SteelSeries Area 3 audio system assessment: Element-rich sound for each sport

Value When Reviewed

149.99

Finest Costs At present: SteelSeries Area 3

SteelSeries’ 2.0 speaker system, the Area 3, made an important first impression on me with its clear, detailed sound and an influence profile that may simply refill a room with immersive audio. Its helpful mixture of wired and wi-fi connectivity conveniently took care of my gaming and different audio wants. It was additionally a cinch to arrange and use. Learn on to seek out out extra…

SteelSeries Area 3 design, dimension

Pulling the Area 3 system out of the field, I seen two issues: Firstly, the 2 audio system are of medium top — they measure 4.13 x 7.72 x 4.97 inches, with every of the 2 models being in regards to the dimension of a cantaloupe. That makes them so much greater than different 2.0 speaker programs just like the Artistic Pebble Professional.

Secondly, the all-black design with easy black-on-black SteelSeries logos ooze gamer attraction. That’s heightened by their form, an rectangular that narrows in direction of the highest and flattens out on the very prime. Does anybody else see Darth Vader’s helmet in that?

Additional studying: See our roundup of the finest price range pc audio system to study competing merchandise.

A speaker this slick may have actually carried out with extra RGB accents, although, reasonably than simply the tiny indicator gentle current on the suitable speaker.

As with different SteelSeries merchandise, the construct high quality is superb. The principle physique is comprised of a robust plastic that’s each thick and difficult. Every speaker sits on broad round base that may solely wobble in the event you nudge it. For that privilege you do should pay a little bit greater than another audio system — they presently value $150, in comparison with the $99 for the Artistic Pebble Professional.

The speaker bases permit every unit a number of levels of up / down motion, so in the event you wish to angle your audio system in direction of your head, you are able to do that with Area 3.

SteelSeries Area 3 connectivity and controls

The Area 3 works on a PC or a Mac. It has a mixture of wired and wi-fi connectivity so you’ll be able to simply hook it as much as a TV, pill, or smartphone. Not solely do you get a 3.5mm jack for making an analog connection, however you additionally get a 3.5mm aux-in jack and a devoted 3.5mm 4-pole jack for a headset too.

The comfort of getting all three choices at your beck and name is you don’t want to repeatedly unplug your units if you wish to change between them.

Bluetooth 4.2 performance is one other huge plus that means that you can play audio from any Bluetooth enabled system. For me, I favored the comfort of with the ability to stream music from my smartphone without having to stand up from my gaming rig between bouts. The Area 3 lacks USB-C connectivity, nonetheless, and due to this fact additionally has no USB-C passthrough.

Dominic Bayley / IDG

Dominic Bayley / IDG

Dominic Bayley / IDG

The Area 3’s controls are fairly easy. They include only a multi-function button and a quantity knob on the bottom of the suitable speaker. The multi-function button does what its identify suggests, permitting you to pair Bluetooth, mute the sound, and change your audio sign to your headset with only a few presses.

The tiny RGB indicator gentle is a helpful addition that denotes which mode you’re in at any given time. If that will get distracting, although, you’ll be able to flip it off, too.

How does the SteelSeries Area 3 sound?

With its highly effective sound, the SteelSeries Area 3 simply fills a room at 60 % quantity. The 4-inch natural fiber drivers produce a really clear audio signature and do an important job avoiding distortion when the sound is cranked excessive.

There’s additionally a advantageous stage of element in at completely different audio frequencies — the lows, mids, and highs. That makes the Area 3 excellent for what it’s main intent: PC gaming. It has no hassle delivering the sort of sound immersion that players love.

That steadiness means video games of all genres sound wealthy and satisfying. Personally, I lapped up the detailed zings, chimes, and tings of spells I forged in Baldur’s Gate 3. However I additionally cherished the way in which the audio system conveyed radio calls, explosions, and bullet ricochets in video games like Counter-Strike 2, that appeared all of the extra actual.

Dominic Bayley / IDG

Dominic Bayley / IDG

Dominic Bayley / IDG

Vocals, too, sounded crisp and heat in motion pictures, podcasts, and cellphone calls. An honest bass presence shook a veil off a few of my outdated favourite music tracks, like Bobby McFerrin’s “Don’t Fear be Blissful.” On this case, I used to be delighted with how the speaker introduced the background bass vocals to the fore, once they normally get misplaced in a cacophony of different sounds on different audio units.

Plugging in a headset proved the Area 3 may ship the identical sort of sound expertise on this mode. If something, I loved listening much more than when it was unplugged since all that wonderful element was channeled straight into my ears.

Some units with multi-function buttons might be difficult to work out, however the Area 3 is easy. I didn’t have to elevate a finger to change to headset mode, the speaker routinely registered me plugging it in and switched for me. Bluetooth linked seamlessly to my PC and smartphone on the primary go too, which is strictly what I hoped for.

Must you purchase the SteelSeries Area 3?

SteelSeries’ 2.0 speaker system is a well-rounded system. It packs clear, crisp, and detailed sound, has a mixture of wired and wi-fi connectivity, and fills up a room at simply 60 % quantity. I believe the speaker design even barely resembles Darth Vader’s helmet.

The audio system’ vary is superb, so enjoying video games in any style is immersive and invigorating. For that versatility, you’ll be able to anticipate to pay $150, which is a bit more than some rival programs. However for fanatic players, that’s going to be cash effectively spent.