The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X is the Xbox version in SteelSeries Nova 7 video gaming headset lineup. Regardless of not being created particularly for PC, the 7X is a top-notch option for PC gamers thanks to its exceptional cross-platform compatibility, double 2.4 GHz cordless and simultaneous Bluetooth performance. It likewise has a stylish, metal-clad develop that feels so hard it might potentially survive a meteor shower.
It’s more decently priced than its premium brother or sister the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, the 7X is probably a lot simpler to use. It sports a great smattering of on-ear controls, which are well split between earcups and easy to remember so that you never ever require discover yourself pressing mute in the throes of victory ever once again.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X Wireless style and construct
Over the last few years SteelSeries has actually done a commendable task convincing us its headsets are a few of the finest– and most difficult– you can get. The Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, for example, leapt directly to a top area in our roundup of the best wireless gaming headsets, so amazed were we with its build quality, style, and sound.
By contrast, the Arctis Nova 7X is a less pompous monster. It stints a few of the Nova Pro’s more premium features– like the base station– that, to be truthful, we can live without. Rather, it shares more practical features like its flexible metal frame, metal cups, and magnetic earcup covers that you can move off for a discrete headphone-like look.
That implies it’s both trendy and as strong as a tank; drop resistant, and better at preventing scratches than all-plastic headsets. And, just like the Nova Pro, it’s made to move naturally with your head’s natural movements, thanks to earcups that rotate and tilt.
Comparing my 7X review unit versus the Nova Pro for convenience, I have to say the 7X wins hands-down. Numerous midrange headsets carry out in truth, and it’s one of the greatest things I ‘d truly like people to know when choosing in between spending plan and premium video gaming headsets.
If I got your attention with that last point, I’m pleased, since the 7X actually got mine with its snug-fitting stretchy fabric headband and squishy AirWeave cushioning that felt lighter and more breathable than the Nova Pro’s leatherette ones. The entire headset is also quite compact and reasonably light– it weighs simply 323 grams (11.4 ounces).
The clamp force is much softer than the Nova Pro’s, which I discovered was both great and bad. It’s good in that there’s an absence of any sort of tension or pressure. There is less passive sound seclusion on deal, so you will occasionally cop an earful of lawn mower, but not often enough to be frustrating.
For styling, the Arctis Nova 7X is a muted black color with matching SteelSeries logos on each can. It looked completely at home next to my gaming rig.
As for the controls, they’re whatever I was expecting– simple, assessable, and abundant. On the left you get a mute mic button and volume wheel, while over on the right there’s a ChatMix Dial, on/off button, and Bluetooth button. These are all easy to locate– simply a hand’s reach away.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X connection and battery
As the 7X’s green headband indicates, you get cross compatibility with Xbox One, Xbox X/S, and PC by means of a 2.4 GHz low-latency Wi-Fi connection. However, the 7X is a lot more flexible than that, linking to practically anything with a USB-C port– Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, Quest 2, and mobile phone included. Plus, there’s Bluetooth (more on that soon), and in package you get a 3.55 mm cable, so there are connectivity alternatives galore.
Changing in between USB and Xbox is as simple as snapping a switch on the USB-C dongle, so you can be up and running at the drop of a hat. The dongle is shaped like a mushroom rather of a stick, so if you’re utilizing it on a laptop computer, you’ll want to attach it to the adapter provided, otherwise a few of your other ports may become blocked.
A gem in the Arctis Nova 7X’s crown is the simultaneous Bluetooth functionality that lets you stream audio from your phone while likewise hearing every squeak of your gaming audio. I can’t speak extremely enough of this function, which I prefer over less practical features like RGB lighting.
There must be a handful of reasons I used it when checking the 7X– taking work calls or calls from my spouse asking me to pick up milk and so on and so on. on my method house from the workplace being just two great ones. By far the most enjoyable was streaming my favorite blues album while playing a few rounds of Insurgency, which was a genuine hoot.
The 7X’s battery life is also extremely decent. SteelSeries claims you get up to 38 hours of audio playback utilizing the 2.4 GHz wireless connection, or a reputable 26 hours of audio using simultaneous Bluetooth. When you do go flat, the cans can be juiced back up extremely rapidly; 15 minutes quick charging with the USB-C to USB-A cable television is all you require for an additional 6 hours audio.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X audio performance
In a nutshell, the Arctis Nova 7X sounded fantastic for gaming and listening to music on PC, where it conjured an abundant and differed audio profile. I never noticed any distortion either– in truth, the 40 mm chauffeurs were so regularly clear I discovered myself choosing it over a lots of other devices.
I tested the PC games Metro Exodus, Insurgency and Gloria Victis, and, after sinking a few hours into these titles the headset’s strongest possession is certainly its mid-range tonal coverage, which sounds precise, full and lively. The bass and treble by comparison won’t have you calling home to mama however will not disappoint either– they perfectly accentuate the mids without dominating them.
Given all that, I had a field day savoring mid-range sounds that usually fall by the wayside. In Metro Exodus the wriggling of worms in the tunnels was much more of an ominous caution for what’s up ahead than normal, while the clunking and grinding of the systems were a gratifying suggestion that I was heading in the best instructions.
In Metro Exodus I likewise got a taste of the headset’s 360 Degree Spatial Audio, which is completely compatible with Microsoft spatial audio. It worked a dream, wringing in sounds through all the directions of a compass wheel. I likewise took pleasure in utilizing the Parametric EQ tool in Sonar, part of the SteelSeries GG software application app to highlight specific noises. Highlighting the EQ parameters for voices allowed me to better be all ears on enemy discussions, which in turn helped me find my goals more quickly.
The clap of gunfire and the thud of explosions sounded accurate and unmuffled in Insurgency. On the whole, the sound striking my cups had a cinematic quality to it that made for a really immersive FPS experience.
Changing to Gloria Victis and I was extremely satisfied by the clear, emotive strings in the orchestral launch music which had me raising to start on some raiding. Similarly, the 7X worked a charm playing smooth and harmonic music like rock ballads, as judging by the warm acoustic guitar and soothing vocals in a couple of tracks by Aussie singer Pete Murray.
How does the SteelSereis Arctis Nova 7X compare to competitors
The Artcis Nova 7X sits in a comparable category for functionality as wireless video gaming headsets like the Nacon Rig Pro HX and the Logitech G733 Lightspeed. These are both terrific headsets in their own right, with decent noise and cross-compatibility. However simply put, the 7X is the more complete bundle, squirreling a couple of luring rewards away like its robust metal band and earcups and lengthy retractable noise cancelling microphone.
However the genuine sweetener is the synchronised Bluetooth which neither of these two rivals can declare to have and which is a characteristic I actually go for in gaming headsets nowadays. The Arctis 7X has a market price of $199.99 on the SteelSeries site, which undoubtedly is a little dearer than both of these competitors that each cost approximately $150 USD, however it’s worth every dime for the extra functionality in my opinion.
Should I purchase the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X?
The leap in between the Arctis Nova 7X and its huge brother or sister, the Arctis Nova Pro, is a whopping $180– a gulf that made me question for a minute what I’m getting and/or losing out on. My conclusion? I’m not really missing out on much with the Nova 7X.
No, I will not get luxurious leatherette cups or an elegant base station, but I’m still getting exceptional sound, a difficult and durable frame, gaming-friendly controls, respectable cross-compatibility and simultaneous Wi-Fi and Bluetooth performance– all functions that I desire and will use. What’s more, the Nova 7X is the more comfortable choice in my opinion, which at the end of the day makes it a much more practical buy.
