SteelSeries Arctis 7P+ Headphone Review for Oct 2024
As I have spent a considerable amount of time using the SteelSeries Arctis 7P+ headphones, I am eager to explore everything that these headphones have to offer. These headphones have created a lot of hype in the gaming circles because of their great quality and versatility, particularly for PS5 users. In this review, I will consider each of these questions and elaborate on each point so you can make up your mind whether these headsets are what you actually need.
Reasons to Buy
- Premium build with a steel-reinforced headband.
- Comfortable AirWeave fabric ear cushions for long sessions.
- Optimized for PlayStation 5 with Tempest 3D AudioTech.
- Long battery life (up to 30 hours) with fast USB-C charging.
- Retractable ClearCast microphone with noise cancellation.
- Low latency wireless performance.
Reasons to Avoid
- Slightly heavier compared to other gaming headsets.
- No Bluetooth connectivity (requires wireless dongle).
- Surround sound is limited to certain platforms (no Dolby Atmos support).
- More expensive than many competing headsets.
Design and Aesthetics
In a way that is understated, elegant and has its purpose at the same time, the SteelSeries Arctis 7P+ Headphone is a good looking product like Sony WH-1000XM5. These headphones look and feel quite nice from the moment you take them out of the box. The color is glossy with a black coat and blue accents, and nothing more that makes it different from others like Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 or HyperX Cloud II Core Wireless.
The bold look with which SteelSeries has designed the 7P+ sits well with me since it is all about functionality without any aesthetics. There are no colorful LEDs or any garish designs. Rather, the set puts more weight on the subtle appearance that will suit any person’s needs whether it is gaming at home or working somewhere else remotely.
This particular ski goggle style headband is what every Arctis does possess and get this it also has adjustable properties which mean that it will rest and fit without stressing your head too much. In addition, the ear cups are designed to swivel to enable the ear cups to rest at the back of the neck like Sony WH-CH520. The ear cups are large and fabric is used over them which is soft and optimally ventilation is present. Moreover, every ear cup attracted me with a decent SteelSeries logo embossed upon it right up to proper and balanced design.
Materials and Build Quality
SteelSeries has established itself as a quality manufacturer and of course, the SteelSeries Arctis 7P+ Headphone is no different. The ear cups are made out of a tough plastic material which looks ready for anything on a daily basis. The headband has a metal support built into it which adds to the overall shape quite well because it makes it tough enough for everyday use for long hours like Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2.
The headband is covered by a stretchable fabric which helps to even out the weight of the headphone throughout the head. I noticed that such a construction reduces the pressure within the temples of the head, so one can game for long hours without getting tired. Covering the ear cushions is Airweave fabric that is cool to the touch as well as the wearer. It is fluffy, and it helps prevent the ears from overheating, which is nice because most headphones get very hot and act like a sauna room to the wearer.
Using the Arctis 7P+ by SteelSeries for a period of time, I was pleasantly surprised that they look and feel almost as fresh as when they were taken out of the box. The build quality is very good, despite being all mostly plastic, they feel robust and sturdy. For me, these headphones would survive a reasonable amount of traveling and active usage without problems.
Comfort and Fit
One term that will not cause you any shame is comfort, and the SteelSeries Arctis 7P+ Headphone offers that quite well. Its ski goggle type of headband is one of those features that I cherish because it simply sits on your head without putting any pressure bulges on it. The headband is adjustable in length as well as stretchable in girth and therefore eliminates the stress of determining the correct size that works for you. I had these cups on my ears for hours and hours without discomfort, an aspect I must add would appeal to any gamer or music lover.
The cups are big and deeply padded. The ear cushions are thoroughly padded with Airweave fabric, which keeps them comfortable even during long use. Unlike a leatherette or other synthetic surfaces, Airweave does not accumulate moisture or heat, and therefore one can wear them for a long period of time without stress. Also, most ear cups have a reasonable amount of noise isolation, and these are no different, which helps to reduce a perfectly reasonable and expected ambient noise.
Overally, the level of comfortability while using the Arctis 7P+ is very high, and I would recommend them for any users looking for a headset to use for extended periods without causing trouble. The hefty headsets are all these basic alterations of a bona fide headphone casque which have weight. Overall, the armor of the body has not been feeling cumbersome or unloved, and the axial weight being linear further promotes long periods of usage.
