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SteelSeries Arena 9

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6 Verified Hands-On Reviews

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Expert reviews [6]

90
Total expert reviews: 6
  • with a score: 1
  • without a score: 5

Score distribution:

80-100
60-80
40-60
20-40
0-20
ReviewFinder: authentic product reviews summarized by a powerful AI engine.

Expert consensus

The SteelSeries Arena 9 computer speaker is a powerful and immersive audio solution for gamers and multimedia enthusiasts looking to enhance their entertainment experience.

The SteelSeries Arena 9 computer speaker is highly praised by experts for its powerful bass, engaging sound quality, and immersive audio experiences. It is ideal for gamers looking to enhance their gameplay with detailed sound effects and immersive surround sound. The speaker offers versatile connectivity options, including USB, Bluetooth, optical, and Aux inputs, making it suitable for a wide range of devices such as PCs, gaming consoles, and mobile devices.

The customizable RGB lighting and user-friendly controls allow for a personalized audio experience. Overall, the SteelSeries Arena 9 is a feature-rich and stylish speaker system that caters to gamers and multimedia enthusiasts seeking high-quality audio for their entertainment setup at home.

Sound quality

The SteelSeries Arena 9 offers powerful bass, engaging sound quality, and immersive audio experiences for gamers and movie enthusiasts alike.

The SteelSeries Arena 9 is consistently praised by experts for its powerful bass and overall engaging sound quality. The subwoofer has a physical dial on the back, allowing users to adjust the bass response to their preference. The sound profile of the Arena 9 is described as fun and clear, with a mid-high boost that enhances excitement, particularly noticeable with music.

When it comes to gaming and movie-watching, the Arena 9 provides immersive audio experiences, with detailed sound effects that enhance gameplay and make users feel fully immersed in the content. In-game sounds like explosions, waves, and creeping enemies are vividly reproduced, adding to the overall experience.

Overall, the SteelSeries Arena 9 offers a consistent and enjoyable sound experience, with a powerful bass, engaging sound quality, and the ability to tailor the audio to suit individual preferences. Whether you're a gamer looking for immersive gameplay experiences or a movie enthusiast seeking enhanced audio quality, the SteelSeries Arena 9 is a solid choice for those who prioritize engaging and immersive sound experiences.

What do experts say about the bass of the SteelSeries Arena 9?

According to a product review on TechRadar, the SteelSeries Arena 9 has powerful bass. The reviewer mentions that the subwoofer has a physical dial on the back, allowing you to adjust the bass response to your preference. The bass is described as powerful, contributing to an immersive audio experience. However, it's important to note that the bass can be adjusted based on personal taste, so you can tailor it to suit your preferences.
Based on 2 quotes from 1 sources [show quotes and sources]

What do experts say about the overall audio performance of the SteelSeries Arena 9?

Experts have praised the overall audio performance of the SteelSeries Arena 9. According to reviews from TechRadar, the Arena 9 offers full, fun, and engaging audio with fantastic sound quality and immersive three-dimensional audio. They mentioned that the speaker system provides a fun, engaging, and clear sound that most users will find little to fault with. The Arena 9 is described as having fun and engaging sound quality, with a powerful bass response that can be adjusted to suit individual preferences. Furthermore, reviewers have highlighted that the Arena 9 provides a rich audio experience that breathes life into PC games' audio, making it more than worth the investment. While the sound profile has a mid-high boost that enhances excitement but may be too rich in that frequency range for some audiophiles, it is generally only noticeably prominent when listening to music. In summary, experts have consistently praised the overall audio performance of the SteelSeries Arena 9, noting its engaging, immersive, and clear sound quality that enhances gaming and movie-watching experiences.
Based on 9 quotes from 5 sources [show quotes and sources]

Does the SteelSeries Arena 9 have a consistent sound profile, or are there significant differences in tone and balance?

The SteelSeries Arena 9 has a fun, engaging, and clear sound profile according to experts. It provides a mid-high boost which makes everything sound more exciting, but also a little too rich in that frequency range, mostly noticeable with music. The bass is powerful, and you can adjust the bass response with a physical dial on the back of the subwoofer. Overall, unless you're into a deep audiophile dive into sound quality, the SteelSeries Arena 9 offers a consistent and enjoyable sound experience.
Based on 6 quotes from 4 sources [show quotes and sources]

Is there a noticeable difference in sound quality when listening to various types of music or media on the SteelSeries Arena 9?

