SteelSeries - Arctis Nova Pro Series

I'm making a post for this because I did a lot of research and didn't really find a whole lot on this topic, particularly with the gaming aspect. I like to buy quality products that I can get a large amount of utility out of. I don't like buying a lot of different stuff for similar tasks. I'm also a big proponent of buying high quality products so you don't have to repeat buying things every year or so, but I'm also a bargain hunter. I like to listen to music, I game casually, I travel occasionally and I work from home 10 hours a day, 4 days a week and have a headset on most of the day. I went out and did a bunch of research and I settled on the Steel Series Arctis Nova Pro Wireless headset. It is a pretty freaking expensive headset at about $350, but I found a set on eBay new without a box for $180. My credit card had some promo and I was able to get another $30 off too. Total delivered to my door was about $160, which is only about $50 more than my last gaming headset (that still works) I bought 3 years ago. Here are the main bullet points of why I bought it: * Can connect to 3 devices at once. * 2 via USB and 1 Blutetooth. * USB devices connect to a bluetooth transmitter, which broadcasts to the headset. * 1 USB connection and 1 Bluetooth connection can be streamed SIMULTANEOUSLY (yes, it works and its great). I have them connected to my phone all the time while I'm working or gaming. * Transitioning between 1 USB device and the other is pretty easy and can be done via the headset itself or on the desktop transmitter (which is also pretty neat). * It has easy to use software to adjust equalizer settings * Con is those settings only work with the device you have the software on. * The transmitter device has an equalizer as well with a ton of presets for different games and can customize settings. I haven't played with this too much yet. * Retractable Microphone * The mic is actually pretty neat and a major reason why I made this purchase. It is stored in the left ear can and you can easily push it in or pull it out. It is flexible. Great for when you want to just use these as headphones and don't want to have a mic sticking out. * Con is the mic is directional and doesn't work super great when its pushed all the way in. Not the end of the world, but would be better if the mic was better when retracted. * It also has an LED light on the mic to remind you if you have the mic muted. The light brightness is also adjustable. * My coworkers have also said the quality of my mic has significantly improved. * Hot swapable batteries * It comes with 2 batteries. The desktop transmitter has a slot for charging one at a time, which is pretty cool. * The headset also has a USB C charging port under the cover on the right ear can if you're traveling with them and don't have the desktop transmitter. * Active Noise Cancelling and Transparent Sound * My ears are still getting used to this, but the ANC is good and there is a transparent sound feature as well. You can turn the ANC on or off either on the headset or on the transmitter. * There are also a couple microphones on the ear cans which transmit sound from your surroundings into your headset. You can turn this feature on or off and even adjust the volume. Great if you have kids and need to keep an ear out, but stay in your working world at the same time. Those are the hilights. The most disappointing thing with these so far is the sound quality, but it isn't the worst sound quality. The sound quality isn't even close audiophile quality. I tested a Sennehiser Momentum 4 Wireless (which holy fuck they sound amazing) headset which have infinitely better sound quality, but that shouldn't be a surprise to anyone. The Arctis Nova Pros have fine audio quality, but could definitely be better. Hopefully the next gen will be better at this price point. I looked into Epos Gaming Headsets since they used to be apart of the Sennehiser family, but the fixed microphone turned me away. The Senneheiser M4W I tried were great, but switching between devices was not ideal and I couldn't game with them (realistically). I also looked into the Bose QC35 II Gaming Headset, but opted to not try it because the mic for gaming is wired. Also, reviews stated mic sound quality for calls on Teams/Zoom/ other WFH apps was poor. Switching between devices was also a reason. The SteelSeries Arctric Nova Pro Wireless headset is comfortable. I've worn them for 12 hours straight. I'm still using the original earpads, which are a faux leather and can make my skin a little sticky/sweaty, but it isn't the end of the world. I'm going to get different ones soon. SteelSeries Arctric Nova Pro Wireless Con List: * Subpar sound quality for the price point * The bass is pretty disappointing, even after adjusting the levels on the equalizer software. * Directional microphone/no omnidirectional microphone to use while microphone is retracted for phone calls while on the go (not in the house). Not a huge con, but a con. * No hard case * Only came with a soft bag made of sports jersey material * Setup was mostly easy, but ran into issues that were not covered on the support page and had to do more digging. * Turns out if you have the desktop transmitter plugged into a less powerful USB port on a device, you can still be connected, but no audio will be transmitted. The fix is to plug it into a different USB. I haven't had an issue since. Overall I'd rate the SteelSeries Arctric Nova Pro Wireless headest an 8/10 for an all around use headset. I know these are actually made for gaming and there is no device that can actually do everything, but these are pretty damn close. If they can improve sound quality and add an omnidirectional microphone so I don't have to have a mic boom in my face all the time, these would be a homerun.

These have a bluetooth transmitter that mitigates that issue. Same as the dongle, but can connect to two different devices and easily switch between the two without unplugging anything. These auto connect to my phone with no issue.

I forgot about the fade. I don't use it a whole lot, but it is another good feature.

I thought about those too, but I wanted something that could accommodate console gaming as well.

I don't like having earbuds inside my ears for that long

I haven't had an issue yet, but I just switch the usb2 from my work laptop to my Xbox. Us 1 is always my PC and Bluetooth is always my phone.

To be fair, I did compare the sound quality to audiophile quality headphones which are not even in the same league. The sound is fine, maybe I haven't played with the equalizer enough, but I feel it should be better right out of the box for $350 headphones. The Sennheiser headphones I tested were almost $100 cheaper (on Amazon, roughly they're same price direct from manufacturer) and had way better quality right out of the box.

They've been great so far. I haven't had much time to game with them, but everything else has been stellar. The only thing that isnt really even an inconvenience is I need to change the battery typically every two days. When I listen to music and am on calls for 10 hours a day, then it's every day. But, there are two batteries and they're hot swappable, so it isn't really an issue. Multi device is great. I wish the usb connections would cast simultaneously so I can have sound from my computer and my work laptop at the same time, but it isn't that big of a deal. Being able to have my cellphone connected at the same time as another device is pretty sweet.

+1 to Steelseries Arctic Nova Pro Wireless - best headset I've ever owned in over 20 years - prior to these, I've had nothing but bad luck with headsets. Only thing that sucks about it is the Sonar software. It needs a lot of tweaking to get the sound you want because the 'out of the box' sound is ass. Plus, it sometimes breaks when it updates, and to top it off, EQ settings don't save to the cloud - there's an option, but it's always disabled with no way to turn it on. So if its broken and needs reinstalled - guess who gets to fine tune all the EQ settings again? Plus, it's a bit of a CPU hog. I believe there are alternative EQs you can use, but I do like the EQ range that Sonar provides, so I deal with it. Aside from those pains, they're amazing. Sounds great for games and music, very comfortable for long sessions, and excellent build quality. The 2 swappable batteries are god-tier - you never have to keep the headset plugged in, as one battery charges while you're using the other. Only thing I recommend is buying better ear cushions from Wicked Cushions - they're like $30 but have way more padding and are a game changer. Also might have to change out the inner elastic headband once in a while, but Steelseries sells those for like $10-$15 each (do NOT buy cheap knockoffs on Amazon - I learned the hard way that they are awful and stretch out in a matter of days). $300 is a crazy price for this headset, I know. But they're THAT good - I'd buy 'em again in a heartbeat. You get what you pay for.

I have them and wish I’d looked up more about it. They’re fine and I think the issues don’t affect me as much as others possibly as they’re my first gaming headset, so haven’t got much to compare them to, but they do crackle a lot, even more so when you try to dial up the base using the official software. So flat is really your only option as far as I’m concerned. The additional battery is very handy but then with the new Arctis Nova 5’s having a 60 hour battery life, it’s not so much of an advantage anymore imo. They seem to have much more limited options in the official software compared to other headsets too. Seriously considering selling mine and just going for the new Nova 5’s.

I’ve had the steel series arctis wireless pro & the wireless nova pro. Wireless pro were completely bricked within a year & the nova pro DAC was bricked within a year.

Depends on budget. I had a Turtle Beach 70X for a few years before my girlfriend bought me a pair of Arctis Nova Pro Wireless. The 70X were really good for me, but as soon as I heard the deep bass and shockingly good sound stage on the Nova Pros, I’ll never go back. Those two are my recommendations for super low budget, and high budget, anyway.

I’ve been using the Steelseries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, and it’s hands down the best gaming headset I’ve tried. The sound quality is insane with Hi-Res audio and 360° Spatial Audio, plus the active noise cancellation keeps me focused during intense matches. The hot-swappable batteries are a lifesaver for long gaming sessions, and being able to connect to multiple devices at once is super convenient

The Nova Pro Wireless is still one of the best overall. There are others that beat it for pure sound quality, like the Maxwells, but as a complete package NPW still wins for me. I highly recommend GadgetryTechs EQs as well, they sound great imo. If pleather isn't your thing, he recently released a pair of velour ear pads together with Wicked Cushions that are super comfortable as well, though they drastically reduce Noise Cancellation. I switched from a pair of DT770s to the NPW and haven't missed them, so sound quality is still more than good enough for listening to music, especially with above mentioned EQ.

I like mine, but considering the price I feel they are over hyped. Best wireless sound I came across. But not as good, or as comfortable as my DT770. Sonar is ok, but bloaty. And You NEED to let it autorun on startup, which is annoying. And the ANC is a joke. Can't even tell if it's on or off. (They should have added a guide voice.)

Are the TB Stealth Pro comfortable? My Nova Pro are fatigueing for the ears (because the anc bump touches the ears, even with thicker after market ear cushions).

I have the Arctis Nova Pros and I can tell you 90% of those negative reviews are going to be talking about the ANC nubbin rubbing on the outside of your ear with the stock pads. Replace with a set of wicked cushions, and the problem completely disappears, and you get better clamping force to boot. They're not cheap, but I wear them for work and play for hours on end, and they're always comfortable. Definitely up there with my best tech purchases of all time.

no absolutely dont buy it

believe me I have spent way to much money on arctis nova pro and keyboard… I am a gamer of 20 years experience… this headset and this keyboard , the pro model, its shit. Software is way complicated and never workes , it needs constant setup. the wireless dongle for keyboard doesn’t work half the time, I just connected it wired and I am tired loosing my keyboard while gaming. headset I use now just without software. more than 500 euro was wasted , never again am I going back to this brand never !!!!

I recently went with the Arctis Nova Pro instead. The convenience of the battery hot swap and dock seemed worth the money. How does comfort compare between the two?

Steel Series Arctis Nova Pro Wireless

Damn that’s lame you’ve had so many issues. I bought mine refurbished from eBay and have been really happy for about a year now. I did upgrade the earcups and headband with wicked cushions so maybe that has something to do with it but I literally can’t even hear my girlfriend yelling for me when I’m wearing them. Nontheless, it’s not something you should *have* to upgrade. I did it bc I have big ass ears and ran into some discomfort after awhile lol. The wicked cushions are bigger, thicker, and have cooling foam with a better material than the cheap leather steel series uses. The keyboard thing is pretty lame (I have a Corsair with a volume wheel) but I came from ps5 so I was just so used to using the headset wheel already. I’ve never had the popping issue (maybe being refurbished helped??) but that also sucks that it’s happening to people. I actually enjoy the minute details and really enjoy their software app with the sonar technology, preset eq’s, smart volume, and Spatial Audio. I also like how it’s just two cords, one straight to PC and one straight to PS5. After using A50’s for years, I really like the simplicity in this design for cable management and aesthetics.

You’re 289 days late and mine is still going strong.

I think they do help with the ANC imo. I play a lot of shooters so I really just used the “hell let loose” eq setting since that game is so realistic and immersive. I’ve liked it in every shooter I’ve played so far and then turned on the Spatial Audio and smart volume with a single click. Worth checking out!

I have been using SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless. It has incredible sound quality, a comfortable fit, and excellent noise cancellation. The dual battery system is a lifesaver for long sessions—just swap batteries and keep going. It’s pricey, but if you’re serious about gaming, it’s worth it.

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless I found a good deal on them and it has features I like. I originally needed something that would work on consoles & had multi device connectivity but even since migrating to PC I still think they have a lot of upside. Maybe not the choice of hardcore audiophiles but I think they sound good once dialed in using the software. I'm not sure I would have paid full price for them but I've been extremely happy with them.

Hard disagree. I went from A50’s to the Novas and I’ll never go back.

I'm going to return mine. I like everything about nova pro but, for 350 euros I feel super uncomfortable weaering it, it's more uncomfortable than my jbl 610 and the fact that you should put another 40 euros to get WC cushions to get the comfort is not acceptable for the price tag. Overall it's an amazing headset which I can't wear it, they could have do better for cushions with this price tag.

Had both, and enjoyed both. Nova is better product overall, beside two cons: Arctis pro was more comfortable out of the box, with Nova I had to change the earpads because the inner mics were bothering after some time. Arctis pro had much better wireless range in my experience.

You're welcome! The Nova is a great product! I just wanted to mention that the range of the Arctis Pro was really impressive; it covered the entire house. In comparison, the range of the Nova Pro Wireless is only about 70%.

I have used that setting, but it does not affect my unit. Others may have different experiences.

Been using my Nova pro wireless and after 2 years I switched, it is very comfortable but I HAD to switch the earpads because the little mics were always piercing my ears after some time of use It has a wonderful Bluetooth feature when it can play playback from your phone/BT WITH your PC stuff that is playing already and a SWEET battery charging dual battery system that you can hot swap and just continue use whenever But this is where all the magic ends, for a very pricey and top-end headset, they just lack in the sound quality department and the mic is lifeless.

The steelseries Arctis nova series is pretty nice

My nova pro wireless is really nice. Love the sound and the anc and battery system is nice

Nova pros are excellent and the extra battery is a life saver

Not gonna lie, I have had my Nova pro wireless headset since February of 2023, and I have yet to encounter the issue you are describing. The only issue that I have had is that the headset will randomly restart itself with no prompt or action taken on my part.

I have mine for about a year or so really like em...The hot swap battery is a great idea love it...

Mine does that too and I have to reboot my PC to get it back to normal. It just started tho, not sure what's causing it.

Interesting! I came here because of issues with Arctis Nova Pro Wireless. First, mic stopped working about a week after I bought them. Then I exchanged them, and the second pair won’t power on. These are going back to Best Buy immediately. So frustrating…

I did end up returning them and don't regret it. I searched a lot of the forums and tried a few things but ended up switching to the arctis nova pro set which I quite enjoy

I have full stack Steelseries hardware (Nova Pro Wireless w/DAC, Apex Pro, Aerox 5 and even a mousepad) I love the hardware. But the app sucks balls. I don't know how it's possible to make such a shitty software :/ At least they reply fast to tickets and solve issues but still, not cool.

I would avoid Arctis Nova, as other people already said they don't last very long, go for HyperX-Cloud-Alpha, the metal beam is not going to break on you and they sound great!

I havent had any complaints other than their shitty software. Still doesn’t even work on m1/m2 Macs. The headset has been A1 though.

What is your complaint about chat and game mix? I have this headset and love them

I see. When I’m in the plane or vehicle some times even I usually just click the volume knob and roll it to voice chat up and rebalance it real quick when not in vehicle/redzone/plane Edit: I suppose that doesn’t work if you’re not in a party and using in game chat

Sorry about that. That’s kinda odd to have the same issue 3 times in a row. For me, it’s the opposite. I got mine in March last year, and everything works perfectly.

their quality control and consistency seems REALLY hit or miss. i was using the arctis 9 before, and had an issue with the battery just up and dying on me and the headset refusing to charge or turn on. 3 times in a row, each 6-9 months apart. before upgrading to the nova pro (thankfully they let me apply the replacement cost of my arctis 9 against the price of the nova since it was still under warranty. and you BET I got the extended warranty) that was about 10 months ago now, and its still working fine, one of the batteries sometimes has a minor connection problem (sometimes need to take it out and put it back in to get it to register the first time after a swap) but even thats pretty infrequent and at least having seperate batteries makes it a LOT easier to troubleshoot if something malfunctions.

I was a big fan of the 7 pros build quality was great, expensive, but really comfortable and I couldn't go back to any other branded headphones. After 2 years of using them they gave out on me so I got the nova pro wireless bc it was new at the time. I've always had problems with these fucking headphones man XD it constantly re routs my shit even with the setting turned off and everything else, besides the headphones, disabled thru my device manager still did it, ive run into problems with the doc constantly getting stuck in the screen "dragon is spawning in 30 seconds" reminder for league, sometimes it randomly disconnects and i need to factory reset it in order to get it re-paired, recently ive had this problem where my audio will bug out get really loud then just start dog whistling my ass and it also gets picked up with my mic so anyone unfortunate enough to be in disc with me also suffers the same fate, and as of yesterday GG wont even pick up my headset or recognize it despite everything else being able to half recognize the headset so now its (until further notice) all being routed thru the xbox funtion thru the doc -\_- 1 year. edit-figured out the last one just now tehee

I've had a pair of the Nova Pro Wireless for several years, and no issues at all. Sorry you haven't been as fortunate.

I have a pair as well and I haven’t had any issues at all! I’ve had mine since launch too! These are by far the best wireless headsets I’ve ever owned! I will be purchasing the new ear buds at launch just to be more versatile but absolutely love these headphones! I highly recommend them! I play Xbox console and PC with them! Also can swap between PS5 too!

Not a direct answer but I've used a pair of DT990s and they are quite amazing and pretty much completely flat. Currently I mostly use Nova Pro Wireless which I also really like and it's tuned a little more for gaming focused. Still you can't really go wrong the 990s are going to need at least an amp and preferably a good DAC as well where as gaming sets are usually not needing any of that stuff.

