INTRODUCTION

   I was never one to keep secrets from people so even though over the years I’ve used and tested a very large number of gaming headsets i never hid the fact that i wasn't particularly fond of them (nor headphones for that matter). Clearly having something on your head squeezing it (regardless of weight and intensity level) can't compete with having a speaker set, not in terms of general comfort. On top of that the lack of awareness around you especially if you live alone is something that always felt strange to me. That being said however time and again I’ve recognized just how convenient gaming headsets and headphones alike can be even more so in cases where external (ambient) noise is an issue or when someone's not alone in a room or a small area in general (LAN events included). Ever since i started doing reviews I’ve tested pretty much every gaming headset released by my friends over at SteelSeries at today with me i have their ARCTIS NOVA 7 Wireless.

   SteelSeries is the worldwide brand and innovation leader in gaming and esports peripherals focused on premium quality, innovation, and functionality. Founded in 2001, SteelSeries improves performance through first-to-market innovations and technologies that enable gamers to play harder, train longer, and rise to the challenge. SteelSeries is the pioneering supporter of esports and competitive gaming tournaments, connecting gamers and fostering a sense of community and purpose. SteelSeries’ family of professional and gaming enthusiasts are the driving force behind the company and help influence, design, and craft every single accessory and the brand’s software ecosystem, SteelSeries GG, which includes Moments video clip service and the Sonar Audio Software Suite. The SteelSeries family of brands includes KontrolFreek, the industry leader in high-performance controller accessories, and Nahimic, the leader in 3D sound solutions for gaming. In 2022 SteelSeries joined the GN family, a global leader in innovative and intelligent audio and video communications solutions sold in approximately 100 countries around the world.

   The ARCTIS NOVA 7 Wireless is part of the ARCTIS NOVA family and sports two 40mm high-fidelity neodymium drivers (20Hz-22kHz frequency response with 93dB sensitivity and 36Ohm impedance / on the box it says 32) together with a retractable bidirectional noise cancelling microphone (100Hz-6.5Khz frequency response with -38dB sensitivity - ClearCast Gen 2). In terms of wireless connectivity SteelSeries has equipped the ARCTIS NOVA 7 Wireless with both 2.4GHz low-latency (Quantum 2.0 Gaming Wireless) and Bluetooth v5.0 thus allowing for simultaneous connection with both your PC and/or console and your mobile devices like smartphones and tablets. Also, thanks to an internal 620mAh lithium-ion rechargeable battery pack the ARCTIS NOVA 7 can last up to 38 hours when used with its 2.4GHz low-latency USB-C dongle and up to 26 hours when used with both 2.4GHz and Bluetooth. Just like with the ARCTIS NOVA PRO for the optimal positioning audio experience SteelSeries has once again used their latest Sonar software which delivers 360° detail with Spatial Audio and allows the end user complete control over it with the help of a 10-band parametric equalizer. What I'm mostly interested is to see just how the ARCTIS NOVA 7 Wireless compares to the ARCTIS NOVA PRO so let's check it out.