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.

SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES

PACKAGING AND CONTENTS

SteelSeries has once again used a grey/orange box the front of which is taken by their logo, a large product picture and two awards.

The contents of the bundle are printed on the right side just over the product specifications.

At the rear of the box SteelSeries has placed the 4 main product features in several languages.

Along with the ARCTIS NOVA 7 Wireless inside the box SteelSeries has also packed a cloth cover/pouch, 1.5 meter long USB-A to USB-C cable, 1.5 meter long USB-C extension cable, 1.5 meter long 3.5mm cable, 2.4GHz wireless USB-C dongle, fold this for lars piece of cardboard and the product guide.

THE ARCTIS NOVA 7 WIRELESS

Just like with past gaming headsets by SteelSeries the ARCTIS NOVA 7 Wireless is made out of aluminum, plastic/PVD, memory foam and fabric.

In terms of size the ARCTIS NOVA 7 Wireless is clearly a medium to large model.

Typically, SteelSeries has once again placed their logo on the exterior of both earcups.

The ClearCast Gen 2 retractable bidirectional noise-cancelling microphone is very flexible.

On the exterior of the left earcup we find the volume control roller, microphone mute button and the 3.5mm port.

Moving on the exterior of the right earcup here we find the Chatmix control roller, power on/off button, battery LED, bluetooth button and the USB-C port.

As always left and right markings are placed on the interior just over the earcups.

Once again SteelSeries has used large earpads dressed with their airweave fabric and a very good amount of memory foam padding.

Foldable earcups is nothing new for SteelSeries so that feature is also present with the ARCTIS NOVA 7 Wireless.

Over the years SteelSeries has improved their headband suspension system so now you even have 3 clips/mounts on each side of the headset which you can use to find the optimal fit.

STEELSERIES GG

Once launched the SteelSeries GG software detects all compatible and/or account registered peripherals and lists them under the Engine tab.

Of course, it also checks for available firmware updates and in the case of the ARCTIS NOVA 7 Wireless you will need to connect both the USB-C dongle and the headset with your PC.

From the audio tab inside the Engine part of the software you can switch between the 5 available EQ presets, adjust the microphone volume and sidetone, enable the live microphone preview function and use the volume limiter.

Inside the settings tab we find the sleep timer, bluetooth on/off, bluetooth behaviour during incoming calls and the microphone mute LED brightness.

Moving to the sonar tab you can adjust the mixer, choose one of the available game/chat/microphone presets (unfortunately for some strange reason games like Battlefield 2142 are not listed, still anyways), enable/disable noise reduction and gate and finally enable and tune spatial audio and ClearCast noise cancellation if you’d like to test those features out.

CONCLUSION

   Whenever I get my hands on a new gaming headset I test it 3 different ways, while listening to music (usually uncompressed FLAC using the FiiO M15), watching movies (usually either on the PC or my TV set via bluetooth) and of course playing games (lately mostly with Battlefield 2142, Gotham Knights and Forza Horizon 5). Of course, since the ARCTIS NOVA 7 is a wireless model, I had to use it both with the included 3.5mm cable and wirelessly (2.4GHz & Bluetooth) and the good news is that the end result is almost identical across the board (only volume levels change enough to make the distinction). That being said even though the ARCTIS NOVA 7 Wireless produces clear and accurate mids and highs (also good bass levels) I can’t say the same about its soundstage and so it wouldn’t be my choice for listening to music. I guess it’s not bad for that use if you already have it (always compared to other gaming headsets) but its primary target is gaming and there is where it excels. Yes, it may not produce the same crisp highs and rich bass as the NOVA PRO but it comes really close and in terms of positioning audio, I don’t think it has much to be jealous from its larger, more expensive brother. Granted, you may need to spend sometime tweaking the various sonar settings to get the most immersive positioning audio possible for the game you’re playing (if your game is listed in the EQ presets I do suggest using that and then tweaking it if need be) but the end result is well worth it. As for movies well I have no complaints here honestly (virtual surround works well as does everything else from vocals to bass levels), although again, gaming is where this headset excels at. In terms of battery life when using the ARCTIS NOVA 7 Wireless with its 2.4GHz connectivity I measured up to 34.5 hours of battery life (at around 80% volume), a number which is extremely good and pretty much ensures a full week of gaming without recharging, at least for most casual gamers.

   The ARCTIS NOVA 7 Wireless by SteelSeries currently retails for USD179.99 inside the USA (Amazon.com) and for 166.72Euros inside the EU (Amazon.de) a price tag which is certainly balanced for what you’re getting. Long story short i have no complaints from the ARCTIS NOVA 7 Wireless, quite the opposite really since i actually enjoyed using it the 3 weeks i ended up testing it. Yes, it’s by no means perfect but it’s still a very good wireless gaming headset well worth the Golden Award.

PROS

- Very Good Build Quality
- HiRes Audio Quality (24bit/96kHz)
- Volume Levels
- 3.5mm Wired, 2.4GHz Low Latency & Bluetooth v5.0 Connectivity
- Very Comfortable
- 7.1 Positioning Audio Via Sonar
- SteelSeries GG Software

CONS

- Sonar Software Feature (PC Only)