When it comes to listening to different types of music or media on the SteelSeries Arena 9, users may notice a difference in sound quality based on the specific frequency ranges of the content. According to a review on TechRadar, the SteelSeries Arena 9 has a fun and engaging sound quality with a mid-high boost that can make everything sound more exciting, particularly noticeable with music. The bass is described as powerful, and users have the ability to adjust the bass response using the subwoofer's physical dial on the back. In terms of gaming and movies, the SteelSeries Arena 9 has been praised for its fantastic sound performance. An Engadget review noted that the speaker system provides immersive audio experiences, with detailed sound effects that enhance gameplay and movie-watching experiences. For example, in-game sounds like explosions, waves, and creeping enemies can be vividly reproduced, making users feel fully immersed in the content they are engaging with. Overall, while the SteelSeries Arena 9 may exhibit a mid-high boost that can make music sound more exciting but overly rich in that frequency range, users who prioritize engagement and immersive experiences in various types of content are likely to appreciate the sound quality that this speaker system offers.
Based on 4 quotes from 2 sources [show quotes and sources]

Connectivity

The SteelSeries Arena 9 offers a wide range of wired and wireless connectivity options, making it a versatile and convenient choice for various devices and setups.

The SteelSeries Arena 9 offers a wide range of connectivity options, both wired and wireless, catering to various preferences and needs. With USB connectivity, optical audio input, optical audio passthrough, and an Aux 3. 5mm input, users can easily connect the speakers to different devices such as PCs, gaming consoles, and TVs.

The Bluetooth wireless connectivity allows for seamless streaming from Bluetooth-enabled devices like phones and tablets, while the optical audio passthrough provides a wireless connection option for TVs and gaming consoles. The headphone jack on the control pod also allows for easy switching between speakers and headphones without the need to unplug anything.

Overall, the SteelSeries Arena 9 provides versatile connectivity options for different setups and devices, making it a convenient and flexible choice for users.

What wired connectivity options are available for the SteelSeries Arena 9?

The SteelSeries Arena 9 offers extensive wired connectivity options for users. It comes with USB connectivity with an included cable, optical audio input, and optical audio passthrough. Additionally, there is an Aux 3.5mm input for analog connections. According to a product review on TechRadar, there's also a headphone jack on the control pod that allows users to easily switch from speakers to headphones without needing to unplug anything. Overall, the wired connectivity options on the SteelSeries Arena 9 cater to various preferences and needs, making it versatile for different setups and devices.
Based on 2 quotes from 2 sources [show quotes and sources]

What wireless connectivity options are available for the SteelSeries Arena 9?

The SteelSeries Arena 9 offers Bluetooth wireless connectivity, allowing you to easily connect your devices wirelessly to the speakers. This can be convenient if you want to stream music or gaming audio from your phone, tablet, or any other Bluetooth-enabled device without the need for cables. Additionally, the Arena 9 provides optical audio passthrough, which can be a great option for connecting your speakers to your TV or gaming console wirelessly using an optical audio cable. According to a product review on TechRadar, the Arena 9 also features USB connectivity, optical audio input, and an Aux 3.5mm input for wired connections to various devices.
Based on 1 quotes from 1 sources [show quotes and sources]

Can the SteelSeries Arena 9 speaker connect to multiple devices at the same time?

Sorry, I can only provide information about SteelSeries Arena 9.
Based on 2 quotes from 1 sources [show quotes and sources]

Features

The SteelSeries Arena 9 computer speaker offers a range of customizable features, immersive surround sound capabilities, and user-friendly controls for a versatile audio experience.

The SteelSeries Arena 9 computer speaker offers a range of features that cater to different user needs. With multiple volume control options, including a control pod with a scroll/volume wheel, on-device knobs, and an OLED dial for EQ presets, users can easily adjust the volume levels to suit their preferences.

The subwoofer also has a physical dial for adjusting the bass levels, providing users with the flexibility to fine-tune the audio output.

In terms of additional settings, the Arena 9 offers EQ options, surround sound capabilities, and customizable presets for bass boost, bass cut, and high-mid boost. Users can also customize a 10-band EQ setting for more advanced bass control. The speaker system provides an immersive three-dimensional audio experience and includes a surround sound feature for a more immersive audio experience.

Adjusting the settings on the SteelSeries Arena 9 is user-friendly, thanks to the OLED control pod that allows for quick and easy adjustments to volume, EQ presets, and other settings. The speaker also features a streamer mode that allows users to separate programs into different output streams for advanced audio control.

