Comparison SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless vs SteelSeries Arctis 5

— Wired. Headphones connected to the signal source with a cable. Such a connection is highly reliable and noise immunity, gives a minimum of distortion; the headphones themselves turn out to be simple, relatively inexpensive, light, moreover, they do not require their own power supply and have an unlimited operating time. The main disadvantage of this option is the presence of a wire, which limits the range and can create various inconveniences.

— Wireless. Headphones using a Bluetooth, radio, or infrared connection. The most obvious advantage of such models is the absence of a wire, which makes them very convenient to use; and the range is usually at least a few metres. On the other hand, wireless models are noticeably more expensive than wired counterparts, they have a limited operating time and require periodic recharging, and it is more difficult to achieve high sound quality in such devices (there are special technologies like aptX, but they increase the cost even more). In addition, traditional wireless headphones are also heavier and bulkier than wired ones; these shortcomings are devoid of true wireless models, but they have their own nuances.

— Combined. Headphones that allow both of the above connection option...s. The most popular type of such "ears" are wireless models with a detachable cable(see the relevant paragraph); another option is wired headphones with a standard plug, equipped with an adapter for wireless connection. Anyway, having such a model, the user can choose the connection method at his discretion: for example, you can listen to music from a computer via a wire, and when you leave the house, connect your “ears” to your smartphone via Bluetooth. At the same time, the combined devices are not afraid of a dead battery: you can simply switch the “ears” to the cable and continue to use them. The main disadvantage of this type of headphones is the rather high cost.

The specific connection interface provided in the headphones. At the same time, some models may provide several options at once - these are either combined devices (see “Connection type”) or wired headphones equipped with additional adapters.

— micro-Jack (2.5 mm). A wired connector similar to the popular mini-Jack 3.5 mm (see below), but smaller in dimensions. Equipment with such a connection is rare - they are mostly miniature devices, where there is simply no room for a 3.5 mm connector. Accordingly, this interface has not become widespread among headphones: it is almost never found in its pure form; models with such a plug are usually supplemented with an adapter or cable for a mini-Jack.

— mini-Jack(3.5 mm). Perhaps the most popular modern type of audio connector; If a device claims to have a headphone output, most likely it is a 3.5 mm jack. Accordingly, most headphones with a wired connection use this type of connector. It is worth noting that headphones with a microphone designed for such a connection are equipped with a special plug for a combined headphone + microphone audio connector (similar connectors are popular in portable gadgets and laptops). But with a jack intended only for “ears” without a microphone, such a plug may not work correctly. An alternative could be headphones equipped with two separate mini-jack plugs; See below for more details on this option.

— mini-Jack (2 x 3.5 mm).... Models with two 3.5 mm mini-jack plugs. This option is guaranteed to mean that we are not talking about classic headphones, but about a headset with a microphone: one plug is used for headphones, the second for a microphone. Such models are convenient when used with equipment that has separate 3.5 mm jacks for “ears” and a microphone - for example, for a PC.

— Pentaconn (4.4 mm). It is a 5-pin balanced output. Pentaconn uses a larger plug compared to the mini-Jack; its size is 4.4 mm, which is stronger and more reliable than the 3.5 mm connection. Pentaconn's balanced connection makes it possible to work with high-power audio signals. Thanks to this connection, it is possible to transmit a signal over a fairly long distance. Accordingly, such a connector is relevant for headphones of the highest category.

— Jack (6.35 mm). The largest type of Jack-type audio connector found in modern technology. Outputs of this type are found mainly in stationary audio equipment - for portable devices they are too bulky, where it is easier to use a 3.5 mm mini-jack. At the same time, the 6.35 mm connector is considered a more suitable interface for professional and audiophile-grade equipment: it provides a more reliable connection, greater contact density and, accordingly, less likelihood of interference. Therefore, although relatively few headphones (mostly premium solutions) are equipped with their own Jack type connector, many models with a 3.5 mm mini-Jack plug are equipped with an adapter to 6.35 mm.

- XLR. A characteristic round connector with a locking lock and 3 contacts (there are other options for quantity). Typically, it is used to transmit an analog signal over a balanced connection. This connection provides high immunity to interference, typical for professional use; at the same time, the connector itself has quite large dimensions. In view of all this, the presence of XLR is relevant mainly for headphones designed for use with advanced stationary equipment.

