The SteelSeries Nova Pro Wireless is a direct successor to the popular Arctis Pro Wireless model. So we are dealing with another premium headset from the Danish manufacturer, as evidenced by their price. The device costs PLN 1,399, and at launch it cost even more, as much as PLN 1,799. The SteelSeries Nova Pro Wireless are available in two versions:
- PlayStation 5 + PC
- Xbox + PC/PlayStation 5
If we decide to choose the PS5 + PC model, we will not be able to connect the GameDAC module to the Xbox. In the case of the second version, it will be impossible to connect the device to both the PC and PS5 at the same time. It is worth keeping this in mind before deciding to buy.
DESIGN
The SteelSeries Nova Pro Wireless are characterized by an elegant and aesthetic design. Someone spiteful might even say that it is a bit ascetic. But I am not spiteful. Heck, this simplicity is what fully convinces me. I am not and have never been a fan of “typically gaming” flashy colors or the ubiquitous RGB.
The casing is made of high-quality plastic, which has a rather pleasant to the touch matte texture. The earphones are finished with eco-leather, which seems durable and resistant to possible abrasions. The headphones fit well on the ears, which is also influenced by the flexible headband, which allows us to easily adjust the device to the shape of our head.
I have to praise SteelSeries, because the Nova Pro is a rare example of a headset that doesn’t cause any problems for people who wear glasses. Even during several hours of sessions, I didn’t feel any pain or discomfort.
When it comes to available buttons or connectors, the left earpiece has a volume control knob, an ON/OFF button, and a button to turn on the microphone. The latter has been hidden inside the earpiece in a rather clever way. Here is another point for the Danish manufacturer.
There is also a 3.5mm audio port on the left earpiece (which allows you to connect the device to a computer or console via a cable). The right earpiece has a Bluetooth pairing button.
But that’s not all, because both the right and left earpieces are covered with a magnetic grille. In the case of the left earpiece, under a plastic disc we find a USB-C port (used for software updates, among other things), and under the right earpiece – a replaceable battery.
I do have a small problem with these magnetic discs. First, they are sometimes quite difficult to remove from the headphones (e.g. to replace the battery), and second – they collect dust mercilessly, which is related to their unusual texture. In this aspect, SteelSeries has overdone it a bit.
GAMEDAC AND COMMUNICATION
One of the most important elements of the SteelSeries Nova Pro Wireless set is, of course, the external GameDAC module (DAC – Digital to Analog Converter), which – as the name suggests – allows you to convert a digital audio signal to an analog signal.
The Gen 2 GameDAC is equipped with the new ESS Sabre Quad-DAC. As the Danish manufacturer boasts, it provides 78 percent cleaner sound with lower distortion.
GameDAC connects to the headphones via Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz). Importantly, it has two USB-C ports, which means that we can connect the headphones to our PC and PS5 console (or Xbox – in the case of the second variant) at the same time. We don’t have to play around with cables – switching from one sound source to another is only possible by pressing the appropriate button on the headset.
This is still not the end of the possibilities of the tested headphones. They have also been equipped with a Bluetooth module, which means that – apart from a PC and PlayStation 5 – we can connect them to, among others, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck or our smartphone. As a result, we can, for example, play on the console and talk on the phone at the same time.
Let’s get back to the GameDAC for a moment. This module has a monochrome OLED screen that displays basic information such as volume, battery status, and active audio source. There’s also an analog knob and a touch button.
Holding your finger on the knob for three seconds will launch a shortcut menu that allows you to change the headphone settings (). Here we can, among other things, change the brightness of the GameDAC screen, play with the Equalizer, or turn on ANC.
The GameDAC also serves as a charger for the headphones’ battery, but I will write more about this later in the material, as the manufacturer has decided on a very interesting solution here, which it calls “Infinitie Power”.
SOUND QUALITY AND SONAR APPLICATION
The Nova Pro Wireless headphones are equipped with 40-millimeter membranes that support a range of 10 to 40,000 Hz (wired) or 10 to 22,000 Hz (wireless). So if you want the highest possible sound quality, it’s best to connect them “via cable,” although the Nova Pro also sound great in the 2.4 GHz “radio” mode, especially in the mid-band, which is characterized by depth that is unusual for gaming headphones.
The bass is a bit too flat, but the Sonar app and Deep Bass mode come to our aid here. Sonar offers, among other things, an advanced equalizer. We can adjust it to our individual needs or choose one of the ready-made presets. Some of them were prepared with specific games in mind – e.g. Alan Wake 2, Baldur’s Gate 3, Starfield or GTA 5.
Using the Sonar app, we can also activate the Spatial Audio function, which is virtual surround sound. At first, I was skeptical about this solution, but after a few weeks, I can’t imagine playing on the Nova Pro Wireless headphones without Spatial Audio.
Another feature worth noting is ANC (active noise cancellation), which allows us to reduce ambient sounds. Of course, in terms of ANC, the tested headphones are far from the iconic Sony WH-1000XM5 model, but noise reduction works much better here than in most gaming headsets.
In addition to ANC, we also have Transparency Mode, a mode that amplifies ambient sounds. We can adjust the transparency level to our needs, choosing a range from 1 to 10.
BATTERY
As I mentioned earlier, in the case of the Nova Pro Wireless model, the manufacturer used the Infinity Power system. In the set with the headphones, we get not one, but two batteries. The first is placed in the headphones, and the second – in the GameDAC module, which also acts as a battery charger.
As a result, we can literally play non-stop on SteelSeries headphones. As soon as we hear the sound informing us that the battery is running low, we can quickly replace it. The discharged battery goes to the GameDAC module, and the charged one is placed in the headphones. The whole process takes literally a few dozen seconds, and after connecting the new battery, the headphones automatically turn on. I must admit that this is a brilliant solution that I have not encountered in the competition.
SUMMARY
It’s very rare for me to review a device that meets almost all of my expectations. But that’s exactly what happens with the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless. These are amazing headphones that stand out with their great design, excellent sound quality, “infinite” battery, and then there’s the incredibly useful GameDAC module and the extensive Sonar app.
I spent a long time looking for flaws in this device and finally found some – although a bit of a stretch. I mean those unfortunate magnetic grilles that gather dust too easily. I was also slightly disappointed by the microphone, which sounds quite average. It does its job, but I would expect something more from a device in this price range. And here we come to another problem, which is the price.
Because let’s not kid ourselves: SteelSeries headphones are simply expensive. Even if we take into account the fact that their price has dropped by several hundred zlotys over the last few months, PLN 1,399 is still a lot. We can only hope that we will see another price reduction in the near future.
Source: Gazeta
Mabel is a talented author and journalist with a passion for all things technology. As an experienced writer for the 247 News Agency, she has established a reputation for her in-depth reporting and expert analysis on the latest developments in the tech industry.
