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Revel in the immersive audio experience of the SteelSeries Arena 9, a prodigious addition to your gaming setup. This 5.1 speaker system deftly combines stellar acoustics, versatility, sleek design, and a bevy of customization options, firmly positioning it as one of the top choices for gamers. However, it’s not flawless, and a few minor quibbles keep it from achieving absolute perfection.
In-Depth Breakdown of the SteelSeries Arena 9
Unboxing and Initial Impressions
Inside the box, you’ll find a center speaker with an attached cable, two front speakers, wireless back speakers, and a subwoofer. Other accessories include an OLED control pod, a couple of power cables, and a USB-C cable for connecting to your PC or PlayStation. The speakers sport a professional look, with multi-pin connectors akin to those found in sound mixers, asserting that this is not your typical run-of-the-mill sound system.
![](https://gamerstechreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/SteelSeries-Arena-9-300x300.jpg)
Design and Build Quality
The SteelSeries Arena 9 speakers flaunt a matte-black, hard plastic cylindrical design that is fairly common among computer speakers. The speaker system consists of six cabinets – a dual-driver center speaker, two tiltable front speakers, two rear speakers, and a downward-firing subwoofer. The rear speakers include wall-mounting capabilities, ensuring that you can set up the speaker system to perfectly suit your gaming space.
The control pod serves as the primary interaction point with the speaker system, featuring two buttons on a circular OLED display and a scroll or volume wheel. The pod allows you to alter the volume, select audio inputs, pair Bluetooth devices, tweak EQ, and choose RGB lighting effects.
Connectivity Options
The SteelSeries Arena 9 offers extensive connectivity options, including USB, Bluetooth, analog, and optical audio. It also features a headphone jack on the control pod, allowing you to switch from speakers to headphones without having to unplug anything.
Setting Up the System
Connecting the speakers to the subwoofer is reasonably straightforward, and setting up the entire system should take you no more than 15 minutes. The Arena 9’s design allows for multiple connection methods, including USB-C, optical (with an out as well), Bluetooth, or a 3.5mm jack. This versatility ensures that using the system won’t pose any significant challenges.
Size Considerations
While the SteelSeries Arena 9 system is impressively compact, it’s essential to measure your space before purchasing. The front speakers, standing nearly 8 inches tall and 4 inches deep, might present the most significant challenge. The back speakers, however, are small and easy to place, thanks to a good length of cable and wall-mounting capabilities.
The Control Pod: The Unsung Hero
The control pod offers an impressive degree of control at your fingertips. It allows you to re-pair the back wireless speakers, tweak your EQ, set up Bluetooth, alter your lighting settings for the RGB, and more. The inclusion of a 3.5mm jack also allows you to run a wired headset through it, further enhancing its versatility.
![](https://gamerstechreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/steelseries-arena-9-oled-pod-2-300x200.jpg)
Sound Quality and Performance
The SteelSeries Arena 9 boasts a clear, engaging, and powerful sound profile. It delivers robust and detailed audio with powerful bass, a sweet mid-range, and crisp highs. The mid-high boost makes everything sound more exciting, although it can sometimes be a bit too rich in that frequency range.
Surround Sound Experience
The Arena 9’s real selling point is its surround sound capabilities. The system does an excellent job of immersing you into your media, with superb sound stage and resultant sound imaging. However, like any surround sound system, the speaker placement is crucial to the overall audio experience.
![](https://gamerstechreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/SteelSeries-Arena-9-1-300x300.jpg)
Customization and Software
The SteelSeries Arena 9 offers plenty of customization options through the SteelSeries GG Engine and its Sonar add-on. The Sonar add-on provides a parametric EQ, which is a powerful tool for shaping audio to your taste. The SteelSeries GG Engine also allows you to adjust the volume of individual speakers, toggle the up-mix feature, and more.
![](https://gamerstechreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/config_steelseries_sonar-300x214.jpg)
RGB Lighting
The Arena 9 speakers feature RGB trim around their base and a large single zone on the upper back part of their enclosures. While the customization options aren’t extensive, the lighting is bright, and the Visualizer setting, which provides reactive lighting, is a cool addition.
Few Caveats
Despite its many strengths, the SteelSeries Arena 9 does have a few minor drawbacks. One of the most notable is that it’s not always easy to trigger the 5.1 surround sound, especially for music. Moreover, while the speaker system does offer PlayStation support, it’s relatively basic and does not recognize the Arena 9 as a full surround sound device.
Wrapping Up
The SteelSeries Arena 9 is an exceptional gaming sound system, offering immersive and dynamic sound, a variety of connectivity options, and a sleek design. It’s an excellent addition to any gaming setup, bringing surround sound right to your desk, although a few minor kinks prevent it from reaching absolute perfection.
Ultimately, the SteelSeries Arena 9 is an investment that promises to elevate your gaming experience, transporting you into your favorite virtual realms with its unrivaled auditory journey. Despite a few minor cons, its pros far outweigh them, making it a worthy contender in the world of gaming audio systems.
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To see all specifications on the SteelSeries Arena 9 system Click Here and go directly to SteelSeries.com for more information.