— Bluetooth. The most popular wireless connection option in modern headphones. This is due to the fact that built-in Bluetooth modules are available in almost any modern smartphone, tablet or laptop, and appropriate adapters can be produced for devices without this module (for example, a PC). True, the sound quality with a traditional Bluetooth connection is relatively low, but to correct the situation, special technologies like aptX and aptxHD are increasingly being used (see “Codec support”).
It is also worth noting that Bluetooth modules can correspond to different versions (the latest for 2022 are Bluetooth 5.0, Bluetooth 5.1, Bluetooth 5.2, Bluetooth 5.3, Bluetooth 5.4). This point does not affect the sound quality, but it determines a number of additional nuances - communication range and reliability , the ability to work through walls and other obstacles, resistance to interference, etc. In modern “ears” you can find the following versions of Bluetooth:

• Bluetooth v 4.0. An update in which the capabilities of version 3.0 (classic + high-speed Bluetooth) were supplemented with a third format - Bluetooth LE (low energy consumption). This communication standard is intended mainly for transmitting small amounts of information - in particular, service data packets to maintain a connection. At the same time, the creators managed to combine economical energy consumption and a long communication range - it can reach 100 m. This has a positive effect on the stability of the connection.
• Bluetooth v4.1. Development and improvement of Bluetooth 4.0. If we talk specifically about headphones, the key innovation for them in this version is improved noise immunity when working near 4G (LTE) mobile communication devices (in earlier standards, Bluetooth and LTE signals could overlap, which led to failures). So, for use with a 4G smartphone, headphones with Bluetooth support of at least v 4.1 are definitely recommended.
• Bluetooth v4.2. Further, after 4.1, development of the Bluetooth standard, which mainly introduced a number of general improvements in reliability and noise immunity.
• Bluetooth v 5.0. Major Bluetooth update released in 2016. One of the most notable innovations was the introduction of two additional operating modes of Bluetooth LE: an increased speed mode (by reducing the range) and an extended range mode (by reducing the speed). In the case of headphones, the main significance of these innovations is to improve the overall reliability of the connection, increase its range and reduce the number of dropouts.
• Bluetooth v5.1. Update version v 5.0, in which, in addition to general improvements in the quality and reliability of communication, an interesting feature has appeared, such as determining the direction from which the Bluetooth signal is coming. Thanks to this, a smartphone or other gadget that supports this standard is able to determine the location of connected devices with an accuracy of a centimeter; This can be useful, for example, for finding headphones that have disappeared from sight but are still working.
• Bluetooth v5.2. The next update, after 5.1, is Bluetooth 5th generation. The main innovations in this version are a number of security improvements, additional optimization of power consumption in LE mode and a new audio signal format for synchronizing parallel playback on multiple devices.
• Bluetooth v5.3 was introduced at the dawn of 2022. Among the innovations in it, they accelerated the process of negotiating a communication channel between the controller and the device, implemented the function of quickly switching between the operating state in a low duty cycle and a high-speed mode, and improved the throughput and stability of the connection by reducing susceptibility to interference. When unexpected interference occurs in Low Energy mode, the procedure for selecting a communication channel to switch from now on has been accelerated.
• Bluetooth v5.4. introduced at the beginning of 2023, increased the range and speed of data exchange. Also in Bluetooth v 5.4, the energy-saving BLE mode has been improved. This version of the protocol uses new security features to protect data from unauthorized access, has increased connection reliability by selecting the best channel for communication, and prevents connection losses due to interference.

— Radio channel. Wireless connection via radio channel that does not use Bluetooth technology (see above). Such headphones are usually equipped with an adapter that connects to the signal source wired - for example, via USB or mini-Jack 3.5. This connection method is more universal than Bluetooth; it can be used even with devices that do not have wireless modules. In addition, the radio channel provides a long range (often up to several tens of meters), and the sound quality is quite high even without the use of special technologies. The disadvantage of this option is the presence of an adapter, which is not always appropriate: for example, it is more convenient to use Bluetooth headphones with a tablet or smartphone.

- IR channel. Another method of wireless connection, the peculiarity of which is that it does not use radio waves, but infrared radiation. Theoretically, the advantage of such a connection is its resistance to electromagnetic interference, the disadvantage is that it only works in line of sight. In practice, the situation is such that in most cases it is easier to use Bluetooth or a radio channel for a wireless connection. So this option is found exclusively in specialized devices for equipment equipped with their own IR outputs - in particular, among headphones for car monitors.

