing media on my particular system. However, I have two games that I like using the DTS Headphone:X setting in, so I am able to specify for the Engine 3 to load up that specific profile when I play those specific games. You can configure the Arctis 7 quite extensively this way and it’s a very useful feature to have if you find yourself constantly having to change sound settings as you go between specific games and programs.

Arctis 7 Engine 3

Overall, the Arctis 7 works quite well with the SteelSeries Engine 3 software. Adjustments are made in a straightforward manner and the ability to have specific profiles load with specific programs is a very welcome feature. I didn’t like that we have the black version of the Arctis 7, but the graphic showed the white version, with no apparent way to toggle this. I know this is a minor gripe, but with a $150 headset, it would have been nice for SteelSeries to let users put a graphic of their actual unit up for a more fitting customization page.