SteelSeries Arctis 7+ vs 7P+
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Differences Summary
Headphone Audio Quality
Microphone Audio Quality
Comfort and Build Quality
Verdict
Differences Summary
Contents of each box.
The Arctis 7P+ is a variant of the Arctis 7+ designed specifically for PlayStation 5. These are both wireless headsets that connect with a USB-C dongle, but they can also be used with their included 3.5 mm cable. Both have 30 hours of listed battery life.
There's only one key difference between these devices:
The Arctis 7+ has a chat/game mix wheel on the right ear cup. The 7P+ does not have the chat/game mixer, but instead it has a mic sidetone volume wheel.
What is the game/chat mixer and sidetone?
The game-chat mixer is on the right ear cup of the 7+.
The game/chat volume mixer is basically a functionality that lets you make either the game you're playing louder or the voice chat of the party you're with louder.
For example, if you're in Discord you can set that audio's channel to “chat” and your game's audio (or all the rest of your system audio) to “game” and then slide the mixer wheel to make one or the other louder.
(The images below can be clicked to enlarge)
Monitoring the game/chat mix volume in the Sonar software.
This is useful for games like Warzone or Halo: Infinite with teammates. For the Arctis 7+, this only works on PC. This is because Sony and Microsoft are very picky about what companies and devices they want to access this feature on Xbox and PlayStation.
As of this writing, only the Sony Pulse 3D can actually do game/chat mixing on PlayStation, and for game/chat mixing Xbox you'll need the Arctis 7X.
Sidetone volume wheel on the Arctis 7P+.
The game/chat mix feature doesn't exist at all on the 7P+. For that device, you have to manually adjust the volume of your game, Discord, or whatever program you’re using. For both the 7P+ and 7+ on PlayStation, you’ll have to use Sony’s chat mixer settings in their menus on the PS4 or PS5 itself.
To make up for this, the 7P+ has a slider for mic monitoring AKA sidetone. Sidetone is simply a feature that plays your mic audio back into your headphones. You can use this to test that your mic is working or to ensure you’re not talking too loud.
Sidetone adjustment isn’t an exclusive feature to the 7P+. You can change your sidetone volume on the 7+ as well - it's just more of a hassle. You have to connect it to your PC, change its volume in the SteelSeries Engine app, and then save it to the dongle. When you plug the 7+ transmitter back into say your Switch or PS5, the sidetone volume change will be in effect there too.
Sidetone volume option for the 7+ in SteelSeries Engine.
Long story short, the 7+ can do what the 7P+ can but it can also do game/chat volume mixing on PC.
Now I’ll quickly review what's similar about these devices: headphone audio quality, microphone audio quality, comfort and build quality, and software.
Headphone Audio Quality
Based on my tests with gaming and music while listening both wired and wirelessly, the Arctis 7+ and 7P+ sound exactly the same. These headsets push the upper mids and highs to the front. Bass takes a far back seat. Even with EQ, there's just no power in the low end.
Resident Evil 2 with the Arctis 7P+.
For FPS games, this sound signature is acceptable. For everything else, I don't really like the 7+ or 7P+. I find the sound uncomfortably harsh.
If you're a basshead like me, the Astro A40 gets the job done while still retaining great detailed sound for footsteps. But if you’re not into bass at all, the Arctis lineup is for you.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2019 with the Arctis 7+.
Microphone Audio Quality
Testing the mic of the arctis 7P+.
The mics on the 7+ and 7P+ are really low quality. The compression is intense and clarity is lost. The Arctis 5 mic sounds so much better. That one's not exactly good either, but it's way better than the 7+ or 7P+.
Comfort and Build Quality
Both of these devices have the same mesh padding, steel headbands, ski goggle strap underneath, swivel ear cups, and retractable mics.
The strap means there’s no direct vertical adjustment so these aren’t great for those with larger heads. These have good and sturdy build quality, but honestly I don't find them that comfortable.
Since these headsets are both compatible with Android, I even tried working out with the 7+. Unfortunately, the headband strap doesn’t really help with stability, so I don’t even know why they went with that design.
The builds are passable for a bit of weight lifting, but I wouldn’t try any sort of plyometrics or cardio with them if you want them to actually stay on your head.
Both devices have swivel to allow them to rest on your shoulders. This isn’t actually comfortable…
Software
SteelSeries Engine with the Arctis 7+.
SteelSeries Engine with the Arctis 7P+.
SteelSeries Engine is available with both devices. For these headsets, it’s really just a basic equalizer, but the EQ settings can be saved to the wireless dongles themselves. This means you can set up a custom EQ, save it to the transmitter, and use that sound on PS5, PS4, or the Switch.
I would get into Sonar which has a lot more features and options, but currently it's really buggy and only in early access, so I might cover it when it fully launches.
Verdict
Arctis 7+ (left) and 7P+.
Out of these two devices, I'd get the Arctis 7+. It has a game/chat mixer while 7P+ just has a physical sidetone volume slider.
Ultimately, I'd take the wireless Astro A50 over either of these even though that device is definitely not perfect. I just love its sound so much more.
Product Listings
SteelSeries Arctis 7+: https://amzn.to/3HhBW5f
SteelSeries Arctis 7P+: https://amzn.to/3Jemdo0