— USB A. Wired connection to a standard (full-dimensions) USB connector. This option is found exclusively among headphones designed for computers/laptops or gaming consoles. One of its advantages is that sound via USB is transmitted digitally and is processed not by the computer's audio card, but by the built-in headphone converter; such a converter often provides better sound quality than the mentioned audio card. In addition, multi-channel audio can be transmitted via a USB connection - this point will be especially appreciated by gamers. Another advantage is that when using USB headphones, specialized audio outputs remain free, and you can connect other equipment to them - for example, computer speakers or a vibration pad.

- USB C. A relatively new type of USB connector, used in both desktop computers and portable devices - as a successor to microUSB. It is not very different in dimensions, but has a more advanced design - in particular, it is made double-sided, which makes connection easier. Most often complemented by other connection options (they can be either wired or wireless).

- Lightning. A universal connector used in Apple portable devices - iPhone smartphones and iPad tablets - since 2012. Not used by other manufacturers. Accordingly, models with such an interface are designed specifically for Apple technology (primarily iPhone and iPod touch players). This type of connection is especially relevant given the fact that in the latest iPhones the manufacturer has completely abandoned a separate audio output, and the only option for connecting headphones is the Lightning port.

— Branded connector. A connection connector that does not belong to generally accepted standards and is used to a limited extent in equipment from one or several manufacturers. Such connectors are found mainly among headphones for mobile phones. However, due to general standardization, this option has practically disappeared from the scene. Theoretically, the branded connector is also the Lightning described above, but it is separated into a separate category due to the popularity of Apple technology.

The design of the plug provided in the headphones. This parameter is relevant primarily for models with a mini-Jack interface (see "Connection") — the rest of the plugs are made straight in most cases, exceptions are extremely rare.

— Direct. The traditional, most simple and unpretentious option is plugs that do not have any bends. Usually, they are compatible without restrictions with stationary audio equipment, PCs, laptops, etc. But for smartphones and other portable gadgets, this option is not always optimal — it all depends on how the gadget is located in your pocket or case. In some cases — for example, when carrying a smartphone in a regular pants pocket — such a wire can be strongly bent around the plug, which quickly becomes unusable; in such cases it is worth paying attention to L-shaped or curved plugs (see below).

— L-shaped. Plugs angled at 90° in the shape of the letter L. Designed primarily for use with smartphones and other handheld devices: such devices, when worn, can be positioned in such a way that a bent plug is more convenient than a straight one. However, the L-shaped design may also be the best choice for stationary equipment, where the headphone wire approaches the connector at a right angle — for example, this situation is often found in computers and laptops.

— At an angle of 45°. A variation of the L-shaped plug...described above, bent not at a straight line, but at a smaller angle (not necessarily exactly 45 °). It is also designed primarily for pocket equipment, and with such an application, such plugs are considered even more convenient and reliable than traditional L-shaped ones. But for stationary devices, it hardly makes sense to specifically look for a model with a similar connector (although such an application is technically quite possible).

Range of wireless-capable headphones (see "Connection type").

When evaluating the range, it should be taken into account that this parameter is rather conditional and the actual range may differ slightly from the claimed one (usually in a smaller direction). So, when connecting via a radio channel, the range is indicated for perfect conditions — without interference and obstacles in the signal path. For Bluetooth models, the range also depends on the power of the Bluetooth module in the device to which the “ears” are connected. And the effectiveness of the IR channel may be reduced in hot weather or in bright sunlight. So when choosing according to this indicator, it's ok to take a certain margin.

On the other hand, there are two points worth noting. Firstly, in general, the specified range accurately describes the capabilities of the headphones, and it is quite possible to evaluate and compare different models with each other. Secondly, even in the most modest wireless “ears”, the communication range is about 8–10 m, 11–20 m is considered an average, and a fairly large number of devices can operate at distances of tens and even hundreds of metres. So paying attention to the range makes sense mainly in cases where you plan to move away from the signal source at a considerable distance — from 5 m or more — or listen to sound through walls.

The audio format supported by the headphones.

— Stereo. Two-channel sound that allows you to create a surround sound effect to a certain extent (due to the difference in the right and left channels). The design of the headphones (two speakers, one for each ear) was originally “sharpened” specifically for stereo, so the vast majority of models support this particular sound format.

