SteelSeries - SteelSeries Arctis 3 Bluetooth

SteelSeries

SteelSeries Arctis 3 Bluetooth gaming headset: for the love of the Switch

Aprox. 98€ - see price -

The Steelseries Arctis 3 Bluetooth headset, launched at € 149, brings wireless connectivity to the Arctis 3 in order to adapt to the very specific requirements of the Nintendo Switch in terms of voice chat (the latter is not directly integrated in the console, you have to go through the dedicated smartphone app). Let's find out what it's all about ...

Our review

Ergonomics

Almost a year after the arrival of the Arctis range of gaming headsets, a symbol of renewal for the brand, SteelSeries therefore offers a wireless version of its entry-level model. Not surprisingly, the SteelSeries Arctis 3 Bluetooth is strictly identical to the Arctis 3 and the Arctis 5 in terms of design and design. We find an over-ear headphones with rounded shapes and a relatively discreet look. Apart from the slightly rubbery surface on the ear cups and the inner part of the main headband, most of the helmet is protected by plastic. The set is quite solid and the quality of the finishes is satisfactory. A little more flexibility at the level of the arch, however, would not have been too much…

As with all Arctis helmets, the headband consists of two parts: the upper part, which does not come into contact with the user's head, and the lower part, which is supposed to fit and conform to the shape of the head. This last part takes the form of an elastic band of adjustable fabric with two velcros at each end to more or less stretch the band. The feeling of comfort provided at this level is there, and even slightly better than on the Arctis 7, since the upper hoop draws a more rounded shape. The fabric arch hugs the head well and distributes the weight well. However, its extension may be a little too limited (from 33 to 41 cm approximately by measuring from ear to ear and passing through the top of the skull) for the largest heads. In such cases, the double hoop loses some of its interest, especially over long sessions.

The finding is also satisfactory on the side of the atria, even if there is still room for improvement. The contact with the fabric pads is pleasant and the atria include the pavilions well. For large heads, it will be necessary to think of adjusting the arch in order to relax it and allow the pads to rest more evenly around the roof. Otherwise, the pressure points will be too localized at the temple and the horns may be slightly compressed against the loudspeaker grille. The Arctis 3 Bluetooth offers a good compromise between ventilation and insulation: even in play, it is always possible to hear a little what is happening around, but the pads do not retain too much heat.

The wired connection has not moved an iota on the Arctis 3 Bluetooth. The connection is always made via this damn proprietary connector, a fusion output between mini and micro-USB. Once the main cable is connected, it is then possible to connect the headset in two ways: either via the small extension 3.5 mm mini jack 4 points (game consoles, Nintendo Switch, some laptops, tablets, smartphones, VR headsets…), either via the large Y extension double 3-point mini-jack (headphone output and separate microphone input, for stationary computers or certain portable computers for example). The micro-USB port is used to charge the headphones, while the mini-jack connector allows you to connect another headset to share the sound.

Wireless connection is now possible on this model thanks to the integration of Bluetooth 4.1. Pairing and using the headset is very simple. Some small audible and luminous indications are there to help the user a minimum. They are particularly simplistic, but you can quickly find your way around. Small interesting detail: the LED on the Bluetooth ignition and pairing button is also used to very roughly indicate the remaining battery level (green, yellow, red and rapid red flashing).

The controls focus on the essentials: a volume wheel and a microphone on / off button. They are easily accessible with the thumb of the left hand. However, we would have liked to find a second wheel to be able to manage the mixing done by the headphones from the Bluetooth source and the wired source. Indeed, the Arctis 3 Bluetooth mixes the audio coming from the two sources and only takes care of the overall overall volume - this is what allows it to restore the chat of the Switch on smartphone at the same time as the sound of 'a wired game on the console, for example. Balancing must be done by manually and separately managing the volume of the two connected sources, which is not necessarily the most intuitive or the most practical. In Bluetooth connection, the backlit ignition / pairing button acts as a multifunction button. It can be used to manage music playback, manage calls and skip to the next track.

