Meet the MetalSeries Arena 7, the model’s first stab at taking what it does with headsets and attempting to create one thing to present the perfect pc speakers a run for his or her cash. Building on that sturdy popularity for producing some of the most effective gaming headsets we’ve examined, the Arena vary ought to have all the precise DNA to be a market chief right here too.Debuting three fashions with a view to suiting each setup and price range, the Arena 3, Arena 7, and Arena 9 look able to shake up an space that’s not seen a model new participant in a while. Starting at $129.99 for the modest Arena 3 proper as much as the $549.99 for the 5.1 Surround Sound Arena 9, MetalSeries hasn’t held again in an try and impress of their first outing.I’ve taken a take a look at the center possibility within the vary, the $299.99 MetalSeries Arena 7 to see if it’s acquired what it takes to compete.Today’s greatest MetalSeries Arena 7 offers (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)Design & Features(Image credit score: Future/Alex Berry)MetalSeries have landed on a extremely nice stability of delicate however styled with the Arena 7 speaker set. Everywhere you look you’ll discover a chic curve on the speakers each throughout the drivers on the entrance and the housing itself. Every angle appears to properly relate to all the things else and there’s a sure sci-fi spaceship vibe to them total however in a manner that doesn’t really feel low-cost or toylike. Despite being fairly chunky, they’re a compact unit with a rock-solid stand below every that’s completely balanced. No matter how exhausting I wobbled, banged, or shook my desk the Arena 7 speakers by no means flinched. At round 7.8in/20cm excessive and simply over 3.9in/10cm huge and deep they’re large enough to ship punchy sound however sufficiently small to suit into most desktop setups. The stand is mounted however does permit round 30 levels of tilt as much as assist zone in on the right listening spot. In phrases of driver measurement and specifics, the 2 satellites have a 3″ driver and 3/4″ tweeter, whereas the subwoofer is 6.5″ down-firing speaker.Design-wise, if the speakers take their cues from baroque, the subwoofer is certainly brutalist. It’s a black field that’s going to reside on the ground below your desk, there’s not far more we have to dwell on actually. The connections on the again are plentiful and properly laid out although, and with USB-C, Aux, Optical, and (*7*) connectivity there’s nearly each possibility you might want. MetalSeries has been beneficiant with the cable size from every speaker to the subwoofer too, so that you’ll don’t have any points with cable administration and tucking it away out of sight in your setup.(Image credit score: Future/Alex Berry)After you’ve plugged within the MetalSeries Arena 7 they rework from a really understated, all-black affair to an all-singing, all-dancing disco deal. It wouldn’t be a contemporary gaming peripheral with out RGB proper? Thankfully the colorful execution right here is each delicate, controllable, and glorious. Each speaker options unbiased lighting zones each across the rim of the bottom and through a panel on the again. If I had one criticism it’s that for an in any other case fantastically designed unit, the RGB window on the again feels somewhat like an afterthought, it doesn’t mix into the design like all the things else and simply feels somewhat tacked on. It’s on the again although and when you’ve positioned your speakers for the primary time you’ll by no means see it once more so it’s a minor grumble.Each speaker manages to throw a powerful quantity of colored mild and did an incredible job of making the wall behind my displays radiate. The base rim has minimal throw however is impactful sufficient to be a worthwhile addition. If you’re not a fan of RGB, a double faucet of the multi-function button on the precise speaker will shut them off fully – that’s a pleasant contact, MetalSeries.Performance(Image credit score: Future/Alex Berry)MetalSeries headsets have been a go-to for avid gamers for a while now and I’m happy to say that audio expertise has properly and actually made its manner into the Arena 7 speakers. They sound nice, actually impressively nice. My earlier speakers have been a $30 set of Logitech Z200s and earlier than plugging the Arena 7 speakers in I wasn’t anticipating to listen to an enormous distinction. They’re each stereo, two speaker techniques so how significantly better may they realistically sound? Turns out the reply is significantly better.I linked to my PC utilizing the included USB Type C cable and even with out dialing in my audio utilizing MetalSeries’ GG and Sonar software program the Arena 7s delivered a wonderful, full sound. Compared to earlier, low-cost PC speakers I’ve used there’s a definite enchancment within the richness of sound, significantly when listening to music and the subwoofer can take quite a bit of the credit score right here. Even when dialed all the way down to keep away from upsetting the neighbours (which it could actually have the power to do in the event you ramp all of it the way in which up) it helped beef up your entire soundscape.Testing with a couple of hours in GTA V, the Arena 7s did an incredible job of presenting the big selection of sounds thrown at you without delay. In-game music was nice and balanced, autos had a deep rumble with out overpowering dialogue and every gunshot had a correct punch to it when backed up by the subwoofer. (Image credit score: Future/Alex Berry)It was an analogous story when watching Netflix: the MetalSeries Arena 7 speakers have been clear all through and provided a surprisingly absorbing wall of sound for only a 2.1 set. To push my luck I even pulled up a couple of spatial audio assessments on YouTube and when closing my eyes was genuinely impressed at how properly the Arena 7’s two speakers managed to convey a way of path. I wouldn’t go so far as to say they mimic encompass sound, however they actually sound like extra than simply two sources.MetalSeries’ GG software program throws up full EQ management to tweak the sound to your liking. I left the fine-tuning to the consultants and caught with one of the bundled profiles however there’s a complete characteristic set on supply if you wish to get caught in. GG can also be the place you’ll management your RGB options with a modest choice of totally different modes masking the standard rainbow shows. If you’re already within the MetalSeries ecosystem these might be acquainted and there’s PrismSync integration obtainable too. One RGB theme did leap out although: hidden within the Engine menu is ‘Reflect’ which makes an attempt to increase your display screen past its body by mimicking what’s on present with RGB. While the Arena 7 speakers did a fairly admirable job of this and do throw sufficient mild to be efficient, I discovered the split-second delay earlier than the lighting would replace to match the display screen extra of a distraction than the rest, significantly whereas gaming.Should you purchase the MetalSeries Arena 7 speakers?(Image credit score: Future/Alex Berry)At $299.99 the Arena 7 speakers aren’t precisely an affordable possibility however the gaming tech behemoth has once more delivered a product that is glorious and worthy of MetalSeries’ gaming audio popularity. For reference, the value is in between the Razer Leviathan V2 and Creative Sound Blaster Katana V2 soundbars we have additionally examined lately and so does signify one thing that is an funding, however that provides you with distinctive efficiency.Overall, there’s little to complain about right here and all however probably the most dedicated audiophiles will possible be impressed with the sound they produce. With glorious audio high quality coupled with pleasing design and construct high quality, plus an RGB occasion trick as well, the MetalSeries Arena 7 are an incredible selection for these trying to improve their desktop audio.Today’s greatest MetalSeries Arena 7 offers (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)How we examined the MetalSeries Arena 7 speakersThe MetalSeries Arena 7 discovered a house on my desk and was used for a mix of totally different pc work over the course of a couple of weeks. It was my major audio machine and used for basic audio, music and video watching, Discord calls, and gaming. It was additionally used for all audio output whereas reside streaming utilizing MetalSeries GG software program.You can learn extra about our {hardware} method to all types of gear that we get our palms on in our full GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.If you are in search of one thing extra headset-shaped from MetalSeries to your setup, then it’s possible you’ll discover it in our greatest PC headset for gaming, greatest PS5 headset, or greatest Xbox Series X headset guides.
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