If you hate (or just can't be bothered) adjusting your audio profiles when setting up a new gaming headset, then you might be the target demographic for SteelSeries' latest offering. Unveiled on Tuesday, the new Arctis Nova 5 headset is supported by a dedicated companion app that features over 100 game-specific audio presets for Xbox and PlayStation 5 titles like fortnite, Apex legendsand Minecraftwhich according to SteelSeries have been “tailored for each game by audio engineers.”
Available today for $129.99, SteelSeries describes the Arctis Nova 5 as an “affordable luxury.” It's a bit more expensive than the $119.99 Arctis Nova 4 wireless headset released last year, but for that, you get the ability to change audio presets in real time without leaving a gaming session, as well as cross-platform support for Xbox, PlayStation, Switch. , PC, Meta Quest, and phones or tablets that support the included USB-C dongle.
The Nova 5 companion app requires the headset to be connected to a mobile device via Bluetooth, but that shouldn't interfere with the ability to take calls mid-game. The “Quick Switch Wireless” feature switches audio output between 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth 5.3 by tapping a button located on one of the earbuds, allowing users to take a call over Bluetooth while game audio retains a passive 2.4 GHz connection.
SteelSeries says the Arctis Nova 5 can last up to 60 hours per charge and the headset's USB-C fast charging can provide six hours of playback on a 15-minute charge. It's powered by neodymium magnetic drivers (which are quite common in modern headsets), while a new high-bandwidth microphone chipset provides support for 32kHz/16-bit audio to help keep in-game communications clear. .
The microphone retracts into the headset when not in use, blending seamlessly into the headset. The Nova 5 also supports the same ai noise cancellation feature seen on the Nova 4 to help further reduce background noise in noisy environments. Considering the Nova 5 costs just $10 extra, the extra benefits it offers could have SteelSeries customers reaching for their couches for spare change to finance the upgrade.
