Console gaming has become more engaging than ever before, not to mention much more competitive. Nowadays, gamers are able to constantly improve their skills and enhance their gameplay experience thanks to today’s technology. While a good gaming controller can give you more precise control over your player character, a decent headset will greatly improve your audio quality in-game. Having a good gaming headset not only will make you able to hear important audio queues such as footsteps, which will give you a competitive edge over your opponents, but it will also help to create a more immersive gaming experience by letting you hear all sound details in your game. For gamers that are looking for a high-end console gaming headset, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5X Wireless is a great option to go with.
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5X Wireless is a multi-platform wireless gaming headset which features an ultra-detailed sound quality powered by custom-designed 40mm Neodymium Magnetic Drivers, 360º Spatial Audio for hearing sound from every direction for full immersion and directional awareness, while also integrating a next-gen, fully-retractable ClearCast 2.X microphone that has 2-times the voice clarity thanks to a high-bandwidth chipset supporting 32KHz/16-bit audio. The headset also integrates built-in on-ear controls for easily adjusting its settings, and boasts Bluetooth 5.3 and high-speed 2.4GHz wireless connectivity, a Quick-Switch Wireless function to seamlessly switch between Bluetooth and 2.4GHz, multi-platform compatibility with Xbox, PS4 and PS5, PC, Mac, Nintendo Switch and other handheld consoles, mobile devices and VR headsets via a USB-C dongle, up to 60 hours battery and support to USB-C fast charging. Via the Nova 5 App, you can choose from over 100 audio presets for Xbox tailored by esports Pros and audio engineers for different games, enable an X-Ray Hearing function that enhances particular audio cues like footsteps and bomb plants, and use two save slots that let you keep separate EQ sound profiles for 2.4GHz and Bluetooth audio, which are saved and switch automatically.
When accounting for all its features, it’s safe to say that this wireless gaming headset is a great choice for console gamers of all levels, from casual to competitive.
Here’s our comprehensive review of the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5X Wireless, where we’ll have a more detailed look at this wireless gaming headset and go over everything that it has to offer you.
DESIGN & SPECS
Starting with the headset’s size, this wireless gaming headset has a compact form factor, measuring just 6.87 inches long by 3.52 inches wide by 7.32 inches tall, and the headset is also rather lightweight, weighing only 9.34 oz. (265 g).
On top of its portability, this gaming headset is also designed with a user’s comfort in mind. It comes equipped with height-adjustable rotating ear cups built of soft memory foam that make it comfortable to wear, even for long periods of time. Its ear cups also come integrated with sturdy dual-hinge hangers, which provide great stability and comfort while wearing it.
The headset also comes equipped with a flexible fabric headband that helps to distribute pressure evenly, further enhancing a user’s comfort level. Its fabric headband isn’t rough in your head, meaning you won’t have to worry about it hurting your head during long gaming sessions.
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5X Wireless also sports a modern gaming-inspired aesthetic. The headset comes in a solid Black color and has a smooth glossy finish.
Moreover, this wireless gaming headset also packs a high-quality and durable construction, as it’s built of strong ABS plastic.
AUDIO SPECS & AUDIO QUALITY
Moving on to the headset’s audio specifications and audio quality. For reproducing its ultra-detailed sound quality, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5X Wireless come equipped with a set of custom-designed 40mm neodymium magnetic speaker drivers that are powered by SteelSeries’s award-winning Arctis Sound technology, making them capable of producing crystal-clear highs, balanced mids, and a deep, punchy bass.
The end result is an ultra-detailed sound quality that allows you to hear every single audio cue with great detail, thus giving you a truly immersive listening experience.
The headset is rated to have a sound frequency ranging between 20Hz to 22,000Hz, a maximum sound sensitivity of 93dB, a sound impedance of 36 ohm, and a total harmonic distortion under 1%.
In addition, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5X Wireless also feature 360º Spatial Audio, a sound software setting that if enabled, gives the headset the ability to deliver a surround sound-like quality that lets you easily hear sound from every direction for full immersion and a 360º directional awareness.
This sound setting is supported on Xbox via Microsoft Spatial audio software, on PS5 with Tempest 3D Audio, and on Windows PCs via SteelSeries’ Sonar Audio Software Suite.
What’s more is that this wireless gaming headset also comes equipped with a next-generation, fully-retractable, ClearCast 2.X bidirectional noise cancelling microphone that leverages a high-bandwidth chipset supporting 32KHz/16-bit audio, which gives it approximately two (x2) times the voice clarity of that offered by console gaming headsets with lower-end microphones.