I do really enjoy my nova pro wireless pair. Some truly incredible features on it.

I currently own two sets. The DT990 which is amazing but will typically require an amp and DAC to get the best out of it. And I also have a nova pro wireless which sound really good as well considering it's wireless. Main reason I bought that was for replaceable hot swappable batteries and it works on all platforms which is a must for me. Edit: Xbox version works on all platforms.

Yea, i honestly have no idea what they are talking about. The battery swap is honestly one of the greatest features of this headset, and it's only a small oversight not having reserve power. If I DO have to change mid session, I'll literally just say "brb" and I'll have audio back in ~4 seconds. I also disagree with the audio, it has some of the better quality out of a lot of headphones I have tried.

Steel Series Arctis Nova Pro. There is no substitute.

So I just got nova pro wireless and am enjoying them, my only problem is the volume limiter, where if in discord everyone is talking at once it quiets everyone and sometimes can't hear over the game volume. Sonar is neat, but it does that quiet thing that idk how to change other than turning it off when I raid. I swapped from a razer kraken usb with all the fancy stuff as well.

Same price tag as the arctis nova pro.

Arctis nova pro wireless is great when tuned correctly. I use it on Xbox and pc.

depends how much you are willing to spend? I got steelseries arctis nova pro wireless, would not get anything else

I currently own the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro (wired) ones, and I can say they're the worst headset I've used in the last 5 years or so, even my ancient Sony MDR HW700DS have a miles better audio.

I've only had two recurring problems so far with the headset and I bought mine in the summer of 2022. If there is a new software update for SteelSeries GG program then there is a chance it would fuck up the auto switching between audio so I have to do it manually, this is like a 1/8 chance at this point with every new update. What has started happening recently is my batteries when in the dock are just straight up lying about charging or don't at all, and I have to unplug the dock and replug sometimes to get the batteries to chage.

I bought the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless and it honestly sucked, it lacked base even with bass boosted to the max within Sonar, I returned them and am now rocking my old Hyper Virtual X

Bought mine from Amazon in Dec 2022. No issues with the mic. Only slight hardware I've heard is occasionally some wireless interference that comes in as some mid-high pitch background noise. Software is another story. Beyond the general bloat with it, Sonar continues to prevent my system from sleeping properly. When GG is running, not computer refuses to go to a system sleep on its own and will self wake if I put it to sleep manually. I quit GG, and the system sleeps as expected.

Update: I bought some nova pros while on sale at amazon. As someone that barely uses a PC I found that the out of the box settings were average at best. I did check the firmware was up to date on steelseries.gg and messed around with presets and sonar a little bit but it felt a real unnecessary faff for someone that doesn’t fully understand the expert level stuff. They were comfortable and the adjustable strap and arms were good however the fact that the chatmix feature is a pain to work, the sound I don’t think is high quality? Sounded very stereo, I’m gonna send them back for a refund and stick with my arctis pro wireless. The eq settings are good on my pro wireless like “balanced, immersion, music, voice” etc, they’re quite general but I like them, whereas a lot of the nova pro ones were for specific games like apex legends, fortnite, cod etc.

I have the arctis pro wireless at the minute, I may pick up the novas if they go on a black friday deal :)

The sound is good, but it's buggy. Every Windows update leads to Sonar thinking my monitor is a speaker and I have to readjust everything in the Windows settings, from time to time my left ear piece shrieks loudly like if in resonance, and if I walk out of transmission range the headset goes full volume with a modem-like sound. It's really, really painful when that happens. I'd have expected a working product for the price.

I have these and ran into no issues, in the beginning i did with the software, after contacting the department and few updates they have actually improved a lot. I love the eq settings and re routing different apps etc. However they are slightly heavy and can cause fatigue But its down to preference, and what you are looking for in a headset

I love my nova pros but wasn’t a huge fan of the ear cups. Got replacement cooling gel ones from wicked cushions and that solved everything for me. I wasn’t having issues with ANC bump like others, just don’t like leather cups that get sweaty. Sound wise though and the convenience of the hot swap battery system has me super satisfied with them though. Highly recommend

My only complaint with the headphones are the mic doesn’t do a great job with background noise canceling. I usually have my Dyson fan going when I play and every other headset I’ve had (quite a few I’m a headset whore) didn’t pick up the pretty minor wind noise. The novas do and really annoys one of my trios partner but that’s literally my only complaint

Old pros are A LOT more comfortable than nova pros. I bought them and returned them after a few days.

Yeah I’m having the same issue with the mute button 😤

Stealseries specifically the Arctis Nova Pro's they are amazing

The selling point is the features and ability to use on multiple consoles (if you buy the Xbox version. As someone who has multiple audiophile headphones I can tell you the Nova Pro are not remotely close to their level and they really are not meant to be for music. The simultaneous BT, along with things like comfort, EQ and cross platform make it a great choice.

dont get ya problems... I have em over 1,5 Years and they run smooth AF! Its alsways Layer 8 fault... im thinking about getting a 2nd pair and am looking for alternatives but seems that there is no good alternative atm.. Imagine paying 350$ like maxwells, and you cant connect any wired device.... i think i will buy the logitech x2 as comparisson but i doubt they will be as good as steelseries nova pro wireless

Thats wild, I still have my pair since launch and still work perfectly with no issues.

I like mine. I've started using my JBL Gaming Earbuds more though since i got tired of having a headset on my head most days.

I mean Ive had the old arctis pro wireless and it worked perfectly fine for 4 years or so. My current nova pro wireless aswell. Ive never had the experience of them breaking down. The only thing that broke down after all this time were the ear cushions and the charging was a bit finnicky

I had an arctic nova pro, and switched to Audeze Maxwell. The Arctic Nova was good, but after switching the sound and build quality is night and day with the Maxwell, it’s so much better. The battery lasts over 70 hours as well. Default sound settings aren’t great, but an easy Google search has people sharing much better settings which really brings the sound quality out. It’s usually around $300, but you can find them for sale around $250 every now and then, if you’re willing to stretch you budget a bit.

Steel Series Arctis Nova Pro, no question. Edit: if you can stretch your budget the Audeze Maxwell are insane.

I have the wired so I can't speak on behalf of the wireless aspect. I bought mine a couple days ago and after messing with the EQ for awhile I enjoy them thoroughly. My advice is to stay away from sonar. Just using the gameDAC EQ customization and Dolby Atmos has been a big game changer.

I have owned many, just went from the artic pro to the nova pro, which I gave the old one to my wife. Works with everything, never bugs, sounds awesome, comfortable - and the cherry on top is the swapable batteries. You can stream audio from two devices at the same time, like from phone bluetooth and the pc receiver. Need an aux entry or usb-c? Got that too. Thing is just incredible.

It works with my switch, pc and phone. I dont own an Xbox and playstation. I think you can find your answer online. The back of the nova dock has two usb-c inputs and an aux. There's a lot of versions of the headset but the latest is the nova pro and that should work with all the platforms.

If swapping batteries is too hard for you, you probably struggle with a lot of things lol

I believe the material is leather on the Pro versus that “cushion” (not sure of the name) on the 7. One minor complaint I saw people had for the Pro was the piece in the left earcup poking them while wearing (think I heard it was the noise cancelling or something)

I really like my wired Arctis Pro+GAMEDAC. I know some people have issues with the “brittle” plastic between the headband and earphones, but I’ve had the Arctis Pros since 2021 and most of the issues I’ve had was trying to disable the SONAR software.

Have had my pro+gamedac since 2021 and it’s been perfect hardware wise. The only issue I had was disabling sonar after deciding that I hated it

I'm sure you already made your decision - post back and let us know. Hopefully this helps someone else on here browsing for the same reason. Headsets I've owned or do currently own: Arctis Nova Pro Wireless JBL Quantum One (NOT WIRELESS) Logitech Astro A50 Wireless Arctis Nova Pro - Definitely the most comfortable as long as you aren't moving around anywhere. If you tilt your head forward at all they flip off. They flipped off into my sink as I was washing dishes and no longer work now. Sound on them was okay - honestly not as punchy bass wise as I was hopping. I would honestly rate them 3rd in overall sound quality while using the Steelseries audio app. 7.1 sound was there and worked pretty well - nothing that will blow you away. Battery life was great with the two swappable batteries. JBL Quantum One Wired Headset - Probably the least comfortable of the 3 even though it's the lightest one. Cushions on ears and hard top band on your head def not great. Sound quality was great - better than Nova Pro's. When using paired with Dolby Atmos it had great punchy bass but the sound isolation between instruments in music could get a little muddled and finer details become hard to pick out. Still I would rank these second in sound quality and last in comfort. Obviously no battery stuff to worry about. Logitech Astro A50's - just got these babies in and I would give them the win here. Extremely comfortable. Some people say they are a little tight on their head, but I wear small baseball caps and so I'm not a good judge here. I've heard some people just put them on a basketball and that stretches them out enough for larger heads. Sound quality is best of the three. The bass might not get quite as loud and punchy as the JBL's, but it gets pretty close while still keeping excellent isolation between different instruments. I use Dolby Atmos here and it's helpful but these headphones sound just as good without it out the box. Battery life is great. Range is great. Setup is easy peasy. Flip-up to mute mic is a cool bonus. I tested all of these with a mix of jam band / rap / classical / and EDM styles of music and that is my conclusion. As for gaming I'd probably rank them 1. A50 2. Arctis Nova 3. Quantum ONE. As for music I'd rank them 1. A50 2. Quantum ONE 3. Arctis Nova Pro. And for movies I would rank them 1. A50 2. Arctis Nova Pro 3. Quantum ONE. Hopefully that's helpful to at least one person after testing almost $1000 worth of headphone tech.

Just got the nova pro wireless today, coming from a year of using the Arctis pro wireless. The nova's are quite base heavy. Using the base station you can lower the lower frequencies to get some more detail in the mids/highs. From the 3 hours I've had them on, the headband isn't as comfortable, but the ear cups feel... lighter? Over all sound quality is on par with the Arctis pros imho I don't care very much for the ANC. Bit annoyed the screen on the base station can't turn off so eventually it WILL burn in. The Arctis base station had the feature.

Artis pro wireless can do this. On the base hit the button > Options > Screen >Timeout:120 second(or desired time) + Mode: Screen off. The Arctis Pro Wireless base station also allows me to control system volume at all. The Nova pro doesn't and if I use my IEM's in the line out jack and swap to them they're max fucking volume. And I can't change that unless I bypass the base station.

I don't use Sonar. I think it overcomplicates shit. I used the GG software to check for firmware updates and that all "surround" options were disabled. Set up the base how I wanted it, Turned Gain to high, flat EQ and closed it again. I then went into windows sound, turned off all "Enhancments" turned on Dolby Atmos (Sonic or Atmos works fine imo) and then went to the Dolby app and set my EQ curve there. I'm still tweaking, but this is what I've got working so far and it sounds pretty alright. I might lower everything a bit more as I've only really added. And it's not the most detailed EQ. I might fire up Peace/APO and set it up proper in there. https://preview.redd.it/fo6561i2uhce1.png?width=1340&format=png&auto=webp&s=044c241c02a713c32716ff00fef2e541314ea96e

Yeah I turn it all off and use other software if I want to change the sound. Some people get on with it, I think it's just bloatware.

I was not really happy with the several Steelseries headsets I tied. To my ears their soundquality isn't really good. Especially Nova Pro disappointed me.

Super late but I get the same issue and I only use ANC. Sometimes mine don't even connect properly and can only be turned off by removing the battery.

I have had them since release and the non novas before then id say they are good but lack on bass so if you want to hear footsteps like turtle beach then id say pass

I haven't tried Astros. Customer support is what first made me stop buying Steelseries. Theirs was awful--basically, buy a new one if it breaks. I only bought the Nova Pro because they changed the headband design and I could get the 2-year warranty throguh Best Buy. Once the mute switch on those went bad, I got a refund through Best Buy and was done with them. That, and the Nova Pro had shallower earcups (ears pressed agaisnt the drivers) and slightly worse wireless range than irs predecessor. I got some cheap-ish Turtle Beaches now, just to try something else. They're OK, but not particularly good. The one thing I really miss from the Arctis lineup is the Aux pass-through. Plugging my PC speakers in and having the receiver pass audio to the speakers when the headset was off is something I really miss.

I wish, but it was just a few months ago that I had to return my Nova Pro. I can't bring myself to give them another $300+ after they've failed me twice.

Imo the best gamee headphones on the market rn is arctic nova pros I'm not gonna list everything about them but it is really customizable has great design and comes with a deck that works it bunch of stuff

Arctic pro is an old model arctis nova pro is better

The steel series arctic nova pro wireless is pretty widely regarded as the most advanced gaming focused headset. Comes with ANC and a DAC and allegedly superior audio quality. When people with too much money and not enough knowledge are looking for a headset there isn't really a close second.

How many times have you googled "best gaming headset"? Because it's literally the first result on Google and every tech/gaming publication worth their salt says it's the best lol. And I'm sure it is, but that doesn't make it worth $350 lol. If you want to argue semantics, there are a few places that put a few other headsets above them or at the same number one spot, the Audeze Maxwell headset is a popular stand-in and definitely wins on price. My overall point is that "gaming" branded stuff is almost always way overpriced and overhyped for what you're getting. I'm sure the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is a nice headset but for $350 you can find something that totally blows them out of the water and still have money left over for a standalone mic that blows away the included mic on the Arctis Nova Pro lol. Not many gaming/tech publications even include headsets like the DT 700/800/900 series or anything not made by a small handful of gaming peripheral companies, even though those "audiophile" headsets are pretty universally better than "gaming" headsets for audio quality at the same price point.

For PC I went with Arctis Nova Pro. Actually solid battery life. Replaceable batteries. Just works. Balanced sound with hardware EQ. ANC is bad but it's there. I'm not using their audio software though, but I can't imagine it's much worse than Synapse/THX driver issues that plagued my Nari Ultimate for years across multiple PCs lol

This headset has been one for the first time ever that has me spending hours on trying to get it to work. It has so many settings on it and not to mention you have to use Sonar. I still haven’t figured out how to get my mic to work in Discord. That being aside it sits comfortably on my ears so that’s a plus.

I've heard steelseries arctis novas are really good, I use one myself and it's really good

It took me around 4 sec to change the battery without problem (when it's on my head) and if you change it within 8 sec you don't need to turn back, it's automatic

The Nova Pro's have a nub on the inside of the ear cup for the noise canceling that sticks out quite far and it hits my ear. I can only wear the headphones for about an hour before my ears start to ache from that nub putting pressure on them. I do know Steelseries just came out with a newer version either late 2024 or early 2025 and it has a much smaller nub. I've even gotten the thicker set of Wicked Cushions to try and get the nub away from my ear, but it still bothers me. Hopefully you got the new version that has the smaller nub.

That's impressive battery life. I feel like I'm charging my Nova Pro batteries once a week.

You are very right about subjectivity and anatomy. I also love the replaceable battery and how the spare is always ready to go because it's charging in the DAC.

https://www.rtings.com/headphones/tools/compare/steelseries-arctis-pro-wireless-vs-steelseries-arctis-nova-pro-wireless-pc-ps-xbox/751/33683 Decide it urself

I only have the nova pro and this thing is the best and most comfy headset i ever head. But the default eq kinda sucks imo,

[SteelSeries Nova Pro Wireless Headset EQ Tuning and Sonar Tips for All!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOrTMNRhAbY&t=702s) This one

Corsair HS80 (MAX) is very popular. Mic is also good for wireless gaming headset I guess. The increase in price for the Max version is most often not worth it. But it does not have the Steelseries Arctis Nova Pro Wirless function with the excchangable battery. I think that one is the best and **killer feature** and would be my pick probably

Steel series Arctis 9x - avoid as the build quality is junk. My older son has Plantronics Rig 800 XL. I think he’s had them several years. My younger son has been through 4-5 Arctis headsets in that time. He’s a bit rough and ready with them and they just aren’t robust. Steelseries Arctis Nova. Great features - swappable battery is phenomenal.

One thing with the Nova pro wireless - it seems they have maybe had a defective run of batteries. Just got mine new last week and both the batteries are unable to hold a charge. Best they can do is give me a code for new ones, only those are out of stock and they can't say when they will have them again. Highly likely I will return for refund before the amazon money back period expires.

try finding a headset that does concurrent BT to a mobile phone and listen to your PC. Try finding a headset that allow you to swap the battery and a charging station for the batt. Not to forget it has a retractable mic, unlike others which is a attachable or swing down. My only complaint? WHY did they think its a good idea to have the charging usb port at the side of the headset instead of the usual place (below the headset), so it makes recharging the headset a hassle. the old pro wireless didnt has this issue

I recommend watching tech gadgetry’s Maxwell vs stealth pro vs nova pro review. Will give you a great snap shot of best headsets for Xbox as he also gives some honorable mentions. I currently have in my possession that I’m testing this month (gonna return one i don’t like) the nova pro and the stealth pro. I’m still checking them out but as of this second i prefer the turtle beach stealth pro. My big fear w turtle beach tho is there are 100s of claims and comments and reviews that the flip to mute mic on it breaks quickly. Any other breaking complaint for either headset seems like normal bad luck that every headset for gaming is prone too since they’re all mediocre products that skimp on build quality to keep them priced for their gamer audience. I recommend a protection plan for anything you get if that concerns you.

worst and least comfortable headset i ever had, lucky was able to sell it after 6 months. will never recommend shitseries

The software is garbage. I'm outside the return window for my purchase and boy do I regret buying these. Software issues: - If you do not install SteelSeries GG, the Windows volume control **just does not work** and your volume is locked at 100%, forcing you to manually twist volume knobs on whatever device like some Neanderthal using tinny desktop PC speakers from 1994 while trying to just enjoy Wing Commander III. - If you do install SteelSeries GG, you cannot adjust the master volume with the builtin volume controls for unknowable reasons. - The GG software is not even a tiny bit resilient to Windows updates. I'm on the Insider ring, and every update I take seems to break it in a way that forces me to uninstall and reinstall the software entirely. - The GG software itself is, at least, unobtrusive when it feels like working, but incredibly overbuilt with most panes being unrelated to servicing the single SteelSeries component I own. I bought these because I had a stellar experience with the Arctis 7 Pro, but mine were ~7-8 years old and the battery was shot and I didn't want to attempt a replacement. Those headphones had none of these problems, and were a champ. The hardware quality, battery swapping, and audio on the Nova Pro are great, but the software is so bad I'm putting SteelSeries in the same penalty box as Razer. I'll never buy another SteelSeries device again, and I will warn anyone and everyone away from them as well.

