We’ve nicely and really entered an age of audio bliss in gaming and the SteelSeries Acrtis Nova Professional Wi-fi headset is pretty much as good because it will get. This headset is for anybody who’s after an unparalleled stage of audio management and high quality with none compromise.
SteelSeries isn’t any stranger to high quality headsets, and I can distinctly bear in mind my first encounter with the model again throughout the launch of Diablo 3 once I purchased one of many limited-edition V2 wired headsets. Most of the qualities I adored about that headset have solely been improved upon and culminate within the Arctis Nova Professional Wi-fi being simply among the many finest gaming headsets I’ve ever used.
Professionals
- Wi-fi base station is greater than only a gimmick
- Crystal clear microphone
- Mild and cozy with out feeling low cost
- Audio cancellation know-how may be very intuitive
Cons
- GG software program might be fairly intrusive and complicated
Drivers | 40mm Neodymium |
Connectivity | 2.4GHz Wi-fi, Bluetooth 5.0, Wired |
Frequency Response | 10-40,000Hz (Wired) 10-22,000Hz (Wi-fi) |
Weight | 336g |
Battery Life | As much as 20 hours, two batteries included |
Accessible in | Black w/Booster pack obtainable at $34.99 |
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Professional Wi-fi Options
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Professional Wi-fi comes filled with options, and all of them benefitted me indirectly, there’s no filler right here. Like many gaming headsets, twin wi-fi is featured and works like a dream. You’ll be able to join through the two.4GHz wi-fi and Bluetooth 5.0 and there’s no clunky channel switching because the streams can function concurrently.
360-degree audio is current, and it provides a transparent benefit in video games like CS2 the place the path of sound is essential. It’s a characteristic that’s commonplace in premium headsets now, and I really feel we take it as a right, as it may be applied poorly. Nonetheless, it’s very nicely optimized within the Nova Professional Wi-fi.
Battery life on the Nova Professional Wi-fi is nice, with simply over 20 hours per cost, however SteelSeries included two batteries that may be hot-swapped for comfort. Higher nonetheless, the wi-fi base station can be the battery charger so this helps cut back the necessity for an ungainly separate unit or further cables being wanted. This isn’t a singular characteristic available on the market, however one which makes spending slightly extra on a headset utterly justified.
SteelSeries’ GG software program, sadly, is slightly overbearing and is probably the one minor draw back to proudly owning the Nova Professional Wi-fi. If you need management over your audio, it’s essential to have it put in and operating. The problem right here is that GG isn’t only for audio, it has a ton of different makes use of corresponding to capturing in-game moments and exploring the newest giveaways. This is just too a lot bloat contemplating I simply need to have the ability to simply entry my audio settings and tinker. Many features of GG might be ignored or turned off, but it surely’s the precept behind the software program that didn’t sit nicely with me.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Professional Wi-fi
Design
I’ll all the time again SteelSeries for his or her headset design, purely as a result of as somebody who struggles to seek out any gaming headset really snug, be it because of dimension or weight, the Arctis Nova Professional Wi-fi is miles forward of the competitors on each fronts. Consolation is king with gaming headsets, and whereas some supply stern competitors, just like the Turtle Seaside Stealth Professional, the head-to-head matchup falls in favor of the Professional Wi-fi for its considerably lighter really feel. At 336g, the Nova Professional Wi-fi is significantly lighter than lots of its rivals, but it surely avoids feeling low cost within the course of, which is so much more durable to attain than I initially appreciated.
SteelSeries continues to impress with its headbands, and the Nova Professional Wi-fi makes use of a ComfortMAX system which focuses on 4 components; peak adjustment, a versatile stress band, pivoting hangers, and rotating earcups. I get slightly fed up with studying buzzwords and flashy taglines on product bins, particularly when the product itself fails to ship on massive guarantees, however there’s no such challenge right here. Each facet of the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Professional Wi-fi design is inch-perfect and creates a gaming headset I really feel was made only for me. That is most evident when taking the headset off after utilizing it. There’s no second of reduction, no stress out of the blue lifted, it’s the last word signal {that a} headset is getting consolation proper.
