Table of Contents
The SteelSeries Arena 9 speaker system is an outlier in the world of computer speakers, but it shouldn’t be. While 5.1 (and more robust 7.1) speaker systems have long been standard in home theatres, a relatively restricted variety of options. Most computer speakers are either 2.0 or 2.1 systems, which means they only have a left and right speaker, sometimes with a subwoofer thrown in.
Surround sound is no longer as difficult to obtain, though it will still cost you a fortune. The $550 Arena 9 connect by USB, eliminating the need for a specialist sound card, and they include wireless back satellites that simply need to be linked to electricity and each other. Nothing needs to be connected to the front speakers.
This alleviates a significant pain point, making the Arena 9 a lot more appealing option for cable-averse consumers. But is it worth it to set up a surround sound system when gaming headphones are less expensive, more immersive, and gentler on your neighbours.
SteelSeries Arena 9 speakers review: Design
For some reason, PC speaker manufacturers like to form their speakers in a cylindrical, almost extraterrestrial egg-like shape. The SteelSeries Arena 9 speakers, excluding the subwoofer, are no exception. All of the speakers have matte-black hard plastic enclosures, which they share with almost every other computer speaker.
The Arena 9 arrangement includes a total of six speaker cabinets. The major component of your audio experience is a dual-driver centre speaker and two tiltable front speakers. That extended low-end is provided by a downward-firing subwoofer. Furthermore, two back speakers, one on each side, transform the system into a surround sound experience.
The rear left and right speakers can also be wall-mounted. Because this is a 5.1 system, make sure you have a location for the rear speakers. Otherwise, you won’t be able to enjoy the surround sound.
SteelSeries Arena 9 speakers review: Connectivity
Aside from that, you get an OLED control pod and two power cords (one for the subwoofer and one for the right wireless back speaker), as well as a USB-C port for connecting to your PC or PlayStation. Pleased with the multi-pin connectors on the front right and left speakers, which are comparable to those seen on a professional sound mixer.
It gives me the impression that this isn’t your average sound system, and it certainly does. They also look great, like the high-end product you’re paying for. With only five cords to attach to the subwoofer, and connecting your back speakers together and to a power source, connecting everything is pretty simple.
It barely took me 10 to fifteen minutes to get everything up and running, and that’s only because my workspace is a nightmare to work in. Ease of use is always appreciated, and with a wide surround sound array, it’s especially wonderful that it’s straightforward.
SteelSeries Arena 9 speakers review: Sound Quality
At the very least, SteelSeries isn’t promoting the Arena 9 as the ideal surround sound system for your home theatre. It’s remarkable since it’s the first 5.1 gaming speakers to use a single USB connection. PC speakers typically use three 3.5mm jacks or a digital connection such as optical or coaxial.
Because it relies on USB, setup is simple – even for laptop users, who would normally need to purchase an extra sound card to operate a 5.1 system. The Arena 9 arrangement includes a total of six speaker cabinets. The major component of your audio experience is a dual-driver centre speaker and two tiltable front speakers.
That extended low-end is provided by a downward-firing subwoofer. Furthermore, two back speakers, one on each side, transform the system into a surround sound experience. The rear left and right speakers can also be wall-mounted. Because this is a 5.1 system, make sure you have a location for the rear speakers. Otherwise, you won’t be able to enjoy the surround sound.
Performance
It was blown away by how amazing everything sounded the first time we stepped into a game with the Arena 9s connected. It was mostly taken aback by how strange everything sounded. Unfamiliar with synthetic surround or spatial sound. Dolby Atmos is usually enabled on my PC or Xbox, and depending on the size of the room, my Leviathan V2 does a good job of mimicking it.
However, hearing a wave crest the beach behind me while moving through ARK: Survival Evolved, or hearing the individual engines start up in my Machariel as we warped into Jita 4-4’s airspace, was like hearing these two games for the first time all over again. However, one part of these speakers that we didn’t enjoy right away was how center-heavy the music felt out of the box.
If you have your speakers set up on your computer desk like we do, it’s difficult to ignore the centre channel, however experimenting with the EQ settings in the Steelseries Sonar tool did clear this up some. Additionally, the ability to turn down one of the speakers via the app helped to balance everything out.
SteelSeries Arena 9 speakers review: Battery Life
However, depending on your situation, the microphone has two potentially fatal flaws. For starters, the battery life is limited to 4.5 hours, with a 15-minute shift providing an hour of battery life. That is not short in comparison to the size of the battery, but it is short for long-running sessions.
The other issue is that it’s tough for me to position properly on my ear — it’s not impossible, but it does require some two-handed work — and when it’s not in perfectly, it’s too unsteady. Even yet, if I move my head too quickly, it seems like it will come off. Furthermore, if not precisely positioned, it is not very glasses friendly. When it is, the earpiece of the glasses helps to reduce the wobble. It’s rather comfortable once it’s settled.
Price
As we mentioned previously in this review, the Arena 9 is not for the faint of heart, and not only for the price. This package is $549.99 USD. Whatever way you look at it, that’s a lot of money. Absolutely, Its practicality in being able to plug-and-play to a PC, Mac, and PS4/PS5, the sound it produces, plus the choices such as sound tuning and RGB lighting make it a visually and acoustically stunning display.
However, you’ve beyond the price of an entry-level sound bar and are now in the zesty mid-to-high price bracket for such equipment. Simply said, if terrific sound is all you care about, you might be able to get more bang for your buck with a nice pair of headphones or a sound bar system. However, the Arena 9 provides the quality in design and function for which SteelSeries has been recognised.
Final Word
While the audio is excellent for gaming speakers, it is not flawless. When there was no sound coming from the speakers, one of the back speakers would suddenly pop, almost as if it had lost connection and immediately regained it with the rest of the system. While the surround sound is fantastic, you can also purchase superb 5.1 surround sound for less money, such as the Logitech Z906.
Furthermore, the sheer number of I/O and connection makes it highly versatile, allowing me to use the speaker system to power a party when friends come over, or to assist set the mood in a game of tabletop D&D. Being able to utilize it with my PS5 improves that experience as well, allowing me to eliminate the terrible TV speakers I’ve been dealing with for far too long.