We’ve properly and actually 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 degree of audio management and high quality with none compromise.
SteelSeries is not any stranger to high quality headsets, and I can distinctly keep 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.
Execs
Wi-fi base station is greater than only a gimmick
Crystal clear microphone
Mild and comfy with out feeling low-cost
Audio cancellation know-how may be very intuitive
Cons
GG software program will 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
Obtainable in
Black w/Booster pack accessible at $34.99
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Professional Wi-fi Options
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Professional Wi-fi comes full of options, and all of them benefitted me in a roundabout way, there’s no filler right here. Like many gaming headsets, twin wi-fi is featured and works like a dream. You possibly can 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 with no consideration, as it may be applied poorly. Nevertheless, it’s very properly 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 also be the battery charger so this helps scale 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 just a little extra on a headset utterly justified.
SteelSeries’ GG software program, sadly, is just a little overbearing and is probably the one minor draw back to proudly owning the Nova Professional Wi-fi. If you would like management over your audio, you have 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 comparable to capturing in-game moments and exploring the most recent 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 elements of GG will be ignored or turned off, however it’s the precept behind the software program that didn’t sit properly with me.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Professional Wi-fi
Design
I’ll at all times again SteelSeries for his or her headset design, purely as a result of as somebody who struggles to search out any gaming headset actually comfy, be it resulting from 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 provide 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 a lot of its rivals, however it avoids feeling low-cost within the course of, which is lots more durable to realize 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 just a little fed up with studying buzzwords and flashy taglines on product packing containers, particularly when the product itself fails to ship on huge guarantees, however there’s no such situation 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 aid, no stress instantly 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 appears to be like like a premium headset ought to. Should you’re not completely bought on the design or simply wish to add some shade, SteelSeries sells booster packs that assist you to customise your headset. Each comes with two substitute earcup plates and a cloth headband. It’s a small change however I fairly loved having just a little 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 to date that its efficiency additionally delivers. Nevertheless, slightly than beginning with the audio high quality, I first wish to spotlight the wi-fi base station. This little system will not be solely an enormous cause behind the beautiful audio high quality, however it may possibly provide added perks if you’re taking part in a suitable recreation.
When attempting out the Nova Professional Wi-fi in CS2, I observed 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 workforce had gained to that time. The bottom station additionally acts as a fast method to tweak quantity, chat/recreation combine, or EQ, to avoid wasting having to blindly fondle the earcups for the suitable management. It’s a degree of management that will be unimaginable 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 an enormous a part of the Nova Professional Wi-fi, as slightly than it being a easy characteristic you activate and off, the headset is at all times monitoring your environment to create a really perfect steadiness. Whenever you’re gaming, it’s stronger, blocking out any potential interference, however if you happen to’re merely searching the online, it’s weaker, permitting you to work together together 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. Should you would slightly set your noise cancellation, transparency mode permits for this, handing again management by 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 are not any weaknesses to be present in pure audio high quality. It’s simple to take recreation audio with no consideration. Nonetheless, SteelSeries is properly conscious of how necessary it’s, and their high-fidelity 40mm drivers convey an countless 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 also 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 very best 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 spot, it stood sturdy.
Do you have to purchase the
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Professional Wi-fi?
Sure. Merely put, you’ll discover it laborious to come back 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 come back.
If the value is a blocker, we’d 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 unimaginable gaming headset. It offers you all the things 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 check you would put a headset by and it’s handed with flying colours. Hardly ever 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 it’s a must to take care of bloated audio customization software program.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Professional Wi-fi
A prime of sophistication gaming headset in each manner, the Nova Professional Wi-fi would take some beating. Aside from bloated software program, SteelSeries have created fairly the beast that succeeds in providing consolation, type, and most significantly, high quality.