SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 headset includes 100 audio presets and works with any console

Published May 14th, 2024 6:46PM EDT

SteelSeries has been in the gaming… game… for a while now and has always put out some frankly underrated products — especially with its headphones. I think the company’s new headset might have a shot to get people talking even more about the brand.

In a press release, the company announced the Arctis Nova 5 gaming headset, its latest headset that it says attempts to hit the sweet spot of “affordable luxury.” I think, with all of the features and compatibility that come with the Nova 5, the company has hit that target well.

The companion app for the Arctis Nova 5 headset includes over 100 presets. Image source: SteelSeries

Ehtisham Rabbani, SteelSeries CEO, said in a statement that the headset is only part of the story, also pointing to the new companion app that offers over 100 presets that include presets that are tailor-made for a number of popular titles.

Innovation is key, and we use it to unlock the power of imagination and push boundaries to provide gamers with premium audio experiences. The introduction of the Arctis Nova 5 and Companion App, with over 100 audio presets, is literally ‘game-changing’ and provides users with an epic audio advantage for console gaming.

Some of the titles with presets include GTA V, Apex Legends, Battlefield 2042, Minecraft, Overwatch 2, and Rocket League.

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The Arctis Nova 5 companion app has over 100 presets.

In addition to the Nova 5 Companion App, the Arctis Nova 5 includes a ton of features, including Quick Switch Wireless which allows you to switch between games and phone calls, a new high-quality microphone, 60+ hours of battery life, and a USB-C dongle that the company says allows you to use the headset across Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, PC, Meta Quest, and any phones, tablets, or handhelds that have a USB-C port.

You can check out the full list of features of the Arctis Nova 5 below:

The Nova 5 Companion App – Introducing a revolutionary app that features 100+ game-specific audio presets that have been meticulously crafted and custom-tailored to each game by audio engineers, esports Pros, and game developers. Gamers can change their audio presets on the fly in real time and without leaving the game, providing a distinct competitive advantage. Hear what others don’t with precisely honed audio profiles for top games like Fortnite, Apex Legends, Minecraft, and more.

Neodymium Magnetic Drivers – Gamers can hear everything with an ultra-detailed soundscape of crystal-clear highs, pinpoint mids, and deep bass. The custom-designed Neodymium Magnetic Drivers are crafted from a rare-earth metal to ensure the perfect audio experience, whatever game or track they are playing.

Quick-Switch Wireless – Easily take calls while gaming, switching from high-speed 2.4GHz to Bluetooth 5.3 with a tap of a button. Mobile connections remain on standby when players are back in the action, so they can receive calls. Keep Fortnite EQs on the 2.4GHz bandwidth without affecting specific media profiles for Bluetooth audio.

Cross-Platform Gaming – A compact USB-C dongle allows gamers to easily swap between all systems, supporting Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, PC, Meta Quest, handhelds, as well as phones and tablets that support USB-C.

ClearCast 2.X Mic – 2X the bandwidth, 2X the clarity. SteelSeries’ ClearCast microphone features a new high-bandwidth chipset supporting 32KHz/16Bit audio to keep comms crystal clean and clear. Gamers can supercharge vocals even further with Sonar AI-Powered Noise Cancellation on PC for the ultimate two-way noise reduction on comms. A unique design seamlessly blends the mic into the earcup when fully retracted for on-the-go.

60+ Hours of Wireless Gaming – A 60-hour battery life equates to a full charge lasting 8 hours each day for 7 days in a row. A USB-C fast charging delivers another 6 hours of charge in only 15 minutes.

Sonar Audio Software Suite – the first pro-grade parametric EQ designed for gamers. Specifically designed to turbocharge any headset for gaming and provide a limitless ability to control sound across games, team chat, and the microphone, Sonar allows gamers to adjust every individual frequency and hear the sounds that matter the most.
The Arctis Nova 5 with the companion app and USB-C dongle.

The Arctis Nova 5/5X/5P Wireless headset comes in at $129.99, a great price for a wireless gaming headset with the number of features and companion app capabilities that this one boasts. The headset is available directly through the company or through the usual third-party suspects.