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Page 4 Showing 61-80 of 91 reviews
Pros mentioned:
Comfort
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Awesome
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Posted . Owned for 3 weeks when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Awesome , works perfectly and had it for over 3 years , still works like new
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
With many gaming accessory brands trying to stand out from one another in such a lucrative space, it’s refreshing to see big names stick to more subtle designs and branding, letting the product stand on its own merits. Though they certainly have RGB lighting-enabled devices, Steelseries’ offerings are largely more understated compared to their peers, putting quality and function first. The new Arctis Nova 5 line of headsets (comprising the Nova 5 for PC, Nova 5P for PC and PlayStation, and Nova 5X for PC and Xbox) continue this trend, and the blue accents in the headband of the Nova 5P are about all the flair you’ll find. This simple and clean headset is a strong contender in the midrange headset space, offering great sound quality and a surprising depth of features for any gamer looking to keep their headset for years to come.
An important note - though compatible with PlayStation consoles, I tested this headset exclusively on Windows 10 and 11 PCs. Your experience may vary on other devices.
- Unboxing and Setup
Steelseries includes a USB-C dongle for 2.4GHz wireless connectivity, which can connect directly into a PS5 or relatively modern PC, but an included USB-A to USB-C cable allows connectivity to a PS4 or virtually any PC. A USB-C cable is also included for charging the headset. Setup is as simple as can be via the dongle - hold the power button on the headset until “2.4 Pairing” is heard, and press the button on the dongle to sync.
Bluetooth pairing to PCs, PlayStation consoles, and smartphones or other Bluetooth compatible devices is also supported, and indeed you will need to pair the headset to a modern smartphone to use the Nova 5 application for configuring the headset. More on this later.
- Build Quality & Comfort
Despite an all-plastic body and mesh ear pads, the Nova 5P is a heavier headset than I expected - a middleweight among gaming headsets. The weight was put to good use as the size adjustment mechanism is incredibly strong and smooth; finding your perfect fit will be a one-time exercise. The silicone and elastic headband has only two size adjustments, but the headset should fit virtually any head comfortably and snugly.
Once set, the Nova 5P is an over-ear headset with light to moderate clamping force. The opening for the ears is on the smaller side, so those with larger ears may find that this feels closer to an on-ear headset, though the ear pads are very soft and forgiving. They’re leather lined on the inside and mesh everywhere else for breathability.
As a larger-eared gamer with a bigger head, the headset still fit me like an over-ear (just!), and I felt little fatigue on my head or ears after a multi-hour gaming session. It’s among the more comfortable headsets out there, but I would still liked to have seen slightly larger ear pads for added comfort. Heat was well dissipated and my ears never felt uncomfortably warm.
- Sound Quality & Controls
Any headset is only as good as its sound quality, and here Steelseries’ experience in the headphone space shines. The Nova 5P delivers a very balanced sound right out of the box that needs virtually no adjustment to correct any shortcomings in the audio. The biggest surprise is just how rich the bass sounds *without* being overpowering or imbalanced. Bass usually winds up being “punchy” or “boomy” but the Nova 5P lands right in between the two extremes, lending itself to a rich, warm sound in music or games alike. Midrange sounds are clear and precise, and though higher-pitched sounds (treble) seem to fall off a little bit, they are still present and discernible without being muted or tinny.
My only potential complaint (as this is personal preference) is that the soundstage - the perceived “distance” between fully left-panned and fully right-panned audio - feels only a few feet wide, which some people may prefer for a “closer-proximity” type sound in games. This is typical of most closed-back headphones, but the tradeoff here is that sound leakage is fairly low even with the cloth pads. Some sound will escape of course, but it’s well-muffled and shouldn’t disturb others nearby even at medium to high volumes.
Microphone quality is also pretty good in its normal sound mode, perhaps even slightly better than some other midrange gaming headsets. However, the microphone lacks any sort of foam or filter that I can see, resulting in more “pops” from harsh syllables in my speech.
With just three buttons and a volume dial, the Nova 5P has a simple and easy to use control scheme. The power button on the right ear cup also functions as a pairing button for the currently-selected connection mode, with the adjacent button used to switch between Bluetooth and 2.4Ghz (dongle) connections - being able to pair to two devices and switch between them on the fly is a great feature. A dedicated hardware mute button that pops out to mute and recesses to unmute is a nice touch. Audio cues in-headset confirm the mute has been toggled.
