Gaming Headsets
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni
8.4/10SoundGuys scoreRead our review ›
$379.99at Amazon
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1 / 9SteelSeries
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 (Base)
Sound
4.4/ 5
SoundMDAQS Overall4.4
1.05.0
A 4.4 puts its audio quality in the top third of gaming headsets we've measured.
Measured on 19 of the 151 we've cataloged.
See the lab data ↓Frequency response · Isolation · Audio quality
Key specs
Battery Life Wireless
22.2 hBelow average22.2 h
8 h90 h
below average for gaming headsets — based on 87 of 151 we've cataloged.
Bluetooth Codec
AAC, SBCMost commonSbc44%Aac26%LC38%Aptx6%
Aac is the most common — on 26% of the 72 gaming headsets we've cataloged (of 151).
Bluetooth Version
5.3Most common5.341%5.227%5.020%5.17%
5.3 is the most common — on 41% of the 59 gaming headsets we've cataloged (of 151).
Connection Type
Wired-3.5mm34%2.4GHZ27%Bluetooth26%Wired-usb-c10%
2.4GHZ appears on 27% of the 202 gaming headsets we've cataloged (of 151).
Battery
- Battery Life Wireless
- 22.2 h
- Charging Method
- USB-C
- Battery
- Yes
- Fast Charging
- Yes
Connectivity
- Bluetooth Codec
- AAC, SBC
- Bluetooth Version
- 5.3
- Connection Type
- Bluetooth, 2.4ghz
- Dongle Connector
- USB-C
- Headphone Jack
- No
- Platform Compatibility
- PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Mobile
- Wireless Protocol
- 2.4GHz + Bluetooth
- Console Certification
- Designed for Xbox, none
- USB Charging
- Yes
- Multipoint Devices
- 2 devices
Design
- Headband Type
- Adjustable over-head
- Ear Pad Type
- Memory foam, fabric
- Foldable
- No
- Weight
- 260 g
Features
- Companion App
- IOS + Android
- Control Type
- Physical buttons
- Eq Customization
- Presets only
- Chat Mix
- Yes
- Rgb Lighting
- No
- Rgb Zones
- 2
Microphone
- Boom Style
- Detachable boom
- Bit Depth
- 16 bit
- Microphone
- Yes
- Is Detachable
- Yes
- Is Retractable
- No
- Sample Rate
- 32 kHz
Sound
- Acoustic Design
- Closed-back
- Driver Size
- 40 mm
- Ambient Mode
- Adjustable level
- Anc Modes
- Off
- Driver Type
- Dynamic driver
- Frequency Response
- 20-20000 Hz
- Frequency Response High Hz
- 20000 Hz
- Frequency Response Low Hz
- 20 Hz
- Frequency Response Signature
- Warm
- Noise Cancellation Type
- Passive
- Passive Isolation
- 30 dB
- Surround Sound Format
- Tempest 3D AudioTech, none
Lab data
How we test ›Objective measurements from the SoundGuys test lab — overlay other models to see how this one compares.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 (Base)SoundGuys Headphone Preference Curve
Measured frequency response (dB relative) against the SoundGuys Headphone Preference Curve. When the measurement goes above the dashed line, that frequency is louder than our preference curve, and when it goes below: it's quieter. Use the curve for comparison purposes only, as your taste may vary.
| Frequency (Hz) | Response (dB) |
|---|---|
| 20 | 3.6 |
| 25 | 4.3 |
| 32 | 4.3 |
| 40 | 5.0 |
| 50 | 4.3 |
| 63 | 3.7 |
| 80 | 5.5 |
| 100 | 6.5 |
| 125 | 6.0 |
| 160 | 5.4 |
| 200 | 4.2 |
| 250 | 2.3 |
| 315 | -1.0 |
| 400 | -3.8 |
| 500 | -3.3 |
| 630 | -1.1 |
| 800 | -0.1 |
| 1000 | -0.1 |
| 1250 | 0.9 |
| 1600 | 3.6 |
| 2000 | 7.6 |
| 2500 | 9.6 |
| 3150 | 9.5 |
| 4000 | 4.6 |
| 5000 | -1.6 |
| 6300 | 8.8 |
| 8000 | 12.0 |
| 10000 | 10.3 |
| 12500 | -2.3 |
| 16000 | -8.9 |
| 20000 | -22.6 |
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 (Base)
Passive isolation (dB) with ANC off — how much ambient noise the fit blocks on its own. Higher on the chart means more attenuation.
| Frequency (Hz) | Attenuation (dB) |
|---|---|
| 21 | 2.1 |
| 26 | 2.3 |
| 33 | 0.1 |
| 41 | -0.8 |
| 52 | 0.0 |
| 65 | 0.2 |
| 82 | -1.2 |
| 103 | -1.4 |
| 130 | -0.6 |
| 163 | -0.4 |
| 205 | 0.7 |
| 259 | 1.6 |
| 325 | 2.9 |
| 410 | 1.5 |
| 516 | 0.3 |
| 613 | 1.6 |
| 772 | 5.4 |
| 972 | 7.7 |
| 1220 | 13.1 |
| 1540 | 16.8 |
| 1940 | 25.7 |
| 2440 | 26.0 |
| 3070 | 23.2 |
| 3870 | 31.9 |
| 4870 | 35.3 |
| 6130 | 35.9 |
| 7720 | 35.1 |
| 9720 | 40.4 |
| 12200 | 27.0 |
| 15400 | 37.0 |
| 19400 | 32.8 |
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 (Base)
4.4
4.2
4.4
4.4
Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores (1–5), modeled from the measured response. Higher is better across timbre, distortion, and immersiveness — add other models to see where this one lands.
SoundGuys review
Read the full review ›Isolation5.0
Battery life9.2
Comfort & fit7.0
Connectivity7.5
Design6.0
Portability7.0
The verdict
The Nova 3X succeeds in bringing the excellent Arctis mobile app experience to a budget price point, but makes too many audio quality compromises to earn an easy recommendation.
✓What we like
✓App with plenty of EQ presets
✓Dual Wireless
✓Microphone quality
✓Lightweight
✕What could be better
✕May not fit larger heads well
Features & Opinions
More from the team ›Commentary and deep dives from the SoundGuys editorial team.
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Tom TriggsContributor
Christian ThomasEditor-at-large5 ways headphones are going to change in 2027Here's where things are headed.Christian ThomasEditor-at-largeWired vs wireless headphones: Which should you buy?Wired headphones do not automatically sound better.Tom TriggsContributorMore Gaming Headsets
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