SteelSeries Arena 7 review

Listening to the thump and crack of SteelSeries Enviornment 7 serves as a strong reminder {that a} robust set of audio system elevates each gaming setup. It’s clear that the experience SteelSeries ceaselessly showcases in its headsets is current right here too, by way of sound high quality, seems to be, and options. Nonetheless, a couple of irritating design selections, and a excessive worth, preserve the Enviornment 7 from all-round excellence.

Having used the SteelSeries Enviornment 7 for the previous a number of months, I’ve discovered it simply sits among the many greatest laptop audio system to have graced my ears and PC gaming setup. A lot so, in actual fact, that I’ve frequently taken to discarding my headset in favor of the Enviornment 7 the place potential. Nonetheless, my enthusiasm doesn’t come and not using a few small caveats, which SteelSeries ought to be capable of simply deal with in a successor.

[jumplinks]

Enviornment 7 design

The Enviornment 7 design seems to be its greatest on a gaming desk, however the audio system and subwoofer don’t look misplaced in different settings both, akin to a lounge TV setup. The plastic rounded shell and uncovered driver design give the Enviornment 7 audio system a glance that balances type and performance, evoking the identical aesthetic tendencies as SteelSeries headsets. Nonetheless, there is no such thing as a speaker grille accessible for many who choose a extra muted look, or who need one other layer of safety.

Every speaker sits on a small, skinny cylindrical stalk related to a round base with a diameter simply shy of the speaker’s width, and the underside of the bottom has a round rubber ring that retains the Enviornment 7 flat and secure throughout all kinds of surfaces. When it comes to adjustment, SteelSeries has integrated a small quantity of vertical tilt which proves ample for getting one of the best listening angle. ‘L’ and ‘R’ indicators are additionally included on the rear of every speaker, in addition to their cables, for simple setup.

Speaker cables on the Enviornment 7 are lengthy and sheathed however are sadly additionally fastened to every speaker, making it unattainable for many customers to swap out the wires ought to points come up sooner or later. Rivals such because the Razer Nommo Professional and NZXT Relay don’t have this disadvantage, and it’s unlucky to see SteelSeries stifle the Enviornment 7’s repairability. Other than this flaw, although, the Enviornment 7’s construct high quality is of a excessive commonplace.

Naturally, the Enviornment 7 wouldn’t be full as a ‘gaming’ speaker with out RGB lighting. SteelSeries has fitted a hoop of subtle LEDs round every of the audio system’ bases, in addition to one other subtle array on the top-back of their shells. The lighting can be configurable, and to my eyes offers a welcome little bit of aptitude, significantly of their audio visualizer mode. In case you’re not a fan of flashing lights, the RGB lighting can be shortly disabled on the double-press of the multi-function button, or by way of SteelSeries GG software program, if you want.

Talking of which, the multi-function button and quantity dial, nestled on the proper speaker base, are a welcome however imperfect set of handbook controls for the Enviornment 7. Whereas the multi-function button serves as a handy strategy to mute the audio system, toggle RGB lighting, or swap to a Bluetooth connection, it doesn’t flip off the setup outright. As an alternative, you’ll have to annoyingly attain all the way down to the subwoofer to flick an influence change, or flip it off on the wall. In the meantime, the amount dial is strong to the contact, however any changes made with it include a small delay, which may catch you off guard.

Lastly, the Enviornment 7’s subwoofer has a normal design so far as its look is worried, being a big black dice that may very well be simply mistaken for many different subwoofers. Extra importantly, although, it serves because the receiver for the system, so its placement is vital in ensuring your setup connects collectively with out difficulty. As anticipated, that is a simple job in most situations, however I do want the included 2m USB-C cable for PC connection was longer for setups which are extra unfold aside, akin to my one.

Enviornment 7 specs

Sitting as the center little one in SteelSeries’ Enviornment speaker sequence, the Enviornment 7 specs present some welcome uplifts over the Enviornment 3. Moreover, the Enviornment 7 serves as a stable compromise to the Enviornment 9, for these excited by a 2.1 setup somewhat than a full 5.1 encompass system. 

