SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 overview: A comfortable headset for PC and console

Finest Costs In the present day: Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2

The Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 presents itself as a flexible mid-range gaming headset that wishes to shine on the PC in addition to on consoles and cellular units. That is the second technology of the favored Arctis Nova 7, with Steelseries constructing on confirmed strengths and making focused enhancements.

Even on paper, the technical specs are spectacular: 40-millimetre neodymium drivers, twin wi-fi (2.4GHz dongle and Bluetooth 5.3) with simultaneous operate, over 50 hours of battery life, broad platform assist, and a comfort-oriented design.

This overview clarifies whether or not the Nova 7 Gen 2 can earn these praises within the sensible take a look at, and the place its weaknesses lie.

Design and sporting consolation

On the skin, Steelseries stays true to its line: The Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 depends on the basic Steelseries design with matte-black plastic and a modern look. The steel body within the headband gives stability, whereas an elasticated spring band (within the model of ski goggles) distributes the contact strain.

This mixture — Steelseries calls it the “ComfortMax” system — ensures a first-class match with out strain factors. Within the take a look at, the sporting consolation truly proves to be excellent: A number of hours of steady use are not any drawback, the headset stays snug and safe on the pinnacle.

Weighing round 11.4 ounces (325 grams), it isn’t ultra-light, however because of the nice weight distribution it doesn’t really feel too heavy.

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The ear pads are comprised of a hybrid of breathable cloth and synthetic leather-based. This offers them a delicate match and permits some air to succeed in the ears, whereas the factitious leather-based on the within minimizes sound leaks.

In observe, exterior noise is passively dampened, though not utterly shielded, because the partially open design is noticeable right here. After very lengthy classes, nevertheless, the ear areas can get slightly heat. However general, the optimistic impression of a properly thought-out, snug headset prevails.

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The construct high quality can also be of a excessive normal: Nothing wobbles or creaks, the adjustment mechanism (extendable ear cup holders and three adjustment factors for the spring band) seems sturdy and designed for a variety of head sizes. General, the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 feels strong and high-quality — excellent for day by day gaming use.

Nonetheless, there’s one small design criticism: The USB-C dongle equipped is unusually broad at 2.11 inches (approx. 53.8 millimeters) and may block neighboring USB ports. Though Steelseries provides a brief USB extension cable, a slimmer, longer dongle would have been extra sensible. Aside from this element, the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 impresses throughout the board with its simplicity, wonderful ergonomics, and properly thought-out design.

Options and connectivity

When it comes to capabilities and connectivity choices, the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 packs a punch. The headset could be paired wirelessly through a 2.4GHz wi-fi dongle and in parallel through Bluetooth, even concurrently to combine two audio sources.

The USB-C dongle ensures a latency-free connection to PC, Mac, Ps 5, and Nintendo Swap (each within the dock and cellular through USB-C). A slide swap on the dongle allows the particular Xbox mode for the Xbox Collection X/S, as Microsoft’s consoles require a proprietary wi-fi protocol.

Vital: Steelseries presents the Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 in several variations: Nova 7P (PlayStation/PC) and Nova 7X (Xbox all others). The {hardware} is equivalent, however solely the X model is totally appropriate with the Xbox. So when you select the Arctis Nova 7X model, you may in truth cowl all platforms.

In exams, the wi-fi connection proved to be very secure and lengthy sufficient vary to take a break within the subsequent room with out shedding contact. Along with Bluetooth, cellular units even have the choice of utilizing the USB-C dongle on smartphones or tablets, for instance through an adapter.

Right here, nevertheless, we’ve noticed {that a} dongle connection plugged instantly into the cell phone can generally have a short lack of connection when shifting. In such circumstances, Bluetooth pairing is the extra handy alternative when travelling.

Talking of Bluetooth: This wi-fi technique solely makes use of the SBC codec, which is okay for listening to music, however can result in noticeable delays when gaming or watching movies. The two.4GHz mode is due to this fact clearly advisable for gaming, because it has just about no latency.

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Along with wi-fi, wired operation can also be potential: the headset has a 3.5 millimeter jack socket to attach it to a PC, controller, or handheld within the basic analog manner. This even extends compatibility to older units (e.g. for the Nintendo Swap Lite or some gaming handhelds) and serves as an emergency resolution within the occasion of battery failure.

The controls on the headset are organized in a user-friendly manner: The facility button, a devoted Bluetooth button and a wheel for the chat-game audio steadiness (chat combine) are positioned on the best ear cup: A blessing in multiplayer to have the ability to finely steadiness voice chat and recreation sound always.

On the left is the quantity management knob and a clearly perceptible microphone mute button. The buttons and wheels present clear haptic suggestions in order that they are often operated intuitively even in the midst of a recreation.

The Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 doesn’t have lively noise cancellation (ANC), however this isn’t uncommon on this worth vary of lower than $200 — most gaming headsets at this worth don’t supply ANC anyway.

