The most immersive gaming speaker system I’ve ever tested is now on sale at Best Buy | usagoldmines.com

Taylor Clemons/ZDNET

ZDNET takeaways

The SteelSeries Area 9 5.1CH speaker system is at the moment slashed to $474 at Best Buy.
It lets you join three gadgets concurrently through Bluetooth, USB, and optical cable. And it gives strong EQ customization through the OLED dial and Sonar desktop app.
Word that the OLED dial does not provide you with as a lot management because the Sonar app for non-PC gadgets.

I’ve to confess: after I first noticed the SteelSeries Arena 9 speaker system, I assumed it was full overkill. 5 audio system and a subwoofer (plus the OLED controller and the various, many cables) felt like an absurd quantity of audio tools for many players who could solely have one platform they like: PC, Xbox, Swap, or PS5. And it’s. 

Additionally: This Yamaha soundbar delivers glorious sound for half the price of my $1,000 JBL

However should you steadily swap between console and PC gaming, or your property workplace doubles as your gaming room, the Area 9 transforms into a house theater powerhouse that is a extra reasonably priced choice than a conventional 5.1CH system from manufacturers like LG or Samsung. I have been testing the Area 9, and this is every thing you’ll want to find out about it.

View at Best Buy

Establishing the Area 9 is lots much less intimidating than the included quick-start information makes it appear. The principle left, proper, and heart audio system join on to the subwoofer, whereas the rear audio system join wirelessly (and have their very own AC energy cable). The system additionally comes with an OLED management dial for fast and simple changes to quantity and EQ presets, in addition to for connecting through Bluetooth and viewing important product info just like the serial and mannequin numbers for guarantee claims. 

Taylor Clemons/ZDNET

The subwoofer additionally acts as the primary connection level for audio output through USB, Bluetooth, or optical cable; you need to use the subwoofer as an optical passthrough for theoretically connecting third-party soundbars or speakers if you have already got one thing you are utilizing to spice up dialogue or ambient sound. Whilst you can arrange all three connection varieties without delay, you possibly can solely use one bodily connection at a time, together with the Bluetooth-connected gadget. And the Bluetooth supply will combine with the bodily one, permitting you to catch PC or console notifications whereas utilizing one other gadget or stream music, motion pictures, and reveals.

I related the Arena 9 to my PS5 through USB and used Bluetooth to hook up with my iPhone 13 and desktop PC. Whilst you’ll get a superb dialogue and hi-tone increase straight out of the field, you do need to take a while to tweak settings both through the OLED controller or Sonar desktop app to get the perfect tones and quantity ranges for every set of audio system. The rear audio system wish to be very quiet and flat-sounding at first, however switching to the Excite or Bass Enhance EQ preset on the OLED controller instantly improved the encompass sound impact and general high quality. 

Additionally: One of the best portable speakers I’ve tested delivers glorious sound across various genres

The OLED dial provides you quantity of flexibility and management when choosing EQ presets or making guide changes, particularly should you’re related to a non-PC gadget like a mobile phone. You’ll be able to toggle the 5.1CH Upmix on and off, which disables the rear audio system for extra centered audio, although it does sound way more flat and uninteresting than when enabled. SteelSeries has launched a brand-new streamer mode for the app, which lets you separate your applications into totally different output streams for unprecedented management over your audio. 

Taylor Clemons/ZDNET

You’ll be able to set applications to be acknowledged as video games, media, or chat and customise the output combine to favor one or one other. This was a godsend when organizing Discord film nights with mates, permitting me to spice up the movie’s audio over the voice chat, so I did not miss any necessary plot or dialogue. And if you would like much more in-depth customization choices, every media sort has its personal EQ tab throughout the app, letting you select totally different presets than what you discover on the OLED controller or tweak frequencies to fit your area and preferences. You’ll be able to even toggle spatial audio on and off, which is nice for switching between video games the place you want to have the ability to pinpoint audio cues and flicks the place you might not need the audio to really feel prefer it’s coming from totally different locations.

Additionally: This portable Bluetooth speaker from Anker is so good, I forgot how affordable it was

I spent a number of days working my method by way of a New Sport+ run of Gotham Knights‘ Heroic Assault mode on my PS5 whereas additionally bingeing The Real Housewives of Orange County on my dual-purpose work/gaming desktop. Not solely did the Area 9 deal with each connections superbly, however it was additionally simple sufficient to tweak settings throughout the Sonar app to steadiness the 2, so I did not get overwhelmed with arguments about not getting invited to a celebration whereas I used to be attempting to escort a laser cannon by way of a mob.

The speaker system can also be wonderful for streaming music; I performed the Old Gods of Asgard album Rebirth whereas doing images for upcoming evaluations, and the unique 13-minute reduce of “Herald of Darkness” is a borderline spiritual expertise with the fitting EQ tweaks. 

My one massive criticism concerning the SteelSeries Area 9 is that you just actually do really feel that drop in management when coping with a tool that is been related through USB or optical cable. The OLED dial lets you select between just a few totally different presets however solely gives a single choice for a customized sound profile. In distinction, the Sonar app permits you to create a customized soundscape for each media sort and related gadget.  

ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation

There’s a lot that comes with the SteelSeries Arena 9, between the audio system and subwoofer, controller, and cables. It is simply one of many best-sounding programs I’ve examined, and the power to tweak particular audio settings is game-changing. That mentioned, should you primarily use a single platform just like the PC or a console for gaming, you might wish to go for the smaller however nonetheless succesful Arena 7 as a substitute, because it comes with a single pair of audio system and a subwoofer. It does not embrace a management dial just like the Area 9, however you possibly can rapidly regulate fundamental quantity and bass increase ranges with the on-device knobs for watching reveals and flicks. 

And should you’re merely on the lookout for a dependable set of PC audio system, the Arena 3 is a wonderful selection; they do not have the RGB lighting options just like the Area 7 and 9, making them a more sensible choice for shared work areas or dwelling places of work that double as gaming rooms. For those who’ve been ready for an honest deal to return alongside earlier than you decide up the Area 9, Best Buy is working a sale the place the speaker system is $100 off its authentic worth; this brings it right down to $450, and whereas that is nonetheless on the expensive aspect, the multimedia assist, means to hook up with a number of gadgets concurrently, and unbelievable sound high quality make it a worthy funding to your gaming area or dwelling theater.     

This text was initially revealed on February 23, 2024, and was up to date on September 17, 2024.