Customer Ratings & Reviews

I’ve been a PC gamer for over 20 years, and am firmly grounded in the value of a good headset with comms for the best experience. I’ve had a lot of nice setups over the years, and my son gets all of my hand-me-down rigs as I upgrade, and has most recently been loving gaming with my older Astro A40 TR’s with the Mixamp, an extremely competent audio setup that just flat out got retired by this new Steel Series Arctis Nova Pro headset. The box endorses boldly on the cover “Best high-end gaming headset”, a hurdle they clear pretty easily with this offering. Out of the box the headset boasts a really lightweight and flexible build composed of a durable plastic frame, a soft rubber/elastic headband and earcups. There are metal accent plates on the earcaps and on the top band. There are three points of adjustment action that allows you to customize the fit: three pins on each side for the headband, arms for each ear cup that slide in and out to account for head size, and the ear cups themselves that swivel out a full 180 degrees to lay the headset flat on your desk. The earcups are a soft leatherette finish over memory foam- really supple and comfortable, they melt over your ear and shut off the world outside pretty effectively. Coming from open-back cloth earpads that allowed for sound bleed, this was a brand new experience to me, the noise-cancelling environment. For all of the debate on closed-ear design, I wore these through some serious marathon gaming sessions (8+ hours) and the headset just about blended into my head. Heat was not an issue for me at all, and the weight was perfect. The retractable mic is similarly compact, a small headpiece with a foam cap on a flexible boom to allow for custom positioning. Controls on the ear cups include a volume wheel and a mic mute. Then there is the GameDAC station. The GameDAC station/base is next level. I had a mixamp with the A40s that was next level at the time, but this is a whole new day. Gone are the days of a couple of dials and buttons, now we have a really clean and sleek module with an OLED screen, a main control dial and a world of options. As a PC user, I had to download and install the Steel Series GG/Sonar software to update the firmware, but once complete you unlock a whole new level of customizable sound experience. You can select from default presets, or create sound profiles for each and every game experience, general music or movie experiences- you name it and you can customize it. You do need to install the software to unlock the full surround sound capacity and you need to make some adjustments in Windows to achieve the full breadth of the 96kHz sampling rate. This small DAC module allows for customization as well at the unit level, but with PC gaming I’m used to the software package and windows interface. If you have a Playstation or Switch, the DAC instantly allows for you to hot swap between consoles at the press of a button. Great utility and flexibility. As to the sound experience….phenomenal clear and detailed sound. Steel Series design seems very focused on the mids and highs, with a muted bass that is really fantastic with FPS or PVP games focused on spatial and directional audio (footsteps or shooting). The sound quality elevates even more in story-based games rich in environmental sound immersion. Again, the closed-ear sound is new for me, but it really dials in on authentic and crisp spatial sound that is detailed, and allows for quick, accurate reactions. It definitely added value to my gameplay and gave advantage where I wasn’t seeing it prior. No real cons to speak of, there is a wireless version at a higher price point but Steel Series sound design is potent and lives up to the billing. High-end gaming demands high-end sound, add in some flexible connect options and you can’t do much better for the cost. The only reason my son gets the instant upgrade is because he starts his college journey in the fall. I brought PC gaming into his life when he was six, and we’ve game together often over the dozen plus years since. As a dad I couldn’t think of a better gift to ensure we stay connected while he is gone, and to keep him on top of his game.