The passive isolation supplied by the padding is common: On a regular basis noises resembling keyboard clacking or quiet background chatter are noticeably muffled, however nonetheless penetrate considerably at larger volumes. General, nevertheless, the options of the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 are impressively complete:

Multi-platform assist, simultaneous connections, and analog fallback possibility make the gaming headset an especially versatile companion. The truth is, the Arctis mannequin works with virtually every little thing, from PCs to consoles and smartphones, making it a real all-rounder.

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The twin wi-fi operate is especially noteworthy: Within the take a look at, simultaneous playback from PC/console and cell phone labored easily and with out dropouts. For instance, you could be in a Discord chat in your cell phone through Bluetooth whereas gaming on the PlayStation, or take a name whereas gaming on the PC.

Incoming calls are dealt with cleverly: If a name is available in through the cell phone, the headset microphone is mechanically muted for the sport chat as a way to make the decision undisturbed. While you cling up, it switches again to the sport chat. This seamless integration of each audio channels is extraordinarily sensible in on a regular basis life.

Sound high quality

The sound high quality of the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 is geared in the direction of the wants of demanding players with out compromising on all-round qualities. The 40-millimeter speaker drivers ship exact, detailed sound throughout the complete frequency spectrum.

Steelseries clearly emphasizes readability within the mids and highs, which permits advantageous particulars resembling footsteps or directional noises to face out clearly. The truth is, the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 shines within the take a look at in the case of spatial localization:

In shooters and motion video games, it was potential to make out precisely from which route opponents have been approaching — a tactical benefit that not each headset on this class presents. That is supported by the digital encompass operate (Steelseries Sonar Spatial Audio on the PC and Tempest 3D Audio on the PS5), which makes the sound picture even wider and extra immersive if desired.

In single-player video games, the encompass mode considerably enhances the environment. In aggressive video games, alternatively, we largely used the stereo mode, because the localization is exact and with out synthetic results — the Arctis Nova 7 already delivers wonderful positioning data in stereo.

As delivered, the sound tuning is barely fun-orientated: The bass has loads of physique and strain, whereas the higher treble sounds barely over-sharpened. This results in a strong rumble throughout explosions, for instance, however can generally be perceived as slightly too sharp with very excessive tones. Voices and essential recreation sounds within the mid-range come via clearly and dominate the motion, giving the headset its “tactical” sound.

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Our music exams confirmed that the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 can also be appropriate for on a regular basis multimedia: Songs sound dynamic and balanced, albeit not at hi-fi stage, because the deepest bass and advantageous element within the highest registers attain the bounds of gaming tuning.

Sound lovers could observe that the fine-tuning ex works isn’t utterly impartial: For instance, sure treble ranges are barely overemphasized and might be slightly tiring for delicate ears in the long run. Nonetheless, that is the place the good power of the Steelseries software program comes into its personal:

The parametric equalizer within the Sonar app permits the sound picture to be corrected and optimized as desired. We have been capable of tame the marginally sharp treble and fine-tune the bass with just some actions of the EQ controls. The Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 then sounded very balanced.

Steelseries additionally gives over 200 predefined EQ profiles, custom-made for numerous video games, from Name of Responsibility to Counter-Strike 2, which could be loaded with a click on. Within the take a look at, a few of these presets truly introduced audible enhancements for particular situations, resembling clearer footsteps in shooters or extra highly effective results in motion adventures.

In brief, the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 delivers a robust audio efficiency out of the field, particularly for gaming. If you wish to additional refine the sound, you’ve got all of the choices with the software program instruments. On this worth vary, the Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 is correct on the high.

Costlier fashions such because the Steelseries Arctis Nova Professional or the Elite supply even finer hi-res sound, but in addition price many instances extra. For a $200 headset, the sound high quality of the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 is completely convincing and left hardly something to be desired in on a regular basis gaming.

Microphone and voice chat

Steelseries equips the Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 with the tried-and-tested “ClearCast Gen2” increase arm microphone. This may be retracted into the left ear cup and suits seamlessly into the design when retracted — excellent if you wish to use the headset as regular headphones when travelling.

The microphone could be flexibly bent into place and is just pulled out to be used. Nonetheless, it isn’t removable; it all the time stays connected to the headset. The LED indicators are sensible: A small purple LED on the tip of the microphone alerts that the microphone is muted, and a standing LED additionally signifies the connection mode.

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In voice chat observe, the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 delivers strong intelligibility. Voices are transmitted clearly and background noise is successfully suppressed. In accordance with Steelseries, this ought to be as much as 25 decibels because of AI noise cancelling.

In our Discord rounds, our fellow gamers confirmed that our voice got here via clearly and with out loud background noise. Nonetheless, we’ve to say: When it comes to sound, the microphone is simply mid-range. Our criticism is that the voice transmission is considerably unnatural and nasal, as if the voice is filtered barely mechanically or tinny.

This can be a typical phenomenon with many gaming headsets that reduce frequencies in favor of readability. Consequently, the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 by no means sounds as full or pure as an exterior microphone. Nonetheless, the result’s completely advantageous for regular voice chat. Nonetheless, anybody who values very warm or genuine voice transmission (e.g. for streaming) will see the common microphone as a weak level.

