SteelSeries Arena 9 Review: A Unique Gem Among Gaming Speakers

Immerse yourself in true 5.1 surround sound with SteelSeries Arena 9, a standout gaming speaker system that brings unmatched audio quality and design in 2024.

Why SteelSeries Arena 9 Still Shines in 2024

Even though the SteelSeries Arena 9 speakers hit the market nearly two years ago, they continue to be among the best computer speakers you can buy this year. The reason? Real discrete 5.1 surround sound systems for PCs are surprisingly rare. Virtual surround sound offered by many soundbars and headsets just doesn’t match up if you crave genuine immersion, and that’s exactly where Arena 9 excels.

One major plus is the ability to get full 5.1 surround sound over USB, which is a much more convenient connection for many gamers compared to old-school audio jacks. Since their release, the price has dropped, making them a more attractive investment—though they’re still on the pricier side for computer speakers.

A True Anomaly in the Gaming Speaker World

While 5.1 and 7.1 surround sound rigs have long been household staples for home theater enthusiasts, PC gamers haven’t had many solid options for multi-speaker setups. Most PC speaker systems stick to 2.0 or 2.1 configurations—just a pair of stereo speakers with an optional subwoofer.

Considering that virtually all gaming headsets today mimic surround sound in some way, it’s surprising how few genuine 5.1 speaker options exist for desktops. SteelSeries Arena 9 fills this niche perfectly, offering not just surround sound, but high-quality 3D audio that meets the specific needs of gamers.

So, how well does the Arena 9 deliver? Straight up: almost flawlessly. There are a few minor quirks, but overall, it’s impressively close to perfect.

Price and Availability

Priced originally around $670 (converted from local pricing), the SteelSeries Arena 9 may seem steep compared to other 5.1 systems. But here’s the catch: many cheaper 5.1 kits, like those from Klipsch, target home theaters and often lack powered speakers, meaning you’d still need a receiver—and space for it on your desk.

When compared to PC-focused systems like the Logitech Z906, Arena 9 holds advantages: it was launched in August 2022, sports USB connectivity (which the Z906 lacks), and includes Bluetooth—something missing in many alternatives. The Logitech relies on optical input, which isn’t standard on many gaming laptops.

Rating: 4 / 5

Design: What Sets Arena 9 Apart

• Multiple speakers and versatile connectivity
• Bright but limited RGB lighting

For some reason, PC speaker makers often opt for cylindrical, alien-egg-like designs, and Arena 9’s satellites (excluding the subwoofer) follow that trend. Each speaker sports a matte black plastic body, blending in with most gaming setups.

The system comprises six speaker units: a central speaker with dual drivers, two front tilt-able satellites, a downward-firing subwoofer for deep bass, and two rear surround speakers—one left, one right—that can even be wall-mounted. Since it's a full 5.1 setup, make sure you have space for the rear speakers to truly enjoy the surround experience.

The Arena 9 also includes a control unit featuring a circular OLED display alongside two buttons for menu navigation and confirmation, plus a scroll wheel/dial for volume and selection. This unit lets you adjust volume on the fly, switch audio inputs, pair Bluetooth devices, tweak the equalizer, and change RGB lighting effects.

Equalizer options are accessible via the control box, offering six preset modes (bass boost, bass cut, and an "Excite" mode that enhances mids and highs). There's also one customizable preset with a 10-band EQ. For deeper sound shaping, SteelSeries' GG Engine software with the Sonar add-on is recommended—it’s a game-changer.

Regarding RGB lighting, don’t expect a dazzling light show. Arena 9 offers four lighting zones with limited customization: the front left and right speakers have RGB rings at their bases, plus a larger light zone atop the rear of each speaker. While the lighting is bright, it’s not as immersive as some gaming peripherals.

There are four basic lighting modes: Constant, Breathing, Color Shift, and Visualizer (which reacts to sound). You can choose up to six colors and adjust speed and brightness. The Visualizer mode is particularly cool—it pulses with the audio and adds flair without being over the top.

Connectivity covers all the bases: USB connection (with included cable), optical audio input and output, Bluetooth, and a 3.5mm Aux input for analog sources. The control unit also features a headphone jack, letting you switch seamlessly between speakers and headphones without unplugging anything.

