(It looked pretty Prince was onto something.) Customizing the lights is completely unnecessary, but I kept doing it anyway. I went with a purple hue, lighting up the rims of ear cups and the microphone mute button. It has an OLED screen, a volume wheel, and software controls to tinker with audio settings or fiddle with the color of the RGB lighting on the headphones. The GameDAC box connects to your computer or console via optical cable or USB. Music sounded stunning on my PS4, Mac, and PC, somewhat reminding me of the impressive Blue Sadie headphones I recently reviewed, which also have their own amplifier on-board. The headphones, when connected to the GameDAC, are also capable of playing back high-resolution audio files, making them great for listening to music in addition to gaming. It's remarkable, and that's thanks to the DTS Headphone:X 2.0 software running on the GameDAC movie-theater-grade technology that presents sounds in a multi-channel mix that makes it easier for you to pick out the distance and direction of the sounds you hear. Mowing down other characters as Bastion has never sounded so right. Even my own weapon sounded clearer, and I could better discern the position and distance of footsteps and energy shields shattering around me. I noticed the improved audio most in shooters like Overwatch. The combination of the Arctis Pro and its accompanying GameDAC box has quickly become my favorite new audio companion when playing games or just listening to tunes.

The box combines a digital-to-analog converter and an amplifier, two pieces of tech that improve the sound of the headphones by adding depth, clarity, and drama. In addition to high-end components and a comfortable fit that blocks out exterior noise, the headset utilizes a small audio-control box that the headphones plug into. A few models even come with their own fancy stands, giving you a place to rest your headphones when you take a pizza break.īut no matter what bill of goods most headsets arrive with, none of them likely sound as good as the new SteelSeries Arctis Pro.

Gaming headsets are often wealthy with features: virtual surround sound, high quality wireless radios, noise-isolating designs, replaceable ear cushions.

Arctis pro gamedac