Every speaker packs a devoted 3-inch woofer for mid-range frequencies, and a 0.75-inch tweeter, for high-end tones, whereas the 6.5-inch subwoofer naturally takes vare of the decrease frequencies. Whereas the Enviornment 9 options this similar setup, the Enviornment 3 lacks any tweeters, and compensates with a bigger 4-inch woofer on its audio system, leading to a scarcity of high-end tone copy. Altogether, SteelSeries says the Enviornment 7 is ready to cowl frequencies from 35-20,00Hz, placing it a contact forward of all different competing gaming audio system, albeit by just some additional Hz.

The choice of ports and connections on the Enviornment 7’s subwoofer can be sensibly various. The audio system hook up with the sub by way of DIN sockets, every with various pin designs, supplying you with a direct strategy to differentiate between the 2 audio system throughout setup.

Connecting to a PC is dealt with by way of a single USB-C to USB-A cable, with 3.5mm and optical inputs offering means to connect with different gadgets, akin to a TV or Blu-ray participant. In the meantime, Bluetooth 4.2 makes connecting to your smartphone a breeze. These with wired headsets even have a 3.5mm combo audio jack at their disposal behind the proper speaker.

Enviornment 7 sound high quality

As anticipated from a premium SteelSeries audio providing, the Enviornment 7 audio high quality makes for a wonderful listening expertise. Video games, films, and music are all delivered intimately, with stable imaging (sound separation). The audio system have a usually balanced tone that leans barely heat, offering a listening expertise that sounds thrilling somewhat than analytical.

When listening to usually bass-heavy genres akin to hip hop and drum & bass, the Enviornment 7 doesn’t fall foul of cranking up the lows on the expense of the frequencies. Whereas the likes of Pendulum’s Salt within the Wounds or Kendrick Lamar’s DNA usually flip low-quality audio system and headsets into sludge, the Enviornment 7 retains bass tones in verify, permitting the synths, vocals, and cymbals on every observe room to shine.

As such, important audio cues in video games akin to Doom Everlasting are simple to select on the Enviornment 7, even amid the wall of sound from the swell of your boomstick, squelch of a demon beneath your foot, and Mick Gordon’s deliciously crunchy multi-layered riffs. It’s in no way a alternative for a high-quality headset in aggressive video games, akin to Counter-Strike 2, however immersive single-player video games are superior to expertise with these audio system.

Even in quieter moments, the soundstage of the Enviornment 7 brings the scope of open-world video games akin to Crimson Lifeless Redemption 2 to life in a fashion that may be a wrestle for some headsets. Whereas that is true of all audio system, to an extent, the qualities I’ve highlighted come collectively to accommodate gorgeously deep soundscapes. This naturally applies to dense musical compositions too, akin to John Williams’ Duel of the Fates, which sounds appropriately epic on the Enviornment 7.

There’s a good quantity of energy right here too. You may simply fill a room with the Enviornment 7’s quantity dial turned to a average stage, however there’s nonetheless loads of headroom accessible for once you simply should crank up the amount, be it for a celebration or a very hype second in a sport or observe. Turning up the Enviornment 7 to 11 doesn’t lead to a distorted listening expertise both, because it doesn’t buckle beneath strain.

The entire above audio descriptions are reflective of the out-of-box expertise, however SteelSeries does additionally present methods to tweak the sound of the Enviornment 7 to your liking. Equalizers can be found within the GG software program, which I’ll focus on in additional element shortly, however the largest change to my ears was the bass dial on the subwoofer. Even with this unit turned as much as max, you shouldn’t count on room-wobbling bass, however it’s actually loud and current – I discovered essentially the most comfy listening expertise to be someplace within the center in my small workplace.

Enviornment 7 software program and options

As with different SteelSeries peripherals, SteelSeries GG serves because the software program utility for its Enviornment 7 audio system. It’s a completely optionally available obtain, however one which comes beneficial for the sake of firmware updates alone, along with the configuration choices it unlocks.

The inventory Flat equalizer preset will sound nice to most ears, however SteelSeries does provide a couple of options, akin to Bass Enhance, in addition to a customized preset that you would be able to tune by way of a ten-band EQ within the Engine tab. The Enviornment 7 can be appropriate with SteelSeries Sonar, the corporate’s digital mixer, which has highly effective capabilities for routing utility audio, but it surely’s primarily aimed toward streamers.

