Reviews explicitly note that the headset does not include ANC, treating that omission as normal for this price segment.
There is no active noise cancellation. The open-back design prioritizes airflow and natural sound, so it can’t cancel distractions the way closed-back ANC headsets can.
One scored review specifically confirms Arctis app support on Android, letting users adjust presets and settings away from a PC.
Works on Android over Bluetooth and supports the Swarm II mobile app, but several advanced audio features are PC-centric and mobile options can feel limited.
The companion app/software is a standout feature, repeatedly praised for firmware updates, presets, mobile control, and deeper Sonar tuning.
Swarm II provides firmware updates plus access to EQ, mic controls, spatial options, and game/chat features. Stability and feature parity vary by platform, and some users report connection or preset issues.
Audio-video sync is mixed: 2.4GHz use is effectively delay-free, but Bluetooth can show noticeable lag or fall out of sync for video and gaming.
Audio latency is best over the 2.4GHz dongle and 3.5mm wired mode. Bluetooth is fine for casual listening but not ideal when timing is critical.
Bass is generally described as punchy, weighty, and immersive, though some reviews also say it can run a bit heavy versus a flatter tuning.
Bass is generally controlled rather than thunderous. Some reviews find it punchy enough for games, but many note weaker sub-bass and less impact for explosions or bass-heavy music.
Battery life is one of the product’s clearest strengths, with repeated reports around the 50-hour mark or better and strong day-to-day endurance.
Battery life is repeatedly praised, usually meeting the advertised ~50 hours and sometimes exceeding it, so most users can go many sessions between charges.
Bluetooth 5.3 support adds useful phone and mobile-device pairing alongside the primary gaming connection.
Bluetooth generally works reliably for calls and media, but it’s higher latency than the 2.4GHz dongle and switching between sources can take a couple seconds. True simultaneous game audio (2.4GHz) plus Bluetooth mixing isn’t supported. You can toggle/QuickSwitch between sources instead.
Build quality is consistently described as solid and durable, helped by the metal headband and sturdy plastic construction.
Build is mostly plastic to keep weight low and is generally described as solid and flexible. It doesn’t feel as premium as metal-framed competitors, and the unusual suspension design raises long-term questions for some.
One review notes support for up to 24-bit/48kHz over the wireless path, which is positioned as sufficient for casual audiophile use rather than a flagship hi-res focus.
Physical buttons and wheels are widely described as tactile, easy to locate, and practical during play.
Controls are mostly on one earcup with a prominent volume wheel. Some find them easy to locate, while others dislike similarly shaped buttons or coarse volume steps.
Pack-in cables are commonly braided, longer than average, and better than typical bundled cables, drawing positive comments across multiple reviews.
The included pouch/bag is useful for scratch protection but isn’t a structured case and offers limited impact protection.
Fast charging is repeatedly praised, with 15 minutes commonly cited as enough for roughly 6 hours of additional use.
USB-C charging is convenient, with multiple reviews citing fast charging (often roughly under a couple hours) and the ability to keep using the headset while it charges.
Clamp is usually comfortable, but glasses wearers can experience noticeable side pressure during longer sessions.
Clamp is typically gentle and glasses-friendly, but the same light clamp can reduce stability for people who move around a lot.
Bluetooth codec support is limited in the scored reviews, with SBC repeatedly called out as the only supported codec.
Long-session comfort is one of the strongest recurring positives, with many reviews calling the headset all-day wearable and easy on the head.
Comfort is a standout theme: lightweight build, breathable pads, and low clamp keep it easy to wear for hours, especially for glasses wearers.
Reviews repeatedly highlight the mix of 2.4GHz dongle, Bluetooth, and 3.5mm wired use as a core reason to buy this headset.
Console support depends on which version you buy, with full Xbox support tied to the X model rather than the entire lineup.
The design is described as clean and understated, avoiding the overly flashy look common in gaming headsets.
A restrained, modern look with distinctive open-back grilles and floating cups. It reads more functional than flashy, which some prefer and others find plain.
