Gaming Gaming Headsets

SteelSeries Arctis 9x Review – Best Xbox Headset?

Is this the best wireless gaming headset for the Xbox? ๐ŸŽฎ ๐ŸŽง
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Since the Xbox One utilizes its own form of connectivity, tech companies usually end up creating special variants just for the console, like the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 Xbox One edition. SteelSeries also wanted in on the action, which is why they came up with the SteelSeries Arctis 9x – a premium wireless headset that was built primarily for the Xbox One/Xbox Series X/S but works on PCs too.

SteelSeries Arctis 9x Review
  • Design & Build - 8.1/10
    8.1/10
  • Features - 8.2/10
    8.2/10
  • Sound Quality - 8.9/10
    8.9/10
  • Mic Quality - 8.3/10
    8.3/10
  • Battery Life - 8.8/10
    8.8/10
  • Comfort - 7.7/10
    7.7/10
  • Total Value - 8.3/10
    8.3/10

Summary

The Arctis 9x is simply one of the best, if not THE best, wireless gaming headset designed specifically for current and next-gen Xbox consoles.

Between its premium sound quality, eye-catching design, functional controls, and lengthy battery life, there really isnโ€™t all that much more you can ask for. Just donโ€™t expect much of a PC experience. Is it expensive? Sure. Is it worth every penny? Definitely.

Overall
8.3/10
8.3/10

Pros

  • Marvellous sound quality
  • Trademark Arctis design is still awesome
  • Very comfortable
  • Rugged build
  • Great microphone
  • One of the longest-lasting batteries around
  • Robust software support

Cons

Cons:

  • Kinda pricey
  • Connecting wireless to your PC requires you to buy an Xbox Controller Adapter
  • Fit might be too snug for people with large heads
  • Bad noise isolation

But how well does it fare against the far cheaper Stealth 600? And is it worth your hard-earned cash if youโ€™re also part of the master race? Weโ€™re looking at its ins and outs to see just how good it really is, in this SteelSeries Arctis 9x review.

Short on time and canโ€™t read through the entire review? Click any of the links below and youโ€™ll skip right to that section:

What is the SteelSeries Arctis 9x?

Just like the previous entries in SteelSeriesโ€™ Arctis lineup, the Arctis 9x is essentially the Xbox variant of their Arctis 9 wireless headset. Since the Xbox requires a different kind of connection compared to PCs and PS4s, tech companies continuously have to come up with special editions that cater specifically to Microsoftโ€™s variety of consoles.

Connectivity aside, the Arctis 9x features the stellar audio fidelity and loveable design that the SteelSeries is known for, along with one of the best batteries weโ€™ve seen in a wireless headset.ย  It doesnโ€™t come cheap, however, as its $200 price tag puts it in the same room as the fantastic Razer Nari Ultimate, and double the price of the beloved Turtle Beach Stealth 600. The Arctis 9x sports a look thatโ€™s easy to love and fairly similar to the other headsets in the SteelSeries roster, though itโ€™s a tad on the wilder side.

SteelSeries Arctis 9x Review

Features

Connectivity

The Arctis 9x connects directly to your Xbox consoles in the same way its controllers do – via Xbox Wireless. Unfortunately for PC gamers, youโ€™ll need to purchase the Xbox Controller Adapter separately if you want to connect wirelessly since this version of the headset doesnโ€™t come with a transmitter. Alternatively, you can connect to PCs and smartphones via Bluetooth or 1/8โ€ audio cable.

Battery life

One of the best things about this headset is its amazing battery life which can last up to 28 hours of continuous use. This beats out the Arctis 7โ€™s impressive 24-hour runtime by quite a bit. It also takes only 2 hours to charge it back to full power.

Noise Cancellation

The Arctis 9x doesnโ€™t come with any form of active noise cancelling and its isolation capabilities are mediocre at best. It struggles to block out moderately loud voices in the same room and planes flying overhead will sound just as loud as if you werenโ€™t wearing a headset at all.

Accessories

If you were hoping for some nice freebies youโ€™re going to be sorely disappointed, as this headset only comes with the peripheral itself and its USB to micro-USB charging cable. The wireless transmitter that came with the original is notably missing since this version was built to synergize with the Xbox Wireless feature.

Surround Sound

This variation of the headset utilizes Windows Sonic Spatial Audio which is Microsoftโ€™s version of virtual surround sound.

Software

As with all of its more recent headsets, the Arctis 9x makes use of the intuitive SteelSeries Engine software which allows you to experiment with equalizer levels, create your own presets, adjust your mic volume, and manage your different profiles. Thereโ€™s also an option to stop the Bluetooth from automatically turning on whenever you fire up the headset. Perhaps its only flaw is that it gives you no control over the Windows Sonic Spatial Audio.

