SteelSeries has announced a new pair of headphones that it says is a first for the industry. The Arctis Nova Elite is being called the world’s first gaming headset to receive a “Hi-Res Wireless” certification, promising sound quality that rivals expensive audio equipment used by enthusiasts.
As expected, the best feature of the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite is its focus on high-quality wireless audio. It uses a new technology called the LC3+ codec to transmit sound without the typical quality loss found in many wireless devices. This allows for what is known as “lossless” audio over both a 2.4GHz connection and Bluetooth. The headset’s custom 40mm carbon fiber drivers are designed to reproduce a very wide range of sounds, from deep bass at 10Hz to very high notes at 40kHz.
For gamers who use multiple devices at once, the headset introduces a new feature called a GameHub. This, along with OmniPlay technology, lets the headset connect to up to four different audio sources simultaneously. A user could be playing a game on a PlayStation, talking to friends on a PC using Discord, and listening to music from a phone connected via Bluetooth, all at the same time. Three USB-C ports on the headset make switching between these devices simpler.
The design of the Arctis Nova Elite was a collaboration with Danish designer Jacob Wagner, focusing on a minimalist Scandinavian style. It uses an all-metal frame and memory foam earcups for durability and comfort.
Other notable features include more than 200 pre-set audio profiles tailored for specific games, advanced active noise cancellation to block out distractions, and a microphone system that uses AI to cancel out up to 97% of background noise. To address battery life, the headset comes with two swappable batteries, allowing for continuous use by charging one while the other is in use.
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite is available on the SteelSeries website and through other retailers with a price of $599.99. In the Philippines, the new SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite gaming headphones is priced at Php44,555 via Datablitz and GameOnePH.