INTRODUCTION

    It may not be the most popular opinion in the PC gaming industry but for me nothing can replace a good speaker system and that's something I've stood behind ever since I got my very first 5.1 Dolby Digital surround sound speakers in the late 90's. Yes, it's better to have a good headset in case you need it than need it and not have it (especially if you're into online games) but again, for me nothing beats a good speaker system. Not only can a good speaker system (even a stereo one) produce far more accurate positioning audio, but it also allows end users to be a lot more aware of their surroundings (and if you have kids or pets, that's quite important). Back in 2022 SteelSeries announced their Arena line of gaming speakers and even though it took a very long time I finally have the Arena 7 model here in the lab.

    SteelSeries is the original esports brand that fuses gaming & culture, leading the way in defining a gaming lifestyle, and we have the power to help gamers through our brand, our vision, and our products. The role that gaming plays in moving culture forward is essential, and our worldwide brand creates industry-defining gaming and lifestyle peripherals with a focus on premium quality, innovation, and functionality. SteelSeries is obsessed with helping make a difference by enhancing performance through first-to-market innovations and technologies that empower gamers and fans to push boundaries. Founded in 2001, SteelSeries was the pioneering supporter of esports and competitive gaming tournaments and continues to connect gamers and foster a sense of community and purpose. The SteelSeries family of professional and gaming enthusiasts, entertainers, and athletes is the driving force behind the company and helps influence the design, craftsmanship, and engineering in every piece of gear we create, as well as the brand’s software ecosystem (SteelSeries GG, Moments video clip service, and the Sonar Audio Software Suite). The SteelSeries family of brands includes KontrolFreek, the industry leader in high-performance controller accessories, and Nahimic, the leader in 3D sound solutions for gaming. In 2022, SteelSeries joined the GN family, a global leader in innovative and intelligent audio and video communications solutions sold in approximately 100 countries around the globe.

    The Arena line of gaming speakers consists by 3 models, the 2.0 channel Arena 3, 2.1 channel Arena 7 and the 5.1 channel Arena 9. The Arena 7 which I'll be testing today sports a maximum power output of 150 RMS and includes two satellite speakers (two-way design, base with adjustable tilting) featuring 3" organic fiber woofers and 0.75" silk dome tweeters and a subwoofer housing a 6.5" down-firing driver. This combination allows the Arena 7 to cover a wide frequency range of 35-20kHz with 89dB sensitivity and 100dB max SPL. SteelSeries has also equipped the Arena 7 with a USB DAC, rear RGB lights (4-zones, PRISMSYNC reactive), multi-function button (audio mute, headset toggle, Bluetooth pairing, LED toggle), volume dials (both for the speakers and the subwoofer) and as for available connectivity they pack Bluetooth v4.2, USB-C, S/PDIF (in/out), 3.5mm aux and an 3.5mm headset output.

SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES

PACKAGING AND CONTENTS

The Arena 7 is packed inside a large box that has a product picture at the front along with the company logo and main product features.

Several media awards SteelSeries products have won over the years are showcased on the left side.

Another product picture is placed on the right side of the box right under the product specifications.

Most of the rear is taken by yet another product picture and a quick introduction to the 5 main features of the Arena 7 in 4 languages.

The entire bundle is placed between several pieces of cardboard.

Along with the Arena 7 speakers and subwoofer inside the box you'll also find the power cord, USB-A to USB-C cable and the product information guide.

THE ARENA 7

Both speakers are made of plastic and each measures 196.1mm in height, 104.9mm in width and 126.2mm in depth.

The 0.75-inch silk dome tweeters and 3" organic fiber woofers may not be the top materials used for speakers, but they should be more than good for gaming use.

At the base of the right speaker, we find the multi-function button (audio mute, headset toggle, Bluetooth pairing, LED toggle) and the volume dial (also a LED ring around the base which is one of the available RGB zones).

SteelSeries has placed left and right markings at the rear of both speakers and frosted plastic at the top inside which there are 6 RGB LEDs (12 total). In the case of the right speaker there's also a 3.5mm headset output available.

Aside the ring LED placed at the base of both speakers they can also tilt forward and backwards (not by much but even that is a good feature).