Had them, returned them. Getting up between game sessions to go downstairs, the headphones would do loud, awful "pops" and "cracks" in your ear, probably well into harmful decibel levels. My Astro A50's never did that, no matter how far I was from the base station. The sound on them was good, but outside of the cracks/pops, I had issues with the comfort and the software being pretty useles. The base station had good features, but that's about it. These were one of the headphones I tried that I absolutely do not udnerstand the hype around, and was severely let down.

No. I have the Arctis Pro Wireless, and Nova Pro Wireless. I BABIED both of them. They've never been dropped, hit by anything, or even bumped up against anything other than my headset stand, or my wife/kids when they leaned in to give me a kiss. The Arctis Pro Wireless lasted around around 2 months of constantly having to mute/unmute the microphone (I have kids) before it started acting up and wanting to "beep" (activate/deactivate tone) any time I bumped it, moved my head, or even tilted my head. The Nova Pro Wireless lasted 6 fiscal Months before the sidetone would activate even though the microphone button wasn't depressed, and would require me finicking with it for five minutes to get it to stop allowing sidetone only for it to come right back on if I turned my head too sharply, or tilted my head, bumped it, etc. This, of course, came after only muting the microphone on the Nova MAYBE a total of 50 times. The ANC is "ehh.." It's okay, you can tell it's there, but it's definitely NOT as "good" as they market it to be at all. The sidetone doesn't even get HALF as loud as the Arctis Pro Wireless did, and has a noticeable delay compared to it (I'd say around 10ms). Then there's the connection issues - The headset would randomly restart, disconnect from the base and cause a loud distrotion sound to come across until I BOTH powered down the headset AND disconnected the USB cable from the back of the hub. Pair that with the headset just randomly disconnecting at times (typically when critical to HAVE it) and you have a recipe for disaster. I'm not even going to TOUCH the discomfort of this headset compared to the Arctis, but I will say this - For the price difference the Arctis is a MUCH better option for ANYONE that has ears, even if the soundstage is fkn piss poor in comparison. I actually JUST finished the RMA process for my Nova Pro Wireless which required me to quite literally snap the damned thing in half just to get a new one sent out. It uses the EXACT same faulty mic switch that the Arctis did, and I FULLY anticipate that in 6 months I'm going to be taking apart the new one, and either a. Soldering a new 6-pin switch onto it from Mouser, or B. Desoldering the microphone's switch entirely, wiring it into a CONSTANT off circuit, and using a second microphone/boom arm because I already know it's going to fail.

A slight necro, but I have the Arctis 7, Arctis Pro Wireless, and Arctis Nova Pro Wireless - They're all (except the 7's) complete and utter GARBAGE. The Arctis pro broke twice in 6 months, (mic mute button, frequent disconnects, and occasional issues where it refused to connect to the DAC at all.) The Nova pro is no better, with the first one's 6-pole mic button dying in less than 6 months with VERY minimal use of the button itself, and the new headset they sent as a replacement under warranty does 3 beeps when toggling the mic on/off, has "digital compression lag" from interference, picks up my G502x+ if the USB receiver is on the same HUB, constantly disconnects from the DAC, and reconnects, occasionally refuses to perceive a newly swapped battery as charged, occasionally won't turn on...and more. I honestly can't believe that their "high end line" is worse quality than their mid-range, but it DEFINITELY is. My experience with these headsets has turned me off steelseries COMPLETELY, and I doubt I'll ever purchase another product of theirs.

Maybe upgrade to newer or next version up. I’m running Arctis Nova Pro wireless and don’t have any of those issues.

Artics Nova Pro - you won’t regret it

I got steele series arctis nova pro X. Within 1 month three of my friends bought the same headset because they could tell i had such a strong hearing advantage

I have the nova pros and love them

Im always away from home so its nice i can be connected to the pc and to my phone through Bluetooth to talk to the wife without having my airpod in my ear under the headset and still hear the game

To me, yes. I never have them full volume. No problems yet after about a year

I love my arctis nova pros. Sound is excellent, mic is great.

Completely agree with this. I’ve used this headset with both Sonar and Atmos. Sounds incredible with either. Settled on Atmos in the end, as I personally found the special sound better, and I have to admit that Sonar is a bit of a pain in certain circumstances. As for the straight up audio quality, it’s brilliant. No idea what kind of hearing disabilities people have got if they think different. Battery swap is so quick and simple. No challenge with the covers and easy to do in under 5 sec while wearing them. Hands down no regrets over this headset. I don’t use Chatmix, but my understanding is that it can be implemented independently directly from the DAC. I personally use a different computer for chat and social while playing, so have the headset Bluetooth paired to that laptop at the same time as wireless to my PC. Saves me having to run more background crap while gaming, if all the background crap is running on a different computer.

Try this SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless. The sound quality is insane with Hi-Res audio and 360 Spatial Audio, plus it has active noise cancellation. The dual-battery system is a lifesaver—no downtime while gaming. Super comfy for long sessions, but it’s pricey. Worth it if you want the best.

Arctis Nova Pros Wired. Won’t miss a step (literally)

For what it's worth, I've had the Arctis Pro Wireless and the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless and found the latter to be pretty a worthwhile upgrade.

Was going to say the same thing, no issues from my headset as well.

I've said this already in this post, but don't buy these.

Don't listen to this guy, there are countless people including myself who have this headset (Arctis Nova Pro Wireless) and it breaks, for me specifically the mute button on the headset has become so sensitive, that shaking my head sets it on and off. DO NOT BUY. (I'm here trying to find other recommendations)

Weirdos on this subreddit are going to recommend studio style headsets and separate microphones like they're professional streamers who can tell nuanced differences in audio quality. Reality is that you should just go with a tried and true headset such as the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, Hyperx Cloud Alpha, Astro A50, etc etc. Lots of high quality headsets that thousands of people use for FPS and love it.

Same mine started making a weird buzzing noise and it randomly cuts out and my batteries last like two hours instead of 5-6 hours like when I first got it. I actually gave mine to a family member so I’m going to need a replacement. I might just go back my good ol arctis pro wireless, what I had before this Nova pro crap. I was so excited when I heard steel series was coming out with a new wireless headset to replace the Arctis pro, and then the nova pro happened and I bought it and I was seriously unimpressed and was sad I sold my arctis pro wireless to make of for the funds I spent on the nova pro

Main reason to get the pros, imo, is the hotswappable batteries and the simultaneous Bluetooth+wireless audio. I experienced that first the arctic 7 and now I can't live without it.

Ymmv. I used the pro wireless for... 4 years and recently upgraded to eh nova pro wireless..both have had zero issues even with daily marathon sessions (pro wireless during pandemic)

All depends on what you want from a headset. If you’re into your audio and will take advantage of the dac/amp by using its features like EQ and other customisations and swappable batteries that technically gives you unlimited battery life, then go for it, because it has really good audio and has excellent imaging for FPS games If you want pure audio quality, which for gaming I don’t understand why, then go for the Audeze Maxwell, but it has mediocre imaging and it’s a very heavy headset on your head Astro A50 Gen 5 is the other one to consider. It has excellent comfort, really good audio, good imaging and great mic, but if you also regularly use Bluetooth on the go, then Astro isn’t for you as the Bluetooth is on the dock and not on the headset

Good headphones terrible experience. Again the headphones are great but imo the software kills it. Im using a pair and I hate Sonar and the SteelSeries GG. The opening up the app and reconfiguring almost every time my PC wakes up is a buzzkill. Only reason Im still using them is cause I dropped over $300 on them.

Wireless the way to go. I have a wired Razer Kraken 3 which has good sound and comfort but not so much a quality build. Headband snapped, wire wore out, pleather wearing out. Good thing I got it as a gift. +1 for any Steel Series Arctis wireless as well. I ended up buying cheap $30 wireless from Amazon which works fine but not the same as a headset that has software to go with it. Even with Razer Kraken, the sound quality is better if you have a Dolby Atmos license (~$10?) for the virtual surround sound enhancements vs the Windows Sonic which is built into Windows.

Steel series nova arctis pro wireless. Best high-end all rounder. So many cool functions and incredible design and audio performance.

Are you still enjoying them as much? How fast do they recharge if they run out? I use my headphones quite a bit and one of the best things I find with the arctis novas is I can just fast swap the battery, but I'd love having a smaller (and portable) solution in general.

Same here. But gosh I hate them in summer. You put them on and you sweat like a pig even before you exit the pit.

I use the Steelseries Arctis Nova Pro’s. Sound quality is superb, and you can have game specific presets. The feature of changing the fully charged battery from the dock within seconds is so helpful when in game too. Expensive bit of kit, but well worth it imo. * wouldn’t visit the steelseries sub for pointers, as it’s full of rage quitters who clearly launch their headsets at the screen complaining that their headset “just snapped in half for no reason at all”.

THIS. This is my main issue regarding the Nova Pro Wireless. I don't like Sonar, but I use chatmix all the time. And since Sonar is required for Chatmix it's a big no. Still going strong on my current Arctis Pro Wireless!

Arctis Nova Pro Wireless hands down. I run it with a Roland BridgeCast and a Rhode Podmic. I can hear more things than everyone i play with - footsteps etc..

Came here to say this, had mine since it came out and I use it very often , besides for the DAC knob breaking just like every other DAC knob does, the headset is the best for gaming/movies, and I use it for work at the office too

It doesn’t work without the software. I just reinstalled Sonar because I needed chatmix.

I’m not so sure Sonar is required all the time. I just switched to a new PC and started using my headset with no Sonar and no chatmix. Yesterday, before my comment, I installed Sonar and chatmix started working. Now, with the headset and PC off, the chatmix functionality on the headset hub still works. Maybe it can be uninstalled after the initial installation.

Ah! I have the Nova Pros which have this hub with a display and dial. You can mess with the chatmix there or directly on the headset. Without Sonar installed, the chatmix interface never comes up hence no ability to change the mix.

I just ordered the Arctis Nova Pros, what do you mean they hurt your ears? Like the sound or the way they fit on you? Also, I’ve tried several different headsets over the last year and my OG SteelSeries Arctis Pros have been the best sounding. I’ve tried several IEMs as well, but they always sound too raspy to me.

I’m excited to try them, they get here on the 26th. So just in time for the event! And yeah, those batteries were a huge selling point for me lol. My OG Arctis Pros are basically perma dead because the cable port ate shit.

That’s fine for me actually, I use separate mic anyway.

I’ve been wildly impressed with my arcs nova pro

+1 for Arctis. I grabbed the Arctis nova pro this year after returning other premium headsets and love it. Grab the 3rd party cushion upgrades and he will be in heaven

Arcits wireless nova pro, i like the battarie switch- a roo rather than a cable to charge

Just picked up a pair and so far, no problems at all. My favorite headphones ever.

The Sonys have built-in mics, not a boom mic but they're pretty good for videocalls Steelseries Nova Pro or Logitech G Pro don't have any bright colors, they're just black, but they're gaming headsets

Ripp i bought their top of the line nova pros like 4 years ago thinking they would be good but theyre just built like crap mics not great plastic is creaky seriously just get somthing else my beyerdyamics which cost a 3rd the price are better in literally every way sound quality, build quality. Whats the point in asking for advice if you're not gonna follow it.

The Steelseries Arctis Nova Pro gets recommended so much, and they are genuinely some of the most mediocre headphones I've ever slipped over my ears.

The Nova Pros are a really good headset, my girlfriend has a pair, the ANC isnt amazing, but you probably wont be using that feature much. By far the best feature is the hotswappable batteries, the audio quality is great, and the mic is usable, but nothing special. As for the HyperX ones, I personally would choose the HyperX Cloud II or III wireless over the alpha, the alphas are generally not as comfortable I have heard, and the quality of the drivers dont seem to be as good for gaming. Now personally, I have never used the alphas, this is just information I found when I was looking at them myself. If you have the money, definitely go for the NOVA, as they come with more QOL features and are just a really nice headset to use. If you want to save money, the Cloud II wireless are a good headset too! Or you could even get the Arctis Nova 5 Wireless, they are also a great headset.

Not with the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, they have hotswap batteries in the dock, takes literally 20 seconds to change them

I was reluctant to buy the Nova Pros because I had the pro wireless earlier version and the white noise was really bad on it. However, when my gf bought them, I realised that the white noise issue has been fixed! So definitely gonna get a pair as my next headphones! Not only that, they dont have the "GAMER" style, so you can easily wear them when you are travelling without much of an issue!

I really hope not, that's the reason she bought the nova, because her arctic pro wireless hinge snapped :/ It's just a waiting game to find out

My experience is the same.

Wireless headsets are known for bad mic quality, but some recent models made by Astro and Razer sound pretty good. I use the wired Nova Pro and it's perfect and sounds x1000 than wireless

Don’t buy the nova pro wireless. I bought them now twice (need them for rhe goxlr to go wireless) and every one of them had issues after a year of use. Batteries not working, bulging oder the headset straight doesn’t turn on. Sadly I don’t have any alternatives to the headset so I’m forced to buy it again in a few months (warranty is 2 years and I’m only 1 in)

Good for you, for me those headphones are some of the worst in terms of reliability. I doubt that every piece is as bad as the other. The ones I have right now (second headset) is far better with its batteries (they did not yet bulge). But the headband is the worst, you can not adjust it enough to accommodate the “sag” it gets over time (the band stretches massively). I did use a headpolster from another headset to squish in between, so the headset is at least on top of my ears. And I don’t have a small head I must say xD.

Unpopular opinion but I don't actually recommend the arctis nova pro like everyone else does, the headphones are good however constantly have software issues. I've verified it's not my unit as I've exchanged them twice and restored my PC twice as well. I'm sure the wired ones are better but my experience is only with the wireless ones and if they worked as intended I'd give it a 9/10 as is with the software issues like 7/10

I guess it really depends on what your standards are. If you’re an audiophile who is composing music, there’s probably better out there. But in my experience, for video games and work, this has been great. No complaints from coworkers about my microphone quality. I’ve had no audio issues both in game and with music. The main reason, though, that I bought these is the battery swap feature and dual inputs. The sound and mic quality were secondary given that most headsets are “good enough”. (I’m not an audiophile).

I’m not an audiophile, and I mentioned that clearly to say that the audio was “good enough”. I had a very specific use case that I needed filled, and the Nova Pro Wireless filled it perfectly. Audio was “good enough” as a secondary but I don’t know if a true audiophile or musician would consider it sufficient.

I suck at charging my headphones so the battery swap has saved me so many times during work meetings. And since I use these for work and home, being able to flip between work laptop and home PC has been amazing too.

Another consideration is the pre2024 models have the ANC nub problem, where they are rather large and can hurt your ear. I bought a pair of Wicked cushions and they largely resolved the problem for me. The 2024 versions apparently have fixed this, but I do not know how to specifically buy the 2024 models except to purchase the white version.

I had the Arctis 7 not the Nova, but I felt the bass was much better on the Nova Wireless. But other than that, it wasn’t a life changing sound upgrade.

I'm returning my Maxwells lol. Because the weight and clamp force is unbearable. Yeah, and the spatial audio is pretty much non existant since most Maxwells have a slight out of phase issue. That means your ques are off, and really close to your head. I'm picking up my SS ANP's tommorow, just for the comfort. Yeah Maxwell and music do go together, but gaming and general comfort - absolutely fucking not. Watching youtube videos is a pain since the Planars are great at reproducing noises and hums which are not audible with dynamic drivers. It was doing my head in. Audio fatigue is a real thing, and Maxwells do that A LOT. If you want quality music, get a pair of quality audiophile WIRED headphones, and an AMP, because the thing is with the maxwells, most sources are not able to use up the frequency range of the headset. Youtube's compression is literally audible. I loved and hated it at the same time. But in the end, headsets from gaming companies are made so you can wear them for hours without discomfort.

Yes and mostly yes. Own both and the Nova Pro Wireless has a better sound profile and lets you customize your own. The stock earpads are not the most comfortable, especially with glasses but Wicked Cushions sells earpads that are incredibly comfortable. This is coming from someone who used to always experience discomfort after playing multiple hours at a time. The cooling pads are the ones you want to buy from wicked cushions if you pull the trigger on the nova pro wireless

Nova Pro user here, add me to the meh list.

I use a steelseries arctics nova. I got it fairly recently (like a month ago) and i can hear the smallest of sounds when I play pretty darn well. It's also fairly lite weight and has a long battery life.

