$599 for a pair of gaming headphones is an astronomical ask, particularly in Donald Trump’s financial system. However in the event you received the cash, are critical about your video video games, and the way you immerse your self on the earth throughout your gaming periods, then you definately positively want the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite headset.
I’m not a critical audiophile, however I do admire an excellent gaming headset, and nobody proper now’s making higher headsets than SteelSeries. I’ve been a fan of the model since I received my fingers on the Arctis Nova Professional; it’s been my go-to head ever since, however that every one modified as soon as I received my fingers on the Arctis Nova Elite.
With the arrival of the $599 Nova Elite headset, SteelSeries introduces a brand new class of luxurious gaming headsets that might change the sport. SteelSeries is hoping that the attract of the headset’s premium design, introduction of hi-res wi-fi audio, carbon fiber speaker drivers, a metallic body, and the flexibility to stream audio concurrently out of your PC, Xbox, PS5, and smartphone will persuade you to swipe your card for the gaming headset that prices as a lot as a gaming console.
Based mostly on my time with the headset, I imagine they’ve achieved that purpose.
Premium Consolation & Design
Whereas the Arctis Nova Professional ($290.99) and Arctis Nova Elite headsets share some similarities, the latter positively units itself aside from its predecessor in a lot of methods.
The Nova Elite ditches the plastic, now that includes a metallic body and management wheel, and a unbelievable sage-and-gold end that helps the headset pull off a $599 look.
The reminiscence foam cups on the Nova Professional had been already cozy. Nonetheless, by some means SteelSeries made them much more snug on the Nova Elite, permitting me to stay cool and cozy throughout prolonged gaming periods.
I’ve fairly massive ears, and sporting headsets can turn into cumbersome after some time, in order that’s why I’m a buds particular person. However the Arctis Nova Professional match completely over my ears, and I by no means felt the necessity to take them off to provide my head and ears a break.
The match on the Nova Elite can be improved because of SteelSeries’s use of aluminum and chrome steel, which give the headset a sturdier really feel.
First Gaming Headset To Supply Hello-Res Wi-fi Audio
What actually places the Arctis Nova Elite headset in a category all by itself is that it’s the primary gaming headset to supply hi-res wi-fi audio, permitting the wearer to stream 96kHz/24-bit audio over 2.4GHz by way of the GameHub DAC or the headset’s spectacular Bluetooth with LC3+.
Forward of my evaluation, SteelSeries informed me that Hello-Res audio is one thing I can solely expertise on the most recent Google smartphone, the Pixel 10, or on PC, with consoles just like the PS5 and Xbox Collection X capped at 48k/16bit.
Nonetheless, the sound high quality whereas taking part in video games with wealthy audio, like Alien: Rogue Incursion, Silent Hill, or Name of Obligation, was vastly improved whereas sporting the Nova Elite headset.
By way of the Arctis smartphone companion app or Sonar on the PC, you’ll be able to shortly change the sound profiles with any of the preloaded EQ Presets. For instance, there’s a preset designed explicitly for Armored Core IV: Fires of Rubicon, and one already loaded for Battlefield 6.
I did most of my tweaking by means of the Arctis app as a result of coping with Home windows and Sonar wasn’t seamless for me, however I’ll cease wanting saying it was a headache.
Omniplay Is One thing I Didn’t Know I Wanted
One other game-changing function that the Nova Elite boasts that I didn’t know I wanted till I skilled it’s Ominplay.
What’s Omniplay, you ask? Nicely, it permits the wearer to hook up with 4 audio sources concurrently. So I might be related to my smartphone by way of Bluetooth, whereas nonetheless being related to my PS5 and Xbox Collection X by way of USB-C on the identical time.
In contrast to the earlier GameHub DAC mannequin, the one which comes with the Nova Elite options three line-in inputs as an alternative of simply two.
Omniplay enables you to combine audio from 4 sources, so that you might be in a Discord chat in your telephone or PC and blend in audio from no matter console you’re taking part in on.
Last Verdict
I’m not going to hop on right here and let you know to expire and purchase a pair of $599 headphones, however I’ll say these unhealthy boys are value each single penny in the event you do intend to swipe the cardboard on them.
SteelSeries has cemented its place within the luxurious gaming headset house, and we received’t be stunned if different corporations comply with swimsuit.
The Arctis Nova Elite checks all of the packing containers after which some, providing a sturdy headset constructed from premium supplies that present consolation, superior ANC (lively noise cancellation), absolutely customizable and excellent sound, hi-res wi-fi audio, and the flexibility to sync with as much as 4 gadgets without delay.
They’ll additionally function your on a regular basis headset as a result of they make the transition out of your gaming station to the streets straightforward, because of they distinctive design.
SteelSeries has delivered, dare I say, the very best gaming headset available on the market proper now. Whether or not you’ll be able to afford a pair is one other query.
Should you can’t you’ll be able to at all times scoop up a pair of Arctis Nova 7 Wi-fi Gen 2 that are solely $199 or the very a lot nonetheless related Arctis Nova Professional that are at present on sale.