— Mono. Single-channel sound that does not create a surround effect. This marking means that this model is equipped with one earpiece ; At the same time, there are two types of such devices on the market. The first is headphones that initially have only one cup and are designed for situations where the second ear needs to be left open (for example, to work on the phone in the office). The second is true wireless devices (see Cable Type), sold singly to replace a lost earphone from the original pair.

— 5.1. Originally, 5.1 was designed to create surround sound that can come from any direction ("surround"). It assumes the presence of 5 main channels (centre, front left / right, rear left / right) and one bass. In headphones, the effect of this sound is achieved through the use of several speakers in each cup. Such models are very convenient when watching movies with multi-channel sound, as well as in games — they provide a powerful immersive effect. On the other hand, such headphones are not cheap, and besides, they require a specifi...c connection method (for example, via USB).

— 5.1 (virtual). Models with support for 5.1 surround sound (see above), in which the surround effect is achieved not due to the number of speakers, but due to special sound processing technologies. This somewhat reduces the accuracy compared to the "non-virtual" multi-channel, but it can significantly reduce the cost and weight of the headphones. However, there can also be several speakers in such models — for example, for separation by frequency.

— 7.1. The 7.1 format is the multi-channel 5.1 described above, supplemented by two more main channels. The localization of these channels depends on the specific variety of 7.1, but anyway they enhance the effect of volume. On the other hand, full support for this format significantly affects the dimensions, weight and price of the headphones, and content with 7.1 sound is produced much less than 5.1.

— 7.1 (virtual). A “virtual” version of the 7.1 format described above, in which the effect of surround sound is provided primarily through special signal processing, and not due to the presence of separate emitters for each channel. Similar to virtual 5.1, this format of operation somewhat reduces the reliability of the sound, but this difference is often imperceptible, and the headphones themselves turn out to be simpler and more inexpensive. Therefore, most modern 7.1 models support the virtual format of this sound.

— 9.1 (virtual). Further development of the idea of multi-channel sound: 5 channels, as in 5.1 (see above), supplemented by 4 more channels for more accurate localization of audible sound. As in other virtual formats, volume in this case is provided by special processing algorithms.

It is worth remembering that the actual sound will depend not only on the headphones, but also on the signal source: for example, a mono recording even in 9.1 “ears” will not become voluminous.

— 3D sound. Surround sound with the localization of sound sources in three-dimensional space allows you to deeply plunge into the atmosphere of films or immerse yourself in a virtual game world. The mechanics of spatial 3D-sound provides localization of sound sources around the listener and in the vertical scan plane. Algorithms for implementing 3D sound in headphones differ in terms of software and hardware support, but all of them are aimed at achieving the effect of realism of what is happening. Surround sound has long been the standard for movies, and in recent years, 3D sound has become increasingly common in games and music tracks.

The range of sound frequencies that headphones can reproduce.

The wider this range, the more fully the headphones reproduce the spectrum of sound frequencies, the lower the likelihood that too low or too high frequencies will be inaccessible. However, there are some nuances to consider here. First of all, let us remind you that the perceptual range of the human ear is on average from 16 Hz to 22 kHz, and for the complete picture it is enough for headphones to cover this range. However, modern models can significantly exceed these boundaries: in many devices the lower threshold does not exceed 15 Hz, or even 10 Hz, and the upper limit can reach 25 kHz, 30 kHz and even more. Such wide ranges in themselves do not provide practical advantages, but they usually indicate a high class of headphones, and are sometimes given only for advertising purposes.

The second important point is that a wide frequency range in itself is not a guarantee of good sound: sound quality also depends on a number of parameters, primarily the amplitude-frequency response of the headphones.

The coefficient of harmonic distortion produced by this model of headphones.

This parameter determines the amount of non-linear distortion introduced by the headphones into the reproduced sound. The lower it is, the less such distortions, the cleaner and closer to the original sound is. So, an indicator of 1% or more can be considered tolerable at best, from 0.5% to 1% — good, less than 0.5% — excellent (such indicators are acceptable even for monitor headphones), and less than 0.1% — almost perfect.

Note that a low harmonic coefficient in itself does not guarantee high-quality sound — a lot depends on other features of the headphones, primarily the frequency response.

The location of the microphone, which the headphones are equipped with (if available, of course).

