SteelSeries Arctis Pro: hi-res audio matches hi-res visuals
Gaming graphics cards and displays continue to push consumer expectations forward with beautifully immersive visuals. However, audio reproduction has fallen behind the curve. Today, SteelSeries introduces a breakthrough in gaming audio and an industry first with the introduction of the Arctis Pro line.
We are fans of the Arctis headset here at GadgetyNews. Whether it’s wireless, wired or special edition, these gamer cans perform.
This audiophile-level system raises the stakes in premium headset performance for both gaming and entertainment on PlayStation 4 consoles and PCs.
Arctis Pro range
The complete line consists of three headsets: the Arctis Pro + GameDAC, Arctis Pro Wireless and Arctis Pro.
The new Pro headsets feature premium speaker drivers with high-density neodymium magnets. These reproduce Hi-Res audio up to 40,000 Hz, nearly double the capability of most standard headsets (22,000 Hz).
With 121 decibels (dB) of dynamic range and -95dB Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise, the Arctis Pro + GameDAC performs as well as high-end audiophile equipment.
Arctis Pro + GameDAC
The flagship Arctis Pro + GameDAC is gaming’s first certified Hi-Res Audio System. That means you are guarunteed to hear high-fidelity 96kHz/24-bit, full-resolution audio in its purest form.
The GameDAC’s ESS Sabre chip delivers sound quality that’s normally the reserve of audiophiles. A luxury that gamers on console or PC generally have not enjoyed.
The SteelSeries GameDAC bypasses the generally poor quality DACs found in typical console controllers, USB headsets and PC sound cards.
Its dedicated headphone amplifier circuit delivers abundant power to the Pro headset for strong output levels with extremely low distortion. The power of the ESS Sabre chip inside makes bass sound tighter and individual sound effects more distinct. Furthermore, thanks to it supporting DTS Headphone:X 2.0, you also get pin-point accurate positional cues.
Additionally, the GameDAC also features an OLED screen for easy access to settings and controls.
This means PlayStation 4 gamers can fully customise their EQ, toggle surround sound, configure their headset illumination as well as see their volume and ChatMix levels, without needing a PC.
PC gamers looking for an even deeper level of customisation can use SteelSeries Engine software for total personalisation.
Arctis Pro Wireless
The Arctis Pro Wireless is a high-fidelity, lossless dual-wireless system. This enables you to have the versatility of a wireless headset yet retain the audio quality worthy of its Pro name.
The Arctis Pro Wireless features the swappable dual-battery system first introduced by SteelSeries with the Siberia 800 and Siberia 840. Each battery has at least 10 hours of power for a combined 20 hours of gaming.
Gamers can use both the 2.4Ghz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections simultaneously for maximum flexibility. Naturally, this includes gaming while usingDiscord chat or listening to music.
The headset connects to the wireless transmitter base station via SteelSeries’ 2.4Ghz connection. This provides lossless and ultra-low latency wireless audio with up to 40 feet of range.
Auto-channel hopping technology ensures the headset always finds the best connection for interference-free performance.
Like the GameDAC, the Arctis Pro Wireless’s transmitter features an OLED screen for quick settings adjustments without the need for additional software. However, for those who want even more options, SteelSeries Engine software on PC delivers deeper customisation
Further features
The Arctis Pro line shares the aesthetics of the Red Dot Award-winning Arctis line, but with the addition of premium materials throughout.
The lineup features a refined gunmetal finish on the lightweight steel headband. You also get aluminium alloy hangers and a soft-touch coating on the removable speaker plates for a sophisticated tactile experience.
Further comfort enhancement comes by way of the self-adjusting ski goggle headband. This perfectly contours to your head. Add in the athletics-inspired Airweave ear cushions for cool, soft lugs, and you’re ready for any gaming marathon.
Finally, the retractable ClearCast microphone delivers studio-quality voice clarity and background noise cancellation.
Words
SteelSeries CEO, Ehtisham Rabbani, said
Until now, innovation in gaming graphics and displays have outpaced progress in gaming audio solutions. The Arctis Pro is designed for gamers who seek high fidelity audio and who want to hear everything the sound engineers created, the same way they seek high-res, immersive visuals.”
Brian Fallon, Product Category Manager for Headsets at SteelSeries, added
Every choice in components and features was made to achieve the best sound in gaming, and with high fidelity audio, gamers will be able to experience every sound created by game publishers in its purest form. The Arctis Pro + GameDAC is more than a few new features, it is the only complete audio system for gamers that can deliver true, high-resolution audio in a beautiful package with comfort, durability and customisation.”
Price and availability
The Arctis Pro line is available now globally at SteelSeries.com.
The Arctis Pro + GameDAC is available for £249.99 and the Arctis Pro Wireless is available for £299.99.
For more information about the complete line of SteelSeries’ Arctis Pro headsets and the Arctis Pro accessory packs, visit http://steelseries.com/arctispro.
