SteelSeries continues to make high-quality Arctis series gaming headphones for all popular platforms and the latest is the Arctis 7P+ wireless gaming headphones for the PlayStation 5. We got a chance to try the new headphones and here are our thoughts about them.
Design
It was over a year ago that we reviewed the Arctis 7P gaming headphone and the new Arctis 7P+ wireless headphones share a similar design as its predecessor model. The headphone weighs about 453g, which is a tad bit heavier than the previous model.
The headphone comes with several on-ear controls and ports. On the left earcup, there is the microphone mute button, the volume dial, a port for mobile cable connections, a headphone jack, and a USB-C port. On the right earcup is another dial for the Sidetone feature and the LED-equipped power button.
The new SteelSeries headphones use the soft Arctis Airweave ear cushions, which feel very comfortable when you wear them for longer durations. Users will also be able to replace them with the leather or the Pro versions of the Airweave ear cushions that are sold separately.
One of the main features of the Arctis 7P+ is its retractable ClearCast microphone that is located on the left earcup. The microphone uses a bidirectional design, a similar concept used by the deck crews of aircraft carriers. This bidirectional design is essential for better noise-cancellation so that your voice is clear and natural.
SteelSeries also integrated a steel headband that is quite durable, along with the adjustable Ski Goggle suspension that enhances the wearing comfort of the headphone. There is a blue-colored soft surface underneath the steel headband that matches the PlayStation theme.
The packaging consists of the headphone, the product information guide, a USB-C transmitter, a mobile audio cable, a USB-C charging cable, and a USB-C to USB-A adapter. SteelSeries offers the Arctis 7P+ wireless headphones in black and white colors.
Features
While the new Arctis 7P+ wireless headphones are mainly designed to work with the Sony PlayStation 5, the headphones will also work with the older PS4, PCs, laptops, Mac, Nintendo Switch console, Android devices with USB-C connections, and also the Oculus Quest 2 VR headset, all thanks to the supplied USB-C wireless transmitter. While the compatibility list covers the most popular platforms, the Xbox is the only one that is not included.
This can be a problem for those who want to use the same headphone if they have all the consoles and a PC. SteelSeries sells an Xbox version of the Arctis headphones separately for obvious reasons. When it comes to its wireless capability, the Arctis 7P+ has an effective range of 12m. During my time with the headphones, the in-game audio remained crystal clear without any loss of signal.
The Arctis 7P+ features 40 mm Neodymium drivers that cover an effective frequency range between 20Hz and 20,000Hz. This ensures that most of the audio details are heard during gameplay. The sensitivity is also rated at 98 dBSPL and the total harmonic distortion is less than 3 percent. The headphones are also compatible with the Tempest 3D Audio tech on the PS5 for an immersive audio-visual gaming experience.
The ClearCast microphone, on the other hand, uses a bidirectional design and has an effective frequency that ranges between 100Hz and 6500Hz. The sensitivity of the microphone is also rated at -38 dBV/Pa and the impedance at 2200 Ohm. There is also the Sidetone dial that is used to control and adjust the amount of mic input that is sent back into your headset, making you decide how much of your own voice and surroundings are heard. The Sidetone can be calibrated using the SteelSeries Engine application via a PC or a Mac. Users will also be able to customize the equalizers with the SteelSeries Engine.
SteelSeries also mentions that the headphone is capable of lasting up to 30 hours of wireless gaming on a single charge. And with the USB-C port, the headphone can offer up to 3 hours of use with just 15 minutes of quick charge.
Verdict
If you’re looking for a great wireless gaming headphone that is compatible with several platforms, then take a look at the SteelSeries Arctis 7P+ wireless headphone. While it is mainly designed for the PlayStation 5, it’s also compatible with PS4, PCs or laptops, Nintendo Switch handheld, Android devices, and even the Oculus Quest 2 VR headset. The headphone uses 40mm audio drivers that produce outstanding sound.
The retractable and Discord-certified ClearCast microphone is capable of picking up most of your voice and also allows you to choose what should be heard with the Sidetone dial. The device also uses Airweave cushions, along with the durable headband and the adjustable Ski Goggle suspension that offers great wearing comfort. And the headphone also offers up to 30 hours of wireless gaming, along with a 15-minute quick charge that offers 3 hours of usage.