One of the nicer features is that the microphone arm is on a flexible coil that fully retracts into the headset. Much like the head strap, the mic arm is both easy to adjust and holds firmly, allowing you to find the perfect position for your microphone every time. When not in use it rewinds completely into the headset and sits flush, giving the Nova 5P a very clean look when stored.
- Arctis Nova 5 App
Steelseries’ Nova line of headsets have companion smartphone applications available on the Google Play store and Apple App stores. Here, the Arctis Nova 5 application works with all varieties of the Nova 5 headset line to customize sound, functionality, and appearance (as supported). The app requires the headset be paired to the phone via Bluetooth to function, but changes to settings are saved directly to the headset for their use with other devices.
The best features of the Nova app are the ability to change equalizer settings (a rare treat to have directly on-device), and to adjust the microphone’s sidetone level. The app can run concurrently while the headset’s active on the 2.4GHz dongle connection, so this lets you adjust settings and hear the results in real-time. As with most gaming headsets, there’s an option for a sound enhancement mode (“sonar”) that attempts to amplify quieter sounds of approaching enemies or threats in action or first-person shooter style games. I didn’t find this made a major difference besides what felt like changing equalizer settings to enhance midrange noise, but this is a personal preference.
- Range & Battery Life
The range of these headphones is excellent. Using 2.4GHz mode across multiple floors and trying to introduce worst-case scenarios inside my home, I couldn’t find any situation where the headset lost connection to my computer or phone at the extreme opposite end of the house. After about 50 feet through 3 floors I noticed a little bit of stutter, but in any real-world use case I saw no issues. Bluetooth range was a bit weaker, with loss of connection occurring about two floors away, but the Nova application can enable a lower-quality sound mode for enhanced bluetooth range if you need to eek out a stronger signal, with no apparent impact to battery life.
Steelseries estimates that the Nova 5P can last 50 hours per full charge, and though I wasn’t able to verify the full claim before review, after about 10 hours of active usage (plus a day’s worth of standby, when I left the headset on overnight) the battery level on the Nova app reported 75%. This was all while on 2.4GHz. I would say 50 hours of usage is a reasonable estimate, but your results may vary based on your usage and sound settings from the Nova 5 app.
- Bottom Line
All told, the Steelseries Arctis Nova 5P is a value-packed midrange headset that performs admirably and sits comfortably on the head. Sound quality is very much up to snuff, customizability (especially when using the companion app) is fairly diverse, and the ability to connect with two devices simultaneously and switch between them with a button press is an incredibly useful feature - connected to my PC with the 2.4GHz dongle and to my phone with Bluetooth, I was able to answer a call without skipping a beat.
Packing versatility, comfort, and quality all into one reasonably priced package, the Steelseries Arctis Nova 5P comes highly recommended!
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5P Wireless Gaming Headset is a top notch gaming headset for PS5, PS4, PC, Switch, Android, Mac, Tablet, Meta Quest 2, and handheld devices. Out of the box, I took out the headset, the 5 foot USB-A to USB-C charging cable, the 5 foot USB-C to USB-A dongle extension cable, and the wireless dongle. The headband and cups are a matte black with no RGB and a silver SteelSeries logo on the outside of both cups. I thought this was a classy aesthetic touch as I felt I could use the headset for any purpose, any where, without it looking out of place as gaming headset. The headset felt slightly lighter than average, but also felt quite durable with ABS plastic for the headset and cups. The inside of the cups have memory foam which was very soft and allowed a light seal around my ear. I do wear glasses, so the soft seal was very welcome to my ear and temple. After a long session wearing this headset, I felt no pinching or pain in those areas in which I can typically experience pain from other headsets that pinch too tightly. The microphone is stealth in the sense that it sits retracted into the cup, and then I pulled the mic out when I needed it. The headset has typical controls on the unit: volume dial, power, pairing, mode switch, and mute. As alluded to with the mode switch button, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5P Wireless Gaming Headset can connect either via Bluetooth or via high-speed 2.4 GHz wireless with the dongle. All it takes is a push of that button to switch between the two modes. I tested connecting to both my PC and my PS5, and the headset connected easily. There is SteelSeries software that I downloaded on my PC, and there is an Arctis Nova 5 app that I downloaded for my phone. This software is very nice with many customization options with both listening profiles and microphone options. Of note is that there are listening profiles that can be selected that are optimized for a long list of games and scenarios. I like that there is an option to have the customization done via phone for users that are primarily using it on the PS5 and don't have a computer. I have used it out of the box for multiple hours per day for over a week now, and I haven't needed to recharge it. The documentation does say that a fifteen minute quick charge can provide for 6 hours of use. That may be but I haven't had to test that because it is keeping the original charge for so long. I played with different sound settings for different uses. For musical purposes, I used a Bass Boost setting and the headset had a very nice bass punch that didn't drown out the higher tones. For gaming, I used the mic settings to adjust what the mic would pick up and also turned on a listing profile for the game I was playing. Chat was flawless in both speaking and hearing, and the game audio sounded amazing. The headset has an elastic band that kept the headset from moving around much, but it isn't too tight. Pulling the mic out for the gaming session felt natural. I often don't need a mic, so being able to get rid of it altogether felt very nice. I did talk on my phone a bit, too, and it sounded fantastic. I think the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5P Wireless Gaming Headset is an excellent wireless headset, for all purposes and for all users. I would recommend it for all.