SteelSeries Arctis 9x Sound Quality

Sound Quality

Luckily for the Arctis 9x, its best feature is the remarkable audio quality that makes it one of the best-sounding headsets for Xbox consoles. Its bass profile boasts great accuracy as lower frequency sounds come across full and punchy. Thuds may not feel as resounding as youโ€™d like and you wonโ€™t get as much rumbling as you would with more bass-heavy headsets, but it still sounds fantastic whether youโ€™re playing your favourite shooter or watching a good olโ€™ action flick.

Its mids are crystal clear, rendering vocals and instruments almost perfectly, and its phenomenal trebles tie everything together nicely, with voices, sound effects, and the musical scores sounding individually distinct and precise.

The Arctis 9xโ€™s microphone offers excellent recording and has your voice sounding nice and clear. You might sound a little crisper than youโ€™re used to which is likely be part of the way the headset separates in-game audio from your vocals. The micโ€™s noise isolation is also exceptional as itโ€™s able to block out ambient noises in even rowdier environments.

SteelSeries Arctis 9x What's It Like To Use

Whatโ€™s it like to use?

Since the Xbox doesnโ€™t need a USB dongle or wireless transmitter, connecting your headset to the console is even easier than most. Just press the connect button on your console then hold the power button on your headsets for a few seconds and you should receive a prompt telling you that the pairing was successful. As a bonus, you can simultaneously connect to your smartphone via Bluetooth and listen to music or continue a phone call while youโ€™re playing.

The Arctis 9x comes with a healthy amount of buttons, all of which are placed in convenient locations on the left and right earcups. The power button doubles as the equalizer preset control and you also have a dedicated button for muting your mic. There are two wheels that control volume and channel mixing while the Bluetooth button serves multiple purposes, including answering and dropping calls and pausing and playing music. This shows you that SteelSeries built the headset for more than just gaming and really intended it for casual use as well.

They didnโ€™t skimp on comfort either, as the large earcups fit a variety of ear shapes and sizes and are well-padded yet permeable. As with other Arctis models, the ski-goggle headband feels great but only if it fits your head well. If your head is a little on the larger side, the headset might feel a bit too snug since the headbandโ€™s elasticity is limited. In return, you get a satisfactorily stable experience that can withstand moderate movements without much trouble. Just donโ€™t go using it in the gym or for your daily jog.

SteelSeries Arctis 9x Aesthetic

Aesthetic

If youโ€™ve seen one Arctis headset, youโ€™ve seen em all. Kidding aside, the Arctis 9x looks a lot like the Arctis 7 which is completely fine considering its design was one of its best features. Its oversized oval earcups are connected to arched swivels that end in hollow square shapes. This is where the ski-goggle style headbands run through, making an adjustable loop thatโ€™s more rigid on top but flexible on the bottom and secured together by a velcro flap.

The microphone is pliable and retractable so you can easily move it around or get it out of your way when needed. Itโ€™s a great-looking design thatโ€™s youthful and fresh but isnโ€™t so loud that youโ€™d avoid using it outdoors. It also happens to be very sturdy thanks to its well-built earcups and the metal sheet that runs through the top of the headband.

Final Thoughts

Xbox fans rejoice, as SteelSeries manages to usher one of the best console-compatible headsets around over to Microsoftโ€™s beloved consoles. The Arctis 9x connects seamlessly through Xbox Wireless and brings a top-shelf audio experience, tremendous battery capacity, and the distinguished build and design that made the Arctis line so famous in the first place.

Be warned, however, that the headsetโ€™s connectivity is quite clumsy on PC and youโ€™ll have to buy a Controller Adapter just to make it work. But if youโ€™re on the lookout for the best wireless headset for your Xbox One or Xbox Series X/S, the SteelSeries Artics 9x is surely a frontrunner.

SteelSeries Arctis 9x
  • Integrated Xbox Wireless connectivity: Connect directly to your Xbox Series...
  • Bluetooth: Simultaneously connects to Bluetooth and Xbox to mix in music...
  • Clearcast Microphone: The Arctis mic uses a bidirectional design, the same...
  • Award winning sound: The award winning soundscape of Arctis emphasizes...

 

Last update on 2024-12-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Author

Mo Alshorbaji is a seasoned content writer who specializes in video games and all things tech. Heโ€™s been in love with video games ever since he learned how to properly hold a controller and enjoys nothing more than putting PCs together in his spare time. When heโ€™s not gaming or thinking with computers, youโ€™ll likely find him enjoying a good book or reading up on the latest in tech.

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