SteelSeries promised 28 hours of use after a full charge, which is already a significant performance. We were more than surprised to be able to greatly exceed this threshold in reality: 38 hours with a comfortable listening volume, but not extreme. You will therefore have no difficulty chaining several listening sessions before recharging your headphones.


Ergonomics

Software quality

The SteelSeries Engine 3 application is in the game, only once you have registered your helmet on your SteelSeries account (a code is provided in the box). It offers all the usual arsenal to personalize its listening experience and microphone pickup: a 10-band graphic EQ (with additional presets), a compression, filtering and ambient noise reduction setting for the microphone as well as 7.1 surround.

This virtualization is ensured by the DTS Headphones: X, which is still not the most satisfactory, especially when we see what other solutions can offer (we think in particular of Dolby Atmos for Headphones or Nahimic, for example). It deforms the environment in a fairly marked way: the appreciation of the lateral sources is less precise, the front / rear confusion is more important than usual and one can feel quite clearly an additional treatment on the reverberation. For more precision, we prefer to stay in stereo.


Software quality

Audio

The sound performance of this Arctis 3 Bluetooth is similar to that of other headsets in the range. Overall the sound is warm, soft, but lacks precision and sharpness. The EQ fortunately allows to give a little pep to the whole.

The Arctis 3 Bluetooth is very close to its purely wired counterpart. We find the same sound color and signature in W. This model in particular promotes a bit more the border between extreme low and low, which slightly accentuates the depth of the bass, their seat and their immersive dimension. Unfortunately, the membranes are not wildly reactive in this area; the bass is tinged with a certain softness and the precision with which we differentiate the elements that operate in this area is limited. This soft, almost cottony appearance is also due to the timidity of the high mids. The good presence of the mediums ensures good intelligibility of the voice and a certain general presence. Slightly reducing overweight around 63/125 Hz and raising the high mids towards 4 kHz with the EQ allows gain in both legibility in the bass and in general clarity. A little boost in the treble extremes will not be too much, because they are far from being present by default. Take it easy: the EQ is not particularly musical. Once done, you will get a rendering more suited to the game, bringing you a better perception of your environment and a better appreciation of distances. Obviously, this remark only applies to wired use on PC, since the headset has nothing to keep in memory the settings configured on the application.

There is absolutely nothing to criticize the Arctis 3 Bluetooth in power and distortion management. You will have no trouble using it on all your favorite devices and it is quite sensitive. Even at a high listening level, the distortion is very calm over the entire audible spectrum.

As far as Bluetooth communication is concerned, the Arctis 3 Bluetooth does not have much to envy to good wireless mobile headsets. In fact, the latency is relatively contained here and allows you to correctly follow your video content or even to communicate with your teammates in the case of Switch chat.


Audio

Microphone

The microphone integrated into the Arctis 3 Bluetooth is the same as that which can be found on the other headsets of the range: a retractable microphone with a swan neck, flexible and easy to place in front of the mouth. However, in the absence of any backlight and / or voice prompts, you can never quickly know if the microphone is muted or not. You have to trust the touch and the button on the back of the left ear cup.

The capture performance is very close to what we have experienced on other Arctis. The microphone offers quality capture. The signal is clean, sufficiently strong and the surrounding noise is relatively well attenuated. The voice is intelligible in all circumstances. Nevertheless, it is advisable to maintain a small distance between the mouth and the microphone, because the latter is sometimes sensitive to plosives and breath sounds.


Microphone

Conclusion

The Arctis 3 Bluetooth is an almost exact copy of the Arctis 3, with its qualities and its defects. The only real difference is the Bluetooth connection, whose integration is particularly successful here (ease of connection, contained latency, generous autonomy). Apart from this point, the Arctis 3 Bluetooth offers a pleasant experience of use and listening, but far from being impeccable. If you fall for the Arctis 3 and you hesitate between the two versions, take into account your use and your needs before you start, because the price difference is not negligible. If this is not the case and you do not need Bluetooth, you can always head to other very good gaming headsets: the ATH-PDG1, the G4me One / Zero, the Cloud Alpha for the wired or the RIG 800HD, or the G533 for wireless.


Conclusion

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