ZDNET Take Away
- The SteelSeries Arena 9 5.1CH speaker system is available at Best Buy And SteelSeries Product Line for $550. (Currently down to $423 at Amazon
- It lets you connect three devices at once via Bluetooth, USB, and optical cable. And it offers powerful EQ customization via the OLED dial and Sonar desktop app.
- Note that the OLED dial doesn’t give you as much control as the Sonar app for non-PC devices.
I have to admit: when I first saw SteelSeries Arena 9 speaker system, I think it’s completely overkill. Five speakers and a subwoofer (plus an OLED controller and a whole lot of cables) seems like a ridiculous amount of audio gear for most gamers, who probably only have one platform they like: PC, Xbox, Switch, or PS5. And rightfully so.
But if you frequently switch between console and PC gaming, or your home office doubles as a gaming room, the Arena 9 makes for a powerful home theater that makes a more sensible choice than a traditional 5.1CH system from brands like LG or Samsung. I’ve been testing the Arena 9 for the past few weeks, and here’s everything you need to know about it.
Setting up the Arena 9 is a lot less intimidating than the included quick start guide suggests. The main left, right, and center speakers connect directly to the subwoofer, while the rear speakers connect wirelessly (and have their own AC power cables). The system also comes with an OLED control dial for quick and easy volume and EQ preset adjustments, as well as for connecting via Bluetooth and viewing essential product information like serial and model numbers for warranty claims.
The subwoofer also acts as the primary connection point for audio output via USB, Bluetooth, or optical cable; you can use the subwoofer as an optical passthrough for theoretical connection to a third party sound bar or speaker if you already have something you’re using to enhance dialogue or ambient sound. While you can set up all three types of connections at once, you can only use one physical connection at a time, along with a Bluetooth-connected device. And the Bluetooth source will pair with the physical source, allowing you to receive notifications on your PC or console while using another device or streaming music, movies, and shows.
I am connected Arena 9 to my PS5 via USB and used Bluetooth to connect to my iPhone 13 and my desktop. While you get great dialogue and boosted treble right out of the box, you have to spend some time tweaking the settings via the OLED controller or the Sonar desktop app to get the best tone and volume levels for each set of speakers. The rear speakers felt tinny and flat at first, but switching to the Excite or Bass Boost EQ presets on the OLED controller immediately improved the surround sound and overall quality.
Also: These wireless speakers deliver rich bass and crisp highs for almost any style of music.
The OLED dial gives you a lot of flexibility and control when selecting EQ presets or making manual adjustments, especially if you’re connecting a non-PC device like a mobile phone. You can toggle 5.1CH Upmix on and off, which disables the rear speakers for a more focused sound, although it does sound a lot flatter and less exciting than when it’s on. SteelSeries has introduced a brand new streaming mode to the app, allowing you to split your shows into different output streams for unprecedented control over your audio.
You can set programs to be recognized as games, media, or chat, and customize the output mix to prioritize one or the other. This is a godsend when hosting Discord movie nights with friends, allowing me to enhance the sound of the movie over voice chat so I don’t miss any important plot points or dialogue. And if you want more in-depth customization options, each type of media has its own EQ tab in the app, allowing you to choose different presets than what you’ll find on the OLED controller or adjust the frequency to suit your space and preferences. You can even turn spatial audio on and off, which is great for switching between games where you need to be able to pinpoint audio cues, and movies where you might not want the sound to feel like it’s coming from different locations.
Also: This portable Bluetooth speaker from Anker is so good I forgot how affordable it is
I spent days doing a series of New Game+ games Gotham Knights‘Heroic Assault mode on my PS5 while also bingeing Real Housewives of Orange County on my multi-purpose work/gaming desktop. Not only does Arena 9 handle both connections superbly, but it’s easy to adjust settings in the Sonar app to balance the two, so I’m not overwhelmed with arguments about not being invited to a party while I’m trying to escort a laser cannon through a crowd.
The speaker system is also great for streaming music; I played The Ancient Gods of Asgard album Rebirth while taking photos for upcoming reviews, and the original 13-minute take of “Herald of Darkness” is an almost religious experience with the right EQ adjustments.
My biggest complaint about the SteelSeries Arena 9 is that you really feel like you have no control when dealing with devices connected via USB or optical. The OLED knob lets you choose between a few different presets, but only offers a single option for custom sound profiles. In contrast, the Sonar app lets you create custom sounds for all types of media and connected devices.
ZDNET Buying Advice
There is a lot that comes with it. SteelSeries Arena 9between the speakers and subwoofer, the controller, and the cables. This is easily one of the best-sounding systems I’ve tested, and the ability to tweak specific audio settings is a game-changer. However, if you primarily use a single platform like a PC or console for gaming, you may want to opt for something smaller but still capable. Arena 7 instead, it comes with a pair of single speakers and a subwoofer. It doesn’t include a control dial like the Arena 9, but you can quickly adjust the base volume and bass boost with the on-device buttons for watching shows and movies.
And if you’re just looking for a reliable set of PC speakers, Arena 3 are a great choice; they don’t feature RGB lighting like the Arena 7 and 9, making them a better choice for co-working spaces or home offices that double as gaming rooms.
