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