Having also owned the Arctis Pro's, you'll be disappointed by the Nova's. They just don't compare. Nova's aren't "bad" they're just so limited. The noise cancelling is really the only major bonus, unless you're traveling with them, it's really not that important (I mean, I did actually really like it last year over the summer with an air conditioner behind me, but just having something on my ears made that bearable, not just the noise cancelling) I'm about to drop SS and explore too. Tired of bloatware software and new releases of products that take away features from the last version.

I am using SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless and I would not change them for anything.

I also ended up with Nova Pro Wireless. Best headphones I ever had.

I love the Nova pro and the hot swap batteries are great.

I mean its a great idea and is really well implemented.

Was looking to finally get something for the console. Saw steel series and immediately ordered. Love mine on PC with the gamedac and if someone recommends steel series for what I'm looking for I'm sold. Thanks!

I have a nova pro, would recommend 100%

(I'm not the guy from the rest of the thread haha)

The way I have mine set up, I have the pc at 100% volume (all the sonar channels) and the volume on the dac at "-9" on the dial, and then adjust volume and things with the headset dial, and fiddle with game/chat mix on the dac (press down on the dac dial to access that)

No additional amp aside from the included dac, and I can put the headset up to max volume and listen to it when it's on the arm of my chair not on my head - it would deafen me if I had that on my head for too long at that high, you get plenty of volume scope

Literally the dac that comes inside the box with the Arctis Nova Pro Wired

I used my since the release and I am sooo happy. 2-3 month ago I got replacement cushions because the gal leather died and I got velour leather. It’s absolutely perfect now. No heating ears anymore. I recommend 110%

Transtek from Amazon.

I have both gen 1 Arctis pro and just bought the Nova. I wear glasses too and have had zero issues wearing the Nova set. They feel much lighter and prefer the design and functionality changes over gen 1. However, got them yesterday and STILL cannot find the option for Dolby 7.1. ! It's driving me mad. Re-installed everything more than once. Everything unplugged and reconnected, no matter what i do , still no surround option ? These will be going back on Monday if I can't find a fix. Any advice would be great.

I just bought the Nova and cannot find an option for Dolby 7.1 ? Do you have that on yours ?

Same here. Tried everything I can think of, still no surround. No option for surround on gg engine . I'm confused ?

Thankyou ! Will try it now 👍

So I actually just got these a few days ago. I found a few things with them that I just cant stand. While I'm not saying they're bad, but from my experience, I can't justify paying so much for them and getting such a lackluster experience. Also, I'm upgrading from a Steel Series Arctis 7 (I loved them so much! It's a shame that they started to die. They lasted several years though!) 1.) I use a Logitech G815 Keyboard, I REALLY don't like that the headset/software takes the ability to use the volume scroll wheel away and forces me to use the knob on the receiver/doc or headset. [https://www.reddit.com/r/steelseries/comments/vm93w3/arctis\_nova\_pro\_wireless\_cant\_adjust\_volume\_it/](https://www.reddit.com/r/steelseries/comments/vm93w3/arctis_nova_pro_wireless_cant_adjust_volume_it/) 2.) The ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) is absolute trash compared to my Sony XM4s. I totally understand that it was built as a gaming headset first. But the ANC feels like it was just a marketing thing, my PC isnt loud by an means, but when I activate it, it makes no difference. At first, I thought I was doing something wrong/thought it wasnt working. No, my opinion is that the ANC is just bad. [https://www.reddit.com/r/steelseries/comments/13jcy85/is\_the\_anc\_of\_the\_arctis\_nova\_pro\_wireless\_good/](https://www.reddit.com/r/steelseries/comments/13jcy85/is_the_anc_of_the_arctis_nova_pro_wireless_good/) [https://www.reddit.com/r/steelseries/comments/11x3s3y/arctis\_nova\_pro\_anc\_not\_working\_well/](https://www.reddit.com/r/steelseries/comments/11x3s3y/arctis_nova_pro_anc_not_working_well/) 3.) The side tone is just a bit too strong, and I cant seem to find a way to either lower it or turn it off. 4.) I think this one is more on me. I really like a plug and play situation when it comes to headsets, but I feel like I was overwhelmed trying to figure out all the minute things about this headset which became frustrating after a while. 5.) Oh, I also ran into some issues with random popping sounds coming from my speakers and then my headset (when turned on) when my computer wakes up from sleep. I'm not too sure how to replicate the issue, but as of using yesterday, I didn't have the issue, but a few days ago I did encounter it. Others have reported this issue to. [https://www.reddit.com/r/steelseries/comments/16hpmy8/arctis\_nova\_pro\_wireless\_audio\_popping\_issue\_on/](https://www.reddit.com/r/steelseries/comments/16hpmy8/arctis_nova_pro_wireless_audio_popping_issue_on/) I don't see myself returning them, but damn, do I wish I would've known these thing before actually buying them. I'm still trying to get used to the cons, but overall, they're really comfortable. Some of the other features are really nice from some of the other comments on this thread, but I don't really use the other features. Also, I'm more than open to suggestions on how to fix these issues. I really want to like them but the issues I listed above make me not want to use them sometimes because I'm afraid I'm going to run into one of the issue. But as for pros of the headset, check some of the comments below, I would agree with just about all of them aside from the cons I mentioned above. Sorry for the long post, BTW, but I felt like I need to warn people about these potential issues. YMMV though! Happy gaming, GLHF! \*Edited #3- Figured out a few hours ago how to adjust the side tone, since then, the ANC has increased and is much more bearable. However still not as good as my XM4s, but again, to be expected from a gaming headset rather than an actual pair of headphones. I keep updating this for the next few days as I continue to play around with the settings some more. There's a lot of options with this headset, which in my case is a bad thing because I'm not a fan of playing around with settings, but can absolutely be a plus for people that know exactly what they want.

Arctis Nova Pro Wireless. I have had them for almost 2 years, I play 30+ hours a week of games, i have taken them on several vacations, I use them with my ROG Ally and audible books. I read ppl's complaints and I do not understand, its as if they got an entire different headset. They sound great paired with GG Sonar, the bump in the middle of the ear has never even come close to hitting my ear, even after pads set. They connect to my phone and PC at the same time which is a very under rated function. If money is not an issue there is NO reason not to pick these up.

I will say their implementation of spatial audio is probably the best with sonar. In games I can hear footsteps from quite a far distance. I would consider it a pretty significant advantage in FPS shooters. The only downside to a majority of steelseries headsets is the lack of quality for microphones. Now. I haven't tried the new streamer microphones the alias but the headsets are not that great. I don't really use my microphone that much so it's not a problem for me.

Yup. I also implemented "gadgetrytech's " ( gaming specific ) preset for sonar. I think it's absolutely amazing. All the presets are good. I use deep bass for my music ( hip hop ). Steelseries don't have the largest speakers but they do pretty well for all around everything. If you do get the Nova pros, I would suggest looking at some of wicked cushions replacement pads. One of the biggest issues with the steelseries Nova is the ANC inside the ears stick out a bit and some have suggested the depth of the cushions aren't enough. Check out two of wickedcushions replacement pads on their website. Most of us end up buying those. The newer one is the " stealthz ".

Owned lots of expensive headsets over the years but Shifted to Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, and my mates have also decided to get it after seeing mine. I can't use anything else now.

I have had theNova Pro X's for 2 years now and they have never given me any issues and sound is amazing!!😀 Whether I'm playing old games like Chaos Theory or modern games, sound is nice. **For those curious, I do recommend(if buying good headsets) purchasing the Dolby Atmos App and DTS app. Both go on sale quite often too** 👍

The sound is ok. The software for the EQ (which is required because the flat sound on these is fucking awful) is overbearing and stupid. I've had to factory reset them three times (holding down power and bluetooth) because they just get locked up and don't respond. The battery life is trash. The fit is good but the cups are already shredding after a year. For the price I expected more.

Tried these but returned them for a full refund after a week. The dual battery is great. The volume control is great too, but the digital surround is really bad compared to the Gen 4 Astro A50. I had high hopes for steelseries after seeing such positive reviews but the sound quality just doesn't cut it for me personally. Seeing the main post though, this also killed my hopes for the Astro A50X...

They’re absurdly priced but I have the nova pro wireless from steelseries and I’m happy with them though many do complain about their software, the wireless also has swappable rechargeable batteries so you can just pop in the fully charged on as everything is booting up.

Mine make clicking noises all the time And a high pitched whine usinf BT for calls. Other than that theyre great

I would advise not to if you are buying for audio quality which is probably the only reason youd spens that much. Here in NZ theyre like 800 bucks so I will be sending mine back to get sorted or refunded

how comfy is the top headband for you? I've been looking for a new pair to replace my steel series at some point

Honestly, that's my whole thing right now. The battery swap is nice and the replaceability, but the headset just really seems mid compared to possible other options. I don't plan to replace the headset unless it dies since I don't want to spend the money on it, but I have been looking for replacement ideas to keep in mind.

No issues with my headset but man does the software suck. Steelseries GG is way too overcomplicated and it occasionally reroutes my devices. I had the siberia 800s and I loved them. The battery swap function is still amazing but they definitely dropped the ball with the arctis nova pros in terms of quality.

Arctics nova pro should sound really good, I had arctics pro’s and people were telling me the exact same thing quite often.

I can't recommend the Steelseries Nova Pro enough. Came from the Arctis 7 and the sound quality alone is night and day.

The headphones themselves are pretty good, the software is absolute crap, and the customer service is easily the worst I've ever encountered with any product, ever.

Hi everyone, I don't really know why I'm posting this - I almost just want to talk about this to see what everyone else thinks but: While I these these headphones are good, I wouldn't recommend them to many people looking to buy some headphones. I've had these headphones for just over a year now and I bought them to work in harmony with my GoXLR and my iPhone (they were some of the only wireless headphones that worked with the GoXLR at the time I bought them). I've never really had a problem with connecting them to it - it all worked exactly how you'd expect it to but I do have a few grudges with them. The audio quality is pretty good - definitely better than $30 headphones you could buy off amazon but it doesn't blow me away or anything. The ANC is not great and neither is the transparency - The ANC doesn't block much tbh and I don't think I've ever used transparency on purpose. The build quality is good tbf, I've definitely dropped and knocked them more times than I can count and there isn't a single dent or scratch so props to them for that. The connection is also pretty good, I can walk around most of the same floor without them crackling or disconnecting, when I go down or upstairs its a different problem but the walls in my house are very thick so I don't think that's a problem with the headphones. And in all fairness, the inter-changeable batteries is a very nice feature that has saved my gaming sessions a good few times. The main problem I have with them though is just the random problems that happen every now and then. They're usually something very easy to fix (usually just turning them off and on-again) but the problems are always something really annoying like a really loud buzzing or just flat out the audio stops working. Again, it's usually pretty easy to fix but it's just small problems that shouldn't even happen that make them quite annoying to use sometimes. Another problem I run into is that they're just not good headphones to use with iPhone - I have constant issues with Spotify like if I'm listening to music and I open TikTok, the video stops playing audio and I have to close all apps on my phone, play some stock audio from Apple and then open TikTok again and then it works. (That happens with almost all apps btw I was just using TikTok as an example) - or connection problems like having a higher battery percentage to just stop connecting than on PC and just random stuff like that. All things considered, I think they are a pretty good pair of headphones and but definitely not worth the $330 price tag and if you were to ask me, I would probably recommend going for something newer or finding another alternative.

I was the exact same, I got the apex pro a little over a year before the headphones and (so far) haven't any any problems with that. I don't usually use them wired 'cause that sort of defeats the point of them for me. From what I can tell it does fix some of the problems but not all so just it might be an idea but just being weary of that. Honestly, I wouldn't be too worried - they're a really great piece of gear and the PC problems are mostly small very fixable things, just annoying in the moment.

Same here. The swappable "infinite" battery system is the best thing they could've done.

Are you talking about Nova Pros? Although still quite decent, Arctis Pros do not have hot-swap batteries nor ANC.

Um no, Pro Wireless comes with 2 batteries but turns off when you switch batteries, Nova Pro stays on for a few secs while you change batteries, hence hot-swap.

Im sorry but for $350 Id have to strongly disagree. It is worth it on sale for $250, sure. But not 350

I’ve had great experience with steel series. Never had any issues and I’ve owned two headsets. I currently own the nova artic pros.

They're comfortable. But my God I could not get consistent audio with them on any of my devices. Constant garbled sounds. Constant pops and crackles. I had them for a week but I'm returning them today for something else. I'll stick with my arctis 7p since despite being 4 years old they sound better and have way better consistency in quality.

As somebody who has both the Nova Pro first and second generation, I prefer the first gen. I disagree with your sound quality comments as well, but you indicated what you thought was good sound quality and that only confirms that it is very subjective. Second gen noise cancellation is much better, first gen battery swapping is much easier. Second gen software could be better if it worked as expected but it fails. Second gen has worse range than first gen as well. Otherwise the differences are merely preferences and could go either way.

As somebody who has both the Nova Pro first and second generation, I prefer the first gen. I disagree with your sound quality comments as well, but you indicated what you thought was good sound quality and that only confirms that it is very subjective. Second gen noise cancellation is much better, first gen battery swapping is much easier. Second gen software could be better if it worked as expected but it fails. Second gen has worse range than first gen as well. Otherwise the differences are merely preferences and could go either way.

Those particular headphones have a pronounced bass boost and lack a bit around vocals so they will appeal to those who want a more V shaped EQ. Not my thing. I’m fond of my Genelec speakers in nearfield so that’s where I’m coming from

I tried the 5X and they where REALLY good for the price. That being said, I haven't tried the Hyper X so I have nothing to compare the 5X to :p I have the Nova pro's rn and they are better than the 5X but... not by that much. It's just cool to have a hotswap battery and the dock thing. The Pro's also have more base and a bit more range. IMO tho, the 5X are fantastic.

Since I have short nails, my best method for battery swap is to tilt my head to the side and spin the cap until it hopefully falls off. But if you doin it too fast the magnets just engage on the other side, so try to spin slowish. 😂

That's wild and super annoying. I've like others had mine since launch and (knocks on wood) haven't had any issues with them.

My background: Used to have an old razer Tiamat for gaming. My headphone experience for media stuff is either a pair of galaxy buds 2 pro and a Bose Quietcomfort 25 (when traveling). I needed something that was wireless, that had a mic (didn't need to be high grade, just enough to be listened when doing work calls), but with a decent sound quality. After a lot of research I narrowed my options to this headset, the logitech G X 2 and the Astro A50 (besides other two that aren't available in my country: the Audeze Maxwell and the Turtle Beach). I ended with the Nova Pro since it was the one with most features and with most feedback over the internet. My experience so far: GOD DAMN IT'S F***NG GOOD!! I read a lot of people complaining about wireless headsets, that only studio phones are worth, etc... I was really scared, but, damn!! This headset is awesome!! Depending on your use case, you won't regret it! Nowadays, I play games and media with them and I'm really happy (using for 2 weeks now). Some things to note: 1 - I really don't enjoy installing bloatware in my PC, so I just experienced the USB soundboard with its built-in EQ; people say that GG/Sonar has a lot of features, but I didn't use it. 2 - The mic sound is just ok, but, again, I'm not recording on it, so I just don't care!! 3 - Again, I'm not an audiophile; although I'm an amateur guitarist, I'm not completely audio ignorant. I probably had low expectations, but, in the end, the purchase was well worth it!

He the nova pros. They’re the nicest looking gaming headset on the market and sound great. Also really comfortable for long sessions. Best headset I’ve owned

Good product. Shitty software. Worse customer service. I wish there were more/better options.

Pretty low bar, Sonar is carcinogenic.

To describe the issue more precisely for future readers, it becomes extremely sensitive. Grazing the button is enough for it to flicker on and off, and when fully pressing it, I'll hear several beeps as though the connection was made and severed 3 or 4 times before actuation was completed. Then as the issue progresses, simply shaking your head while wearing the headset is enough for it to set off the mute button, I experienced the first signs of a problem at 18 months with light usage, and the head shake thing for the first time at 25 months. I checked the date of purchase recently is the only reason I remember the time frames lol

I have not bothered reaching out because the warranty is only a year and im well outside of it. I also thought I may have been a one off and wanted to buy another pair, but research reveals that this is a very common issue, I've seen other reddit comments complaining of the same issue almost verbatim. When I took my headset apart to inspect the switch recently I couldn't figure out how to remove the boom reel housing, and watching older disassembly videos showed me that in older models it wasn't on top of the PCB, but it is in the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless. I'm just trying to make sure people are aware of the limited lifespan of the product, considering it's premium pricing. Also, after seeing the inside, it's not surprising to me that these issues would happen considering how flimsy the connections all look.

Idk when your original comment was, but there's a lot of people on this very post complaining about the arctis headset. It wasn't really a personal attack so much as, don't listen because this information is outdated or inaccurate based on the consensus. But I do agree on the last point there, it seems no headset is without fault. Though I don't think I've seen anyone bashing the corsair headsets yet.

I had my arctis novas for 18 months before they started having the issue, but that's a real short lifespan for a 350$ headset.

Steel series arctic nova pro, best headset I have ever owned.

1 year old reddit account, 18 posts. I'd trust him! /s Nova Pro Wireless and Maxwells are top of the competition. Problem is that Maxwells are anecdotally more prone to break.