The detachable boom mic and flip-to-mute are convenient for switching between gaming and casual use. A few mention the boom length or ergonomics as minor annoyances.
The dongle works, but multiple reviews criticize it for being too wide and for blocking adjacent ports.
The included 2.4GHz USB-A dongle is the preferred mode for low-latency gaming and tends to be stable, while also enabling the best PC-only audio options.
The fabric-and-pleather/AirWeave-style pads are generally praised for softness, breathability, and comfort.
Earpads are described as plush, breathable, and comfortable, often using fabric rather than pleather to reduce heat. Many note they’re removable for cleaning or replacement.
One scored review specifically praises the adjustable, rotating earcups for flexibility and fit.
The earcups don’t swivel flat, which makes it less convenient to rest around the neck or pack neatly compared with headsets that fold or rotate.
At least one review explicitly notes that the earpads come off and can be replaced when needed.
EQ customization is a major strength, especially through Sonar and desktop PEQ, with some preset access also exposed on mobile.
A 10-band EQ with custom presets is a core strength (especially on PC). A few reviewers report EQ-related artifacts or odd behavior with non-default profiles.
The scored fit review describes the headset as capable of achieving a consistent seal and fit.
Multiple reviews say the presets or tuning help footsteps and subtle enemy cues stand out in competitive games.
Measured commentary points to a non-neutral frequency response with elevated bass and uneven treble behavior.
Tuning is broadly balanced with a mild upper-frequency emphasis that favors detail and competitive cues. Multiple notes point to less sub-bass than many closed-backs and occasional treble unevenness.
The onboard game/chat balance wheel is repeatedly described as useful when supported by the platform or model.
Game/chat mix is typically handled in the companion software rather than with a dedicated hardware dial, which is workable on PC but less convenient mid-game.
Scored reviews mention multiple adjustment positions and flexible fit tuning through the suspension/headband system.
Adjustment relies on a suspension/velcro system rather than sliding yokes. It fits many heads well, but it’s less granular and some worry about long-term velcro tension.
One review describes the adjustment hardware as durable and suitable for a wide range of head sizes.
The floating, band-suspended earcup design avoids traditional hinge stress points and feels robust in early use, but it’s unconventional enough that long-term wear remains an unknown.
The box contents are functional and useful, with multiple cables and the dongle included.
The bundle typically includes the dongle, USB-C cable, 3.5mm cable, detachable mic (often with a windscreen), and a pouch. Braided cables and overall completeness get frequent praise.
Instrument and layer separation are serviceable, but busier mixes can blur together more than on pricier alternatives.
Instrument and layer separation is strong, helping complex mixes and busy game scenes remain distinct rather than blending together.
The boom mic is integrated into the headset and retracts neatly into the earcup when not in use.
Clarity at high volume is generally strong with little distortion, though a few reports suggest certain EQ modes can introduce artifacts, especially at lower listening levels.
The mic is usually clear enough for chat, but many reviewers still describe it as average, airy, fuzzy, tinny, or otherwise not premium.
Background-noise suppression is commonly described as effective enough to keep voice chat intelligible in noisy settings.
Noise handling is generally good with adjustable noise gates and processing, but some reviewers hear occasional dips or artifacts when noise reduction is too aggressive.
Voice pickup is generally clear enough for Discord, calls, and in-game chat, but not especially natural or broadcast-grade.
Mic clarity is above average for a gaming headset, especially over the dongle/high-bandwidth modes. Over Bluetooth it can sound more compressed and less full.
Midrange reproduction is generally understandable and reasonably detailed, though not especially rich or lush.
Midrange is typically clear and present, keeping dialogue and key cues intelligible even in busy scenes.
Cross-platform usability is one of the headset’s biggest selling points, especially on the Xbox model that can cover more systems.
Connectivity is flexible via 2.4GHz dongle, Bluetooth, and 3.5mm analog, covering PC, PlayStation, Switch, and phones well. Xbox support is the main caveat because it isn’t wireless.