— On the cable. A microphone installed on the headphone connection wire (or on the connection cable in non-TWS wireless headphones). Can be combined with volume control. This option allows you to separate the microphone and headphones, reducing the weight and dimensions of the "ears" themselves; on the other hand, the microphone when worn is often quite far from the face, which can be inconvenient. Therefore, this design is mainly used among earbuds and in-ear headphones, where the size of the "ears" is critical.

— Built into the body. A microphone located in the housing of one of the headphones. This arrangement is convenient because there are no extra protruding parts outside (as in headphones without a microphone), while the microphone is close to the face, and in some models it is also able to perceive sound according to the principle of bone conduction. However installation in close proximity to the speaker gives additional interference and may degrade the quality of voice transmission. However, these shortcomings are not critical: interference can be compensated, and the built-in headphone microphones, in fact, do not need perfect sound transmission accuracy. Therefore, this option is quite popular nowadays, and it is fo...und not only in miniature models, for which the absence of unnecessary details on the outside is important, but also in rather large overhead "ears".

— On the bow. A microphone mounted on a small boom that is attached to one of the headphones. The microphone on the bow is the most popular among overhead headphones: a large cup can be supplemented with a boom without sacrificing convenience, and the microphone itself is located far from the headphones, which has a positive effect on the purity of the sound. The boom often has a swivel or detachable mount, which allows you to remove the microphone from the face until it is needed (by lifting the boom vertically along the headband).

— Retractable on the bow. Headband microphone (see above) with a retractable design: the headband can be pulled out of the cup when needed and can be tucked back inside when not in use. These headphones are more compact and have a neater appearance than models with a headband on a swivel mount: in a hidden position, the microphone takes up almost no space outside. The retractable microphone design is especially popular in gaming models (see “Intended Use”): in single-player games where you do not need to communicate with comrades, the microphone can be folded compactly.

— Removable on the shackle. Headband microphone (see above), which can be completely detached from the headphones if desired. Such a design can be useful, for example, if the “ears” are used both as gaming and as “marching and musical”: in a multiplayer game, the microphone is indispensable, and for listening to music outside the home, it can be removed so as not to carry extra equipment (which besides, you can lose).

— At the receiver. A variant used in wireless headphones with a separate receiver. In terms of design and use, it is similar to the microphone on the cable described above: on the one hand, the headphones themselves can be very light and tiny, on the other hand, the microphone may not be located close enough to the face, and when talking it will have to be brought closer.

— In the mount. In this case, most often means a microphone mounted on a neck mount (see below). This option is found mainly among wireless headphones, which have a signal receiver in the same mount. Such a microphone is located close to the neck, which allows you to achieve good speech intelligibility and at the same time cut off extraneous sounds even without any special additional tricks.

— On the cable and in the case. Headphones equipped with two microphones — one in the case, the other on the cable. The features of these variants are described in detail above. Here we note that their combination is extremely rare, mainly among high-quality "ears" with a combined connection (see "Type of connection"). In such models, when working via a wireless channel, a microphone in the case is used, and when connecting a wire, a microphone on a cable is used, which is less susceptible to interference.

— On cable and removable. Another kind of headphones with two microphones, also quite rare. One microphone in such models is mounted on a cable, the second — on a detachable bow. See above for more on each of these options, and combining them allows you to tailor the headphones to the specific situation. For example, the bow is very convenient for voice communication at home or office computers, but on the street and in transport it is better to remove it and use the microphone on the cable.

— In the case and removable. A rather rare and non-standard option is the combination of a microphone in the case and a microphone on a detachable bow. See above for more details on each of these varieties, and their combination is used quite rarely — in separate premium gaming models with a combined connection. The main point in this case is that it is more convenient to use a removable microphone in one place, with a wired connection, and in the “mobile” wireless mode it is better to remove it and get by with the built-in microphone. However, such features are fundamental mainly for the most demanding users, so this option has not gained distribution.

The range of audio frequencies that the headphone's own microphone can normally "hear".

Theoretically, the wider this range, the more advanced and high-quality the microphone is, the closer the sound transmitted by it is to the real one. In fact, extensive frequency coverage is not always required. So, the working range of the human ear is about 16 – 22,000 Hz, and even then not everyone hears its upper part. And human speech usually covers frequencies from 500 Hz to 2 kHz, at least this range is considered quite sufficient for its transmission. So if you need a microphone for simple tasks like voice communication on the Internet or game chat, you can not pay much attention to the frequency range: even in the most modest models, it is more than sufficient for normal speech transmission.