Aesthetically, the Nova Professional Wi-fi isn’t overly chunky, it doesn’t have any loud and misplaced patterns, and it seems to be like a premium headset ought to. In the event you’re not totally bought on the design or simply wish to add some shade, SteelSeries sells booster packs that make it easier to customise your headset. Each comes with two alternative earcup plates and a material headband. It’s a small change however I fairly loved having slightly freedom to personalize how my headset regarded.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Professional Wi-fi
Efficiency
It ought to come as no shock given how I’ve waxed lyrical concerning the Nova Professional Wi-fi thus far that its efficiency additionally delivers. Nonetheless, quite than beginning with the audio high quality, I first wish to spotlight the wi-fi base station. This little gadget is just not solely a giant purpose behind the beautiful audio high quality, however it may supply added perks if you’re taking part in a appropriate sport.
When making an attempt out the Nova Professional Wi-fi in CS2, I seen that the bottom station would report on my efficiency between rounds and even let me know which spherical was beginning, and what number of rounds my staff had received to that time. The bottom station additionally acts as a fast method to tweak quantity, chat/sport combine, or EQ, to save lots of having to blindly fondle the earcups for the suitable management. It’s a stage of management that may be unbelievable for anybody taking part in on one monitor as you wouldn’t have to hold switching between packages to make changes.
AI energetic noise cancellation is a giant a part of the Nova Professional Wi-fi, as quite than it being a easy characteristic you activate and off, the headset is all the time monitoring your environment to create a great steadiness. While you’re gaming, it’s stronger, blocking out any potential interference, however should you’re merely shopping the net, it’s weaker, permitting you to work together along with your environment simply. This additionally extends to the microphone, to make sure you’re by no means too loud or distorted when speaking with others. In the event you would quite set your noise cancellation, transparency mode permits for this, handing again management by way of a number of ranges to fit your wants.
Having tried out quite a lot of video games to get an thought of the standard the Nova Professional Wi-fi provides, I can safely say that there aren’t any weaknesses to be present in pure audio high quality. It’s simple to take sport audio as a right. Nonetheless, SteelSeries is nicely conscious of how vital it’s, and their high-fidelity 40mm drivers convey an limitless high quality that turns into so obvious when switching between a number of premium gaming headsets.
Sound-sensitive video games are a pleasure, however even simply listening to music can be elevated with the Nova Professional Wi-fi. I used to be anticipating a noticeable drop-off in high quality between the two.4GHz and Bluetooth connections, however this was non-existent regardless of the frequency variations between wi-fi and wired. The perfect abstract of my time with the Nova Professional Wi-fi is it doesn’t matter what I threw at it, or how I attempted to show a weak point, it stood robust.
Do you have to purchase the
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Professional Wi-fi?
Sure. Merely put, you’ll discover it exhausting to return by a greater gaming headset than the SteelSeries Arctis Professional Wi-fi. Premium comes at a worth, and the Nova Professional Wi-fi will set you again $349.99 / £329.99, however you’ll get each penny of this price again as added worth to your gaming, after which some, for years to return.
If the worth is a blocker, we might recommend the Razer Blackshark V2 Professional, which is a touch cheaper choice at round $199 however places a better deal with its high-band microphone, and fewer so on the audio high quality or customization.
Verdict
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Professional Wi-fi is an unbelievable gaming headset. It offers you every thing you would want after which nonetheless finds room for extra helpful options and hard-to-beat efficiency.
I’ve tried for over a month to discover a fault with the Nova Professional Wi-fi, and it’s been a fruitless expedition. It passes each take a look at you would put a headset by way of and it’s handed with flying colours. Not often would I even state {that a} worth north of $300 is price it for a gaming headset, however the Nova Professional Wi-fi justifies its worth right down to the final penny, even when you must cope with bloated audio customization software program.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Professional Wi-fi
A prime of sophistication gaming headset in each method, the Nova Professional Wi-fi would take some beating. Apart from bloated software program, SteelSeries have created fairly the beast that succeeds in providing consolation, fashion, and most significantly, high quality.