The headset’s microphone is rated to have a frequency response that varies between 100Hz to 10,000Hz and a sound sensitivity of -38dBV/Pa.
INTERFACE / BUILT-IN CONTROLS
For controlling the headset’s operation and adjusting its sound settings, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5X Wireless features built-in on-ear controls, which are located on the back of its earcups.
Starting at the back side of its right ear cup, we have a Quick-Switch button (for switching between Bluetooth 5.3 and 2.4 Ghz), followed by a power indicator LED, its Power On/Off button, a ChatMix dial (used for adjusting the headset’s sound balance between your game’s volume level and the voice chat volume level), and its USB-C charging port.
Then, on the back side of its left ear cup, there’s the headset’s Microphone Mute button, followed by a volume dial for adjusting its overall volume level.
The headset’s microphone also integrates a mic-mute LED indicator light that lets you know when its microphone is muted.
CONNECTIVITY
For its wireless connectivity, this wireless gaming headset boasts Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity and also high-speed 2.4GHz wireless connectivity (via a USB-C wireless dongle), for both of which the headset supports a wireless range up to 39.37 ft. (12 m).
On top of its dual wireless connectivity, the headset also features a Quick-Switch Wireless function that allows you to seamlessly switch between Bluetooth and 2.4GHz, enabling you to tap into Bluetooth to answer calls or listen to your favorite beats anywhere.
Best of all, this wireless gaming headset also features multi-platform compatibility with Xbox, PS4 and PS5, Windows PCs, Mac, Nintendo Switch and other handheld consoles, as well as mobile devices including smartphones and tablets, and the Meta Quest or other VR headsets via its USB-C dongle, so you can use the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5X Wireless between all your systems for cross-platform gaming.
BATTERY & BATTERY LIFE
For its power, the headset comes equipped with a rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery that can offer you up to 60 hours of battery life (when used with Bluetooth connectivity), meaning you can game worry-free for 8 hours day for a full week, or up to 50 hours battery life (when used with 2.4Ghz wireless).
The color of the headset’s power indicator LED represents its current battery level, for which a Green light means a battery level between 100~50%, a Yellow light indicates a battery level between 49~15%, an Orange light represents a battery level between 14~5%, and a Red light gives you a final warning of a battery level between 4~1%.
When the headset’s battery is running low on power, all you have to do is to connect its USB-C charging cable to its USB-C charging port.
This wireless gaming headset also supports USB-C fast charging, which gives it approximately 6 hours of battery with just 15 minutes of charging.
THE SMARTPHONE COMPANION APP – The Nova 5 App
Users can also install the Nova 5 App on their smartphones (available to download for free for iOS and Android devices) for adjusting the headset’s sound settings.
Via the Nova 5 App, users can choose from over 100 audio presets for Xbox that have been fine-tuned by esports Pros and audio engineers for many different top games such as Call of Duty, Fortnite, Apex Legends, Minecraft, GTA V, FIFA, and more.
Through the app, users can also enable an X-Ray Hearing function that enhances particular audio cues like footsteps, bomb plants, and potion drinking, giving you a powerful audio advantage with custom sound presets over your opponents (especially in multiplayer games).
The Nova 5 App also features two save slots that let you keep separate EQ sound profiles for 2.4GHz and Bluetooth audio, which are saved and switch automatically when changing the headset’s connectivity.
The app also features a volume limiter that users can toggle On/Off, digital controls to mute the headset’s microphone and adjust its volume level (including configuring a sidetone setting), and also displays the headset’s currently selected connectivity and its remaining battery level.
For Windows PC users, note that you’re required to download SteelSeries’ Sonar Audio Software Suite.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX?
Inside their package users will find: their SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5X Wireless Headset, along with the headset’s USB-C to USB-A charging cable (5 ft / 1.5m), its USB-C wireless dongle and a USB-C to USB-A dongle extension cable (5 ft. / 1.5m), plus a user manual.
FINAL THOUGHTS
All in all, this multi-platform wireless gaming headset can give you a noticeable competitive edge when it comes to in-game audio, as it allows you to more easily notice crucial sound cues that can make a difference between winning and losing. Additionally, it can also enhance your gaming experience thanks to its high-quality sound, which will give you a more immersive listening experience.
If you’re interested in purchasing it, know that each unit is priced at $129.99. You can order it online either directly from SteelSeries’ official shopping page, or you can get it from Amazon.