In a direct comparability with some competitor headsets on this class, the ClearCast microphone performs barely worse — the microphone on the HyperX Cloud III S Wi-fi or the Razer Blackshark V3 Professional, for instance, sound slightly fuller.

On a optimistic observe, nevertheless, the microphone of the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 isn’t overly delicate: Loud ambient noises or keyboard clatter are not often transmitted. The headset additionally has microphone monitoring — you may hear your self barely in your ear — which protects you from unconsciously talking loudly.

Tip: The microphone ought to truly be used prolonged for optimum outcomes. Though it’s technically potential to talk when the headset is inserted (it’s then not mechanically muted), the standard suffers considerably: The voice is barely captured and sounds muffled. You due to this fact have to drag out the headscarf to stay intelligible.

This isn’t an issue in on a regular basis use, because the versatile arm could be positioned simply. In significantly quiet conditions, we additionally discover a slight background noise or white noise from the microphone and hope for firmware optimizations right here. On our take a look at system, a slight background noise was solely audible when no different sounds have been taking part in; in gaming mode, it was drowned out by the sound.

General, the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 delivers a purposeful microphone that’s completely ample for recreation chat, VoIP telephony and most functions, however isn’t a spotlight. If you happen to’re searching for absolute high microphone high quality, you’ll both should resort to considerably dearer headsets or take into account a separate microphone. For everybody else, the extent supplied is suitable.

Battery life and charging capabilities

An enormous plus of the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 is the considerably longer battery life. Steelseries has elevated the capability by round 40 % in comparison with its predecessor and now guarantees a powerful utilization time of as much as 54 hours in 2.4GHz mode.

In Bluetooth-only mode, the battery is anticipated to final round 42 hours, and even when utilizing wi-fi and Bluetooth on the identical time, the battery nonetheless lasts round 38 hours. In observe, over 50 hours of battery life signifies that the headset solely must be charged a couple of times a month with average day by day use, making it an actual lengthy runner.

Our take a look at interval prolonged over a number of days of intensive gaming (six to eight hours per day) and we didn’t truly should cost the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 in between inside per week. The battery standing is displayed through the software program and an LED show on the system, and the headset emits warning tones when the battery is low.

Nonetheless, we discovered the sequence of warning tones slightly intrusive when the battery is low: three loud warning tones sound each two minutes or so, which could be annoying in the long term. Nonetheless, an empty battery is unlikely to return as an entire shock, because the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 is basically long-lasting.

And even when you overlook about it, assistance is at hand: Due to the quick-charging operate, quarter-hour on the cable is sufficient to offer you round six hours of taking part in time. The battery expenses totally in round one and a half hours.

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One other sensible function is you can proceed to make use of the headset whereas it’s charging. Merely join the USB-C cable and it’ll cost within the background with out interrupting the sport. Which means spontaneous gaming classes are by no means jeopardized.

General, the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 ranks on the high of the wi-fi headset vary by way of battery life. Only some fashions (such because the HyperX Cloud III S Wi-fi with over 100 hours) run even longer, however over 50 hours is already greater than sufficient for lengthy gaming nights.

Software program and extras

The GG software program, together with Sonar, is an actual asset for Steelseries. This software program suite integrates {hardware} and software program in an exemplary method and presents a variety of customization choices. On the PC, you should utilize Steelseries GG to put in firmware updates for the headset, however above all you may configure the sound extensively:

A parametric 10-band equalizer, numerous predefined sound profiles for various recreation genres, sliders for recreation/chat combine, quantity, microphone stage, and sidetone (monitoring) — all of that is clearly accessible.

The person interface is designed to be beginner-friendly; when you don’t need to familiarize your self in depth, merely choose one of many many presets and get an appropriate sound with none effort. Superior customers might be delighted with the power to fine-tune each sound element from treble filter to bass enhance.

Due to the built-in sonar know-how, we have been truly capable of tease rather a lot out of the headset throughout the take a look at. Steelseries Sonar is regarded by connoisseurs as among the finest headset apps available on the market, and our expertise confirms this:

The EQ operate and the repeatedly up to date gaming presets (over 260 profiles in response to the producer) are distinctive and really helpful. Exceptional: For the reason that second technology, the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 now additionally helps the Arctis smartphone app.

This permits console players or cellular players to make some settings conveniently on their cellphones. For instance, the app can be utilized to pick out EQ presets, modify the sound combine, or management lighting (if accessible).

The parametric fine-tuning is reserved for the PC software program, however primary profiles can be modified on the transfer. Within the take a look at, the app pairing labored right away; additionally it is pleasing that no obligatory registration is required to make use of the app or PC software program.

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General, Steelseries emphasises its premium declare with the software program: The probabilities go far past what normal drivers supply. Solely those that completely don’t like extra software program on the PC could also be overwhelmed:

The Sonar app can appear advanced at first, but it surely’s value spending 15 to half-hour familiarizing your self with it. For many players, the software program integration is a good added worth that units the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 other than extra merely geared up competitor fashions.

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