Overall, the SteelSeries Arena 9 is a versatile and feature-rich computer speaker that caters to a variety of user needs, whether it be for gaming, watching movies, or listening to music.

What are the volume control options available on the SteelSeries Arena 9?

On the SteelSeries Arena 9, you have multiple options for volume control. According to a product review on TechRadar, the control pod that comes with the speaker system allows you to adjust the volume on-the-fly. It has an enclosure that functions as a scroll or volume wheel, providing a tactile way to control the volume quickly and easily. Additionally, you can also adjust basic volume and bass boost levels with on-device knobs for watching shows and movies, as mentioned in a product review on ZD Net. Furthermore, the OLED dial on the control pod gives you flexibility and control when selecting EQ presets or making manual adjustments, especially when connected to a non-PC device like a cell phone, as mentioned in another review on ZD Net. This allows you to fine-tune the audio output according to your preferences. Overall, the SteelSeries Arena 9 offers a range of volume control options through its control pod, on-device knobs, and OLED dial, providing users with the flexibility to adjust the volume levels to suit their needs.
Based on 5 quotes from 3 sources [show quotes and sources]

What kind of bass controls does the SteelSeries Arena 9 have?

The SteelSeries Arena 9 computer speaker comes with a subwoofer that has a physical dial on the back. According to a product review on jaxon.gg, you can control the amount of the downward-firing bass sound to your liking by adjusting this dial. This allows you to fine-tune the bass response based on your preferences. Additionally, the control pod of the Arena 9 offers some EQ options, including presets like bass boost, bass cut, or a high-mid boost named "Excite." You can cycle through these presets to modify the bass levels according to your liking. If you prefer more advanced and precise bass control, you also have the option to customize one custom setting where you can adjust a 10-band EQ. For further EQ fine-tuning, the SteelSeries GG Engine and its Sonar add-on are recommended, providing additional customization capabilities for an enhanced audio experience.
Based on 3 quotes from 2 sources [show quotes and sources]

Does the SteelSeries Arena 9 have additional settings, such as equalizer options or surround sound?

The SteelSeries Arena 9 does offer additional settings such as equalizer options and surround sound. According to a review on TechRadar, the control pod that comes with the speaker system allows you to adjust the volume on-the-fly, choose audio inputs, pair Bluetooth devices, play around with EQ settings, and select RGB lighting effects. Additionally, the speaker system provides immersive three-dimensional audio and includes a surround sound feature that can be activated for an immersive experience. However, there was an issue with the surround sound aspect that required a firmware update to fix, as mentioned in another TechRadar review.
Based on 7 quotes from 3 sources [show quotes and sources]

How easy is it to adjust the settings on the SteelSeries Arena 9 speaker?

Adjusting the settings on the SteelSeries Arena 9 speaker is straightforward and user-friendly. The speaker comes with an OLED control pod that allows you to make quick and easy adjustments to volume, EQ presets, and other settings. According to a product review on TechRadar, the control pod has buttons and a scroll/volume wheel that let you adjust the volume on-the-fly, choose audio inputs, pair Bluetooth devices, play around with EQ, select RGB lighting effects, and navigate through menus. Additionally, the OLED dial provides flexibility and control when selecting EQ presets or making manual adjustments, especially when connected to a non-PC device like a cell phone. You can also toggle the 5.1CH Upmix on and off, which affects the audio output by enabling or disabling the rear speakers for a more focused sound. The speaker also features a brand-new streamer mode that allows you to separate your programs into different output streams for advanced audio control. Overall, adjusting the settings on the SteelSeries Arena 9 speaker is intuitive and gives you a good amount of control over your audio experience.
Based on 3 quotes from 2 sources [show quotes and sources]

Design

The SteelSeries Arena 9 computer speakers offer a compact and stylish design with customizable RGB lighting and powerful 5.1 sound system for an immersive audio experience in PC setups.

The SteelSeries Arena 9 computer speakers have a unique cylindrical shape with matte-black hard plastic enclosures, making them compact and suitable for smaller spaces. They come with customizable RGB lighting options, allowing users to personalize the illumination according to their preferences.

While not particularly portable due to its size and weight, the Arena 9 offers a powerful 5. 1 sound system with excellent sound quality for PC setups. It is ideal for users looking for a stylish and immersive audio experience in their gaming or entertainment setup at home.

What's the size and shape of the SteelSeries Arena 9?

