SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni: the gaming headphones aiming to replace even Bose
SteelSeries celebrates its 25th anniversary with what it considers the most comprehensive audio product ever created: the Arctis Nova Pro Omni, available today for €399.99. They are not merely the successors to the Nova Pro Wireless, but a leap in category, designed for those who want to stop keeping a gaming headset on the bedside table and a pair of Bose or Sony in their bag, and use a single device for everything.
Hi-Res Wireless Drivers: JAS Certification
The starting point is sound. The Arctis Nova Pro Omni features custom-designed 40mm neodymium magnetic drivers, with a frequency range extending from 10 Hz to 40,000 Hz, well beyond the limit of human hearing (20 kHz), but necessary to achieve Hi-Res Wireless certification from the Japanese Audio Society (JAS). Transmission occurs at 96 kHz/24 bit over both 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth, with LDAC support for Android users wanting to leverage the highest audio quality on the go without an adapter. The claimed result is an experience comparable to high-end wired audiophile headphones, inside a daring comparison, but supported by independent certification.
ANC: The Best in Gaming, Data to Back It Up
Active noise cancellation (ANC) is tested by independent laboratories and blocks up to 40% more background noise compared to the competition. The figure is significant because the ANC in consumer products such as Bose and Sony is physically sewn into the ear cups, ensuring better adherence to the architecture of the headset. SteelSeries, on the other hand, opts for removable and replaceable ear cups: a choice that slightly reduces the theoretical effectiveness of ANC compared to consumer top models, but ensures the headphones last over time. When the ear cups wear out, they can be replaced at minimal expense, without having to purchase a new 400-euro headset.
ClearCast Pro Microphone: Broadcast Quality
The omnidirectional ClearCast Pro microphone from which the name "Omni" derives is a significant upgrade over the predecessor Nova Pro Wireless, which featured a standard directional microphone. The AI-based noise cancellation technology eliminates up to 96% of background noise, a value 30 times greater than other gaming headsets according to internal tests. But there’s more: the Nova Pro Omni also integrates a pinhole microphone on the ear cup, allowing them to be used without a boom mic in public or on-the-go, with the system automatically switching between the two microphones based on the usage context. A tangible difference for those who use headphones not just for gaming.
The most innovative feature is OmniPlay, which allows you to connect up to five devices and mix up to four audio sources simultaneously. The typical scenario: PlayStation on 2.4 GHz for gaming, PC via USB-C for Discord, smartphone via Bluetooth for music or calls, all at the same time through the same headphones. The system manages transitions automatically and allows you to adjust the balance between sources in real time via the GameHub equipped with an OLED screen and control wheel, the Arctis app on your smartphone, or the Sonar software on PC. This transforms the Nova Pro Omni into something more akin to a portable audio mixer than just a simple headset.
As for the battery, the Infinite Power system is the same introduced with the Nova Pro Wireless four years ago, but further refined. The package includes two interchangeable batteries, each with around 30 hours of autonomy: while one is mounted in the headphones, the other is charging in the base station. The practical result is that you never run out of battery. On-the-go charging via USB-C is also available. The batteries use the NP45.3 standard, meaning it is not mandatory to buy SteelSeries ones (about €13 for two): equivalent compatible ones can be found at similar prices everywhere.
The Nova Pro Omni, then, abandon the "gamer" aesthetic in favor of a sober and premium design that can be worn outside without drawing attention. The ear cups are thicker and softer compared to the predecessor Nova Pro Wireless, with improved comfort during long sessions. The physical GameHub is a separable module with an OLED screen that displays audio levels for each source and allows for quick adjustments without switching to a smartphone. The Arctis app manages ANC, transparency, microphone equalization, presets for over 200 specific games, and live audio tuning, features that were only available via PC on the old Nova Pro Wireless.
Comparison with Nova Pro Wireless
Those who already own the Nova Pro Wireless (still available at a lower price) should consider these upgrades: omnidirectional microphone vs. directional, Arctis app available on consoles and Bluetooth (previously only PC), OmniPlay with four sources (vs. two simultaneous sources), next-generation ANC, LDAC support, updated GameHub, and a single SKU (no more separate PlayStation and Xbox versions). The price goes from around €380 to €399.99, about €20 more for a significantly larger set of functions.