INTRODUCTION

   Searching for the best gaming headset hasn't been easy and even after testing countless models for the past 6 years we’ve still to find the one to "rule them all". Sure we've had several favorites over the years by quite a few gaming peripherals manufacturers but SteelSeries is actually the only one to stand out in that regard since they've released not one but three of our all-time favorite models such as the Siberia Elite Prism, Siberia 650 and Arctis 7. Well it seems that this wasn't quite enough for SteelSeries so in March of this year they released what just might be their best gaming headset to date (although audio system seems a more accurate description) the Arctis Pro with GameDAC which we've been using for almost a month now.

   SteelSeries has fueled the gaming industry by creating innovative new products, designed specifically for eSports and passionate gamers everywhere. Here at SteelSeries, we are obsessed with “firsts”. Dating back to 2001, our company was formed to meet the surface needs of hardcore gamers by introducing the first glass mousepad, the Icemat. Since that original innovation, we created the first mechanical gaming keyboard, the first suspended headband for gaming headsets, the first World of Warcraft mouse and endless other innovations. SteelSeries is dedicated to building products that push professional gaming further than anyone dreamed. Those innovations make gaming more competitive and more fun for gamers everywhere.

   According to SteelSeries the Arctis Pro with GameDAC is gaming’s first certified Hi-Res Audio System that ensures high-fidelity 96kHz/24-bit with no need for down-sampling thanks to the legendary ESS Sabre 9018 Reference DAC (32-bit audio with 121dB of dynamic range and -115dB Total Harmonic Distortion plus Noise) and amp located in an compact external controller. SteelSeries also used two 40mm premium speaker drivers with high-density neodymium magnets that feature a frequency response of 10Hz-40KHz with 32 Ohm impedance and 102dB sensitivity. The ClearCast bidirectional retractable boom microphone features noise-cancelling technology, 100Hz-10KHz frequency response, -38dB sensitivity and 2200Ohm impedance. The Arctis Pro with GameDAC also supports DTS Headphone: X 2.0 technology which can deliver 3D virtualization with proximity cues and support for channel-based, scene-based and object-based audio for an enhanced gaming experience. Also worth pointing out is that in terms of design and build quality the Arctis Pro Gaming Headset is almost identical to the previous Arctis models released by SteelSeries.

SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES

PACKAGING AND CONTENTS

As always the main product features are listed at the front of the box right beneath a large product picture and the company logo.

The product specifications and bundle contents are printed on the right side of the box.

A few words about both SteelSeries and the product are printed on the left side.

All of the features are detailed at the rear of the box in 3 different languages again beneath another large product picture.

Both the headset and the GameDAC are placed in a thick formed piece of plastic.

The bundle consists from the Arctis Pro Gaming Headset, GameDAC, microphone windscreen, optical SPDF cable, smartphone 3.5mm extension, USB to micro USB cable, micro USB to micro USB cable, satisfaction card and the user manual.

THE ARCTIS PRO

The Arctis Pro is a medium sized gaming headset made out of plastic, fabric and aluminum that has weight of around 425g.

Just like the Arctis 7 the Arctis Pro features an adjustable elastic fabric headband.

SteelSeries has placed their name on the exterior of both earcups and their logo on both ends of the elastic fabric headband.

 
The retractable noise-cancelling boom microphone is once again one of the most flexible ones we've seen (a mute LED is placed at the front of the microphone).SteelSeries also bundles a windscreen for the microphone.

At the rear of the left earcup we find the microphone mute button, volume control knob, micro USB port and the 3.5mm port.

SteelSeries has once again used their patented AirWeave Ear Cushions which are extremely comfortable (although not as large as some other headsets).

As you can see both earcups can rotate 90 degrees to allow for easier storage and/or transport.

The elastic fabric headband can be replaced with one of the available ones offered by SteelSeries on their website.

Left and right markings are placed on the interior just over the earcups.