I'm loving this headset/Game dac combo. I must say, I was a little hesitant because all the hearsay you get online from audiophiles, you know, the whole "gaming headsets are just gimmicks", and to a certain point, that is true. However not with these. Let me elaborate... I was using open back non "gaming" headsets before with another game dac. Every one swears by open back design headsets as they provider an ampler sound stage. These are close back ones, but oh wow, they are a great quality closed back ones. The fit is perfect and the leatherette cushions are super fluffily and comfy. They do get a little hot after a while, but nothing that a little break can solve. They seal the sound and I barely hear any distracting noises (I can hear some if I enable the side tone function on the Game dac, which allows you to hear your own voice when talking and you can also hear some of the outside world). They are tuned to reach higher frequencies needed for Hi-Res audio. Installing the combo was easy, you plug the game dac to the PC (or PS4/5) or both, since this new V2 of the Game dac has two inputs and you can flick from one device to another with just a change of settings in the game dac. I'm mainly a PC gamer, and you will get way further functionality if you use these with a PC. You install Steelseries GG engine (it will detect the combo and update its firmware upon first launch) and it installed their Sonar suit also automatically for me. Once it does, if you are going to use their Sonar suit (which I highly recommend) it will auto setup your devices with windows (because if you use their Sonar suite, it creates two virtual devices, one the headset and the mic) so you can fully take advantage of the Sonar suite features, and believe me, this is where the fun begins! The suite has tons for parameters to increase chat and mic quality, but the main thing for me was the pre sets for different games. You can either use those presets, which are great or tune them your self. I'm using the preset for Rainbow six siege, which is a super competitive game, and I swear, I have never heard footsteps and people moving before, not even with my super nice custom headphone/game dac combo I had before (and believe me, it was of a great quality), but Oh wow, these ones are on another level. You can customize your game presets too and the equalizer has what they call "parametric" levels, and its true you can tune, no longer only by hz, but by what you want to be able to hear more (ie. footsteps, the sound of a weapon reload etc). These also support HI-REs audio, so you can download Hi-Res files or subscribe to Tidal or other music service with Hi-Res audio support (I wish games would offer that too). There is only one little annoying buy on the software related to this. Whenever I setup windows at 96Khz/24 bit audio (Hi-Res), every time I boot up my PC, that setting gets reset on the Game Dac to 48Khz/16 bit, even though its setup at Hi-Res in windows settings. I have reported it to Steelseries support, so I hope they fix that (that's a little regresion from the previous v1 Game dac, I remember you changed the Hi-Res setting on that Game dac itself, but now you have to do it in windows, instead than physically on the Dac).

Great headset sound quality and comfort wise. My main issue with this is the software issue. I got the wired version because ai thought it would minimize connectivity issues with my pc but it still had issues. It would connect and my pc would recognize it with no fault whatsoever , but the headphones would not work at all despite being connected. To fix this, I have to plug it back into a usb port until it works randomly, and this happens 9/10 times when I startup my pc. I’m currently in the process of trying to get steelseries to help fix this or replace my headset. It is too expensive of a headset to have this kind of issue when it should just be plug and play being a wired headset.

I’m always searching for the best headphones for FPS games. Footsteps are a must and being able to distinguish what corner they’re coming from is absolutely mandatory. These headphones check all the boxes for me. They are much comfortable than the trendy IME’s right now. Even though the IME’s have slight better directional sound. These Arctic nova pros have better comfort. What’s the point of wearing earphones if you can’t feel comfortable in them? Therefore, right now these are the best overall on the market in my opinion for FPS games.

Bought it as a gift. And my brother loved how comfortable they were and his friends did comment on how he sounded much better in calls and he enjoyed have the features of the dial. Have recommended it other friends. And has held up well in the last couple years. But brother is looking for an upgrade. Believing, while this one was excellent. He has found others he’s enjoyed using a bit more.

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wired is a fantastic gaming headset with clear, detailed sound and strong spatial accuracy. It’s especially great for competitive gaming, since footsteps and directional audio are easy to pick up. The GameDAC makes switching between devices and customizing sound very convenient. The build feels premium and the ear cushions are comfortable even after long sessions. The microphone is clear for chatting with teammates. The only downside is that it doesn’t block outside noise very well, and the headset is a bit bulky. Overall, it’s a high-quality headset that delivers excellent performance across PC, PS5, PS4, and Switch.

I bought my SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wired headset for PC, the download and set up of the software was quick. I did however need to watch a short video on how to get the 96KHz/26Bit audio resolution, but it was pretty simple overall. I’m half deaf in both ears and the sound quality is just perfect especially for those footsteps and directional sounds. The presets for different games in Sonar are just great and make for easy customization between different games. They are very comfortable, I usually have problems with the top of my head hurting after an hour or so of gaming but so far with this headset I have not had it hurt the top of my head at all, also they are surprisingly light. So far the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wired for PC have been incredible to use. I would absolutely recommend this gaming headset to my friends and already have.

I purchased this after my arctis pro wireless broke. I wanted something lightweight and these were perfect. My head doesn’t get tired from the weight and I still get the great sound.

