In our previous article, we discussed the complete comparison between the Astro A50 vs SteelSeries Arctis pro wireless. Now we are talking about the headphones from the same brand – SteelSeries. They are popular in the US for their premium gaming headphones and other gadgets.
Now, in this article, we are going to compare SteelSeries Arctis 9X vs Arctis 7 (Which One Should You Buy?). We have compared them in different segments – build quality, design, sound quality, battery life, and connectivity.
Let’s start with the build quality and design :
Build Quality & Design
SteelSeries doesn’t compromise on design, their iconic design makes both headphones look elegant. Both of these headphones come with an over-the-ear design with premium audio quality.
Talking about the build quality of the SteelSeries Arctis 9X, they are solid, and have a sleek design but are not sleeker than the Arctis 7. The headband of the Arctis 9X is made up of metal and can be adjusted according to your needs and comfort. Earcups are dense and big enough to cover your ears.
SteelSeries Arctis 7 comes with a retractable mic, so you can remove them whenever you want. The earcups are broad enough to cover your ears thoroughly and give you a comfortable fit.
Arctis 7 also comes with a retractable microphone that you can tuck anytime whenever you want. Also, the Arctis 7 is made up of woven ski fabric which is an elastic fiber. They comfortably distribute weight throughout the entire head and this reduces the clamping force.
Both of them have a detachable cable, so you can get rid of long cables while storing them and thus making them compact. So, in this segment of SteelSeries Arctis 9X vs Arctis 7 build quality, Arctis 7 is the dominator.
SteelSeries Arctis 9X vs Arctis 7: Sound Quality
Whether you are listening to music, using headphones for zoom meetings or calls, or playing games, you need a lag-free audio experience. Both of these headphones have optimum sound quality with lag and distortion-free audio. Both of these headphones i.e Arctis 9X and Arctis 7 come with 40 mm neodymium drivers with a frequency response of 20 Hz to 20 kHz.
You can enjoy any type of game with the Arctis 7 and they sound crispy but not too sharp. Audio doesn’t distort and you will get a detailed, immersive audio experience. The SteelSeries Arctis 7 supports 7.1 surround sound with DTS headphone:X version 2.0 technology.
On the other hand, SteelSeries Arctis 9X also has detailed, clear, lag-free, and distortion-free audio quality. Its audio quality doesn’t muffle or get cloudy. They can connect to any computer via Bluetooth but they suffer when using it wirelessly. Also, they only rely on window spatial audio.
Frequency Response
You’re not going to get any shortage of sounds if you’re purchasing any of these two headphones. The SteelSeries Arctis 9X has higher-end sound with more clarity and has distortion-free audio. Although both of them have a 2.0 and 3.0 channel, the 9X sounds quite more powerful when compared.
On the other hand, the SteelSeries Arctis 7 has a louder sound at the lower end but starts minimal buzzing while using it for a long duration. For its speaker, the Arctis 7 features a TrueHarmony encoding.
Battery Life: SteelSeries Arctis 9X vs Arctis 7
While gaming or listening to music, it feels so irritating when it comes to frequent charging. It can ruin your mood or your real-time gaming. So, having a long-lasting battery life is a must.
Steel Arctis 9X uses power efficiency technology to deliver 20+ hours of playtime, claimed to be double that of other wireless XBOX headphones.
In comparison, the SteelSeries Arctis 7 gives you around 24 hours of battery life. 4 hours more than the Arctis 9X. So, comparatively Arctis 7 is the better choice.
Microphone performance & Connectivity
While gaming one needs headphones that sound clear, have detailed and distortion-free audio, and quickly transmit real-time audio.
SteelSeries Arctis 9X features a retractable boom microphone with slightly better audio pickup than the SteelSeries Arctis 7. Its bi-directional microphone uses an effective noise cancellation feature and makes your audio sound clear on the other side. In comparison, the SteelSeries Arctis 7 features a Discord-certified lear cast bi-directional microphone for effective noise cancellation and better clarity.
Now talking about the connectivity, Arctis 7 is a wireless headphone, whereas the Arctis 9X uses both wireless and wired connection for audio playback. You can also connect them to a PC via Bluetooth, USB, etc. You can check this article if you want to know “how to connect headphones to pc without Bluetooth”.
Side by Side Key Differences: SteelSeries Arctis 9X vs Arctis 7
Let’s have a look at the table below to learn more about the key differences between
these two headphones.
| Features | SteelSeries Arctis 9X | Arctis 7 |
| Build Quality | More Robust | Less Robust |
| Type | Over-The-Ear | Over-The-Ear |
| Connectivity | Wireless, Wired | Wireless |
| Battery life | 20 Hours | 24 Hours |
| Charging Port | Micro-USB | Micro-USB |
| Noise Cancellation | Present | Present |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Foldable | Yes | Yes |
Conclusion
We have compared these headphones i.e. SteelSeries Arctis 9X vs Arctis 7 in different segments like build quality, battery life, connectivity, etc. When sound quality is your priority, then go for the SteelSeries Arctis 7 because of its 7.1 virtual surround feature and also has more battery life. Otherwise, it is up to you to go with the headphones that match your needs and usage style.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Arctis 7 better than the Arctis 9X?
Arctis 9X has better sound quality as it comes with a 7.1 virtual surround feature and comparatively has more battery life than the 9X. So, yes Arctis 7 is better than the Arctis 9X.
Is the SteelSeries Arctis 9X Worth It?
Yes, Arctis 9X is worth it, as it comes with many features and also supports Xbox. SteelSeries Arctis 9X is durable and sturdy to last long.
Does Arctis 9X have a 7.1 Surround sound?
No, Arctis 9X doesn’t have a 7.1 Surround sound. 9X only supports window sonic sound.
Can You Use Arctis 9X While Charging?
Yes, you can use Arctis 9X while charging, and also you can use all other SteelSeries headphones while charging them.