by In recent years, more and more people have requirements for gaming, and many people will be equipped with several e-sports products, and the e-sports brand SteelSeries may be your choice. SteelSeries has launched a new gaming headset again. This time, I borrowed Arctic Nova 7, Nova 3 and Nova 1 in two colors to test it. It’s not too late to try it now.
▲SteelSeries Arctic Nova 7
Nova 7 is full of variety
The SteelSeries Arctic Nova 7 headset is positioned like the Arctis 7 Wireless. It is also a mid-to-high-end gaming headset. Compared with the previous generation, the unit specifications, AI microphone peak noise reduction and spatial sound effects have improved. Arctic Nova 7 supports Bluetooth, which is not only compatible with Android, PC, Mac, PlayStation and Switch consoles with USB-C sockets, but also can be connected to mobile phones. With a traditional 3.5mm plug, it shows its diversity. In addition to the 3.5mm plug-in cable mentioned earlier, the Arctic Nova 7 also has a USB-C to USB-A charging cable, a USB-A to USB-C conversion cable, and a wireless transceiver.
▲SteelSeries Arctic Nova 7
▲3.5mm cable, a USB-C to USB-A charging cable, a USB-A to USB-C cable, and a wireless transceiver
Comfortable, hefty ear pads
The appearance of Nova 7 is black like other SteelSeries, and it feels quite heavy after getting started. Metal is used on the top of the head, and plastic is used for the rest of the fuselage. The headband can be removed and moved. The earmuffs use replaceable breathable mesh and AirWeave memory foam ear pads. There may be some trade-offs in sound insulation. The cotton ear pads are also very comfortable and not easy to shift.
▲The headband part can be removed and moved
▲Breathable mesh and AirWeave memory foam ear pads
▲Replaceable earmuffs
Interchangeable magnetic cover adds a personal touch
Arctic Nova 7’s buttons are distributed on the left and right sides, with the switch and Bluetooth buttons, ChatMix control pad and USB-C charging jack on the right; the microphone peak mute button, volume wheel, 3.5mm audio jack and retractable ClearCast microphone on the left Peak, the angle can be adjusted freely. There are magnetic covers printed with the SteelSeries logo on both sides, which users can remove and replace with other official accessories to add a personal touch.
▲On the right there are switches and Bluetooth buttons, ChatMix control panel and USB-C charging jack
▲Microphone mute button, volume wheel, 3.5mm audio jack and retractable ClearCast microphone
▲Retractable ClearCast microphone peak
▲Replaceable magnetic cover
The user can adjust the tone by himself
Nova 7 is always positioned as a mid-to-high-end gaming headset, so it does not support active noise cancellation (ANC) in the headset part, but users can use the Sonar of SteelSeries GG, the official SteelSeries app, to adjust the sound that suits them, or to match the sound. Artificial intelligence algorithm, resulting in clearer call quality.
▲Users can adjust the listening quality and call quality by themselves
The battery life is good enough to play all day
The Nova 7 has a battery life of 36 hours, or 26 hours with a Bluetooth connection. The Nova 7 also supports fast charging, giving you 6 hours of use after 15 minutes of charging.
Nova 3 is lighter
The Nova 3, which is positioned as a mid-level gaming headset, is the same as the Nova 7. Both are only available in black, and the texture of getting started is obviously different. First of all, the top of the head and the body are made of plastic instead of metal like the Nova 7. I feel that although the texture is slightly different, the use of plastic can reduce the burden on the head. The earmuffs use breathable cloth mesh and AirWeave earpads instead of memory foam earpads, so the comfort varies.
▲SteelSeries Arctic Nova 3
▲The earmuffs use breathable cloth mesh and AirWeave ear pads
▲Adjustable or replaceable headband
Nova 3 can be connected to the Xbox console
The Nova 3 lacks Bluetooth connectivity compared to the Nova 7, but supports Android, PC, Mac, PlayStation, Xbox and Switch consoles with USB-C ports. Nova 3 comes with a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter cable, a USB-C cable and a USB-A extension cable.
▲A USB-C to 3.5mm adapter cable, a USB-C cable and a USB-A extension cable
The main buttons are all on the left
The main buttons and controls of Nova 3 are on the left earphone, including the microphone peak mute button, volume wheel, USB-C jack and retractable ClearCast microphone peak, and there is only a light effect switch on the right side. Only the headband is still replaceable, but the magnetic cap won’t work with the Nova 3.
▲Microphone mute button, volume wheel, USB-C jack and retractable ClearCast microphone
▲Light effect switch
Nova 3 Turnable Light Colors
At first glance, the Nova 3 is just a wired version of the Nova 7, but it’s not that simple. Nova 3 can connect a USB-C cable to a computer, and thenapplication SteelSeries GG, you can adjust the color on the page, you can randomly switch between different colors, or customize a certain color, and you can set different colors on the left and right according to the user’s preference.
▲Nova 3 lighting effect
▲The Nova 3 light can be clearly seen in the dark
▲ Colors can be adjusted within the SteelSeries GG page
▲You can set different colors on the left and right according to the user’s preference
Nova 1 looks like Nova 3
Nova 1 is basically very similar to Nova 3, Nova 1 only lacks the light effect switch, and the USB-C jack is converted to a 3.5mm jack.
▲SteelSeries Arctic Nova 1
▲Microphone mute button, volume wheel, 3.5mm jack and retractable ClearCast microphone
▲Adjustable or replaceable headband
Gray and white are more layered
In terms of color, Nova 1 is the only one of the three earphones that can choose a color. There are gray and white and black options. I prefer gray and white, and the layering will be more prominent than black.
▲Grey and white are more layered
The gunshots are crisp and the footsteps are clearly presented
Given the three headphones Nova 7,Nova 3 and Nova 1 are used40mm Neodymium Drivers, so the three headphones have similar timbre performance. Xiaobian started the first-person shooter game “Apex Legends“, with the application SteelSeries GG of Apex Legends Mode, it is very easy to hear the footsteps of teammates and enemies, and the sounds of gunfire and explosions are clearly presented.After my test, I think Nova 7 of AirWeave The memory foam earpads do perform as they should, compared to Nova 3 or Nova 1 The ear pads are comfortable, I think Nova 7 lack of Nova 3and Nova 1 of lightness.
▲ SteelSeries GG of Apex Legends model
▲“Apex Legends》
Excellent mid and low frequency performance
The editor used Nova 7 to listen to Mr.’s “Border Town” on Spotify. The arrangement of this song is relatively complicated, and the performance is not bad. The mid-low frequency performance is excellent, the low frequency weight is enough, but the high frequency is not too prominent, but after adjusting the EQ, the vocals and high frequency is improved.
▲ “Border Town” by Mr.
Summary: Nova 7 is more versatile
The Nova 7 can indeed be used with different devices. It can be connected to a mobile phone using Bluetooth, and the Nova 7 can be used as a general true wireless Bluetooth headset when going out. Of course, you get what you pay for. Although Nova 3 and Nova 1 do not have the variety and texture of Nova 7, they can enjoy almost the same tone at a cheaper price. A newbie in competition.