No easy answer for that. Depends on your use case. I returned the Maxwells and picked up a set of Arctis Nova Pros. I use chatmix a lot so that was pretty much a must-have. I also thought the base station hot swapping batteries was a wanky solution without a problem but it's become another great positive for me to not have to charge my headphones overnight (or whenever they need charging, meaning I'm without headphones for the duration). If battery life isn't a concern AND don't also use the same set of headphones for work and travel AND you don't like the Nova Pros, I'd then recommend the Logitech G X Pro 2 Lightspeed (fuck companies need to make product names easier). They're a solid set of headphones. In addition to their sound performance I really like the look and sturdiness of them but they're a bit tight for my head; if your head is a normal size and you can actually fit into those "one size fits all" caps then I wouldn't see that being a problem. I also wouldn't wear these out and about, they give off too many "I'm cosplaying an air traffic controller" vibes. TLDR; It depends on your use case

The ear pieces are not that hard to get off. My only issue with the batteries is that it can be hard to get them to stay in the charging port without popping off now. When taking the battery off, you have \~8 seconds to pop the new battery back in for it to auto turn back on.

I'm a owner from them since they came out and I use them everyday. Keep in mind I do not use them with sonar anymore and use it on the default settings. I never intended to use the microphone from it as well. Changed the pads too. As they are without the software they are great, I can use my PC as well as my phone connected with them simultaneously and that is awesome to me. The fact that I can swap the batteries and have them reconnect right away is a QoL. Have brought them on a few travels and they are still going strong. Have bad experience with SteelSeries products but these headphones standalone are awesome. Maybe I just got lucky.

They work the same way the Arctis pro for the chat/mix , only thing is that the chat dial is not on the headset anymore. You are going to need to dial that through the DAC. which is a shame and is not as easy. I use mine with Wave Link since I have a stream deck + and have no issues doing that. Better app Imo

That is correct. If you don't mind a few buttons, works in a similar way.

I have recently upgraded. Had Astro A40s and Steelseries Arctis 9x. Wanted to get one headset and be done with it. Was considering the A50x or Nova Pro. Decided the Nova Pro wireless was better suited for me. I love them. Best headset I've ever had. Can connect to my Series X, PC, and phone. Would recommend. Edit: typo

I have Nova Pro Wireless atm and they’re great tbh but moving my PS5 into my game room as well and wanting a headset for each. Maybe move these to my PS5 if there’s a better option. I’ve actually owned every gen of a50s since 2010 until this gen, wanted to try out the nova pros with the very convenient double battery situation

I got the Steelseries Nova Pro Wireless specifically made for Xbox because it is the only headset I can find that offers Transparency mode when using Noise Cancelling. No other headset I could find has transparency mode.

I mainly use the pc. I have an arctis 5 headset and it sounds good and it has not a sign of wear and tear for like 2-3 years. The nova pro has some really really good quality of life features. But if you change the eq in the sonar and apply it in your headset it saves it to the headset okay but does it only change the 2.4 ghz audio with the eq or does it change both bluetooth and 2.4 ghz audio for the eq? Also im kind of worried about the oled screen burn in, does your dac have a screen burn in? Plus i maybe dont need a dac? Cuz i have the sonar app and maybe i can control the settings from there im unsure. Can you kindly show a picture of how the settings look for the arctis nova pro in the steelseries gg app? That would be much appreciated!

I may go for the nova pro.

I personally think the mic on the nova pro are good enough for as it is. I wont be using it for any conference calls or anything just for talking on discord and gaming.

I will be getting the arctis NOVA pro not the arctis 7 or the 9 if you mean that? The arctis nova is the newer series than the original arctis series with a different design and supposedly better sound quality. I have a arctis 5 and im planning to move to the arctis nova pro as the nova pro are their flagship model as of 2024. It has plenty and i mean PLENTY of features in both the gamedac, headset controls and the steelseries gg app. This is a very solid headset IMO. I think i will also be using these for travelling aswell, they seem good for that and the ANC which i doubt is better than a bose headphones but hey it is better than not having ANC.

I'd second these. I've got a pair. I've also got sony wh-1000xm5 and sennheisers. The Arctis nova Pro's with the DAC plus additional battery are comfortable and never run out of juice. Great headphones for work and play. Noice cancelling works well.

First off: great TV! Secondly: you can just use them as-is or look up an EQ profile, it's extremely easy to set up and you'll be ready to go in 2mins max. I would recommend doing this as they sound rather flat from the get-go and you're getting more out of them by using an EQ. Are you talking about the old version (Arctis Pro) or the newer model (Arctis Nova Pro)?

Oh great! Then check out GadgetryTech's video on the EQ to set up, it's really really good.

I got a DT770 Pros in 2020. The only thing I have had to do is replace the ear cushions, and that was $15 and 10 minutes. I did add a wireless mod mic on them and that has been great. It is attached with a magnet so when I'm not using it I can take it off and lose the extra weight. On the other hand I got my son a pair of Steel series Arctis Nova Pros and he has been loving them. They come with an extra battery that charges in the base station so he doesn't have to think about ever running out of battery. They are a bit expensive, but have lasted a long time.

Arctis steel series. I can hear more than my teammates typically with incoming cars etc

This is the best answer. I went steel series arctis until i upgrad

Well, the sonar software is awful and horrendously buggy. And if you don't use it, you don't get spatial, audio, chat mix, etc...but without the software the sound quality is about a 100 dollar headset. And the battery swap feature is poorly implemented. The magnetic caps on the ear pieces are a awkward and tricky to get off when it's on your head, making it impractical to hot swap while gaming/involved in work. PLUS, the headset has no reserve power store to keep it functioning, so it turns off when swapping and you have to turn it back on, which takes 4-5 seconds from pressing the On button. I really regret upgrading to it from the Arctis 7. It's not massively worse, but IMO a waste of money.

Yep, game chat mix rarely works for me. Windows 10 and Windows 11 can't seem to handle the audio drivers, so it never stays your default audio device, so about 9 out of 10 times, you start gaming, realize the chat mix doesn't work and have to go back into sonar and set each individual output stream again to what audio device you want to use, then go back into windows and reset the default audio device, it's infuriating. Half the time, I can't even get the sonar functionality to work at all - no sound unless you tell Windows to just use generic Arctics drives that bypass the sonar feature...this issue persisted through 2 desktop gaming PCs, Win 10 and Win 11. Disappointing.

Isn't the point of hot swapping to be able to switch out batteries on the fly? If I'm waiting until the end of a session it would actually be easier/take less time to just simply plug it in. So the simple "spin" until the magnet disengages/reengages suddenly becomes an irritating chore when the headset is on. It wasn't well thought through design-wise. You spin it, think that incredibly weak magnet has engaged, then 45 second later it drops on the desk. Just an awkard, clumsy design.

IMO if you just want the headset for the sound and are going to use separate Mic, the Nova Pro is a colossal waste of money. You’ll be paying hundreds of dollars for features you don’t need, and the sound quality is “Good” at best. For the price point of a Nova Pro you could get massively better sound quality from a dedicated headset with no mic.

Pick a SteelSeries’s arctis nova that fits your budget. A new budget friendly option came out this week. Personally I have the Nova Pro Wireless which are amazing (but expensive)

i have used a couple Audeze penrose --> Amazing but my ears got sweaty Steelseries Nova pro wireless --> Decent sound. but they hurt my ears Simgot EM6L -> First IEM for gaming. The sound is AMAZING! Best ive heard. No mic though Sony Inzone buds --> These are my current ones. not nearly as good as the IEM. But they are wireless and have a mic.

Ive had the same issue that developed a few months after launch. I just consider it a feature at this point.

Nova pro wireless with Dolby atmos

Yeah I use Dolby atmos and tinker with the EQ settings and really enjoy it with the nova pro headset

I've been using my Steelseries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless which have been great for both noise-cancelling and mic quality although I'm sure there are better quality ones on the market now. The main plus point though is a hot swappable battery which is handy as I use the same headset for gaming - I thought it was gimmicky at first but it has saved me a couple of times when my headset died on a call.

Curious why you find the battery irritating? I think my only annoyance was that a nub (I think for ANC?) dug into my ear if I wore them too long. I usually buy Wicked Cushions earpads (purely for aesthetics) and the custom pads made it no issue as they're a bit thicker. However, I did find it a bit ridiculous to have that kind of issue at that price point. Apparently it doesn't affect everyone, so a bit of a sad realisation that I might have a big head.

I like these too, but i think the battery is irritating. However, the wireless range from the hub is 50-100% further than my AirPod pro 2s

As they age the capacity seemed to decrease a lot, so it’s a bit of a process to ensure they’re charged

I'd go with the Arctis Nova Pro that should do you fine. They usually have great sound and a decent mic

I’m having issues with the chat setting on it. My friends on discord tend to sound normal then very low and it’s a constant thing that is super annoying What are your settings like? Or did you ever have this issue? Otherwise I love the headset

In all fairness, I found this thread because of an annoying feature of the Arctis Nova Pros. With that said, I would note that the quality of the headphones is very good. The problem I have with them is the software and in particular a feature that beeps in my headphones for any notification from my PC. I hate this, but have struggled to find where to even turn it off without completely disabling all notifications (hey look, if it's a phone call, maybe I want to get that, but if it's just telling me a new text or email have come in, I don't.) The software definitely lags the hardware. If simplicity AND quality are your requirements, this probably isn't the right set for you. If you're okay getting a PHD in their user systems, then all is good!

i can’t stand mine. it’s not a fault of the headset, but the software reroutes my devices so royally badly, regardless of uninstalling GG and the relevant drivers, etc, deep in the terminal, that i can’t even use another set of speakers or headphones…. ever…. with my computer. i HAVE to use this headset or sit in silence. it is literally impossible to use anything else because of their damn software.

I LOVE my Nova Pros. Wireless for my computer. Bluetooth for my phone. Two batteries. Spendy as hell tho. Only reason I got it was cause my parents helped me for my birthday.

True! But every once in a blue moon the headset just disconnects and/or starts emitting white noise. This is my second unit because my first one never recovered from a random white noise outburst.

Do you use the transparency mode or the closed back mode? I almost exclusively use the transparency mode which is similar to open back. Wondering if it has something to do with it.

I don’t even use the software. I use Dolby Atmos for tuning.

I'm using the Arctis 9X (including a Dolby Atmos license). First on Xbox, which was fine, but on PC it sometimes has a little cracking sound because of the Xbox wireless protocol. Went and bought the Nova Pro, but in terms of sound quality it was almost the same to me. So for me, it's not worth the 300 dollar price tag. However, if you're using a budget headphone now, I think it's worth the investment!

amazing until they stop working after a year, some of the more unreliable headsets you can buy

As someone who dabbled in the headphones recommendations with a DAC and a separate microphone and then just ended up going with Steelseries 7 and Nova pro. Each headphones is different Gaming headsets focus on noise isolation, comfort , a microphone and software features ( Steelseries has 2 outputs and buttons and knobs that allow you to manage them, i.e I have chat apps going through one output while games go through another with different EQ and a button to mute or lower volumes of one side or the other ) While headphones focus more on sound quality. Being honest I would recommend getting a gaming headset like I did, is not the best of both worlds but is perfect for gaming and long computer usage. But if you don't spend time in discord or don't mind tuning in an external mic etc go for the headphones.

In short they have different purposes. Think of the surround sound you might have for your tv and compare that with the speaker sets used with CD players, cassettes, record players, or even at concerts. In long, gaming headphones are designers to Block out outside noises and provide an accurate surround sound experience, which is great when you have 8 small fans blowing in your pc case and you need to know exactly where the enemy footsteps are coming from so you know where to position yourself. Music headphones are very different in that regard because they dont need to eliminate outside noise as much and they dont need to play from different angles, they instead need to provide a rich and full range so you get a better music quality. Gaming Headphones +Noise Muffling +Surround Sound +Faster Response/Less Lag (Honestly its a indistuingishable difference) +Built in Mic +RGB Lighting Common +Some Brands offer Apps for customization of RGB, programable button, etc -Often Mediocre Sound Quality Music/Audiophile Headphones +Superior Sound Quality +Some Brands/Models offer ANC, which i have never seen in gaming headphones +Some Brands offer Apps with Equalizers and presets -Often provide a Flat or 2 Dimensional sound space Edit 1: Most of these differences wont be that noticeable for everyday use Edit 2: Personally I have separate devices for both purposes, a pair of Steelseries Arctis Nova Pro for when Im gaming and a set of Bose Quiet Comfort 2 Earbuds for music

Me personally I had the worst experience with the nova pro wireless. The sound quality for gaming is horrible, every footstep sounds like it’s coming from all angles instead of directional. Sonar is so buggy and resets my settings all the time and also the volume is way too quiet for my liking. The swappable battery is cool I guess.

For gaming steel series arctis nova pro wireless.

I just got the Nova Pros. I found the range poor compared to my Arctic 7s. There’s a setting where you can adjust the wireless frequency for speed or range. Haven’t tweaked it but just thought I’d point that out as had never seen that on a headset before

Audeze Maxwell and steelseries arctis nova pros are your two best options If you care about competitive games get the nova pros if you care more about music and mainly play story games get the maxwell The nova pro would also probably be better if you play on console and pc because you can have it connected to both and it will just auto switch to whichever one is on Also the nova pro can connect to your phone and you can listen to things on your phone via Bluetooth at the same time as you are playing on your pc listening to ingame audio I personally prefer the nova overall for gaming (the maxwells also have a ton of quality control issues)

I’ve had the nova pro wireless for over a year now and really like them. I’m sensitive to heavy bulky headsets and really enjoy the nova pros, they are wireless and have a lot of good features on them.

I love mine as well. Pricey, but they've been worth every penny!

As others have stated, Audeze Maxwell, but another good option is the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, have had them for about a year and have not disappointed at all, work like a charm

I have this and like it a lot. 1. Love the dual batteries - use one while the other is charging 2. You can connect to Bluetooth while it’s connected to a computer - I listen to music on my phone while it’s connected to my computer. 3. Dual inputs - can connect to my computer KVM as well as PS5

So much this

Sonar just DOESN'T WORK for me. The game and media channels just have no volume. Absurd.

With some simple tuning I did in sonar, that I got from an audiophile on YouTube, it sounds wonderful to me. Music and gaming.  Voice chat (discord etc) is really good and my voice come through much clearer and with nearly no background noise from what I'm told. A big step up from the corsair void wireless i had before.  To me a big selling point is the dock and the changeable battery. Basically never ever run out of battery and when it's low you pop it out, take the one from the dock and without any button presses it just starts up where you left off within seconds.  A second super highlight for me is dual audio with being connected to the pc and also to Bluetooth on my phone. So calls coming in are super easy and the mic is clearer than the phone each time.  Only negative i had, but I was aware of it before my purchase was the ANC dongle in the ear cups, the way it sticks out touches my ear and was an annoyance after wearing the headset for a bit. However I was aware of it and had bought replacement ear cushions (wicked cushions) which were thicker and keeps that ANC nob from touching my ear at all.  So overall I can easy say this is the best headset I ever had for my pc.  Build quality seems very good as well, I'm quite happy with it. But I also don't throw around with my headset, I threat it well and so far haven't seen any wear and tear at all.

The battery swap is so clinch at times :) and the dual audio is great as well :)

I used sonar to fix the settings and tune the audio. And the settings stay on the headset under the custom option, and I haven't had sonar on since the first week.

I'm not sure how to troubleshoot your headset for you:) sorry. And no I haven't had issues like that luckily.

Two votes I love them!

I’ve been using arctis 9x for a few years, love them, but when it’s time replace I’m going nova pro’s. The 9x was a huge step up years ago, and i got several friends now who use them

I have had 3 sets first 2 where arctis pro then went arctis nova pro and I cannot got to headphones that do t have replaceable batteries. My arctis nova pro batteries just expanded and I could buy replacement for 20 bucks. For something where I sit in meetings for 10 hours a day and then can game and able to walk around most my house these headphones are absolute work beasts. I do t think other headphones would last half as long.

I have the Nova Pro Wired, in my opinion they cost way too much for what they offer and don't have ANC (I know some people don't care but to me that's a big minus). The wireless versions have ANC but overall lower sound quality afaik, no clue why the Wired doesn't have it. Also as far as comfort goes they're clamp tight and (this is very subjective) have little room for ears. I upgraded from a Kraken Ultimate set and they feel way worse in most aspects.

Really didn't like it. Quite dull sound imo + USB micro. Still love my Corsair Virtuoso

I had an issue with mine where the mic just stopped working. I tried everything, even on another PC, it just died overnight. Luckily we have good consumer laws, so just took it back to the store and got a replacement on the spot.

The headset I spent $350 on isn't even on the list I don't think. The left side died after 2 years lol. The mic also doesn't work. Guess I see why it's not on the list. Back to the SteelSeries I go wherever I have the money for the pro novas.

On my second because of a firmware issue they introduced months ago (like fucking Feb or March) that caused it to hang when switching USB inputs (Windows to Windows, Windows to Mac, Mac to Windows, Mac to Mac tested). If anyone buys them, get the bestbuy replacement plan and use it often. When someone can point me to a good alternative that has dual connections (two PCs) I will scrap SteelSeries in a heart beat. Also that recommendation can't be Corsair since their software is just as shit.

