Steelseries Arctis Nova Elite Overview: Extremely Excessive-Finish Gaming Headsets Are Right here

How a lot do you admire good audio in your video games? Do you like it sufficient to splurge $600 on a wi-fi headset? What if that headset promised class-leading low latency? Or the flexibility to attach a PC, PlayStation and Xbox — plus a Bluetooth machine — all on the similar time? That — together with “infinite” energy; an AI-powered, retractable microphone; and, in fact, premium audio constancy — is what Steelseries is providing with the Arctis Nova Elite wi-fi headset.

Steelseries is wandering into new territory with each value and performance right here. The Nova sequence is already standard, and the corporate is hoping to carve out a brand new class with the Elite, however the large query is, are we prepared — or will we even want — hyper-premium gaming headsets? After a number of hours with this one, I believe I’ve a solution.

Clearly at this value, you are getting somewhat greater than headphones tuned for gunfire and footsteps, with a increase mic hooked up. In truth, at first look, you will not discover a increase mic in any respect. This offers the Elite extra of a desktop headphone aesthetic, and small gold touches and high quality supplies do give it a premium really feel. Even the carry pouch feels excessive finish.

It is the included “GameHub” interface that powers quite a lot of the premium options. There is a chunky dial that serves as each quantity management and a option to navigate key settings on the interface, and a show for exhibiting ranges and different suggestions. The GameHub can also be what makes the Nova Elite fascinating to creatives searching for a option to work with audio with out the latency points related to Bluetooth, however extra on that later.

For audio buffs, the massive attraction right here is 96kHz/24-bit audio with out the wires. Avid gamers, together with video editors and creatives, have lengthy lagged behind within the shift to wi-fi, or needed to accept minor inconveniences. There is a small caveat, although, in that Steelseries already affords comparable freedom with the Nova Professional Wi-fi ($300) and the many of the high-end performance within the newly-announced Nova Professional Omni ($400). The Elite differentiates itself with extra luxurious supplies, an additional (on-ear/customary) mic and carbon fiber drivers.

Whereas the Nova Elite does really feel high-quality, do not count on true audiophile ranges of fabric finesse. After I in contrast them to the Sennheiser HD630 ($500), the Nova Elite does really feel costlier, with extra weight within the ear cups and the reassuringly chilly really feel of steel within the headband hinges. In comparison with one thing just like the Meze Audio Liric, nonetheless, you might be reminded this can be a (very nicely made) client headset.

In contrast to the neon-green Razer Blackshark Professional V3 on my desk, the Nova Elite would not scream “gaming headset.” The mic is hidden, and the overall design is extra like one thing you’d count on from Sony or Anker. The twin-layered headband is comfy, as are the ample earcup cushions — I would fortunately use these as on a regular basis headphones. The sage colorway is impartial however fascinating sufficient to really feel premium.

Steelseries’ 40mm drivers may not pack the low-end oomph of the 50mm Blackshark Professional V3, however that is about the one space the place I’d say the Razer feels extra superlative. The Nova Elite sounds rather well balanced and with a lot tighter bass than its competitor, with high-ends poking via extra clearly. In truth, if there was one word I would make on the general sound profile it is that increased frequencies are generally somewhat too noticeable, which is typically preferable in a gaming context however a minor distraction for music and motion scenes in films.

In any other case, the Nova Elite supplies a grown-up sound profile that’s simple to get pleasure from for prolonged durations, even at excessive quantity. In truth, I’d barely want the sound stage on the Steelseries in comparison with the Sennheiser HD630, because it feels teeny bit extra open with a contact extra dynamic vary. No less than that is the case in my testing with predominantly digital music, however I’d nonetheless attain for Sennheiser for devoted music listening generally. The lively noise cancellation (ANC) is efficient at lowering persistent background noises, however would not present the true dampening expertise you discover with different premium headphones equivalent to Sony’s WH-1000XM6 or Bose’s QuietComfort Extremely.

It is in straight gaming situations that the included GameHub audio interface makes all of the distinction. It delivers hi-res 96kHz/24-bit audio over 2.4Ghz wi-fi, with the choice to combine as much as 4 totally different audio sources on the similar time. Join any console, PC or perhaps a telephone to the USB ports on the again and blend between them by way of the hub’s menus or the amount dial on the left ear cup. Click on the amount wheel as soon as and it will management the combination between USB sources. You possibly can hearken to Bluetooth audio on the similar time, however its quantity within the combine is managed on the respective machine. Bluetooth media controls are sparse, making intelligent use of the connectivity button — play/pause and skipping tracks can be found although single/double/triple click on.

