SteelSeries Arctis 3 (2019 Edition) $86.87 + Delivery (Free with Prime) @ Amazon US via Amazon AU

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jasswolf on 31/10/2018 - 14:36 amazon.com.au (516 clicks)
Last edited 31/10/2018 - 14:40 by 1 other user

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Further 10% off with CashRewards takes this to $78.18, which isn't far away from the best price for the previous model.

Available in White, or Black (the latter on back-order), and if you really don't want to sign-up for Prime, delivery is $16-$17.

The updated version has better tuned bass, which was its weak point against the otherwise inferior Cloud II/Alpha/Stinger ranges, but conversely has had SteelSeries pull its surround sound support (you can still use Windows Sonic, which is great) in favour of beefing up support in the Arctis 5 and 7 by way of the same tech used in the extremely-overpriced Pro version.

For a wired gaming headset, you're really not going to do any better in this price range right now, and you have the added bonus of a good entry level pair of listening headphones which between the lightweight design and the detachable mic, you could probably use on your daily commute.

Just a final note that this is not the 'Console Edition' that is around: as per the US listing, it's got the 3.5mm cable splitter included so you can use this on PC.

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• 

  FireRunner on 31/10/2018 - 14:48

  Have been eyeing these headphones but really want the bluetooth edition. At $157.96, its still cheaper than locally getting them (with Prime for free delivery).
  This is tempting but I'll hold out until a deal for the bluetooth ones arrive.
  BTW: Does anyone know if the bluetooth ones had a "2019" revision? I can't seem to find the answer as they are often mixed with the 2019 wired sets.

  • 

    djkelly69 on 31/10/2018 - 14:57

    +1

    Does anyone know if the bluetooth ones had a "2019" revision?

    Yes they did - check out the Steelseries website. FYI I confirmed with Sydneytec on eBay that the bluetooth Arctis 3 they are selling for $200 is the 2019 edition, so when there is a 20% off code (like last week) it works out to $160 for local product.

    • 

      FireRunner on 08/11/2018 - 15:30

      I just asked Sydneytec on eBay to confirm that the Bluetooth Arctis 3 is the 2019 edition and they said that only the wired ones are. They also said that there is no ETA for the newer model.

      Have you purchased one from them?

      • 

        djkelly69 on 08/11/2018 - 15:59

        I didn't purchase the bluetooth ones, I ended up getting this deal on the wired ones instead.

        That is weird - their email response to me on 22 October was:

        Yes I can confirm that they are indeed the 2019 Edition Arctis 3 Bluetooth

        Might note it was through this listing rather than the listing for the bluetooth cans by themselves.

        Maybe they have not been able to secure the stock they thought they were getting?

        • 

          FireRunner on 08/11/2018 - 16:13

          @djkelly69: Interesting, the email response I got was

          Hi there,
          The 2019 model is not Bluetooth, they are wired. You can see them here:
          https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/New-SteelSeries-Arctis-3-7-1-Gam…
          -ash
          Thank you!

          Then I asked if they were stocking the new model soon and got

          I don't think we have an ETA at the moment for that model.
          -Ash
          Thank you!

          From the way its worded, I'm guessing the Rep didn't know there was a 2019 revision for the bluetooth.
          I'll probably just wait until the new stock is confirmed.

  • 

    jasswolf on 31/10/2018 - 14:57

    +1

    They'll have the same revision as the Arctis 3, but bluetooth headsets are awful for fast-paced gameplay, and you'd be better off aiming for the 2019 Arctis 7 if you want a wireless gaming headset.

    For mobile listening, there's much better value coming out of China, starting at about $35 with the Bluedio TM headphones:

    https://www.amazon.com.au/Bluedio-TM-Bluetooth-Headphones-Wi…
    https://www.ebay.com.au/sme/bluedio_official_au/Save-up-to-A…

    • 

      FireRunner on 31/10/2018 - 18:09

      If I get the Arctis 3 Bluetooth, I can go wireless when connecting to the phone but have to go wired when gaming.
      If I get the Arctis 7, I can go wireless when gaming but have to go wired when connecting to my phone.
      If I get the Arctis Pro, I can go wireless for both gaming and connecting to my phone, but it will cost as much as buying the other two individually.
      First World Problems

      • 

        jasswolf on 31/10/2018 - 19:20

        +1

        I'd say the level of quality in the Arctis 3 is comparable to the Bluedio TM, the trick with the TM being it doesn't have AAC, nor the additional refinement of design and tuning for gaming. For on-the-go listening, I doubt many people are going to be able to tell the difference between 320 kpbs audio and raw audio (particularly Spotify users). If you fall into that category, then picking up a Bluedio TM and an Arctis 3 wired is probably going to save you $30-$40 versus the available pricing on the Arctis 3 BT version.

