In the back of the left ear cup is a volume control wheel and a mic-mute button, as well as a retractable, flexible microphone. The right ear cup is devoid of anything, which makes me wonder if it would have been better to relocate the volume wheel there. However, the buttons are not crowded, so there is no major issue with the layout. SteelSeries is known for making the most comfortable headsets in the industry, and the Arctis line is no exception. The Arctis 3, like the 5 and 7, is extremely comfortable to wear, thanks to its flexible headband and large, plush ear cups. You don’t have to deal with finicky notches; simply slip it on and the headband will do the rest. If a gaming headset doesn’t deliver in-game, it’s not worth much, but the Arctis 3 is one of the better-sounding headsets in its price range. The headset performed admirably across the board, with no clear favorite genre. The Arctis 3 delivers sound in a predetermined soundscape for console and mobile games. The Arctis 3 lacks a USB port, unlike its two more expensive siblings. You can tweak equalization and surround-sound profiles via the 3.5mm audio jack if you register your headset on the SteelSeries website and link it to your account. The only issue is that you have to go through a lot of hoops to get there. Consider the following examples: If you purchase a SteelSeries Arctis 5 headset and want to change the sound settings, simply plug it in, launch the SteelSeries Engine 3 software, and go to town. If you buy a SteelSeries Arctis 3, you must first plug it in, then go to the SteelSeries website, create a SteelSeries account, log in to said account, enter a long product code, open the Engine 3 software, log in to your account (again), and finally tweak the settings, assuming you haven’t already succumbed to the ravages of old age.