Solid performance! Comfort & quality come together
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
As a tech enthusiast who is passionate about gaming peripherals, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5P Wireless Gaming Headset for PS5 and PS4 in Black impresses with its blend of design, functionality, and performance. This headset sets a high bar with its sleek, minimalist design that not only looks good but feels great during extended gaming sessions. The adjustable headband and breathable ear cushions provide a comfortable fit, reducing fatigue during those marathon gaming sessions. One of the standout features of the Arctis Nova 5P is its exceptional audio quality. The custom-tuned drivers deliver a rich, immersive soundscape that enhances gameplay, making explosions, footsteps, and ambient sounds come alive with stunning clarity. The wireless connectivity is reliable, offering a lag-free experience that is crucial for competitive gaming. The battery life is also commendable, easily lasting through long sessions without the need for frequent recharges. The built-in retractable microphone is another highlight, providing clear and crisp communication with teammates. The noise-canceling feature is effective, ensuring that your voice comes through without background noise, which is a boon during intense multiplayer games. However, no product is without its shortcomings. The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5P, while impressive, does have a few areas where it could improve. Firstly, the price point might be a bit steep for some gamers, especially those on a budget. While the audio quality is superb, audiophiles might find that the bass could be a tad more pronounced. Additionally, the headset can feel slightly snug for users with larger heads, which might cause discomfort over extended periods. Another minor gripe is the lack of Bluetooth connectivity, limiting the headset's versatility with other devices outside the PlayStation ecosystem. Overall, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5P Wireless Gaming Headset for PS5 and PS4 is a top-tier gaming accessory that delivers on its promise of high-quality audio and comfort. Despite a few minor drawbacks, it stands out as a premium choice for serious gamers looking to elevate their gaming experience. Given its performance, design, and the immersive experience it offers, I would rate this headset a solid 4.5 out of 5 stars.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
These headphones might've been considered good 10 years ago, but they sound boxy and have a weird connectivity issue.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Battery life, Comfort, Connectivity
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Great wireless headset
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Posted .
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5P is a great wireless gaming headset. The headset features both 2.4g wireless connectivity as well as Bluetooth. In the box you will find the headset, wireless USB-C dongle, usb-a to usb-c charging cable, and a usb-a to usb-c (female) extension cable for the dongle. The dongle is a bit of an odd shape, and not the "stick" shape most wireless dongles are. It is kind of that stick shape, but turned on it's side. So on my setup, and I'm guessing many others, it actually blocks the ports sitting next to the port that it is plugged in to. It's really a headscratcher for me, because I don't see any functional reason for designing it this way. But you can always use the extension cable to just get it out of the way completely. That aside, that is really the only somewhat negative experience I've had with this headset. Everything else was absolutely great. This particular headset works on PS5/4, PC, and bluetooth devices. Setup is practically non-existent. You just plug it in and you're ready to go. I didn't get a chance to connect these to anything bluetooth, but I imagine it wouldn't be very difficult. On PC and PS5 they work flawlessly. They have really great sound and are very comfortable to wear, even on longer gaming sessions. The mic is retractable, and when retracted, absolutely flush and you can barely tell it is even there. So these would actually work really nice as a bluetooth headset on the go without looking too silly with a mic. The battery life is also really good with this headset. I was able to use it all week, a couple of hours a day and didn't have to recharge. SteelSeries claims up to 60 hours of battery life, and I suspect these could actually reach pretty close to that if you really tried. Overall I am just very happy with this headset. It has great audio performance and a long battery life. The design of the wireless dongle is a little iffy and may block some of your other usb ports, but luckily they include an extension cable that should solve that problem if you have it. Other than that, it is a really great headset that I would highly recommend.