        Another thing you could consider is getting some budget Chi-Fi IEMs that are built with graphene drivers and use a 2-pin or similar connector, then replace the detachable wire with a bluetooth variant. At the moment though the options are generally BT 4.1 and 4.2, and due to the lack of earcups battery life is obviously lower, usually at about 8-10 hours on the newer options. That would present as a superior audio quality to either the Arctis or the TM on-the-go, either wired or wireless.

        For that, I'd suggest starting with something like the KZ ES4 as the IEM component, which you can get on eBay for like $20, or on express shipping from Amazon AU for about $25. The bluetooth cabling would probably work out to be $25-$35 and I'm not really across all the options, but I see that as something that could scale the involved audio technology over time as you get newer BT & DAC chips. I'd imagine even using today's silicon tech you could probably go close to doubling battery life for minimal additional cost.

• 

  ShortyX on 31/10/2018 - 15:45

  +1

  Thanks OP.

  FWIW, from https://medium.com/@Xander51/steelseries-updates-the-arctis-…

  "If bass is your favorite thing in the world, the Arctis will underperform expectations. If you’re an audiophile seeking the most accurate sound possible in a $99 gaming product…the smoother midrange of the Cloud Alpha might be more to your tastes."

  • 

    jasswolf on 31/10/2018 - 15:57

    +1

    That quote is actually from here: https://www.worldbolding.com/home/2018/10/2/steelseries-arct…

    And that's probably the most inaccurate description I've seen of the Cloud Alpha's relative to the SteelSeries. Clouds are a much-loved brand for what they did for gaming headphones, but it was simply the first through the door. As per my earlier comment, there's a similar revolution happening out of China, where you'll see low-priced titanium and graphene-based drivers getting a run for less than a 1/3rd of what they'd otherwise sell for here.

    If you're looking for a crisp, neutral pair of headphones, do not pick up anything along the lines of HyperX's entry-level ranges, as they are built and tuned for voice comms and heavy bass over everything else. And what's more, show me the Alphas for this price. I use a pair of Cloud Revolvers that I picked up last year for $70, and this is nearing that quality/price balance.

    • 

      ShortyX on 31/10/2018 - 16:10

      +1

      Whoops, linked the wrong link - thanks for that. Agree with Alphas not being neutral sounding - they are definitely more V shaped. Perhaps the writer was only referring to the midrange… we all know headphone reviews are very subjective.

      Since you highlighted the improved bass against the 'inferior' Clouds, I just thought I would bring some balance into the discussion. :)

      From same article…

      "Don’t get me wrong, the Arctis 2019 still sounds very good. But it’s no longer in a class by itself. It can no longer exclaim “My sound is the best at this price…and check out all my other features, too.” Instead, it has to rely more on those features and its design to sell itself to you."

      "Hey, but what about the “improved bass response” that Steelseries touted in their launch materials for this new version? Well, it’s technically true. The 2019 Arctis has a teensy tiny bit more bass response, though it seems more focused in that mid/upper bass region than in the slightly lacking lowest registers. And it’s almost certainly due to the newly improved ear pad foam, not any major tuning changes."

      I bought the Alphas for $109 about 10 months ago. If these Steelseries were available then for similar pricing, it would have been a tough decision but I think I would have been happy with either!

      Thanks for the post - will definitely have a look at the Steelseries in the future.

      • 

        jasswolf on 31/10/2018 - 16:19

        Oh right, I'm following you now. The bass is still definitely better on the Clouds, what I was saying is that it's the only weak point against them and it's apparently improved.

        But yes, from a neutral listening point of view, this is fantastic all-round headset with gaming features. I'd be interested to see how they perform with some EQ tuning.

• 

  OfTheOverflow on 31/10/2018 - 17:29

  +1

  Wow, they come from the future! I have the Pro Wireless which has the same chassis, they're great headphones. Would recommend, especially for this price.