Maybe probably the most fascinating {hardware} function is that “infinite” energy system. There is a fairly enormous asterisk there, in that it’s, actually, not infinite. However, it’s shut and it is a intelligent little bit of design nonetheless. The GameHub has a slot that expenses the detachable headset battery. There are two batteries within the field and Steelseries states that should you can swap them out in underneath eight seconds, the headset will change again on and music or audio will proceed. It is fairly onerous to do in eight seconds with the headset in your palms. Mainly not possible whereas carrying it. In actuality you’ve extra like 15-20 seconds and it nonetheless works as marketed. It isn’t a really seamless expertise, however it’s genuinely helpful, so it is onerous to grouse on the slight advertising and marketing oversell.

The batteries themselves final for a very long time. It’s going to rely what you are doing with the headset, however to date I have been clocking 20-30 hours of use earlier than swapping one out and that is underneath pretty heavy “testing” conditions with a number of inputs, all day use and plenty of informal listening over Bluetooth.

The Elite’s microphone is retractable and neatly hidden within the left earcup, so you do not ever should hunt for it, and it is simple to search out because of a small pad you’ll be able to find along with your thumb. The cable is flexible and it is easy to regulate or sliding again in when recreation time is over.

The microphone itself is respectable however sounds somewhat crispy. You may be actually clear within the common foyer or chat, however one thing about it sounds processed, even with AI noise rejection turned off. The standard continues to be a lot better than most headsets, though it isn’t one thing I would use if I had been a visitor on a podcast. Not that it sounds unhealthy, just a bit too remoted and processed. When you assume that is quite a bit to ask of a headset mic, I would level you to the Rode NTH-100 which does not have noise discount, however sounds very pure. For recording audio, I would quite have somewhat extra management over how the mic sounds.

As a standalone headset/headphone, there’s little I’d change in regards to the audio on the Nova Elite. For gaming, I admire the choice to tune issues for sure video games. In one thing like Disco Elysium, I need extra of a music-tuned expertise, but when I am out on the saddle in RDR2, something that helps me hear incoming horses goes to assist maintain me out of hassle. Steelseries’ “GG” software program comes bundled with a slew of presets for standard titles which can or is probably not to your liking. If they don’t seem to be, there is a full EQ so you’ll be able to create your personal tuning. The software program can also be the place you may discover some useful settings, like tweaking habits should you obtain a name mid-game, with choices for mute, decrease quantity or just do nothing.

In Bluetooth mode, the cell app does a reasonably good job of mirroring the desktop software program. This no less than permits you to alter deeper settings with out having to alt-tab out of a recreation. You additionally get visible suggestions about battery life for the headset if you cannot instantly look on the GameHub.

An enormous advantage of the included GameHub interface is the added flexibility it brings. I’ve a Rodecaster Duo on my desk that I take advantage of as a major audio interface. I do not file many podcasts at residence, however I like that I can file audio from my telephone or some other machine simply. With three USB inputs, a line in and Bluetooth connectivity, however in a a lot smaller bundle, the Nova Elite is severely making a case for itself to liberate the Duo from its everlasting spot on my desk.

To not point out, it provides a wi-fi element with extremely low latency. I’ve tried modifying video with Bluetooth headphones, however it’s not lengthy earlier than I crave the immediacy of wires. With the GameHub, I can edit movies as if I had been linked instantly however with the liberty of wi-fi. Up to now, I dabbled with utilizing two pairs of headphones: a wired set for when audio high quality and latency is precedence and a wi-fi pair for informal listening. The Nova Elite might be one of the best resolution I’ve tried to date that may do all of it.

Till the existence of the Omni, the Nova line was a bit simpler to outline. For avid gamers that wished a high-quality, wi-fi headset, the Professional sequence was a straightforward suggestion. For those who wished increased constancy and a really premium expertise (and that did not baulk on the value) the Elite was the top-tier selection. That is nonetheless broadly true, however the Omni makes the gross sales pitch on the Elite quite a bit more durable. For $200 extra, you are actually dialling in on refinements and end, because the Omni contains many of the headline options, equivalent to hi-res audio and a number of USB inputs. The Elite does really feel like a whole, premium headset for every little thing, however the value distinction can also be sufficient to slender the attraction to a really particular group of discerning listeners.