Simultaneous dongle plus Bluetooth use is widely praised as useful and mostly reliable, though one review notes some switching friction.
Passive isolation is present but mixed: some reviews find it helpful for immersion, while others still hear plenty of outside noise.
Passive isolation is minimal by design. Sound leaks out and outside noise comes in, so it’s poorly suited to shared rooms, offices, or commuting.
One scored review describes the packaging as simple and clean rather than premium or elaborate.
It is not presented as a folding travel headset, but the retractable mic and everyday-headphone look do help with casual portable use.
Competitive positioning is a clear strength, with multiple reviews praising directionality and enemy-footstep tracking.
The large library of game-specific presets is repeatedly treated as genuinely useful rather than empty bloat.
The default Signature Sound profile is widely considered the most balanced and reliable. Superhuman Hearing and other presets can sound artificial or overly bright, and some profiles behave inconsistently.
Multiple reviews note that the earpads can be removed and replaced.
Earpads are removable and replacements/mod options are available or expected, which helps hygiene and long-term maintenance.
The removable outer ear plates are a consistent customization perk across the scored reviews.
One scored review explicitly notes that the headset does not include classic RGB lighting.
Sidetone/monitoring is available and useful, but a couple reviews say it can get too loud or behave awkwardly at higher settings.
Mic monitoring/sidetone is adjustable and often described as hiss-free, but several reviewers found it too quiet unless set very high or noted it doesn’t feel especially strong.
The software is often called easy and convenient, though some advanced features still require desktop access.
Setup is straightforward when everything behaves, but multiple reviews mention finicky detection, firmware/update hiccups, or settings that don’t persist, making the experience inconsistent.
The mixed pad materials help reduce leakage, but they do not fully seal sound in.
Overall sound is widely judged good to very good for gaming, with a lively, bass-friendly tuning rather than ultra-refined fidelity.
Overall sound quality is a highlight: detailed, natural-leaning audio with strong positional clarity. The most common caveats are lighter low-end impact and occasional brightness depending on content and EQ.
Soundstage is respectable for a closed-back gaming headset, but it is not presented as especially huge or airy.
Soundstage is notably wide and airy thanks to the open-back cups, creating a speaker-like sense of space that helps immersion and directional awareness in quiet rooms.
Spatial and virtual surround options are supported and usually seen as helpful for immersion, though not every reviewer prefers them in every game.
PC-focused spatial features (often Waves 3D) can add useful directionality, though results vary by game and some listeners prefer it off for the cleanest, most natural presentation.
The scored stability review describes the wireless connection as stable, even if the range is not class-leading.
Stability is mixed: it can sit comfortably when you’re stationary, but the light clamp and floating cups may shift with head turns or quick movement.
Treble helps details and cues cut through, but several reviews also mention brightness, sharpness, or fatigue.
Treble tends to lean bright for detail and cue pickup, but several reviews mention occasional sharpness or sibilance, especially with certain presets or EQ changes.
USB-C support is part of the modern feature set here, primarily through charging and the dongle ecosystem.
Charges over USB-C; reviewers treat the USB-C connection as power/charging rather than a full-featured wired audio link.
Value is generally positive because of the comfort, battery life, and software, though some reviewers still think the $200 MSRP is a little high.
The headset gets very loud, sometimes uncomfortably so when pushed to maximum settings.
Overall loudness is adequate for many, but multiple reviewers note an odd volume curve or that it needs higher percentage settings to reach their preferred listening level.
One scored review explicitly states that there is no IP water-resistance rating.
Reviewers frequently note that the roughly 325-326g weight feels comfortable in extended use.
Weight is consistently noted as very low for a wireless headset (around 300g), helping it feel almost invisible during long sessions.
2.4GHz performance is routinely described as effectively latency-free, while Bluetooth is the weaker mode for timing-sensitive use.
Xbox compatibility is strong on the X version, but the platform story varies by version and model.
Xbox use is described as wired-only through the controller via 3.5mm, with no native Xbox wireless support.