The SteelSeries Arena 3: Budget-Friendly 2.0 Gaming Speakers
The SteelSeries Arena 3 cost $130 and are the latest budget-friendly 2.0 speaker system from SteelSeries. They’re designed for Gaming, and they compete with the likes of the Razer Nommo V2 X, which is also priced at $130. We put the Arena 3 to the test to see how they stack up.
Features and Design
Priced at $129.99, the SteelSeries Arena 3 are capable 2.0 speakers. They feature 4-inch full-range drivers and front-firing bass ports. They come with desktop stands, which can be tilted, and they have easy-to-access volume and input controls. Overall, they’re a solid choice if you’re looking for an upgrade over your laptop or game console’s speakers.
There are quite a few 2.0 speaker systems out there, but the SteelSeries Arena 3 has a few things that make it stand out. Firstly, it has analog connectivity (PC and AUX), and it also comes with Bluetooth 5.0. Unfortunately, there’s no USB or optical connection, which may be a dealbreaker for some.
Sound Quality
The Arena 3 lacks a subwoofer, which is immediately apparent when you listen to music or play games with gunfire or explosions. The bass response is underwhelming, but that might not be an issue if you’re using these for gaming.
SteelSeries says the Arena 3’s “aggressive midrange” will help with gaming, and after testing them out, I’d say that’s right on the money. The mids are strong, and they provide clear voices and auditory cues. The highs are a little more restrained than I’d like, but they’re still decent. Overall, I found myself pleasantly surprised by the Arena 3’s sound quality.
Design and Connectivity
The Arena 3’s design is a little more polarizing. They have a unique avocado-shaped design with matte black plastic chassis. I like the look, but I can see some people not being a fan.
Each speaker has a tilt-adjustable stand, which is good since the Arena 3 doesn’t come with wall mounts. The rubbery anti-slip material on each stand is a nice touch, and it’ll help keep the speakers in place.
Each speaker’s dimensions are approximately 8 inches tall, 6 inches wide, and 5 inches deep. The speakers are a little on the heavy side, weighing a little under five pounds together. The right speaker has DC-in for power and three 3.5mm analog input ports: headset, auxiliary, and PC. A hardwired 6.5-foot speaker cable connects the right and left channels.
The Arena 3’s volume knob, multi-function button, and indicator LED are all located on the right speaker. The button can be programmed to perform a variety of functions, and it can be used to turn the Arena 3 on and off. A single LED light shows when the Arena 3 are powered on.
Conclusion
Overall, I’m happy with the SteelSeries Arena 3. They’re not the best gaming speakers out there, but they’re competitively priced and they’re decent enough to be considered a good budget option.
The Arena 3 is available from SteelSeries and other retailers.
