I got my hands on the "ARCTIS 1" headset from SteelSeries, a brand well known for its gaming gear, so here's a review of how it actually performs in use.
This is the one I picked up.
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SteelSeries 密閉型 ゲーミングヘッドセット Arctis 1 PC PS4 Switch 対応 【国内正規品】
It sits at the budget end of the ARCTIS lineup, but it covers all the essentials for a gaming headset, and both the sound quality and build feel solid. By the way, the higher-end "ARCTIS Pro" model in the same series is a premium unit with Hi-Res audio support, wireless connectivity, and other extras.
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【国内正規品】密閉型 ゲーミングヘッドセット SteelSeries Arctis Pro 61486 ハイレゾ基準対応 DTS サラウンドサウンド ノイズキャンセリングマイク
That said, when I tried the Pro it was heavy enough to make my head feel weighed down, and the leather pads tend to get sweaty, so it seemed a bit rough for long sessions. The ARCTIS 1 is lighter, has sponge-style pads that breathe well, and personally I ended up liking it more.
Spec Sheet
| Item | Spec |
|---|---|
| Headphone frequency response | 20–20,000 Hz |
| Headphone sensitivity | 100 dB |
| Headphone impedance | 32 Ω |
| Mic frequency response | 100 Hz–10,000 Hz |
| Mic type | Noise-cancelling, bidirectional |
| Mic sensitivity | -38 dB |
| Connector type | 4-pole 3.5 mm + dual 3.5 mm PC extension cable |
| Cable length | 3 m |
ARCTIS 1 Photo Review
Here's what the outer box looks like. It says "BEST GAMING HEADSET" right on the front.
The headset comes with SteelSeries' official 1-year warranty.
The headphones use a 3.5 mm jack, so you can use them with a wide range of devices — PC, smartphones, music players, PS4, Xbox, Switch, and so on. The mic is Discord-certified, which makes it a good fit for anyone who usually chats on Discord while gaming.
This is the headset itself. On the body you'll find the mic input jack, a volume dial, and a mic on/off button. It weighs 286 g, and once it's on your head it doesn't feel too heavy. Compared to other headphones I've used, this one feels like it falls on the lighter side.
With the mic attached, it looks like this. The mic is a separate part, so you can detach it and stash it away when you don't need it. You can pop it off when you head out, then pop it back on for gaming once you're home.
This is the inside. The top of the headband has a pretty soft cushion, so even long gaming sessions are unlikely to leave your head sore.
The pads use a mesh construction, so airflow is good. They don't get stuffy even after long wear, which makes them really comfortable. I'd take this over leather pads any day. No worries about getting sweaty in summer, and even if you stick them on right out of the bath without fully drying off, the mesh material handles a bit of dampness just fine.
This is the control section. You can toggle the mic on/off and adjust the volume. The buttons have just the right firmness — no risk of accidentally flipping them.
This is how far the size adjustment extends at maximum. The build feels pretty sturdy, so it doesn't seem like it'll slide around on its own.
Impressions
The pads are seriously comfortable. I used to use Sony's MDR series years ago, and after long sessions they'd get sweaty and my head would start to ache — none of that with the ARCTIS 1. Even though it's the budget version, the sound quality wasn't compromised, and it sounds great for the price. The bass doesn't pound away too aggressively; it's a nicely flat, balanced sound. It lives up to the "gaming headphones" name, too — you can clearly pick out enemy footsteps in FPS games. If you're trying to decide which headset to grab, the price is reasonable enough to make this a solid pick.
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SteelSeries 密閉型 ゲーミングヘッドセット Arctis 1 PC PS4 Switch 対応 【国内正規品】
Some big-box stores like Yodobashi Camera have these on display, so it's worth dropping by to try one on and see how it fits!