Stellar Performance and Durability: SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Gaming Headset Review I recently had the pleasure of testing the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wired Multi Gaming Headset, and I must say, it exceeded my expectations in both sound and build quality. Sound Quality (5/5): The Arctis Nova Pro delivers an outstanding audio experience across various gaming platforms, including PC, PS5, PS4, and the Nintendo Switch. The headset's audio precision is remarkable, offering crystal-clear highs, immersive mids, and powerful lows. Whether I was engaged in intense gaming sessions or enjoying music, the headset consistently provided an exceptional audio experience. The surround sound capabilities heightened my gaming immersion, allowing me to pinpoint directional cues with precision. Build Quality (5/5): The headset's construction is nothing short of impressive. The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro boasts a sleek and robust design that not only looks stylish but also feels durable. The adjustable steel headband provides a secure and comfortable fit, ensuring that the headset stays in place during extended gaming sessions. The ear cushions are plush and breathable, adding to the overall comfort. The retractable ClearCast microphone is a thoughtful touch, offering excellent voice clarity without compromising the sleek aesthetics. Additional Features (4.5/5): The headset's on-ear controls are intuitive and easy to use, allowing for quick adjustments to volume and microphone settings. The inclusion of a detachable 3.5mm cable adds versatility, enabling seamless compatibility with a variety of devices. While the headset excels in performance, an inclusion of customizable RGB lighting would have been a nice aesthetic touch. Conclusion: The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wired Multi Gaming Headset is a top-tier choice for gamers seeking exceptional sound quality and robust build construction. Its versatility across multiple platforms and the thoughtful design make it a standout option in the gaming headset market. If you prioritize audio precision and durability, the Arctis Nova Pro is a solid investment that delivers on its promises.

Sound quality is great and they are really comfortable. I’ve not had a chance to test the microphone yet. Hopefully it has the same quality

I recently purchased the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wired Gaming Headset and I am absolutely blown away by its performance. The sound quality is top-notch and the mic is crystal clear, making it perfect for both gaming and communication. But it's not just the audio that's impressive. The comfort level of these headphones is unmatched. I can wear them for hours on end without any discomfort or fatigue, thanks to the breathable, lightweight design. The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wired Gaming Headset is a true masterpiece. It's a must-have for any serious gamer and I would highly recommend it to anyone in the market for a new headset."

Excellent sound and manufacturing. The headphones are very comfortable.

very comfortable compared to previous models, sound is top of the line and options make this a great headset for the most novice gamer to advanced!

Great sound quality, the soft ware does not always play nice though. I have found when I update my graphics drivers i have to turn off SONAR to be able to use the DAC again. Great sound quality and volume. Very comfy, microphone is a dream. The included DAC is very convenient when it isnt having software issues. You may need a bit more technical know how than a typical wired headset for these so im putting ease of use down to average.

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro headphones? Oh, they’re legit. Super comfy, like you’re wearin’ a cloud on your head. The sound is sharp and deep, like you’re right in the middle of the action. And the mic? My buddies say it’s so clear, they think I’m sittin' next to 'em, even though I’m miles away. But here’s the kicker—the Game DAC thing. Takes up way more desk space than it needs to. Feels like it doesn’t even need to be there, like it’s just hoggin’ space for no reason. But honestly, once you slap those headphones on, you forget all about it. The sound’s so good, you don’t even care.

The headset is great in terms of quality. It sounds better than the A40 Astros, aside from less bass. The premade Sonar presets are bad so go on YouTube and find a preset that works better. Configuration to make these sound good takes a day or two of research. Aside from that the ear cups are the softest I've ever used and the clampimg force is great. The earcups do get warm after an hour or two of CoD sessions.

I’m really impressed with these headphones! The sound that comes out is powerful and clean, and the voices are extremely clear, which makes movies and videos so much better. They’re comfortable to wear and easy to use. Overall, the audio quality is excellent, and I would definitely recommend them to anyone looking for great sound.

This headset is really nice sound quality is amazing the mixer it includes looks really nice on your setup as well and the sonar app it uses is super convenient

I've had these for almost 2 years now, and I enjoy everything about it. Nothing compares to the quality I enjoy plus I can change the audio and bass. Top it off with easy use and if you take good care of it, it will be good for a long time! Yes I'm talking to you gamers out there who throws headsets after missing a target so no tango down for you with these headphones! Took me some time to find a good one and I definitely prefer the wired since you'll suffer without changing the batteries or dealing with connection issues. Won't be disappointed unless you have a big head like summit1g or no nips Hutchmf but definitely a killer set!

Had this headset for about 2 weeks now and they are work the money. Sound quality is great and can control the individual sound cues with the DAC. Comfort is great as well, even fits larger heads and doesn't have a squeezing effect like other headsets.