Nope!  Worse visually despite no compression, as seen below.  Plus, short wire, ringed controllers which are inferior, no speakers so have to plug your ears while being blind to the world.  No MR, no upper body tracking, no hand tracking, mega tiny sweetbspot, and ludicrous mura which completely wastes the oled. “Sony appears to be using some kind of diffusion filter to avoid that. The tradeoff of such a filter is that the image looks somewhat soft, not entirely crisp, so PSVR 2’s image appears slightly less sharp than even LCD headsets with lower resolution. The second, more problematic issue is that there is a non-uniform fixed pattern noise over the entire screen, called mura. It’s incredibly noticeable and distracting in loading and transition scenes, or when looking at a skybox or other low detail region. How much you care about this once you're in a game will vary from person to person, but for me it's always there, and it's arguably worse than the compression artefacts you see in standalone headsets streaming PC VR, negating PSVR 2's on-paper advantage of its lossless image… The fresnel lenses in PSVR 2 have a remarkably small eye box (also known as sweet spot), meaning you have to position your eyes almost perfectly in the center to get a clear image. Outside of this small area, you’ll see both blurring and color fringing (chromatic aberration). That means you'll often spend the first few minutes of using PSVR 2 getting your eye positioning just right, something you don't really have to think about anymore with pancake lenses.” https://www.uploadvr.com/playstation-vr2-pc-adapter-review/

I’ve had my nova pro wireless since release and I’ve had no troubles with it, been my go to from when I was on PS5 and now when I’m on PC

I bought a pair too and i was extremely disapointed with them. I tried to like them but i just couldnt accept that price on that quality. Returned them after 3 days of use.

I didnt enjoy the way they sounded, ANC was basically non-existent and the mic quality was not up to par. They are not really bad but i will not pay 380€ for a pair of headphones im not really satisfied with.

Yep I really couldn't game properly on open backs. Recently got the Steelseries Nova Pro Wireless, ANC is a bit extra unless you're running fans or air conditioning in your room.

I have 2, 4 and 10. Sennheiser for PC, Artic Nova for PS5, and Hyper X for work

I really like the nova pro. However I do have issues with the game va chat channels once in a while.

I’ve been rocking the Steelseries Arctis wireless headphones since XSX launch day and they are still going strong after 4 years of heavy daily use. https://preview.redd.it/cu27k04b3ewd1.png?width=1722&format=png&auto=webp&s=7ccc4a2d0e5b776a9a1314b937ed58560f805fe4

Hey, also a SS Arctis Nova Pro Wireless customer, do not buy this product. For a 300 euro piece of hardware this headset is pretty comfortable and well built, but that is where the praise ends. There are some serious issues in SS as a company in terms of firmware/software, I won't act like I know my shit here because I don't, but as a customeer this is insane. First of all, I have the X version for XBOX, I have bought them few months ago. My issue is that when playing 2 audio sources, when I pause the second one, the first one mutes completely (but keeps playing), I cannot describe how fucking annoying this is. Its unironically impacting my work I do too because I often have to go trough a lot of media. I have tried using them on both a M1 Mac and a Win10 laptop from 2020. BOTH had this issue. You know something is very wrong and they have no clue what to do when their response was: "It seems that it could just be a Bluetooth compatibility limitation between the specific Bluetooth device system that is connected to (Mac, Windows, iPhone). All the devices connect to the headset via bluetooth but their bluetooth functionalities may be different." I have searched a bit and it seems there are other people having a similar issue with much older posts than this comment. This is a 300 euro pair of headphones that is advertised as working with BT and 2.4Hz connections, console versions using the 2.4Hz on console and BT for anything else. So they are telling me that this fucking headset doesn't work with a modern Windows10 system? Seriously? This was the final bullet in the chamber for me, previous one was on Arctis 9s which had weird robotic screeching and static play often on its ONCE AGAIN BT connection. Yes, I did try other wireleess headset and they work fine on my devices. SS software and firmawre is one of the worst I have seen in the industry, Logitech is really fighting for the sowftware title though. I am definitely never buying anything from this brand again, into the shitter you go, together with Logitech.

My main problem with Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is that they have a ton of features but don't sound like anything special. While the wired version does. This was the case on the previous version too.

Just for a time reference too, my first pair was received Dec 2023 and broke by Feb 2024. The next pair that replaced those broke in May 2024, which was replaced again and is now breaking once again. As you can see, each pair lasts about 4-8 months before the mute button breaks

That’s what blows my mind about it, I’m not sure if this is a common defect or what. I actually even set up my discord to have a hot key to mute that way so I use the button less and still the same issue

It’s absolutely ridiculous! Not to mention all the issues with the GG software now. Half the time it says it can’t route my audio and I have to use my base PC audio, it’s really disappointing

I personally chose the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless for my PS5, and it’s been a solid pick for streaming and gaming. The audio quality is crisp, and the mic captures my voice well, which makes for clear communication during intense sessions.

I second this! I came from an Arctis 5 wired and the difference in sound is a total game changer. Going wireless, having ANC, and swappable batteries is a huge plus. They are almost comparable to my Bose headphones

Hi there, I literally JUST changed out my Steelseries Arctis 7 this week, so this post caught my eye. I am assuming by your budget, that you are using the wired version. I am using the wireless version. But I loved my Arctis 7's, they had just gotten aged with wear and tear so it was time to replace. I stayed with Steelseries (since I also have an Apex Pro keyboard and am used to the driver software now), and I went with the Arctis Novo Pro. I couldn't be happier, I love them. I instantly heard a difference in them over my Arctis 7s. Like, instantly, I heard differences in the surround field that I had not been hearing in the 7s, and in the first game I brought up I was hearing ambient sounds that I have never heard before, same game, no changes other than switching from the 7 to the Novo Pro. Just thought I'd let you know my experience since I had steelseries also.

I have the Nova Pro and had the Acrtis Pro Wireless before, they are some of the most amazing headsets I have owned.

I just picked up steelseries arctis nova pros, but tarkov audio sucks so just pick your budget and do your research to find what the best headset is in that range

For anyone coming back late, I've had 3 pairs of these: Arctis 7x, Arctis Pro Wireless, and Arctis Nova Pro Wireless. If you're looking between the two pros I really recommend the Nova, even with the price bump. I loved the Arctis 7x and had them for over 5 years. I tried replacing them with the Arctis Pro Wireless but after three weeks I ended up returning them. Issues included constant white noise, poor bluetooth range, crackling noises on every connection, and an uncomfortably tight fit. The Arctis Nova Pro was $120 more but so much better in every way, it feels totally worth it. It's super comfortable, has a smaller profile than the Arctis, and has a better bluetooth range. Most importantly it's completely silent: for the Arctis Pro I was part of the minority who heard the white noise and it drove me crazy, but the Nova is as silent as a pair of Airpods. Other improvements like the mic, build material, and replaceable batteries were all great too.

I have the nova pro wireless and it’s amazing. R: it has ANC which is great for immersion but terrible for hearing your surroundings

They're one of the best out there for sure. You really can't go wrong.

These are such petty complaints, lol. And you still get spatial without using Sonar. I don't think you know what you're talking about.

I bought a pair with 3rd party earcups on Black Friday 2023. Everything has held up since then, really easy use, easy to transition between devices and bluetooth for your phone. You can get better audio quality and mic quality, not that these are bad at all, they're still really nice, for the convience these offer I honestly see the sacrifice as worth it. My favorite part of them are the swappable batteries. I never have to worry about how much charge I have, and when they die I can just swap it in under 10 seconds and continue with gaming. They also have good compatability with other devices. Sonar for PC is insane and being able to hookup with bluetooth with your phone is nice. It's for really certain situations, but being able to hear game audio while on a phone call comes in clutch when you need it lol. I'd recommend them if you have the money

Hey I'm so sorry but I have to ask. What headsets would anyone recommend with huge heads. I got the arctis Nova and stealth gen 3 700 and both hurt my head bigtime. Use Sony XM5s currently.

I use the arctis nova pro wireless. Pretty awesome

Have u tried the nova pro wired? I just ordered one it should arrive tomorrow, but I'm low-key having buyers remorse and doubting if it was the right thing to do. I also have a apex pro tkl gen 2, and a aroax 5 mouse. Which is why I ultimately chose the novas, mainly to only have 1 software open doing it all.

I ended up getting an insane deal on the wired version for just $100—brand new, sealed and everything. The seller got it as a birthday gift but didn’t know how much they’re actually worth. They’re not into over-ear headphones and prefer IEMs, so they just underpriced it lol. Tried it a bit today, and yeah, they’re really good—way better than my old Arctis 3s. Only issue I’m having now is that I use SignalRGB to sync my room’s LED lights with my keyboard and mouse (*don’t have any RGB PC parts*), so it all has a cozy, in-sync vibe. But since I need to use Sonar, I straight-up can’t run SignalRGB at all because it clashes with GG. I was hoping there’d be a workaround, but people have been complaining about this for like three years. I even tried disabling the Prism engine so it wouldn’t control the lights, but SignalRGB still won’t work. It’s honestly so frustrating.

I feel as a Steelseries user, I need to elaborate on this. Some big issues with their headsets and 1 positive 1. The sound quality is cheap and nothing like any review states. I've had my Arctis Nova Pro's for around 1.5 years. I had a pair of $150 Sony headphones that sounded 100% better than the Nova Pro's. Nova Pro's are $400 headset up in Canada and they sound like a pair of $100 headphones. 2. There seems to be some issues with connection every once in a while. Gets all blurbly and static at times. Very disturbing and distracting while playing. 3. The quality build on the Nova Pro's is great. I threw them once time across the room very hard and they didn't break at all. So they get a very very good durability score.

Same worked for me. I love my Novas.

Best sounded is the Audeze Maxwell. It’s Planar drivers which are superior to Dynamic drivers. However, they are HEAVY, and even after I added extra headband padding, and new ear pads, they still felt weighty. Just got the A50x Astros, and comfort wise they’re far better, but they also come both lifetime Atmos for gaming so you don’t need to pay for a pass, the Audeze do too, but have the weight issue. I also find out of all the headsets I’ve tried, they’re the closest to sounding like the Maxwells. The mic is decent too. I recently sent back the V2 Pro, the mic was GREAT, but the sound was quite muffled, and I couldn’t find a perfect EQ for things like Rainbow Six. Arctis Nova Pro, just don’t get, ear cups are tiny, mic is pretty poor and build quality is badddd.

I’ve been through loads recently. Here’s a brief rundown (all ran on my Xbox): Audeze Maxwell - Best sounding, not a single other dedicated gaming headset comes close. However the weight really puts strain on your neck after a while. The mic was also not the best Arctis Nova Pro (wired and wireless) - Just not good, for the price anyway. Sound was ok, mic was ok, ear cups were too small, the eq on the dac didn’t make a big enough impact to the sound to make it useful. Very light however Razor Blackshark V2 Pro - Comfy, sounded ok, mic was phenomenal, looks were nice. However for the price again, just doesn’t offer anything special, and the eq was similar to the issues the Nova Pro had DT 900 Pro X (with mod mic) - VERY comfy, fantastic soundstage, very detailed, look very nice. However non existent bass (for immersive games and games like battlefield would be nice to have), and the mic was just ok. Overall from these choices the best value (bar the next one on the list) Astro A50x - Never had a pair before cause I thought the price was just not worth it, however I am stunned. Comfort is phenomenal, sound is next level especially for competitive games, the eq works fantastically, the mic is great. And the free Dolby Atmos you get with it is fantastic for immersive games, and even when using standard stereo sound, the bass is great whilst leaving the treble for footsteps still great If you’re on PC alone, I’d say go for DT 900 Pro X and get a proper USB mic, however if you’re on PC and console, the a50x is a no brainer, the ability to switch inputs to determine what is shown on your screen is fantastic. And the audio switches to that specific source straight away.

I will add my own reason to not buy these if you have any 2.4 ghz device in the same room will cause these to have a static issue constantly I have gone through two also the nipple in the headphones stick out so much they hurt my ears had to buy thicker ear pads

Ignore the studio suggestions, most of them aren't meant for gaming/won't be utilized the way a $300 GAMING headset would be. The Steel series Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is the perfect use of $300

2.4ghz adapter is better. Hated my SteelSeries Arctis 9x over Xbox wireless. Love my SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro wireless over the adapter/base station. Playing on an Xbox Series X.

I just got the nova pro wireless as a gift, overall decent headset but the mic sidetone is AWFUL, and ANC was ok. almost non existent. Sidetone is a big must for me, so now I’m torn between the A50x and the Maxwell

So I play on PC as my main and Xbox sometimes. 90% of my gaming is talking with friends. I just got the nova pro wireless, Audio is decent but not great for bass and gunfire, mic is decent, the mic sidetone is AWFUL. And that is a must for me since I’m always talking and having game volume high. Now I’m looking at the A50x or Audeze. Which one would you prefer for the best all around immersive games and competitive games like CoD?

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless or HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless would be great picks. Both are comfy, have onboard controls, and solid audio quality.

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless offers top-tier sound, dual batteries, and a retractable mic. Razer BlackShark V2 Pro is lightweight with great audio. HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless has an incredible 300-hour battery. Logitech G Pro X Wireless is a solid upgrade from the G933. Astro A50 Wireless has a charging dock and great sound.

SteelSeries artic nova pros. Had the Astros before that and they were nice too

I also had a RMA within the 1st year cause of the mute button - funny

In my opinion, SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is the king of gaming headsets IMO. The sound quality is incredible, thanks to the high-fidelity drivers and customizable EQ. The active noise cancellation is a huge plus for immersive gaming, and the dual battery system means you’ll never run out of juice mid-session. It’s pricey but worth it if you want premium features.

It is on the headset. You have to "click" or push down the volume wheel, and then as for the volume, up or down for chat/game.

Just read the above response. You can do it by pushing down the volume wheel on your headset, and then adjust the chat/game volume as if you were using the volume.

Same here, 4 years and 100% best headset I’ve owned. If anyone’s in the market for a wireless headset these are a no brainer. If I still played as much as I did before I’d consider upgrading to the nova pros too

Definitely not. If you want a good competitive headset I would just get a TB stealth pro, if you want something that’s mainly great for music I would get a Maxwell, and if you want something that’s just a good all rounder I would get an A50x or Nova pro wireless. All of those are cheaper as well.

I got on on release and work and sounds good, though I had to replace the padded ear cuffs as the old one wore out with how much I wore them. Got it synced to my PC with the Microsoft XBox Wireless Adapter and my Switch using Bluetooth and can do both at the same time. I didnt like it synced to my XBox One here as every time I turned it on for anything it also turned my Xbox on as well.

Mines haven’t had a problem when I got them but then again I just recently got them for much cheaper. So far they’ve been fine, but I doubt that the same outcome will happen.

Also agree with steeleseries arctis nova pro. Wires and you can run your phone via Bluetooth and the headset to your pc at the same time. Have tunes on while gaming. They sound amazing. Very good at hearing where things are and like mentioned having two batteries you can hot swap as needed so they are always ready to go. The base station functions as a charging base.... plus there are lots of aftermarket parts to customize them to your flavor.

Well thanks for the response, but the fact that a headset this expensive has crackles and a bunch more problems is a big turn down. My old arctis pro lasted me soooo long, and I really wanted the same quality with a new one, but seeing the quality issues with this headset and how often they appear, honestly I might just drop SS and search for another brand.

The fact that you have to use sonar to achieve the full power of the headset is so bad, an app that hardly works is probably the biggest reason for this headset to “be bad”

The thing for me is that a 350 dollar headset shouldn’t be making clicking or pitched sounds. I can and will spend my money if necessary, but I want to be absolutely certain that the product will work as intended

Is it really a plus if it has as many problems as advantages? And I use discord A LOT, so my mic not working is a big problem

Damn even better, after reading all this comments I’m leaning towards buying it again. If I need anything answers I’ll ask you. thanks! This actually helped me a lot

I got the nova pro and it’s the best headset I’ve ever had! Plus it’s just so practical to be able to just charge an extra battery. The only thing that I did was change the EQ, I use the gadgetry tech one

Sonar works perfectly and have no problems at all. The only problem is its ear pads but you can change them when they ruined. Wicked Cushion are so good you can Google it.

Yes the Arctis nova pro are amazing, the default ear pads suck tho, I ordered some cooling gel ear pads, and ordered a battery upgrade pack, btw if someone is thinking on getting them, get the white ones, I feel like the black ones you can see every single piece of fuss and fingerprint, the whites looks way better too

I’ve owned both and would say nova pro is better in almost every way. Build quality is superior and audio sounds fuller with more bass. I would say both were really comfortable. I have a large head as well and found both versions amazing for comfort. I also wear glasses. HOWEVER, arctis pros are like $139 in the US right now. That’s a massive price difference. If money is tight, the arctis pros are a steal.

Well thats good to know. I'm going to check them out online and see some reviews. I love my Nova Pro Wireless X's but I'd like to have some earbuds as well.

Shittest headset ever!!! Mine updated and it’s completely fucked everything up I have to mess about with the setting every single time I turn my pc on I swear I wish I never spent so much money on this piece of shit

I’m currently on here trying to sort mine out but can’t get it done. Swear I wish I NEVER bought this and stuck with Razer

I can’t verify this on console but the arctis nova pro on pc , with sonar is incredible . Amazing immersion and the audio is pinpoint on footsteps and their direction  . The only thing better is using artiswar audio Tuning on pc , which will make your game sound like shit but it’s the equivalent to audio wall hacks imho - and probably should be considered cheating .  I’m sick of people cheating constantly on pc , so I’ve switched to a ps5 and sold my 5k dollar gaming rig - I love being able to turn cross play off and only have to deal with strike pack / Cronus type cheats “even though that’s still vile “ it’s nothing compared to blatant wall hacks and aimbot with cross play enabled !

I use artis nova pro and I love them. They have seperate setups for audio and gaming. I like deep house so bass and treble are important which I get when listening to say SoundCloud or Spotify, but I also like mil Sim games so directional sound is important. I get both of these from the steel series software. I'm sure lots of other headsets have the same sort of options, just got shop around find which one suits your needs best.