After testing of comfortability of this model, I can say that It is more comfortable than Technics EAH-A800 and Sennheiser Momentum 4. But It’s the same which I got in Sony WH-1000XM4 .
Sound Quality
As wireless headsets go, the sound is great with the SteelSeries Arctis 7P+ Headphone. These SteelSeries headphones can be considered over the ear type headphones and do provide good noise isolation as there are 40mm drivers within each ear cup to give some well-balanced audio. The bass quality is solid and it does have a punch but does not make the mid and sounding voices get lost. Thus, the wearable gadget provides a range of activities, not only limited to games but also to music and movie listening experiences.
For gaming, 7P+ is immersive in sound quality. I’ve tried them out in a few different types of games that are more diverse than first person shooters and RPGs. The sound quality was awesome in regards to details. In Call of Duty: Warzone, I enjoyed hearing all the directional audios like footsteps and gunfire, which were fun. The sound field is wide, thus, people have a chance to catch the subtle sounds within each game and this is important in most cases, especially in competitive gaming.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7P+ Headphones are capable of performing even when watching musical videos or during listening sessions with music. The sound signature is rather flat but has just a touch of extra punches that comes in handy for action moments and music. The mid is clear, and high is sharp which makes it easy to hear the words. In the case of different types of music that I exposed myself to, I must say the sound is great. The Arctis 7P+ will not find a substitute in other high-end headsets but in terms of sound for gaming headsets, they perform great.
Smart Features
The SteelSeries Arctis 7P+ Headphone has a couple of features that make the headphones even easier to use and better than Technics RP-DJ1200. The ability to mix the voices of fellow players and the sound effects of the game with an indented ChatMix dial, is one of the most attractive ones. This feature is especially great for shared multiplayer experiences because there’s no need to dive into any menus to control the volume of game sounds and your friends’ voices.
The headphones also allow for some onboard controls including a volume knob and whole microphone mute. These controls do not require much thought on the users’ part, and they are within reach even during gameplay. The control system is indeed responsive and allows adjustments without wastage of time.
Charging the headphones has been made easy with the help of USB-C. This is an improvement from the other model thanks to the fact that one can charge the device within a short period, which provides comfort for people who possess USB C cables from other gadgets. Besides, Arctis 7P+ offers its users a 3.5mm audio jack enabling them to connect the device with other wired electronics, for instance, old gaming consoles as well as portable devices.
Connectivity and Usability
The SteelSeries Arctis 7P+ Headphone has wireless connectivity using a usb-c dongle. The arrangement is simple which consists of inserting the dongle and switching the headphone on. The connection was quite seamless as I didn’t detect any lag when playing. At times it gets frustrating because blocking is not fun when gaming especially for those who are called the hardcore gamers.
I also liked the range of wireless technology. Within my apartment, I could get up and walk about without severing the connection and that is an added advantage if you cannot sit in one place while playing a game or listening to music. The headphones also work with the PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4, PC as well as Nintendo Switch making them viable in as far as gaming is concerned. This only means that if I have one headset, I can use it on different devices.
As for the others, the headphones were quite intuitive and easy to use. Going from wireless to wired mode and vice versa is on both counts and switching between both provides no interruption at all. I also liked the fact that there is a 3.5mm jack included since not all devices are wireless. I used the Arctis 7P+ with different devices and in all cases, the performance was where it should always be.
Battery Life 90/100
The SteelSeries Arctis 7P+ Headphone does not disappoint when it comes to battery life and performance. With a complete charge, the over-the-ear audio accessories allow you to listen for as long as 30 hours and this artist is pretty certain it is more than enough time for most users. I discovered that even considering prolonged gaming activities I was still able to use the headset for several days on a single charge. Whenever it’s necessary to do so, the USB-C port also enables the user to recharge the headset in a timely and efficient manner.
I also like that you can keep using the headphones while they are plugged in to charge, so if you run out of battery you won’t have to listen to anything in silence. A fast charge of just 15 minutes would allow for an approximate playtime of about 3 hours, which is very ideal for on-the-go gamers who just need a little recharge in between sessions.