The RGB lighting can be managed by way of SteelSeries GG, with 5 modes from which to decide on: Off, Single Shade, Breathe, Shade Shift, and Audio Visualizer. Nearly all of my testing was spent utilizing the Enviornment 7’s Audio Visualizer preset, which makes an attempt to sync up its LEDs along with your audio in actual time. The outcomes had been largely constructive, however that is in no way a alternative for a full lighting atmosphere system, akin to Philips Hue.

Much less thrilling video games and music made for a poor pairing with this impact, although, with the lighting ending up being distracting. Flip to a bombastic tune, although, and it’s onerous to not get behind the marginally gimmicky mild present. The LEDs across the rings will primarily set off for prime tones, whereas those on the again of every speaker swell when mid-range and bass frequencies rise, making for some enjoyable dramatic moments.

Enviornment 7 worth

At $299.99, the Enviornment 7 worth will not be a low-cost impulse buy, and this worth locations it in direct competitors with the Razer Nommo V2, which additionally instructions the identical price. Nonetheless, that is the sort of money you possibly can count on to pay for a good 2.1 speaker configuration, because the inclusion of a subwoofer inflates the worth dramatically in comparison with a normal 2.0 stereo setup.

Stepping again all the way down to the $129.99 Enviornment 3 highlights simply how far more you’re paying for the Enviornment 7, with its RGB lighting, subwoofer, and two-way speaker system creating an enormous $170 worth distinction. I’ve little question that each programs will sound nice, significantly for his or her worth, but it surely’s necessary to notice what your additional {dollars} are shopping for as you progress up by way of the Enviornment sequence.

Returning to speaker setups with subwoofers, although, the Enviornment 7 additionally faces some stiff competitors from the Logitech G560 ($200) and Razer Leviathan V2 ($250). At a worth that’s $100 cheaper, the G560 provides most of the Enviornment 7’s options, albeit with fewer connection choices and a narrower frequency vary. In the meantime, for $50 much less, the Leviathan V2 makes for a worthy competitor and is decidedly extra compact in its soundbar type issue.

The Enviornment 7’s worth versus the NZXT Relay is way stronger, although, given the overall price for a 2.1 Relay setup is a staggering $399.98. That stated, the Relay’s audio system and subwoofer could be bought individually, in contrast to the Enviornment 7’s ones. Taking all of the competitors into consideration, the Enviornment 7 struggles to distinguish itself on worth. It’s a implausible 2.1 speaker setup that largely justifies its price, but it surely’s not a discount.

Enviornment 7 conclusion

Audio system are a distinct segment a part of PC setups lately, however the Enviornment 7 serves as a powerful argument that everybody ought to make room for a good set of audio system if their funds and area permit it. 

Although this set is pricey, any anxieties about money spent on the Enviornment 7 shortly disappear as soon as it’s plugged in and filling a room with its crisp and punchy sound. In the meantime, its RGB lighting makes video games and music an engrossing audiovisual expertise in most circumstances.

The Enviornment 7 comes beneficial to these in the hunt for a subwoofer and audio system, however these unable to afford its excessive worth would do nicely to think about most of the cheaper 2.0 stereo configurations available on the market as nicely.

Enviornment 7 options

Razer Leviathan V2

Rather than two particular person audio system, the Leviathan V2 packs all of its audio into the compact type issue of a soundbar that may nestle beneath most displays with ease. It’s cheaper than the Enviornment 7 and packs a subwoofer, but it surely has a barely narrower frequency vary, options fewer wired connections, and its RGB lighting isn’t as robust.

Logitech G560

Regardless of being a lot older than the Enviornment 7, the G560’s audio system nonetheless give the SteelSeries Enviornment 7 items a run for his or her cash. It’s significantly cheaper, however its drivers are a lot smaller and its high-frequency cut-off is way decrease (17kHz vs. the Enviornment 7’s 20kHz), plus it lacks the Enviornment 7’s many connection opinions. In case you don’t have a lot of cash to spend, although, the Logitech G560 stays a stable 2.1 speaker set for the worth.

Learn our full Logitech G560 assessment for extra info.