I had my 7s since 2018. 6 years seems decent for a battery - the battery gave out. I could have repaired them, but picked up Arctis Nova Pros for my birthday. I’m really enjoying them so far. I can go from my pc to ps5 by just switching the receiver to a different usb. You can also connect it to Bluetooth devices, so it can be used as soundproof headphones for the airplane or whatever. PS5 3d sound is fantastic.

To keep it simple, buy once, cry at the credit bill and then forget because it works well without any BS and as I said below, having capability of receiving both console (wireless) audio AND Bluetooth...literally eye opening plus the mic is great for calling even on the train or out of the gaming den https://steelseries.com/gaming-headsets/arctis-nova-pro?srsltid=AfmBOorpC6BfhfaS6xlaM_e9Ni7Eaard4kcUQp-QoLU8niyBD7wGdUPG No problems, can game audio whilst on phone call and as soon as my end calls my mic switches back yo psn party chat I do have yo unplug and replug the dac because the mic is low sensitivity, but once rebooted, it's back to normal. I cringe, yes, but it's a sony problem The range of wireless and Bluetooth can reach through 3 stories of my house (attic yo kitchen and front door) ANC is nice, not heavy, and mic can be pushed in flush And honestly, the most convenient, literally able to reload the headset battery (2 come with box) and charge in DAC or just USB C to headset I also recommend using USB c to C for the dac. The bandwidth is a noticeable difference

I agree but the earcups for me are a but small personally. Other than that they are awesome.

Still good. I wish I would’ve known they were making a refresh with the white version before I bought the originals but I’ve been rocking the originals on all of my platforms with zero issues.

Steelseries Arctis Nova Wireless Pro. It's quite expensive but the sound quality is phenomenal.

No, for whatever reason they don't work right with the aux connection.   But unless you're planning to play the portal outside of your house, it doesn't matter. The wireless range on the DAC (which is plugged into the PS5) is great -- I just connect the headset directly to the PS5 and I can go anywhere in my house including my basement and the signal doesn't cut out at all. For times when I travel with my Portal, I use the Pulse Explore, just because they're compact and connect flawlessly directly to the Portal. The sound quality is not nearly as good as the Steelseries but eh, it works.

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless. Swappable always charging batteries is mandatory for me.

As an good exigent user and player, I have to say you that I passed liked 2 months comparing and reading every single chat about them, as you I use every day Discord because , I play competitive (it’s important to me can hear every single things in game ). I’m going to say you why you must buy this headphones : 1- The feature that you can change just the battery while the other is charging it’s AMAZING, you will never use more cables. 2- You can play in you PC while hearing or answer your phone , instagram simultaneously. 3- A lot of videos on YouTube they say that the microphone you heard not too good , (that’s absolutely fake , it was my principal fear , because I use every day discord , and my friends can hear me very good) 4- Sound Quality is very good, with the software you can have infinitive settings to hear what you want to hear. Highly recommend you , I play competitive battlefield 2042 and counter strike. https://preview.redd.it/ubu6u1b72e1d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=97a86438f8a2b88bcf34e2424499eece5f15c107

I don’t have any problems with them , even in Sonar as people says here , don’t have problems . Instead with Sonar you can set your headphones really good as you want (in my case it took few hours to set as I want in competitive games) . Answer what ever you want I can answer you about it

If you read every comment on internet you will always complains about what ever you can buy … It was my case , and I bought them and tried with my own hands … do it , you will like

It’s solid for music, though that’s it’s shining point, and there’s a few better gaming headsets for that. I’d still consider it at the top of the heap for gaming, especially if you need toptier spatial audio.

2 years, no issue….I would absolutely recommend them to someone….I wouldn’t say they’re perfect, but it really sounds like you have the worst luck ever.

They’re definitely not good enough to be streaming, but for day to day game use, I’ve been told plenty of times the mic sounds solid…. At this point, with noise filters built into so much, the best mics out their aren’t really necessary, and they remain solid, as far as gaming headsets are concerned.

The qc was terrible last gen,…. The batteries aren’t a steelseries issue. All these companies outsource them, and the lithium polymer commonly used are very inconsistent. With no issues, 2-5 years seems to be the average, but many have failed prematurely. Alot of companies going to lithium ion, nova pros included, should, in theory, be more reliable.

I had an Arctic Pro Wireless and it was just fine, but the Nova Pro has those issues too. Still love the features and the in headset Bluetooth audio mixing which is why I still use it

I bought a set recently, the wireless kept disconnecting 3-4 times a day. Got too annoying for me so returned and got the HyperX Cloud III Wireless instead. Sound quality is pretty much the same, the battery life is MUCH longer, I've had no disconnection issues and was about 1/2 the price. The only thing the Actis had that was better is the comfortability. The HyperX's cans are a bit more narrow but I can deal with that for the performance and price.

While that spiel is generally true, there are enthusiasts (like myself) that have and still buy "gaming headphones." Not all of them are terrible, although most are -- hence the stigma. If you want the best wireless gaming headset on the market right now, the easy recommendation is the Audeze Maxwell. The Maxwell isn't just the best gaming headset, but is a genuinely solid wireless headphone in its own right, and the best entry-level planar on the market. It competes with some of my higher-end, dedicated planars as a critical listening/reference headphone (out of the box). There are caveats: It's heavy and bulky. I'd recommend getting the CapraAudio comfort strap to improve comfort; it distributes the weight more evenly and reduces discomfort from heat buildup. The microphone (and sidetone) is subpar and should be replaced with a Modmic wireless later on down the road if you want better quality. I use the default mic, but I'm likely in the minority and simply don't care too much about how I sound, so long as I'm being heard. That is one of only two wireless headsets I would recommend. I've tried most of the other options, including the other "premium" models from Steelseries, Razer, Corsair, etc. None of them are worth the asking price. The Steelseries Nova Pro Wireless isn't quite a dumpster fire (and Sonar is about as close as a gaming company has gotten to developing a parametric EQ), but you're overpaying for the quality of that headset. The second set is probably out of your budget range, which is the Master & Dynamic MG20. It competes with the Maxwell's sound quality, is more comfortable, and has some additional benefits. There are QC issues with this set (like the Maxwell), so just be sure to test it thoroughly before your return/exchange window closes. It is an excellent headset, and was my go-to before the Maxwell and VZR Model One. If he wants to reconsider remaining on a wired setup, the FiiO FT1 coupled with the Meze Boom Mic cable is pretty much my go-to for single-player games. It's a $150 set that competes with headphones many times its price, and the Meze boom mic is a perfect fit and sounds great. You can also take a look at the VZR Model One (wired), the Simgot EM6L or Supermix 4 with a Kinera Ruyi/Gramr cable (wired). Most audio enthusiasts will steer you away from gaming headsets, and I think for a lot of people the best recommendation is a good, dedicated headphone with a separate mic, or a pair of IEMs. But even as an enthusiast, sometimes I just want a single solution, with a single cable or wireless option, with all the buttons and features I would expect from a gaming headset -- in other words, I get it.

These I hear can break easily. The pro wireless are metal. And don't leave stuff on the ground for God's sake. And keep liquids away from them. And kids. The audio the maxwells get isn't worth the metal price tag with plastic holding it together. My arctis nova pros are the best headset I've ever had. I've tried turtles, xboxs one, Astros. By far for the win.

Presume the Nova Pro Wireless. Are the new Arctis Pro Wireless? Mine are finally dying out, and I love the hot, swappable batteries and how far they can transmit.

I have a pair of pc38x that I was happy with, however since they are open they let in sound so when my setup was moved to a louder environment I longed for something more closed and also wireless. So I tried multiple different ones, the Steelseries Nova pro wireless had good sound after some tweaking but I found them on the smaller side and a bit uncomfortable. The Audeze maxwells were great sounding, however quite heavy and very big cups. Eventually I came across a very good deal on some of the new Astro A50s that I had previously dismissed because durrhurr astros bad. Pleasantly surprised by the comfort and for a non audiophile they sound good, not like the audezes of course but good. So if you want wired in a more quiet environment, the pc38xs are great, I did have to put mine clamped on the box to loosen them for about a week or two since the clamping force was very high. If you want wireless, best advice I can give is try some and return them if you dislike them. I recommend Astro A50s wholeheartedly tho EDIT: Forgot to say, mic is very good on the pc38x and Astro a50. The audezes ended up being quite good after some tweaking in a third party eq software. Tweaked the steelseries too and the mic sounded better after some tweaking. Havent tweaked the astros or pc38x at all, good out of the box for me

Arctis Nova Pros are very good, once you update the DAC it even puts a PUBG audio preset on there for you so you don’t have to mess about making your own. I’d avoid Astros completely, they didn’t keep up with the competition. And don’t use Dolby Atmos, it’s ass for PUBG.

Standalone microphone and headphones is always the better option for sound quality, however the Nova Pros are a really great headset if you're looking for a comfier/more mobile solution. I'm still a big fan of DT770s, but The FT1s are also very very good.

im sorry to hear. ive had mine for over 2 years now, no issues, still works flawlessly never had to warranty them. but being careful with them are key, wich i would expect you would be with a 350 dollar headset. im still super satisfied with mine. and in games like Escape from Tarkov, the Steelseries GG software is brilliant, i hear sooooo much more than i did before i got them ( sounds in that game is super important ). I upgraded from the Steelseries arctis pro wireless to the Nova Pro wireless

I swaped my Maxwell for the Arctis Nova Pro, not regretting !

Before the Maxwell I had a Arctic 7. I wanted and Upgrade, everyone was saying the Maxwell was the best. After 2 months I’ve decided to get the Nova Pro and sell the Maxwell. Maxwell issues : - Range (loosing connection walking in my really small apartment) the Arctic never lost connection - after loosing connection, taking a good 20 seconds to reconnect back (even though it sometimes changed the mic in discord) - Really heavy and big (Niva Pro feels way better on the head) - Software, the software really suck, no warning for the battery level, annoying to lower sounds between games/discord, crashing,… Nova Pro works fine without headset - The pads are isolating to much and make you sweaty after less than 30min It’s still a great sounding headset, I just felt like I fixed all of these issues passing to the Nova Pro wich is a cheaper choice. Oh and finally the swapable battery is literally the best thing, never connecting a cable in middle of a game.

I also have the Arctis Nova pro wireless. The best headphones by far I've ever owned. Sound quality is amazing, SS Sonar is fantastic, and I can go for a Sunday jog and still not lose connectivity. I mean not that far, but I can move around my house and not miss a beat.

I really enjoy the Steel Series Arctis Nova Pro set I picked up on a open box deal from Amazon for under $200. The GG sonar program allows you to customize every app's sound quality along with a virtual mixer for different games. Batteries are cheap \~ $15 for a 2 pack to double or triple your mAh capactiy (longer play time). It's been awesome for the month i've had mine and is able to connect to xbox/ps5 at the same time as your PC and can have dual-channel audio going on at the same time.

Not worth the money at all. Returned it after using it for a few days when it was on Black Friday sale. Footsteps are terrible, and everything is muffled regardless of which eq setting you use.

Had mine a few months after launch and no issues with them what so ever

Arctis Nova Pro Wireless. Superb headset.

I know the price tag seems steep to most, but I had the first set and it lasted me 5+ years, still going, and now a friend has them. Battery life is main reason i upgraded to newest version, and also noise cancelling. Sound quality, Sonar, and tweak-ability is what makes these so great. Oh, and the fact that it's basically a wireless headset that never dies bc you can just swap battery on the fly.

Huh. That’s strange. Not an issue over here.

But do buy these. They’re awesome

The nova pro wireless. I don’t think they had “nova” in the previous version but they both sold/sale at $300+.

I mix it up depending on whether my gf is in the room watching some on the tv or talking on her phone/headset vs when it’s just me in here alone.

My original pair of Pros are still going, batteries just don’t last 20+hours a piece anymore but they’re replaceable. Gifted them to my friend. Going strong for 6+ years. wanted the news ones just cause.

What? I constantly use my mute button. On my older set of Pros and on this new version, the Novas. I have zero issue with its location or its functionality. I’m honestly lost as to how someone would/could break this headset using the mute button? I mute often, as I game in the same room with my gf…

I love my Artis nova pro wireless. Best headset I’ve owned and only a couple of complaints. Sometimes they disconnect and make this ear shattering screech (very rarely probably like 5 times in the 2-3 years I’ve owned them) and sometimes when you put the battery back into the charging dock, it shuts down and needs to be reconnected.

I just got mine like am hour ago and they sound horrid, I've been listening to wh1000xm5s for a while and they just don't compare

Boggles my mind how this is the only headset with batteries like this. I think the headset itself is mid but I absolutely cannot go back to a different way of handling charging.

I made the switch from Corsair Virtuosos to Steel series attic nova pros and it was night and day in audio quality. Also the mic seemed to be better if you need it. By far the best selling point was having the ability to easily swap batteries. I used my Corsair headphones so much that the battery no longer lasted a work day and swapping the battery in those was a little too risky for me to do myself. The pho surround sound is a lot better with the steel series when gaming. I know it’s a ways away but if you’re willing to wait for a Black Friday deal you should be able to get them for under $300. I believe I got mine $75 off and that was 2 years ago.

at first i was very happy. now i got micro-sound-stutters every now and then. i dont really know why.

For me, it doesn't occasionally reroute. It does it EVERY TIME I turn on my Wacom Cintiq or an Intel Update happens and the speakers are updated. But it NEVER automatically routes to the fucking headphones that came with it... Every. Single. Time I turn it on, I have to route the channels to the headphones manually.

If music is a bit of a primary focus I'd say go Maxwell, if you know how to EQ and want to use Sonar. Then Nova do get good quality sound.

I think if I were to ever recommend any tech products, especially one with a couple hundred bucks price tag. I'd keep a "mission first" mindset. I love my Nova pro's wireless, and I feel they're worth every penny. The Nova's are really a feature forward headset, and if the person asking is looking for a lot of features at that price range, then I would definitely recommend them. That said, I feel most people over buy when it comes to tech in general. From most of the posts I've read, most people are really only looking for 3 things sound quality, battery life, and comfort. Does the Nova pro wireless cover that? Yes, imo it does in spades, though I'd argue that when you get into certain price points, you're also looking for nuance as well. I'll agree with the original post. I'm not a fan of their ANC, but the other issues I've never run to myself and enjoy the features they packed in. But i saw enough posts to mention it to people who ask about the cons. Who would I recommend these headsets to PC gamers, multiplat (consoles) players, people with family obligations, or who is sensitive to "ANC pressure" and highly competitive FPS gamers.

Steelseries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless Swappable batteries, Bluetooth and 2.4GHz connectivity simultaneously, noise cancelling, the works. I own one and love it. A friend bought it on my recommendation and loves it. As do 2 other friends, and a former summer fling.

I haven't had this issue myself. Mine is with battery charging and battery connection at times, but haven't had a need to replace/return, thankfully.

Iv had my wireless Arctis Nova Pros for about 2 years now and I didn't even know there was a nub until I read this post. Headphone comfort is incredibly subjective. All comes down to individual anatomy. I have an unhealthy amount of headphones both wired and wireless from a wide range of prices and crazy enough, My Wireless Arctis Nova Pros are my daily driver because of how comfortable they are to use. They sound good enough for competitive gaming for me but also have some really nice daily-use QOL stuff like the Bluetooth phone mix-in to main and the hot-swappable battery.

I have those too. I use them to watch tv or play games on PS5. I like that you could either use them with the 2.4ghz wireless, and/or Bluetooth. The thing is I already owned production, and DJ headphones. I just needed something wireless for gaming, and I think they’re perfect for gaming.

Mine does the multiple beeps but always mutes. I always do a little blow into the mic to make sure I can't hear it. Been that way for a few months, but I've probably pressed it thousands of times by now

I've had mine for just over two years working flawlessly. I'm just starting to get an issue with the mute toggle, where it will beep multiple times when pressing it, but it will mute/unmute fine. Other than that, the ear cups are starting to peel. I think they were a solid investment.

Steel Series Arctis nova pro without a doubt

I moved from Arctis 9X to Nova Pro. I'm using this neutral EQ (with bass boosted, both 31 and 62Hz at +3dB): https://i.rtings.com/assets/pages/6NAt1PKy/custom-eq-engine-large.jpg

Steelseries artic nova pro wireless. Got mine from CEX. Was brand new practically and half then price new.

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is one of the best for sound quality, comfort, and having swappable batteries for long gaming sessions. the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless offers incredible battery life and solid audio balance. The Logitech G Pro X Wireless is another great pick with good comfort and onboard audio controls. Since he's sensitive to sudden loud sounds, a headset with good EQ customization, like the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro (2023), might help balance things out.

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless (best overall, dual batteries), Astro A50 Wireless (great surround sound), Razer BlackShark V2 Pro (lightweight, THX audio), Corsair Virtuoso RGB XT (premium build), and Logitech G Pro X Wireless (comfortable, well-balanced sound). Arctis Nova Pro Wireless or BlackShark V2 Pro are best for avoiding extreme volume spikes.

I just picked it up last week, and I like it a lot. They're not the best headphones in the world, and the sound quality is okay. It seems to be better with the ANC turned on. My favorite thing about them so far is how comfortable they are compared to my last headset. They're very light and not too bulky like some other gaming headsets. I also love that you can hot swap batteries and is pretty much the main reason I bought it. I hated charging my old headset because I had to be wired into the computer. To sum it up, sound is okay but they're very convenient and comfortable headphones. The price is the main drawback. They should be more like $200 max.