The 5.6Kg heavy subwoofer SteelSeries bundles with the Arena 7 is made of quality MDF and measures 355.5mm in height, 235mm in depth and 239mm in length.

Leaving out the 3.5mm headset connector found at the rear of the right speaker everything else is placed at the rear of the subwoofer including the speaker cables, PC USB-C (USB-DAC), on/off power button, sub volume, S/PDIF in/out, 3.5mm out and the power port.

The  6.5" down-firing subwoofer driver does a very good job and is the type I generally prefer myself (compared to side firing ones).

As you can see the rear RGB LEDs look great but unlike the above picture remember to not have them too close to your screen (short video is available both on YouTube and TikTok).

ENGINE SOFTWARE

The Engine software detects available devices by SteelSeries (also have the Aerox 3 on this system) and informs you of available firmware updates (there was one for the Arena 7 speakers).

From the initial tab you can tweak the equalizer, load one of the 6 available presets and set the lighting time out.

Pressing on the illumination tab takes you to the Prism tab from where you can control all 4-RGB zones (2-zones on each speaker, rear top and base ring) manually or by using one of the 5 available modes.

There are three available layers, active (continuous standard effect), reactive (triggered by key presses) and idle (effect when the system has been idle for a set period of time).

You can also adjust the brightness level, speed, and direction of the effects from the top right corner.

The sonar audio optimization is something I've used in the past with headsets but it's also useful with speakers (regardless of brand, you just need to register a free account with SteelSeries to use it).

There are 3 main subtabs (plus mixer) inside the Sonar tab the first of which is game and allows you to set the equalizer (can make your own or choose one of the 266 presets), enable spatial audio and use the volume boost and smart modes.

Second tab is the chat tab and as expected in here there are many chat related settings including an equalizer (again, you can either create your very own or use one of the 7 presets), clearcast AI audio cancellation, noise reduction and gate and compressor.

Finally, we have the mic tab which is identical to the chat tab with sole difference the available equalizer presets which are 13 in number (plus your very own).

CONCLUSION

    Even though SteelSeries released their Arena line of illuminated gaming speakers back in 2022 technology hasn’t really advanced since then in this industry and so the Arena 7 performed extremely well during the 3 weeks I ended up using them. Yes, Bluetooth v4.2 is not as good as the latest Bluetooth v6.0 version but for a desktop speaker system that doesn’t matter much since all the improved specs such as speed, range, latency, and energy efficiency are beneficial primarily to portable devices. When it comes to audio reproduction the Arena 7 produce detailed and crisp mids and highs with rich and powerful bass right from the box. You can of course further improve that by tweaking the equalizer inside the Engine software and yes, I do believe it’s worth doing so. Volume levels are also very good and up to around 85-90% volume you will notice no audio distortion (above that depending on the material you throw at them, you just might – still I doubt many people will even use them at 50%). SteelSeries uses a good enough USB DAC with the Arena 7, so I had no problems with features like spatial audio during testing (and unlike some other models it doesn’t act up when powered on regardless of the when). The 4-zone (2 on each speaker) RGB lighting is also quite impressive, if you enjoy such a feature that is. As a matter of fact, the Arena 7 are among the best looking in that regard I’ve used and/or tested.

    The current price tag attached to the SteelSeries Arena 7 of USD379.99 inside the USA (Amazon.com) and 281.33Euros inside the EU (Amazon.de) may not be great but it’s actually quite good for what you’re getting in return (still, US pricing needs a look). At the end of the day the Arena 7 by SteelSeries may not be the latest 2.1 speaker system to hit the market but it’s very good at what it does regardless of what you decide to use them for (gaming, movies, music) and that’s why it gets the Golden Award.

PROS

- Overall Quality
- Audio Performance
- 4 Zone RGB Illumination
- Built In USB DAC
- Large Down Firing Subwoofer
- Connectivity (Bluetooth v4.2, USB, S/PDIF Input & Output, 3.5mm Aux & 3.5mm Headset Output)
- Engine Software

CONS

- USA Price (For Some)
- Bluetooth V4.2 (For Some)