Design Score: 4.5 / 5

Performance: Hearing is Believing

• Impressive sound quality packed with detail
• Post-update software adds flexibility and power

No matter how cool a speaker looks, if it sounds bad, what’s the point? Luckily, the Arena 9 delivers a powerful, enjoyable sonic experience. It’s not quite audiophile-level, as the mids and highs are slightly boosted to enhance excitement, which can sometimes be a bit much—mainly noticeable when listening to music.

Bass is robust and punchy; the subwoofer features a physical dial on its back for dialing in your preferred low-end level. The midrange holds steady with good balance, and the highs are crisp and clear enough to catch every subtle detail.

Take the latest Yeah Yeah Yeahs single for instance—full of energy and punch. But when we fired up Kena: Bridge of Spirits, the detail blew us away. Every tinkle, every sparkle in the game world came through with stunning clarity, matching the thrill of each victory.

For a true 5.1 system, creating an enveloping soundstage is key, and Arena 9 nails it. We tested diverse titles like Cyberpunk 2077, Kena: Bridge of Spirits, and Psychonauts 2, and in all cases, the speakers helped identify distinct sound sources clearly—from characters to ambient environment.

One note though: unlike virtual surround sound, you need to be mindful of speaker placement. In Kena, looping the camera around a waterfall made the sound jump from speaker to speaker, with brief silences in between. Adjusting the rear speakers’ angle to face the listener smoothed this transition perfectly.

There was one hiccup with surround sound playback outside gaming, which was fixed by a firmware update. To get true 5.1 sound on all media, you need to enable "upmix" mode, which sends front speaker audio to the rears, but this is still stereo-based. Fixing this required reinstalling the SteelSeries GG Engine software.

If you’re already using SteelSeries gear, expect a similar setup process to unlock full features and 5.1 playback in the Arena 9.

The Sonar add-on is worth every second of effort. It offers a parametric EQ rarely seen in consumer audio apps, allowing fine-tuned sound shaping by boosting or cutting frequencies up to 12dB, with control over bandwidth (Q factor). It even has a "Smart Volume" feature that compresses audio to avoid sudden loud or quiet spikes—a godsend for late-night gaming.

Even without Sonar, SteelSeries GG Engine gives you plenty of control: a 10-band EQ with presets, RGB lighting toggles, upmixing options, and independent speaker volume adjustments.

Performance Rating: 4.8 / 5

Other Options to Consider

• Logitech Z407. Not chasing surround sound? The Logitech Z407 2.1 system pumps out strong bass and punchy audio at a fraction of the cost. Its compact design suits smaller desks perfectly.
• SteelSeries Nova Pro. Sometimes, you just want a solid gaming headset. The wireless SteelSeries Nova Pro delivers excellent spatial sound, hot-swappable batteries, and active noise cancellation—a top pick for immersive gaming.
• Razer Leviathan V2. Tight on desk space? This soundbar brings THX spatial sound with less footprint than a 5.1 setup. It won’t match Arena 9’s surround immersion but still offers rich, enveloping audio for your favorite games.

SteelSeries Arena 9 At A Glance

“SteelSeries Arena 9 delivers not just surround sound, but high-quality 3D audio that meets the specific needs of gamers.”

FAQ

• What makes SteelSeries Arena 9 different from typical PC speakers?
  It provides true discrete 5.1 surround sound with six physical speakers, unlike most PC speakers which are 2.0 or 2.1 systems.
• Can I connect Arena 9 to a laptop with USB?
  Yes, Arena 9 supports USB audio input, making it convenient for gaming laptops without optical ports.
• How customizable is the sound profile?
  Through the control unit and SteelSeries GG Engine software with Sonar add-on, you get preset and parametric equalizer options for precise sound tuning.
• Does the system support Bluetooth?
  Yes, it includes Bluetooth connectivity alongside USB, optical, and analog inputs.
• Is the RGB lighting extensive and customizable?
  It offers four lighting zones with basic effects and color choices, but not a full-blown RGB light show.

For those who appreciate killer sound paired with sleek design, the SteelSeries Arena 9 offers an exceptional experience. Feel like bringing your favorite album art to life? Shop your favorite album cover posters at our store here—because great sound deserves great art.