Once you do…you actually get more EQ options than either the more expensive Arctis 5 or the Arctis 7 feature. You have to register a code in the box in order to get the download that enables this. It’s the only analog headset Steelseries makes which includes full support for their Steelseries Engine software for Windows. If you don’t like the sound signature, the Arctis 3 has a little trick up its sleeve. I prefer the sound of these to iconic studio headphones like the Sony MDR-V6. If you love booming bass, it’ll take a few days for your brain to adjust to this sound signature, but you’ll be rewarded with detail and clarity that’s essentially unmatched for the money. This means that you’ll notice the higher treble sounds a little bit more than the deep bass notes…but everything is here and well-represented. Sound is balanced, natural, and just a touch on the bright side. The benefits of that high-end research should trickle down to cheaper products. More sound companies should do this, honestly. Rather than re-do this development, Steelseries just used them again here in a newer cheaper model. The secret is the “S1” speaker driver, a driver first developed and tuned for a more expensive $300 headset. This is best-in-class sound for reasonable money, and it competes well with headset legends like the HyperX Cloud. Through smart use of engineering resources, Steelseries really brings it with sound quality on the Arctis lineup. The black one seems more common at retail, and is the one I purchased. The Arctis 3 comes in both black and white.

Steelseries headphones