I have both I just wanted something different not wear big headset all the time but I'll just return them and keep using my nova pro wireless

Really they changed it one 2024 version ? I had one from 2022 and it hurted my ear a lot ! I may try to buy a 2024 version ! If I buy it on Amazon how can I Check that its the new one (after have bought it, I can return if its previous one)

Don't mess about I've been through this rabbit hole many many times. The best sounding headset is the HD560S with a good EQ and mod mic. But it's wired. The best wireless headset without question is the SS Arctis Nova Pro. The features comfort and sound all hit very good if not best in class. Try watching some Gadgetry Tech videos and I HIGHLY recommend his custom wicked cushions absolute game changer. Mic isn't great but meh. It works

Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is a little pricey but worth every penny. Excellent headset.

if it ever breaks and you decide to upgrade to nova pro, dont. some more/better features, way worse sound overall, a little better bass though

I've had mine for 2 1/2 years now and they work good still. Occasional software bugs but nothing game breaking. Now the arctis pro wireless... man I broke 3 pairs of those, they were breaking almost every year

On mine the mute button doesnt actually work. It like raises the threshold required or something. My friend could hear me. Im very disappointed in the quality of build in steel series. For how expensive they are they should be perfect and not wear out so quickly

Software works fine?? Maybe user?

Yeah I guess if you are a bit of an audio freak it pushes you into their ecosystem, you can run steel series software with sonar disabled but kind of defeats the purpose. I actually find since I use the Nova's + Logitch(crap) speakers that I have zero issues of it just working. Headset turned off, audio plays through speakers, no need to touch anything. Currently they're the only company that makes swappable batteries on their wireless headset though and I'm never using anything wired again. There is definitely a decent step between good advice and overkill. I doubt many people would really care or know the difference between your setup and a nova headset for 1/3 of the price. I've used all the wireless steelseries over their releases from the original and this one is actually the best in terms of improvements(the original headset was actually not bad in terms of sound quality but poorly built. The Arctic's I found to be the worst). The software was one of the bigger upgrades believe it or not for the Nova release. Now fireware updates happen seemlessly and they actually have a reasonable equalizer. The noise cancellation is average but "OK" for their first go at it.

Well, what you also need to consider is not many people care about all that. And yes, for most solutions you do need an amp/dac. Sure there are 80 ohm headsets that can be run straight from the onboard sound, but if you really want to experience the sound Sennheiser/Beyerdymamic/AT, etc. are known for you’re going to need a dac/amp because most require 120+ ohms which a motherboard just cannot push. Personally I agree with going the non-gaming route, because after these two headers I’m gonna invest in a pair of DT770’s, and still researching amp/dac, and I’m not going to bother with a mic since I don’t chat with people online. But for most folks who want plug and play, gaming headsets, namely ones like the HyperX Cloud 3, Razer Blackshark, or other solutions $120 are the best value for their needs. There’s them the more expensive solutions that are tuned specifically for what people need from a gaming headset. Sure, they’re not going to match the overall quality HD600’s, or DT770/990’s, but they’re also not just RGB plastic junk either.

Well, things to take into consideration is the sound signature, comfort, noise isolation, convenience, sound stage, imaging, etc. AT isn’t for everyone, in this case the m40x are designed to be an entry level studio headphone, they’re a neutral sounding headphone with an emphasis on its user knowing how to properly use an EQ. Some people prefer heavy bass, some prefer imaging, some prefer a wide sound stage, which from what I’ve read the m40x doesn’t have. They have no on board controls meaning if you want to turn the volume up or down you’re gonna need to either have controls on your keyboard, or you’re going to be alt-tabbing a lot. They’re also not wireless, which some prefer. There’s also features that come with the gaming headsets like sound profiles for different games, and in the case of Steelseries, they have sonar which allows you to deep dive into EQ’ing to fine tune things like footsteps in competitive gaming, or adding extra on the low end for immersive gaming. In some cases the headsets themselves store multiple EQ settings allowing you to use them on other platforms without the need for extra software. The a50x pinched the hell out of my head, I can’t imagine a cheaper version of it magically being more comfortable. The same goes for others, people have different shaped heads, some prefer featherweight cans, people like me like planar magnetic cans which are always on the heavy side. Different strokes for different folks. Noise isolation is a big one, especially for people who commute a lot, or live in a house with other people. The reason I haven’t gone open back is purely because my house is not quiet, so I need sound isolation to hear what’s going on. All in all, I’m big on sound quality, but I’m also big on comfort, and I’ll say that I personally wouldn’t invest in a headset under $200, and AT while appealing in the price range, it’s not going to have the sound and comfort want. While in the same breath the Arctis Nova Pro’s wired and wireless, and Audeze Maxwell’s after some basic EQ’ing are the best headsets I’ve experienced in terms of the total package. Again, different people have different wants and needs.

I returned my A50s when I got the series X. I don’t know why they got rid of the optical port. Arctis Nova Pros have been solid for me since.

Sorry to hate but I don't understand the hype around the Nova Pro Wireless given the price point, sound quality, and mic quality. I had a pair for 1 month and returned it for the wired PC38x. Can you explain why else you like it other than it being wireless and having an integrated mic? I thought the charging dock with 2 batteries was a nice feature, but I still didn't think the whole package was worth $250-$300

I have a steelseries arctis nova pro (#2 on list) and I'm sure it's the trash software it's paired with but every now and then it starts to spaz out and the sound sounds like a 56kbps transformers bootleg movie. I've been told my mic sounds the same way from people in discord. The headset itself is very comfortable though 2/10 looking to replace

I did own a set of the nova pro, the one with the little dac thing. Great features, like connecting to both ps5 and Xbox, but they had a noticeable lag and the amp couldn’t power much else other than their own headphones which I didn’t think matched the audio quality they should have had at the price.

I had the nova pro for a while, feature rich, but unfortunately not for me in the end

Yeah, I’m feeling this right now. I replaced the old wired Nova Pro because the tilt adjustment was going to break some. I loved how the chat mix was implemented in hardware, where the headset was actually two audio devices that Windows/Linux recognized. Then I find out it’s all in software now and the software is incapable of picking my headset as the default audio output device every single time I turn on my computer. The mic quality isn’t as good either. Longer list of grievances than I’m going to bother putting here.

Another recommendation for the Arctis Nova Pros. Software is not great (I strongly recommend setting it and forgetting it), but the hardware is nice. The on-headset chat mix adjustment is super useful if your chat/game volume balance is off, and the virtual audio devices are handy.

I’ve had a few Razer top of the line headsets and quite frankly they all suck. The sound is ok, but the mics are mediocre, and the build quality is just bad. The plastic material of the the headset crack and the fake leather will start to fall apart. But for me the only Razer headset worth getting are the ones with Haptics. I kinda want to get the kraken V4 pro just for the haptics alone. They are pretty fun to wear in single player games that focuses on being immersive. Other than that I’ve been using Steelseries as my main go to. Arctis Pro wireless and Arctis Nova Pro wireless. No complaints there.

$35cad tangzu waner IEMs abd I like then more than my steelseries pro with gamedac. Ear comfort takes some getting used to, but audio is far better

The novas have a much tighter clamping force imo. The headband also adds more pressure on top of the head. Also the earcups are not as comfortable. Even the aftermarket ones hurt after a while because they use the fake leather material on the inside and outside with a fabric on the contact face of them. It creates a sharp 90°angle that rubs my ears on the inner face. Gadgetrytech on YouTube I think just came out with some new pads that look more comfortable but I won't have access to them due to working overseas. The sound is similar, possibly better on the nova pros. I used the sonar with the pro wireless and use it with the nova pros so the eq settings are the same. The ANC on the nova pros is severely lacking imo. My pro wireless' passive noise reduction was more productive than the nova pro wireless ANC. I was unable to hear myself type with the pro wireless but I can hear myself type with the novas with anc on. If I could go back I would have kept my pro wireless. More comfortable and better noise isolation. Being that it's too late to return them, I may just try the audeze maxwell headset. It seems much better in almost every aspect minus not having simultaneous blue tooth. And it's roughly the same price.

No problem. Personally I preferred my pro wireless vs the nova pro wireless. However, lots of people love the novas. Also I have read you can stretch the novas over the box they come in for a few days and it should loosen them up some. I tried it for 2 days, along with just flexing them back a bit further by hand. I think it helped but they still give me a bit of a headache from the clamping force after prolonged use.

Audio: very meh. Not great not terrible. Slightly better than the competition but nothing too serious. Good for gaming not too great for listening music but I was expecting that. Mic: Decent 👍 ANC: very weak. I’d rather not have it because the anc mic is put in such a bad place. Comfort: Comfortable enough but because of the ANC mic position, the right ear will start hurting after 2-3 hours. I will buy myself thicker pads from wicked I think. Transparency mode: decent actually I like the DAC and its features. The EQ is responsive and the quick battery swap is really handy. And the features available in the GG software are useful too. They were very cheeky and put the usb C port behind the left ear cup so it will be uncomfortable to use the headphones wired all the time as they want you to use the battery but they’ve put the line in jack outside very accessible and not too many people use that anyway. Quick tip: if you know a bit of python you can customize what it can appear on the base station. Pretty cool. Steelseries provide documentation. Price: Kinda high. I’d buy them for sure on discount, not for the full price.

The magnetic caps are super easy remove. You just rotate them. Don't try and pick them off. Just rotate them and they'll de-magnetize. And if you're quick to replace the batteries, the headset turns itself back on by itself. I do take the headset off to replace the battery, mind. Then again, I switch them out at the end of a session if I'm below 50%.

It's marketing fluff, but you do need the XBOX version to connect to the XBOX. Same with the Nova Pro Wireless. The Playstation version of the Nova Pro Wireless doesn't work on the XBOX Series consoles.

Nova Pro Wireless is solid, too.

I'm using the Actis nova pro wireless headset. To me the only complaints are chat-game mix, and that my voice sounds nasal on the other end. The pro is that you have 2 batteries, one in the headset while the other sits in the charger ready to go.

No, I haven't done anything with them that can't be changed from the headset (that I know of).

I think the worst complaint that I have is when trying to play Pubg. In the plane or certain vehicles, I can't hear the people that I play with. If I adjust for hearing chat, I don't tend to know somebody is in the next room. On the other hand, most of how I play, I can hear a Uaz before most of squad. Great headset for playing darktide

To be honest the Steel Series Arctic Nova Pro Wireless are really good for Gaming PC. It is a Fantastic Headset. If you get the Xbox Edition, It works with everything. Nintendo Switch, PC, Xbox, PC, Phones, Laptops etc etc. They also have Bluetooth for your Phone or other Bluetooth Devices It has to Ports on the back to hook up to Xbox and PC or any other Device Directly to the Device. Than you can hook up your Bluetooth separate as well. It comes with 2 Batteries so one is always Charging on the Device which has a Display, Toggle and Wheel which lets you do everything there really easy. You can also control it with the Headset as you look to the Display. The price is $350 but you can find it on sales Occasionally. The Quality is amazing for Gaming on PC and doing other things as well. Not to mention the Abilities that it has, having 2 Batteries swapping in the "Dongle" Device. You can also charge Directly from the headset If you go on trips. As well as use the headset wired which takes the need for batteries. The sound and comfortability is amazing. Not to mention the Build Quality is Amazing. I recently bought the New Astro A50X and I kept them for 2 months to really give them a chance. Compared to the Steel Series Arctic Nova Pro Wireless the where lacking.

Good news if that’s the case. They were definitely the best for music!

I just went though this whole process myself! I’m not really an audiophile, but I’ve been exposed to that world so I’m familiar with what “good” sound quality is. The nova pros were not it for me. Definitely more of a hollow gamer sound profile. Great for footsteps, bad for music imo. I could eq them alright with sonar on pc, but that’s no help if you also use a console. Audeze Maxwell were next and the sound was as great as everyone says. Same goes for the not amazing soundstage and directional audio. That was just ok. But by far the best for music. The headset I settled on was the turtle beach stealth pros. Sound for music was about 90% of what the maxwells were after eq, but the soundstage and directional audio…*chefs kiss* and the features were better than the maxwells aside from game/chat mix.

Whichever steel series arctis is in the range. I've had mine for 4 years and still going strong

It's kinda meh for me. I can dodo like the built in eq for games. It's kinda makes me have superpowers in CoD. I can hear footsteps across the map.

Yea SS is kinda overpriced for what it is. But it's also plug and play and easy to hook up to a PS, Switch, PC, or phone. I've had no issues with the headphones, but the keyboard I got is absolute crap. They marketed it as mechanical, but it's a clicky button that hits a membrane. Only took one year to die because the mechanical part broke the membrane. I won't be buying any steel series only because of the false advertisement from that. I love these headphones but there are other options since I only use them on my PC 90% of the time.

I strongly disagree, I’ve had both and the Nova Pros were noticeably better, I exclusively play COD SnD.

from an audiophile, i’d recommend the one you made this thread about, audeze maxwell, and the astro a50s. i personally have the old nova pros and the newer nova 7x. sound quality id prob rank the a50s above the nova pros, but id say the convenience of the quick swap batteries can have a nice argument as well. i’ve heard a lot about the maxwells too, but i haven’t had too much experience with them personally as i don’t really have interest in another wireless set, and they haven’t went on a good enough sale for me to pull the trigger

I have: Steel Series Arctic Nova Pro wireless (Xbox version so I can use them for Xbox/PC/PS5) Hyper X Cloud Orbit S (I don't really recommend these though, they sound great but the mic is awful and due to a design flaw constantly has a humming feedback going when you have your mic enabled) Both are rather expensive though

I had it and it's decent. I could never get the sound exactly how I wanted it so I decided to return it and got the Astro A50 gen 5. The A50's sound is amazing, very happy I traded.

I returned mine within a week. Due to basically all the reasons you listed, in addition to the most awful issue: the ANC nub in the earcup pressed against my ear and caused pain within a short time of wearing them. Ended up copping JBL Quantum 810s for only 250aud, delivers almost everything the Nova Pro wireless does for the fraction of the price.

Sennheiser hd 800s = best, but over at $1k they are quite the luxury. I have Sennheiser 560s and 660s. Both are excellent but for the money 560s are the best bang for the buck. No mic, so buy a stand mic. These are all open backs and work well in my situation (I like to be able to hear my environment if someone is yelling in the house. My space is relatively quiet. You can even use steel series "sonar" software to enhance and eq. Btw I hated the arctis Nova pros. Hot ears, could not hear directionality nearly as well.. returned them quickly once I tested the 560s.

nova pro are the best, but like someone else mentioned app support for bluetooth can be wonky, I know the vdi software I use has trouble passing it through sometimes. I mainly just use the usb connection, and just move it to my playstation and use bluetooth for my switch, and while I have an xbox I rarely use it anymore.

The only downside to the Nova Pro Wireless is the mute button. It is a 2 stage button. All the way up. Mute. Down position. Unmuted. Here's the problem. Mute activates at just over the halfway point of the button. Which is just barely above where the button catches to unmute. Overtime the button fail to catch midway and just mute itself again.

I dont want to be that guy but i dont know how anyone could say it is hard to get to work. It works perfectly fine right out of the box. Im assuming this commentor is actually having a problem with his discord setting changing his audio input in settings to his headset mic. As for your main question, i own a lot. And i mean a lot of gaming headsets. Other than purely for audio in non competitive settings (in which case i prefer maxwells for there excellent music and single player game sound) the nova pros are my go to daily headset. Ive never felt the nub luckily maybe ots my ear shape, the features on the nova pro are absolutely top of class especially if you pc and console game having it connect to both at once is a lifesaver. The dac is nice but really i dont mess with EQs etc much. The battery life and swappable battery in the dac has made every other normal charging headset i own feel like a chore. Ive never had to remotely care or think about if the headset has battery once in my years of owning it its so refreshing. Theres a lot of small hidden bonuses ive only found out very long into owning them like controlling the dac from the headset without needing to reach for it (how i never discovered this i dont know). As for sonar you dont need to (and never should) use it. Like others say its just a hassle but can be completely ignored. Mic quality is run of the mill. Footstep directional quality is very good. Better than maxwells. Ive never experienced the crackling others here say they do. I get a small hum when they are on and no audio is on. But it disappears once any sound is being played. A crackle is possible if you have sidetone on and your breath hits the mic. I never have sidetone on and im going to give everyone the benefit of the doubt and say thats not whats happening to them. But as for me ive never had a crackling issue or any issue with the dac screen. All in all, its a very feature rich headset, but wont blow you away on the audio. I use it essentially daily even with having many other high end headsets cause its ease of use and features bring too much quality of life to ignore.

I LOVE mine! I bought it after reading lots of reviews and for what I wanted (headset/mic all in one and wireless) it was actually the most recommended. I did buy it on Black Friday 2023, 250$ I would not have bought it for 300$+

I had to get used to earthings, it irritated me but after a few hours it went away, other than that the only negative I could give is the Software from Steelseries, it takes time getting used to! Sonar is VERY good though!

I have an Arctis Nova Pro and I'm currently looking to replace it. The DAC knob died **right** out of warranty and only works in one direction, and now, periodically the headset cuts out and just emits a super loud buzzing/white noise until I turn it off and on again. For a $350 headset to last less than 2 years is ridiculous, IMO. Currently testing out a Corsair Virtuoso Max, but idk if I'm gonna stick with it. The audio is fine, but damn is it uncomfortable (at least out of the box.) Was thinking of trying the Kraken 4 pro, but looks like this one isn't great either.