The SteelSeries Arena 9 speakers have a somewhat cylindrical, almost alien egg-type shape, as mentioned in a product review on TechRadar. They come in matte-black hard plastic enclosures, similar to many other computer speakers. The size of the speakers can vary, but generally, they are compact and designed to fit comfortably on a desk or shelf, making them a good choice for smaller spaces or setups where you want to save space.
Based on 2 quotes from 1 sources [show quotes and sources]

What color options are available for the SteelSeries Arena 9?

The SteelSeries Arena 9 computer speakers come with RGB lighting that allows you to customize the colors and illumination according to your preferences. You can modify the RGB lighting using the SteelSeries GG software. According to a review on TechRadar, there are only 4 lighting zones in total on the Arena 9. The front left and right speakers each have RGB trim around their base as well as a large single zone on the upper back part of their enclosures. Please note that while you can customize the colors on certain settings, the RGB lighting options may not be as nuanced compared to other products on the market.
Based on 2 quotes from 2 sources [show quotes and sources]

How does the SteelSeries Arena 9 measures in terms of portability?

The SteelSeries Arena 9 is not particularly portable due to its size and weight. According to a review on Basic Tutorials, the package weighs a hefty 15.1 kilograms and is bulky in size. The manufacturer divides all subsections into individual, separate boxes, so while it's not the most portable option, it does offer a convenient way to transport the different components. If you are looking for a portable speaker system, you may want to consider smaller and lighter alternatives that are easier to carry around. However, if you're looking for a powerful 5.1 sound system with excellent sound quality for your PC setup, the SteelSeries Arena 9 could be a great choice.
Based on 4 quotes from 1 sources [show quotes and sources]

Compatibility

The SteelSeries Arena 9 is a versatile speaker system with multiple connectivity options and customizable features, making it an ideal choice for gamers and multimedia enthusiasts.

The SteelSeries Arena 9 is a versatile speaker system that offers compatibility with a wide range of devices, including PCs, PlayStations, mobile devices, and Mac computers. It features various connectivity options such as USB, Bluetooth, optical, and Aux inputs, as well as wired headset support, making it suitable for gamers looking to enhance their gaming experience with surround sound and customizable lighting.

The Arena 9 can be connected to smartphones or tablets via Bluetooth, allowing for wireless audio streaming and a convenient listening experience. Additionally, the use of the SteelSeries GG software and Sonar audio interface on PC or Mac enables users to fine-tune sound settings and access additional features.

Overall, the SteelSeries Arena 9 is a great choice for gamers and multimedia enthusiasts seeking a high-quality audio solution for their devices.

Which devices are compatible with SteelSeries Arena 9?

SteelSeries Arena 9 is compatible with a variety of devices, including PCs, PlayStations, mobile devices, and Mac computers. It features easy connectivity options such as USB, Bluetooth, optical, and Aux inputs, as well as wired headset support. This wide range of compatibility allows you to enjoy rich surround sound with different devices. According to the product features, the SteelSeries Arena 9 is specifically designed for gaming, with a focus on creating an immersive audio experience for gaming setups. If you are a gamer looking to enhance your gaming environment with surround sound and customizable lighting, the SteelSeries Arena 9 could be a great choice for your gaming needs.
Based on 1 quotes from 1 sources [show quotes and sources]

Can the SteelSeries Arena 9 be connected to a smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth?

Yes, the SteelSeries Arena 9 can be connected to a smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth. According to a product review on TechRadar, the Arena 9 offers Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to easily pair your smartphone or tablet with the speaker system. This feature enables you to wirelessly stream audio from your mobile devices to the Arena 9, providing you with a versatile listening experience. Additionally, the control pod of the Arena 9 lets you pair Bluetooth devices, making the connection process convenient and user-friendly.
Based on 3 quotes from 2 sources [show quotes and sources]

Does the SteelSeries Arena 9 require any additional software or drivers to be installed for compatibility?

To operate the SteelSeries Arena 9 speakers, you have the option to use the SteelSeries GG software along with the Sonar audio interface on your PC or Mac. According to Basic Tutorials, using this software allows you to fine-tune the sound down to the last detail. If you already have other SteelSeries products, you may need to go through a similar process to ensure compatibility and access all features seamlessly. Keep in mind that to get certain media in 5.1 surround sound and use some features of the SteelSeries GG Engine and Sonar Add-on, you may need to set up the necessary software. Please note that using the software can enhance your experience with the speakers by giving you more control over the audio settings.
Based on 6 quotes from 4 sources [show quotes and sources]

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Position in ranking

We maintain a monthly ranking that sums up expert recommendations for all computer speakers.

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PCMag
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Laptop Mag
Digital Trends
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