The SteelSeries Arctis 7 and Arctis 9X have a lot in common. However, they do have some key differences—besides price and connectivity, that is. According to SteelSeries, they provide the same sound quality and comfort. What makes the Arctis 9X different is it’s made for the Xbox, but that doesn’t seem to be painting the whole picture. We made this comparison to get to the bottom of things and help you decide which wireless gaming headset you should buy.
SteelSeries brings improved comfort, impressive mic clarity, and lossless wireless audio to the Arctis 7 gaming headset. Awarded Best Wireless Gaming Headset of 2019 by PC Gamer.
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SteelSeries Arctis 7 vs 9X Comparison Chart
| Model | SteelSeries Arctis 7 | SteelSeries Arctis 9X |
| Â | |  |
| Price | Check Price at Amazon | Check Price at Amazon |
| Frequency Response | 20 Hz – 20 kHz | 20 Hz – 20 kHz |
| Drivers | 40 mm Neodymium | 40 mm Neodymium |
| Positional Audio | DTS Headphone:X v2.0 | Windows Sonic Spatial Audio |
| Microphone | Retractable, Noise Canceling, ClearCast Bidirectional | Retractable, Noise Canceling, ClearCast Bidirectional |
| Connection | USB, 4-Pole 3.5 mm Analog, Lossless 2.4 GHz | USB, Bluetooth 4.1, Xbox Wireless |
| Battery Life | 24+ Hours | Up to 20 Hours |
| Wireless Range | 40 ft. | 20 ft. |
| Onboard Controls | ChatMix Dial, Microphone Mute Toggle, Volume Control, Power Button | ChatMix Dial, Microphone Mute Toggle, Volume Control, Power Button, Bluetooth Button |
| Cushion | AirWeave | AirWeave |
| Software | SteelSeries Engine 3 | SteelSeries Engine 3 |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs | 0.8 lbs |
| Compatibility | PC, Mac, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Mobile | PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Mobile |
| Year of Release | 2018 | 2019 |
| Colors | Black, White | Black |
Design
SteelSeries’ iconic Arctis design shines through the Arctis 7 and Arctis 9X.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 has an understated design that’s also sleek. Build quality is solid as well. The headband is made with durable steel, floating above the woven ski goggle fabric. The ear cups are where you’ll find the onboard controls, and they’re huge, to say the least. They’re large enough that you’ll naturally assume they can hug your ears for a secure fit. All in all, not only does it feel premium but it also looks like it.
Meanwhile, the SteelSeries Arctis 9X is pretty much the same. After all, it’s only building on the Arctis 7. But SteelSeries teamed up with Microsoft to make it, so it looks more “Xbox-y.” That’s evidenced by the green accents on the headband.
Both headsets have a retractable mic, so you can tuck them away when you’re not using them. Couple that with their polished design, you likely won’t attract any weird looks during, say, your commute.
Comfort
Neither the SteelSeries Arctis 7 nor the Arctis 9X are uncomfortable.
As mentioned earlier, SteelSeries fitted the Arctis 7 and the Arctis 9X with its trademark ski goggle suspension headband. Mix that with the AirWeave ear cushions, and you’ve got yourself some really comfortable gaming cans.
The clamping force of each headset is just right as well. That makes either one the ideal audio companion for long gaming sessions.
Performance
Both the SteelSeries Arctis 7 and Arctis 9X come with 40 mm neodymium drivers and a frequency response of 20 Hz to 20 kHz.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 and Arctis 9X deliver the same sound quality. Considering their specifications, that’s not too surprising. They’re both equipped with 40 mm neodymium drivers, and they have the same frequency response range of 20 Hz to 20 kHz.
That said, the treble on the two isn’t too sharp. The bass doesn’t get muffled and cloudy. Also, there’s no sign of crackles or distortion. In short, you’ll get a rich and clear audio experience on either one.
With integrated Xbox Wireless and simultaneous Bluetooth audio, the SteelSeries Arctis 9X gives Xbox gamers stunning in-game sound quality with noise-cancelling ClearCast mic.
It’s worth mentioning that the SteelSeries Arctis 9X can connect to the PC via Bluetooth or an Xbox Wireless Controller Adapter. The good news here is you get some flexibility. The bad news is audio quality suffers when using Bluetooth. That means you’ll have to pay extra for the adapter to get a better sound on the PC.
Now surround sound is one of the defining differences between the two. The SteelSeries Arctis 7 has 7.1 surround sound support using DTS Headphone:X v2.0 technology. On the other hand, the Arctis 9X only relies on Windows Sonic Spatial Audio, which is decent but can’t really compare.
Features and Battery Life
ChatMix controls and ClearCast microphones on the SteelSeries Arctis 7 and Arctis 9X make chatting with teammates super easy.
The ChatMix Dial is among the SteelSeries Arctis line’s best features. That’s because it saves you from the hassle of going to the options menu just to balance in-game and chat audio. Another noteworthy detail is the ClearCast microphone that helps make sure you sound clear and natural. In other words, these add a lot to how you can communicate effectively with your teammates.
Battery life on the SteelSeries Arctis 7 and Arctis 9X is par for the course for headsets in this price range. To be exact, the Arctis 7 can last more than 24 hours, while the Arctis 9X can last up to 20 hours.
Verdict
Put side by side the SteelSeries Arctis 9X, the Arctis 7 comes out on top.
Across the board, the SteelSeries Arctis 7 and Arctis 9X are similar in more ways than one, from sound quality to comfort. The main differences are that the Arctis 7 is more affordable and has better surround sound.
However, if you primarily use PC and Xbox platforms, then the SteelSeries Arctis 9X is worth considering. But that’s pretty much the only reason, which doesn’t really say much.
FAQs
Yes. Not only does the Arctis 7 have excellent sound quality, but it’s also comfortable to wear for long gaming sessions.
Yes, the Arctis 9X is worth getting, particularly if you’re an Xbox One gamer. After all, it was made with the platform in mind, coming in with Xbox Wireless support.
Yes, it supports Windows Sonic Spatial Audio for the Xbox One and PC.
The two are virtually the same, except that the Arctis 9X was made for the Xbox One platform in that it features Xbox Wireless.