Receive news and offers from our other brands? It looks pretty good, feels pretty good, and sounds great - a no-brainer if you're looking to get a pair of headphones ahead of the next-gen release that won't bankrupt you. Be part of the most informed community and take advantage of our advanced tools to find the best product for your needs. The acoustic guitar that followed was lively, as the highs and mids were highlighted, but the drums in the background were a little too low. The vocals were full and crisp, however, the bassy sound effects that trickle throughout the song were blown out, which would’ve been averted if the bass was rounded out. We're not really sure why this happens, but it seems like the Arctis 9X assumes that you'll be playing Xbox while your headset is connected to your phone for calls. The opening synthetic beats were way off, sounding like a mere shallow representation of the original.
All controls and connections are located along the sides of each earcup; the rubberized back panels are empty save for subtle Steelseries logos. Meanwhile, the mic is clear, has good noise-canceling, and is retractable. PCMag, PCMag.com and PC Magazine are among the federally registered trademarks of Ziff Davis, LLC and may not be used by third parties without explicit permission. - YouTube On the left cup, there’s the game chat balance rocker and the retractable ClearCast microphone. During Dead Cells, the first sound I was greeted with was the thick wet slap of my mushy body hitting the bridge at the very beginning of the game. Before I explain my troubles with the Arctis 9X, you have to understand that there are two different audio signals in the headset, one specifically for the Xbox Wireless connectivity and one for Bluetooth. Rather, the Arctis 9X features a dual-wireless system where its direct Xbox Wireless connection is used for gaming while Bluetooth is used to connect to mobile devices. It wasn’t until I clicked play on Spotify that all the audio started coming through. In ReCore: Definitive Edition, the low electric guitar, elevating violins and rumbling percussion threw me into the action, as each instrument stood out. I'm one of the Hardware Editors for GamesRadar+, and I take care of a whole host of gaming tech reviews, buying guides, and news and deals content that pops up across GamesRadar+. Listening to music via the Arctis 9X was relatively satisfying, as it was good at highlighting the lows, mids and highs enough to give each instrument its own spotlight. Test recordings in Audacity were riddled with Bluetooth artifacts that made my voice sound like it was on a cell phone call with a bad connection. Conversely, using the Arctis 9X on Xbox was ideal. You could probably get around this if you purchased an Xbox Wireless Adapter for your PC, but when you’re already $199 in, another $30 invested in a potentially hard-to-find product feels like a rip-off. Since Bluetooth and Xbox Wireless are separate forms of connectivity, the Arctis 9X can accept audio from two sources at once. Fairly uncommon among gaming headphones, the SteelSeries Arctis 9X is fully compatible with the Xbox One using Microsoft's proprietary Xbox Wireless Connection. Spider-Man: Miles Morales saved data can be transferred from PS4 to PS5, EA Play to launch on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate this holiday — these games are set to arrive, Surface Laptop Go could be Microsoft's newest laptop — and it may launch this week, Amazon Prime Day kicks off October 13 — How to get a free $10 credit, PS5 pre-order stock alerts: The latest updates at Amazon, GameStop, Target and Best Buy. © The electronic beats that complemented the guitar weren’t as impactful due to the softer bass. Comfortable design. So choose the one that meets your budgets and needs, and start playing. My voice was clear, but it wasn’t very loud, which may have something to do with the noise-cancelling component. Which Arctis Headsets are Compatible with Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PlayStation 5?. This headset is designed to be used with wirelessly the Xbox One, which isn't quite the same as Bluetooth even if the pairing process is very similar. This Jack-of-all-trades wireless gaming headset is good at pretty much everything it does. It connects to your Xbox One out of the box without any adapter to use up a USB port, and can connect to your phone, tablet, or computer over Bluetooth at the same time. During Dead Cells, the first sound I was greeted with was the thick wet slap of my mushy body hitting the bridge at the very beginning of the game.
This let me take a call or even play Spotify while playing video games.
In Kailee Morgue’s cover of “Black Sheep,” the opening bass guitar sounded lighter than I expected, but the bass was still thick, although wasn’t pronounced. Unfortunately, SteelSeries does not supply a 3.5-millimeter audio jack with this headset despite it costing $199. Thank you for signing up to GamesRadar+. There are countless gaming headsets available, most of which require a wire connected to your computer or to the controller of your game console. The band is also incredibly easy to adjust thanks to the velcro strap, but it might take you a few tries to get the right fit, as you can’t really adjust it while it’s on your head. It's very comfortable, has incredibly low latency, excellent audio quality, and a very strong 20-hour battery life. NY 10036. A wheel on the back edge of the earcup adjusts audio balance for game and voice chat. Bluetooth can be a nice backup for gaming headsets, but it's rarely the main method of wireless connection. Wireless gaming headsets let you cut the cord and enjoy two-way audio unfettered by wires. ESPN Plus costs, bundle prices, and PPV events explained: get UFC, NHL, MLB, and more for less, The best headphones 2020: the finest audio options compared, The best Xbox One external hard drives for 2020. You could probably get around this if you purchased an Xbox Wireless Adapter for your PC, but when you’re already $199 in, another $30 invested in a potentially hard-to-find product feels like a rip-off. Their solid recording quality and noise handling mean those on the other end should be able to clearly hear your voice. Razer BlackShark V2 Pro: Microphone quality is very good, and wireless performance is solid but not compatible with Xbox One. Throw in an easy setup process, and a very accessible price tag, and you really are off to a winner.
However, the bass is definitely too soft for my preferences. If you want to seriously invest in one of the best wireless gaming headsets with Microsoft's console - both current and next-gen - then this is probably your best bet. Depending on your setup and usage, that can be a good or bad thing.
However, if you’re looking for a wireless gaming headset for a cheaper price, consider the RIG 800LX. The Sennheiser GSP 370 wireless gaming headset delivers strong audio quality but a dearth of connection options and extra features. Shop SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless Gaming Headset for Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S, Xbox One- Black Black at Best Buy.
Receive news and offers from our other brands? CONSHeavy on bass by default.7.1-channel surround and EQ tweaks are only available on PC.