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SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless · Photo source

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless
Photo 1 of 6

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless · Photo source

SteelSeries · Arctis Nova

Arctis Nova 5 Wireless

Released May 2024

A wireless gaming headset with a USB-C dongle, Bluetooth quick switching and a phone app that applies game-specific audio presets on consoles as well as PC; the 5X version adds Xbox support.

Type
Over-ear
Noise cancelling
No
Battery
60 h
With case
–
Best codec
SBC
Weight
265 g

What reviewers say

Tom's Guide tested the 5P and Tom's Hardware tested the 5X. Both praise the comfort, game presets, battery life and clear microphone. Tom's Guide likes its music playback, while Tom's Hardware finds complex music less convincing and reports occasional dongle disconnections when switching wireless modes.

From tomsguide.com and tomshardware.com

Specifications

Report a wrong or missing spec

Sound

Type
Over-ear
Noise cancelling
No
Driver size
40 mm
Back
Closed
Impedance
36 ohms
Bluetooth codecs
SBC
Lossless over USB-C
No
Drivers
Neodymium magnetic drivers; 20–22,000 Hz response; 93 dB SPL sensitivity; THD under 1%
Audio features
USB-C 2.4GHz wireless dongle and Bluetooth Quick-Switch; both connections can remain active, but only one audio stream plays at a time. Arctis Companion app provides game-specific EQ presets with separate profiles for 2.4GHz and Bluetooth; supports 360° spatial audio. SBC Bluetooth playback tested by RTINGS; other codecs are not confirmed here. USB-C socket on headset is for charging, with no wired playback (Tom's Hardware)

Battery

Listening time (maker's claim)
Up to 60 hours
Battery life detail
Up to 50 hours over 2.4GHz or 60 hours over Bluetooth on one charge
Fast charging
USB-C; 15 minutes for up to 6 hours of play

Design

Weight
265 g
Bluetooth
5.3
Headphone cable
No
Controls
Volume wheel, mic mute, power/media button and Quick-Switch button for wireless mode, pairing and calls; 5X adds a ChatMix dial. PC ChatMix requires GG/Sonar on Windows 10 or later; PlayStation and Mac do not support ChatMix
Microphones
Fully retractable bidirectional ClearCast boom with mute LED; 100–10,000 Hz response and −38 dBV/Pa sensitivity. UK tables name the 5/5P microphone Gen 2 and the 5X Gen 2.X; launch announcement specifies 32 kHz/16-bit microphone audio across the series. Sonar AI microphone noise cancellation requires Windows 10 or later
Fit and ear tips
Closed-back (Tom's Hardware); Airweave ear cushions, height-adjustable earcups and adjustable elastic suspension headband
Works with
All three versions support PC, Mac, PS5 and PS4, Nintendo Switch, USB-C mobile devices and Bluetooth devices; 5X additionally supports Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One, with an Xbox/USB switch on its dongle. Arctis Companion app requires iOS 15.6 or Android 9; GG/Engine requires Windows 8.1 or macOS 10.13 or later
In the box
Headset, compact USB-C wireless dongle, 1.5 m USB-C to USB-A charging cable, 1.5 m USB-C to USB-A dongle adapter cable and product information guide

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Phone app changes audio presets while playing on consoles
  • Up to 50 hours over the gaming dongle or 60 hours over Bluetooth
  • Retractable boom microphone and adjustable suspension headband

Cons

  • Bluetooth and gaming audio cannot be heard simultaneously
  • No active noise cancelling or wired audio input
  • Xbox support requires the 5X version

Closest rivals

Model
TypeNoise cancellingBatteryWith caseBest codecWeightReleased
JBLTune 720BT
Over-earNo76 h–AAC220 gFeb 2023
AudezeMaxwell
Over-earNo80 h–LC3490 gJan 2023
SonyINZONE H7
Over-earNo40 h–AAC325 gJul 2022

Sources

  1. steelseries.com/en-gb/gaming-headsets/arctis-nova-5
  2. steelseries.com/en-gb/gaming-headsets/arctis-nova-5
  3. steelseries.com/en-gb/gaming-headsets/arctis-nova-5
  4. steelseries.com/press/144-steelseries-introduces-100-game-specific-audio-profil…
  5. support.steelseries.com/hc/en-us/articles/26537573989517-Nova-5-General-Informa…
  6. support.steelseries.com/hc/en-us/article_attachments/26537501228429
  7. support.steelseries.com/hc/en-us/article_attachments/26537510234893
  8. tomshardware.com/peripherals/gaming-headsets/steelseries-arctis-nova-5-wireless…
  9. rtings.com/headphones/reviews/steelseries/arctis-nova-5-wireless-5-5p-5x

Photo: images.ctfassets.net

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