At present, SteelSeries unveiled the following wi-fi headset in its Arctis Nova household, the Nova 5. Launching at $130, the brand new Arctis Nova 5 line is supposed to bridge the hole between the entry-level Nova 1 and Nova 3 fashions and the high-end Nova 7 and (*5*) headsets, providing the identical nice type issue and design as the remainder of the line-up however with a mid-range suite of options.
To clear up any confusion when you’re conversant in the Nova headset line: The Nova 5 is basically changing the Nova 4, which debuted final yr for $120. SteelSeries now not sells the Nova 4, and whilst you can find it at other retailers, the Nova 5 has new and higher options, resembling Bluetooth and elevated battery life, for under $10 extra.
A type of options is a brand new companion app accessible for iOS and Android, which comes with over 100 EQ presets for common video games like Name of Responsibility, Future, and Minecraft, which you can swap to on the fly proper out of your cellphone. Whereas a few of the presets are engineered to boost the audio expertise total, others are tuned to intensify particular parts of the sound mix–like one Name of Responsibility preset that makes it simpler to listen to enemy footsteps. The companion app is unique to the trio of Nova 5 headsets; it doesn’t work with different headsets within the Nova line.
Often, you’ll should be utilizing a headset on PC with a proprietary desktop app to make use of audio customization options like this, however for the reason that Arctis Nova 5 helps each 2.4GHz and Bluetooth wi-fi connectivity, you’ll be able to join it to your PlayStation, Xbox, Change, or PC by way of the two.4GHz dongle and your smartphone over Bluetooth, so the cell app is at all times accessible to you. The headset can be geared up with a connection hot-swap button, so you’ll be able to swap between 2.4GHz and Bluetooth audio sources at will.
Together with the app and a number of connection choices, the Nova 5 additionally has a noise-canceling microphone that totally retracts into the left earcup, and sports activities as much as 60 hours of battery life and has quick charging by way of the included USB-C cable.
The Arctis Nova 5 headset is now accessible in three completely different fashions: the Nova 5, Nova 5P, and Nova 5X. All three fashions assist PC, PlayStation, Nintendo Change, and cell, however solely the 5X helps Xbox consoles. In addition they assist spatial audio on PS5, Xbox Collection X|S, and PC. The one different distinction is that the Nova 5 options an all-black head strap, whereas the 5P’s is black and blue, and the 5X’s is black and inexperienced. All three variations can be found for $130 at Amazon, Greatest Purchase, and instantly from SteelSeries.
Our impressions
I have been testing the PlayStation model of the headset for the previous week, and up to now, I am fairly happy with the headset. I have been a fan of the Arctis headsets for the reason that authentic Arctis Professional launched again in 2018, and the Nova 5 is a superb addition to the lineup. Whereas the Nova Professional is full of high-end options and the Nova 7 remains to be our favourite gaming headset total, the Nova 5 maintains the basics that make the whole Arctis Nova line so interesting. Most significantly, the sound high quality is superb. Whereas they sound nice out of the field, switching to a preset for the sport you are playing–or at the least one with related audio presentation–in the brand new cell companion app does make a marked distinction within the listening expertise, and is by far the Nova 5’s standout characteristic.
One of many different causes the Arctis Nova headset line is so nicely regarded is consolation. Like its siblings, the Nova 5 makes use of the ingenious headband strap design, which is probably the most snug type of headphone “padding” I’ve examined over time. The Nova 5 can be barely lighter than a few of the dearer Arctis fashions just like the Nova Professional, making them much more snug and nice for long-term use. That lighter construct does not come at the price of sturdiness, either–the headband is versatile and the earcups really feel sturdy.
If there’s one minor misgiving I’ve concerning the Nova 5 up to now, it is the app–or, extra precisely, the concession made to make the app at all times accessible. When you technically can join the Nova 5 to 2 gadgets at once–one by way of 2.4GHz and the opposite by way of Bluetooth–the solely factor you are able to do with that simultaneous connection is regulate the app in your cellphone over Bluetooth whereas gaming on PC or console by way of 2.4GHz. You can’t pay attention to 2 audio sources directly. To be clear, I feel the app is nice; it is easy to navigate, and the streamlined audio presets are well-engineered. It is only a bummer the headset does not allow you to hearken to a podcast out of your cellphone on the similar time you are enjoying a sport in your PC or console, which is one thing most different headsets with simultaneous gadget connectivity assist, together with the Nova 7 and Nova Professional.
That stated, the dearth of simultaneous audio playback is certainly not a dealbreaker, particularly at this value vary. In case you’ve been eyeing an Arctis Nova headset however the pricing on the Nova 7 is simply out of attain, then the Nova 5 is unquestionably value trying out.