THE GAMEDAC

The GameDAC is a small external controller (roughly the size of a small gaming mouse) which has the SteelSeries name at the top right beneath an OLED screen, control button and a control knob.

The host USB headset port is placed on the right side of the GameDAC while at the rear we find the optical port, micro USB port and two 3.5mm audio out ports.

Setting up the Arctis Pro with GameDAC is very easy, just connect the headset to the GameDAC and the GameDAC to your PC, Hi-Res compatible device and/or Playstation 4.

Once you do you will need to select the type of device you connected the GameDAC with as seen above.

If you happen to live in the EU like we do you should know that there are safety limits placed on the volume level headsets and other devices can reach (including smartphones) so since SteelSeries wants to be legally covered the GameDAC asks you whether or not you are an EU citizen (if you want the maximum possible volume you should check no).

Once you complete all 19 steps the OLED screen displays the type of device connected with, audio quality/resolution, DTS status, volume level, ChatMix levels and a left/right equalizer.

ENGINE 3 SOFTWARE

Once you download and install the Engine 3 software from the official SteelSeries support page it will detect whether or not your headset needs a firmware update.

If a firmware update is required the entire process will take less than a minute to finish.

The Engine 3 software is very easy to navigate and use so from the Audio page you can enable the DTS Headphone: X 7.1 feature, manually adjust the equalizer or pick one of the 4 available presets, set gain to high, set the microphone sidetone levels (allows you to hear your own voice in the headset as you speak into the microphone) and you can also adjust the volume of the microphone.

From within the Illumination page you can adjust the color and mode (steady, colorshift and multi-color breath) for both the earcups and the microphone LED.

Finally the Settings tab allows you to adjust the brightness levels of the OLED screen and its idle timeout.

Here you can see some of the available colors one can set from the Engine 3 software.

CONCLUSION

   With the introduction of the very first Hi-Res audio compatible devices last year it was just a matter of time before SteelSeries also joined the fun but unlike manufacturers like for example Roccat they decided to take things onto a whole new level by releasing a product that combines the audio quality and comfort of the previously released Arctis 7 with the “abilities” of the 32 bit audio ESS Sabre 9018 Reference DAC. Of course SteelSeries has also released the Arctis Pro as a standalone headset but thanks to the GameDAC the end result is a gaming headset unlike we’ve ever seen in the past with excellent mids and highs, good amount of bass, extreme volume levels, good positioning audio and superior comfort. As for the ClearCast noise-cancelling bidirectional boom microphone well it works as it should although I can’t say we used it a lot while testing the headset with our usual selection of online games over the course of a full month (including World Of Tanks, World Of Warships, Dreadnought, Star Citizen, Destiny 2, Warframe and Elite Dangerous). Our only concern is with the OLED screen of the GameDAC which is quite easy to scratch even while wiping it with a soft cloth (we even used a couple designed for LCD screen cleaning with similar results) so do keep that in mind (we think that wet wipes do a better job at that).

   As expected an exciting gaming peripheral like the Arctis Pro with GameDAC Hi-Res Audio System by SteelSeries is not aimed towards consumers on a tight budget and with a current price tag set at USD249.99 inside the USA (Amazon.com) and 225Euros inside the EU (Amazon.co.uk) it’s certainly not. That being said however the Arctis Pro with GameDAC is without doubt among the best headsets in the market today (since we haven’t tested them all we don’t know if it’s the best of the best) and for that it deserves our Platinum Award.

PROS

- Very Good Build Quality
- Hi-Res Audio Quality
- Volume & Bass Levels
- OLED GameDAC (ESS Sabre 9018 Reference 32 Bit Audio DAC & Amp)
- Very Comfortable
- Positioning Audio Via DTS Headphone: X 7.1
- USB & 3.5mm Ports
- Engine 3 Software

CONS

- Price (For Some)
- DTS Headphone X Only Available For PC