I tested these desktop speakers with 5.1 surround sound for 8 months — and it's a game changer

Tom's Guide

6 days ago

SteelSeries is known for its computer peripherals and array of headsets, many of which make it into our list of best gaming headsets.
Still, what you may not know is that the company also has its own lineup of speakers, and while they cater to multiple budgets with varying numbers of speakers, you can find the Arena 9 nestled at the top of the tree.
This 5.1 setup comes with surround sound speakers, SteelSeries GG for all the customization a user could ask for, and some slick RGB lighting to boot. It's a whole soundscape in a box, essentially, and while it's mostly easy to recommend thanks to a whole host of clever tweaks and great directional audio, there are caveats.
For one, the rear speakers are prone to interference, while there's a definite learning curve to its many outputs. Once you've got the hang of it, though, it really can take your desktop audio to new heights.
SteelSeries Arena 9
Price
$549/£580
Audio
5.1 surround sound
Speakers
Subwoofer, 2x desktop speakers, 2x real speakers, one soundbar-like front monitor
Frequency response
35 - 20,000Hz
Lighting
RGB Reactive PrismSync
Connectivity
Bluetooth, USB, Optical, 3.5mm audio jack
Size
6.5 inches (speaker size)
Weight
33.2 pounds (all speakers0
From solid audio to great lighting, there's a lot to like about the Arena 9.
If there's one thing your speaker setup needs to nail, it's sound, and thankfully the SteelSeries Arena 9 set ticks plenty of boxes.
Playing Hearthstone had me feeling like I was sitting in a warm tavern, enjoying a game of cards with friends, and the audio in more hectic games also came through clearly.
I've always tended to reach for a headset if I want to hear an enemy's footsteps in, say, Valorant or Call of Duty Warzone, but now I needn't do so because the sound on the Arena 9 offers a truly cinematic 3D soundstage.
While some had remarked that 5.1 upscaling wasn't great at launch, I found it to be a great way to listen to my eclectic music collection, both through USB (Windows) or via Bluetooth (Mac).
The chiptune-esque synths and djenty guitar chugs of recent Sleep Token album ''Even In Arcadia'' sounded great, with the right amount of bass hitting from the floor-based sub-woofer and everything folding in nicely from the desktop speakers.
It'll depend on how music has been mixed, of course, but to my tastes, there's plenty to like.
It seems a small touch, but the puck-like remote of the Arena 9 is a great way to quickly reach over and adjust settings, switch connection type, or just hit mute when I need to make a phone call.
The OLED display, or Control Pod, is easy to read in all lighting conditions, and is always within an arm's reach. That's handy because SteelSeries GG's Sonar setup is very powerful, with a whole host of EQ options and customization. But be warned: it does have a tendency to change the default audio output every so often.
Lighting on your desk setup can go one of two ways:, either setting a vibe that's uniquely yours, or end up distracting you.
Thankfully, SteelSeries puts that choice squarely in your hands, and SteelSeries GG's settings for tweaking the lighting on your speakers are, quite frankly, very impressive. You can have them cycle through colors, set solid hues for each independently, and much, much more.
It only works for the desktop speakers, however, so it's worth bearing that in mind — don't expect the longer speaker under your display to light up.
While the Arena 9 delivers a great set of speakers for your PC setup, the price tag and some reliability issues mean it's a bittersweet symphony.
Look, there are a lot of excellent speakers around, many of which cost half as much. Do they offer the 3D audio of having multiple outputs positioned around the user? No, but considering the SteelSeries Arena 9 cost around $550, we'd be remiss if we didn't bring up the price.
Moreover, if you're in the U.K., you'll be hard-pressed to find these at any retailer, with the SteelSeries Arena 7 speakers being the optimal choice instead (although, they lack 5.1 surround sound).
The rear speakers are great, but they can feel as though they're communicating with spirits from time to time. From a subtle scratchy, static sound to just sounding as though they've been dunked underwater until they're unplugged and power-cycled, it's a shame, as they really are the main reason to go for a 5.1 set.
As you'd probably imagine with a 5.1 speaker array, you'll need space for the speakers included.
The rear ones can sit nicely on a bookshelf, for example, and the desktop ones take up very little space, but the front dual-driver unit is pretty chunky. We managed to nestle it under the LG UltraGear 39GS95QE-B I reviewed recently, but it was a tight fit.
If you want to be able to jump scare yourself by making a horror game antagonist sound as if they're right behind you, or want to upscale your music so you can feel enveloped in your favorite album, the SteelSeries Arena 9 can help.
That's not to say it's perfect, however, and the crackling from the rear speakers is definitely something that drags the experience down, especially at this price. Thankfully, it doesn't happen every time, and when the Arena 9 speakers are singing, they really hit just right.
If you're after a quieter setup, check out the best gaming headsets instead.