The SteelSeries Arctis 9X are great sounding gaming headphones that are specifically designed to be used with an Xbox One. These headphones connect wirelessly to your console like a controller would, and they also support Bluetooth, which allows you to simultaneously listen to game audio and music. Their overall design is very similar to other Arctis headsets, which means they are comfortable for long gaming sessions and are very well-built. However, like most SteelSeries Arctis headphones, they don’t isolate against ambient noise and their audio delivery is prone to inconsistencies across users. On the upside, they have great battery life, are compatible with the SteelSeries Engine software, and have a very good microphone. Note that we had to test this headset with an Xbox Wireless Adapter on our Windows 10 testing PC, but we expect results to be in the same ballpark on an Xbox One since both are using the Xbox Wireless Technology.
Pros
+ Great audio reproduction
+ Clear sounding microphone
+ Comfortable and durable design
Cons
- Might be tight for some
- Restrictive, since only designed to work with Xbox One
- Audio delivery is prone to inconsistencies; sensitive to glasses, fit, positioning
Design
Type: Over-ear
Enclosure: Closed-back
The SteelSeries Arctis 9X are fairly well-designed gaming headphones and are very similar to the rest of the Arctis lineup. They have large cups that fit most ear sizes and shapes and have the SteelSeries signature ski-band headband that auto-adjusts their fit on your head. Unfortunately, the length of the strap limits the size adjustment options and might feel tight for some people with larger heads. On the upside, their control scheme is great and very complete since you have buttons and wheels useful for gaming. Since they are Bluetooth headphones, you can also control your music. They are well-built and feel durable, which is nice considering you can use them for multiple uses. Their boom mic is retractable, which gives them a more outdoor-friendly look, but won’t be as great as a fully detachable one. These headphones connect wirelessly to your Xbox One just like a controller, which makes them very easy to use.
Sound
The Arctis 9X are great-sounding closed-back gaming headphones. Their bass is punchy and powerful, the mid-range is well-balanced and reproduces accurate vocals and lead instruments, and their treble is excellent and the response is even throughout the range. Unfortunately, they might lack a bit of sub-bass, which results in a lack of thump. Additionally, these headphones perform very differently across different users. They are very sensitive to glasses, which can break the seal and result in a drop in bass, but they are also sensitive to their fit and positioning, meaning your whole listening experience may vary depending on those factors. On the upside, you can easily EQ them to your liking inside their app. Overall, most users will still be very satisfied with these headphones as they are very versatile for most music genres and video games.
Isolation
Noise Cancelling: No
The Arctis 9X have very poor noise isolation performance, like most of the Arctis headsets we’ve reviewed so far. This is due to the porous padding used on the ear cups. They won’t be suitable to use in loud environments as lots of noise seeps into your audio. They won’t be a good option to use in your commute, as they don’t block any lower-end frequencies like the deep rumbles of a bus or plane engine. On the upside, they do a decent job against work environment noise like ambient chatter or A/C systems. They also don’t leak too much at very high volumes, which means you can drown out more ambient noise by raising your volume. They shouldn’t disturb roommates or your partner if you’re trying to play at night without disturbing them.
Microphone
Mic Type: Boom microphone
The retractable boom microphone of the Arctis 9X is very good. The recording quality is great and your voice will sound full-bodied and clear, but it might be a bit sharp for some. This will be great to communicate effectively in online multiplayer games or with your friends on a third-party voice chat program like Discord. The mic is also great at handling ambient noise, which means it can separate speech from environment noise like in a gaming event. You can easily mute the microphone with the on-cup controls. When not using it, you can retract it, giving the headphones a more outdoor-friendly look.
Active Features
Battery Life: 28 hours
Charge Time: 2.4 hours
App Support: Yes
Passive Playback: Yes (but don’t come with a cable)
The SteelSeries Arctis 9X have a very good 28-hour battery life, which is going to last you for a few gaming sessions without the need to recharge them. They also don’t take much time to charge fully and they can also be used while doing so, which is very convenient. Additionally, even if they don’t come with an audio cable, they do have a 1/8” jack. This means you can use a spare cable, if you have one, to use them passively. They also support the SteelSeries Engine app. You can connect them via USB to your PC and customize their sound and microphone profiles to your liking, and use these settings on the Xbox One.
Connectivity
Bluetooth: 4.1
Wired: Yes (audio only)
Wireless Range: 41ft (with Xbox One Wireless Adapter)
Bluetooth Wireless Range: 55ft
Latency: 77ms (with Xbox One Wireless Adapter)
Bluetooth Latency: 263ms
The Arctis 9X are fairly versatile, as they have three different connection options. You can use them wirelessly via Bluetooth or with the Xbox Wireless Technology. This technology is built into all Xbox One consoles, and you can also purchase an adapter, like we did, to make them work on a PC. You can also use them wired if you have a 1/8” cable, as they do have the appropriate jack for it, although this option won’t support voice chat. Additionally, you can use these headphones for gaming and simultaneously stream music from a Bluetooth source. These headphones have a pretty good wireless range regardless of the option you go with, but you should definitely not use Bluetooth if you are gaming, as their latency is pretty high. This shouldn’t be a problem when connected to the adapter or directly to an Xbox One.
Who Should Buy Them?
If you’re an Xbox One gamer that likes to listen to music at the same time as you’re playing games, then get the SteelSeries Arctis 9X. Specifically designed for the Xbox, the 9X connects to your console like a controller and is easy to use. The headphones are also Bluetooth-compatible, meaning you can connect them to your phone and play music at the same time as having game audio. The 9X are great sounding headphones and their microphone transfers a full-bodied and clear voice. They have a great battery life and will also be comfortable for long gaming sessions. However, if you have more than one console and if you don’t have access to the Xbox Wireless Technology on your PC, they might be a bit restrictive. Also, their audio delivery varies a lot across users and is sensitive to glasses, their fit, and their positioning. Overall, like most Arctis headsets, the Arctis 9X is a good gaming option, especially for Xbox One owners.
To see all our measurements and our test results of the SteelSeries Arctis 9X, please go here.
