SteelSeries’ new gaming headset brings audio profiles to consoles

SteelSeries announced a new gaming headset this week, the Arctis Nova 5, and it brings audio profiles to consoles, similar to the way you can set them up for PC with the GG software. While you can use many SteelSeries headsets on PS5 and Xbox Series

Take the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless for example. When used on PC, this headset can connect to the SteelSeries GG app and from there you can adjust the sound profile to something that suits the game you’re playing. You do this in the Sonar menu and it amplifies the sounds of different elements based on the game type. For example, there is a profile specific to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III that amplifies the sounds of footsteps and bullet fire. This is 100% a change you would make to better spot your enemies on the map. This allows you to make crucial decisions about your positioning so you can win more firefights.

Other profiles also exist, for games like Cyberpunk 2077 or other RPGs where environmental sounds are amplified to create that greater immersion. Unfortunately, playing any of these games on a console with a SteelSeries headset will exclude you from these useful adjustments you can make to the audio.

The Arctis Nova 5 will fix this thanks to a brand new companion app launching alongside it. And it is compatible with both Android and iOS.

The Arctis Nova 5 comes with its own companion app

This is the big feature that makes the Nova 5 a sought-after headset for PlayStation and Xbox gamers. The companion app will include over 100 different audio profiles created for specific games. Worth noting is that certain profiles for one game may still work for another game. A profile for Call of Duty can work well in other first-person shooters. Because you would generally want the same kind of situational map awareness. SteelSeries says these profiles are “custom created by audio engineers, esports professionals, and game developers.” So these are all made by SteelSeries and its partners.

And because these profiles are all in one app, they can be changed quickly. SteelSeries says gamers can swap them out on the fly if necessary. And all without having to leave the game. Of course, you have to take your eyes off the game for a while to interact with the app. That can be a hindrance for some players. But it sounds like switching profiles is easy and you won’t have to look away from the monitor or TV for long.

In terms of sound profiles, you’ll find some for Modern Warfare III, Minecraft, Apex Legends, EA Sports FC24, Diablo IV and many more.

Up to 60 hours of battery life plus dual wireless connectivity

While the app is the main draw here, the Arctis Nova 5 is packed to the brim with features. The battery has a battery life of more than 60 hours on a single charge. Because when you’re in the middle of a gaming session, the last thing you want is for the headset to die. The headset also has Neodymium Magnetic Drivers, which should provide clearer highs and mids with deeper bass. There is also dual connectivity for the wireless connection. However, this does not work like it does on the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless.

Here you can switch back and forth between a 2.4GHz connection and Bluetooth. The headset does not play audio sources from both at the same time. But it keeps the Bluetooth connection on standby for times when a call comes in. There’s a handy little button on the headset that also lets you quickly switch between these connectivity types. You also get the ClearCast 2.X microphone and the headset works with PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, mobile and PC. You can even use it with Meta Quest and PC gaming handhelds like the Steam Deck or ROG Ally. That said, mobile phones and handhelds will need to support USB-C for gaming audio.

The Arctis Nova 5 is available starting this week and retails for $130. This makes it the “affordable luxury” gaming headset, as SteelSeries calls it, because of its performance and features at such a low cost. You can record the headphones from retailers like Best Buyand directly from Steel series.