Mic Performance and Call Quality
The SteelSeries Arctis 7P+ Headphone includes a ClearCast bidirectional microphone that I rate among the top I have ever seen on a gaming headset. It is possible to hide the microphone by retracting it when not in use. With the mic being used; it captures the speaker’s voice with a minimal amount of background sound. I carried out some game testing with the mic and my teammates said that they heard me, and I sounded really natural to them.
The mic is also very efficient for normal calls. I used it while on a few Zoom calls and the voice and audio was very clear. It does a good job of blocking background sounds, which is useful when in a loud place. As the microphone is quiet and retractable it can serve the purpose of gaming and professional calls as well.
Durability and Portability
The SteelSeries Arctis 7P+ Headphone construction and design are of a high durability. Most of the materials seem to be of high quality and most if not all, construction is sound. After wearing them for several weeks, I do not think I have seen them show any signs of wear. The headphones are quite sturdy and strongly built, and so I believe they would withstand regular use without falling apart.
The weight is acceptable and the size of the headphones is slightly above average but they are not oversized. The ear cups can swivel flat and therefore are not a problem during packing. Perhaps these don’t completely do the job of folding up but still, these can be termed quite portable especially with the gaming headsets. However if you let’s say intend to use the headset mainly at home, that size would not be an issue.
Gaming Performance
The SteelSeries Arctis 7P+ Headphone construction and design are of a high durability. Most of the materials seem to be of high quality and most if not all, construction is sound. After wearing them for several weeks, I do not think I have seen them show any signs of wear. The headphones are quite sturdy and strongly built, and so I believe they would withstand regular use without falling apart.
The weight is acceptable and the size of the headphones is slightly above average but they are not oversized. The ear cups can swivel flat and therefore are not a problem during packing. Perhaps these don’t completely do the job of folding up but still, these can be termed quite portable especially with the gaming headsets. However if you let’s say intend to use the headset mainly at home, that size would not be an issue.
SteelSeries Arctis 7P+ vs Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 3
The SteelSeries Arctis 7P+ and the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 3 differ in several key areas, including build quality, sound technology, microphone features, and platform optimization.
In terms of build quality and design, the SteelSeries Wireless Headphone uses more premium materials, featuring a steel-reinforced headband and AirWeave fabric ear cushions. This makes it slightly heavier at 354g but provides greater durability and comfort for long gaming sessions. The Stealth 600 Gen 3, on the other hand, has a plastic build with memory foam ear cushions, making it lighter at 337g. However, it doesn’t feel as premium or durable as the 7P+.
The sound technology also varies between the two. The Arctis 7P+ is optimized for PlayStation 5’s Tempest 3D AudioTech, offering immersive 3D sound on PS5 and 7.1 surround sound on PC. It delivers a more refined and balanced audio profile. In contrast, the Stealth 600 Gen 3 utilizes Windows Sonic surround sound on Xbox and PC, which provides decent audio quality but isn’t as advanced as Tempest 3D.
Regarding the microphone, the SteelSeries Arctis 7P+ Headphone has a retractable, bidirectional ClearCast microphone with noise-canceling technology, which offers clear and high-quality voice transmission. The Stealth 600 Gen 3 comes with a flip-to-mute omnidirectional microphone, which, while functional, doesn’t offer the same noise-cancellation quality as the Arctis 7P+.
Battery life is also a point of distinction. The 7P+ offers up to 30 hours of battery life, while the Stealth 600 Gen 3 provides up to 24 hours per charge. Both have USB-C charging ports, but the Arctis 7P+ supports quick charging, giving you 3 hours of use from just a 15-minute charge.
When it comes to compatibility, the SteelSeries Wireless Headphone is optimized for PlayStation 5 but works well with PlayStation 4, PC, Nintendo Switch, and Android devices. The Stealth 600 Gen 3 is more focused on Xbox platforms, including Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One, though it also works with PC and PlayStation models.
Final Verdict
After using the device and performing extensive testing, I will say that the SteelSeries Arctis 7P+ Wireless Headphone is one of the best gaming headphones out there. When it comes to comfort, sound quality, and even durability, these headphones pay off nicely making them a good investment for casual or serious gamers. They have a good wireless range, the battery remains pretty good, and the design is nice and comfortable. Their portability is not the best, however, they are perfect for home gaming and daily usage. Overall, if you need a headset for all situations that gives excellent performance, the Arctis 7P+ is definitely one of them.