We’re fond of PCs here at this site, but the Arctis Pro Wireless will also handle 3.5mm aux signals and optical signals, both in and out. It also opens the headset up to a wide range of devices. I’ve always found it a fairly attractive-looking box though, and heaven knows I could use fewer crap software utilities in my life. The volume wheel doubles as a click wheel, allowing you to navigate the Arctis Pro Wireless’s menus from across the room. You can either use the knob on the base station itself or use the controls on the actual headset. Along with a battery indicator, all the functionality companies build into software-chat mix, EQ, surround sound-is easily adjusted through the LED screen on the front. The key is it’s a useful wireless receiver, not just a generic dongle or a branded showpiece. With the Arctis Pro Wireless, you just yank out the old battery (each lasts up to 10 hours) and put the new one in. Most times, it means your wireless headset becomes temporarily wired as you wait for it to recharge. If you’re big-headed (literally, not metaphorically) you might want to look elsewhere.īut we’re not always diligent, and running out of battery mid-game is a pain. I’d wager I have a pretty average-sized head, or at least I don’t usually run into size problems with headsets, but I run up against the limits of the Arctis Pro Wireless. The only catch is the headband runs a bit small. The Pro Wireless swaps to an aluminum band, which should prove just as durable but with less weight shifting around on your head. The Arctis 7 used a steel band for the basic structure, which was strong but relatively heavy. The situation’s actually improved with the Arctis Pro Wireless. The Arctis Pro Wireless, like the Arctis 7 before it, straddles the line-it’s reassuringly tight, but also soft and supple enough for all-day wear. The biggest problem with floating headband designs is that they usually feel either too tight, causing an aching sensation on the top of the head, or (more often) they feel like they’ll fall right off. It sounds weird but it’s incredibly comfortable. The headband is a thin metal sheet with ski goggle-like material as padding. When the Arctis line was first unveiled, there was lots of talk about “activewear,” and while SteelSeries seems to have backed off that message, the result is the same. Basically, SteelSeries took the Siberia’s old floating-headband design and reworked it with new materials and a sleeker profile.

Arctis 7 pro