Today, we look at a product from SteelSeries’ flagship Arctis Nova headset line. The Arctis Nova 7X Wireless is one of two console-focused headsets, sporting both 2.4Ghz and Bluetooth wireless connectivity. This version is geared for the Xbox while the Arctis Nova 7P Wirelessis the PlayStation variant. Both versions feature multi-platform support beyond both Xbox and PlayStation, even sporting optional wired connectivity via an included 3.5mm cable.
We were fortunate to spend a lot of time with a SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X Wireless for Xbox. So, let’s dive right in this review to see what this headset has to offer.
Arctis Nova 7X Wireless Base Stats
| Neodymium Drivers | 40 mm |
| Headphone Frequency Response | 20–22,000 Hz |
| Headphone Sensitivity | 93 dBSPL |
| Headphone Impedance | 36 Ohm |
| Headphone Total Harmonic Distortion | < 1% |
| Microphone Type | ClearCast Gen 2 – Fully Retractable Boom |
| Microphone Polar Pattern | Bidirectional Noise-Canceling |
| Microphone Frequency Response | 100-6500 Hz |
| Microphone Sensitivity | -38 dB |
| Battery Life | 38 Hours – 2.4GHz Quantum 2.0 Gaming Wireless (26 Hours – 2.4GHz Quantum 2.0 Gaming Wireless + BT) |
| USB-C Fast Charge | 15 mins for 6 hours play |
A purchase of the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X Wireless for Xbox comes with the Arctis Nova 7X Wireless headset, a USB-C wireless dongle, a 5-foot USB-C to USB-A dongle extension cable, a 5-foot USB-C to USB-A cable, and a 3.5mm audio cable.
Build, Features and Comfort
The Arctis Nova 7X Wireless for Xbox continues with the Arctis style of oval-shaped closed-back ear cups. The headset is held together with a PVD-coated steel headband connecting the two rotating earcups. The ear cups hang on pivoting hangers and are height adjustable, sliding up and down along the headband. Replacing the Arctis staple ski-goggle headband is the flexible tension band. This band has several adjustment options under the headband that allow you to control the overall tightness of the Arctis Nova 7X headset. These four points of adjustment make up the Arctis Nova 7X’sComfortMAX system.
When it comes to controls, you get a good amount here with the Arctis Nova 7X Wireless. On the right ear cup, you have the main power button, the headset’s multi-purpose Bluetooth button, a chat/game balance wheel, and the headset’s USB-C charging port. On the left ear cup, you have the headset’s retractable ClearCast Gen 2 mic, a volume wheel, a mic mute button, and a 3.5mm jack for using the headset in wired mode.
The Bluetooth button allows you to pair the headset with an Android device. Holding the button toggles Bluetooth on and off. When the headset is paired with your mobile device, you can also use this one button to control your media. Single presses play and pause, double presses initiate “next track” and triple presses triggers “previous track”. When you pick up a call on your phone, your outbound game chat is muted, sending your voice only to your call participant. You will still hear inbound game audio, allowing you to continue gaming while on a call.
The wireless USB-C dongle is what drives the 2.4GHz Quantum 2.0 Gaming Wireless connection between the platform you connect it to and the headset. It has a switch for toggling between the multi-purpose USB mode and the dedicated Xbox mode, allowing you to connect it to your Xbox or a secondary console. While the dedicated Xbox mode is self-explanatory, the USB mode lets you connect the headset to your PC, Nintendo Switch, mobile device, or even your Playstation 4/5.
Before even diving into audio performance, the Arctis Nova 7X Wireless’s build and feature set alone do plenty to validate its $179.99 price point. In terms of comfort, SteelSeries has continued to evolve their suspension headband design when it came to their headsets. Here, ComfortMAX’s four points of adjustment allow the Arctis Nova 7X to be a highly flexible, and thus quite comfortable headset to wear. While I wore the Arctis Nova 7X Wireless for five to six hours straight, I at times forgot that I was even wearing the headset for that long. SteelSeries always made comfortable headsets. That certainly did not change with the Arctis Nova 7X Wireless.
All of the controls on the headset are straightforward and responsive, allowing for quick on-the-fly changes to your listening and usage experiences. If you decide to not use a pop filter, as I did, you can make use of the mic’s red LED indicator that hints when your mic is muted.
The headset is also physically customizable, with swappable headbands and replaceable speaker plates. As such, you can change up the look of your headset with Nova Booster Packs that SteelSeries sells separately. Seen here, this is the Arctis Nova 7X Wireless sporting the Destiny 2: The Final Shape booster pack released some time ago.
Going further, the Arctis Nova 7X Wireless is a dual wireless headset, transmitting simultaneously with your active console and your mobile device via Bluetooth. Want to listen to a YouTube game tutorial on your phone while still hearing the game playing from your console? Want to handle a phone call with the headset while still hearing in-game sounds? The Arctis Nova 7X Wireless has you covered. Consider all of these features and you are already getting your money’s worth with the Arctis Nova 7X Wireless.
More Features and Performance
The bulk of the experience with the Arctis Nova 7X Wireless can be controlled using the free SteelSeries GG software. Within SteelSeries GG, SteelSeries Engine lets you control headset EQ’s, outbound mic volume, mic sidetone, and the volume limiter. You can even hear how you sound using the Live Mic Preview feature. You can also control quality of life features, such as the brightness of the mic mute LED, auto power off, and Bluetooth behaviors when you take a call.
At its base, the Arctis Nova 7X Wireless provides a rich and detailed sound presentation from its default “Flat” EQ. Lows are deep without being muddy, allowing for clean and vivid explosion sounds and immersive rumblings from nearby vehicles. Mids are solid as both in-game spoken word and teammate voice chat come through crisp and clear. Most importantly, highs are sharp and easy to pick up. Combine that with your favorite spatial sound provider and gunshots, reloads, and footstep locations are easy to decipher. Considering the level of EQ control this headset provides, the Arctis Nova 7X Wireless gives you a very solid sound presentation base that you can take right into any game genre.
The Arctis Nova 7X Wireless is compatible with Microsoft Spatial Sound and Tempest 3D audio for PS5. Throughout my month with the Arctis Nova 7X Wireless, I stuck with Dolby Atmos for Headphone for my 3D sound driver since I already have a working license. I was not disappointed. Not only was I presented with immersive audio from two of my favorite first person shooters, but enemy audio queues were never missed. In Apex Legends, enemies rarely got the jump on me as I racked up win after win.
While the default “Flat” EQ is an effective baseline for gaming, I also gave the “Focus” EQ a try. When it comes to EQ settings on gaming headsets, the PVP-focused EQ’s tend to follow a trend. What you would get was a sound presentation with a deep focus on the high range sounds which came at the noticeable expense of the other ranges. While that is also the case with the Arctis Nova 7X Wireless, I was impressed with how the “Focus” EQ dealt with the ranges that did not pertain to enemy sound queues. Sure, enemy sound queues were a bit sharper with this EQ, but the other sound ranges were still present at enjoyable levels. For a packaged PVP-focused EQ, it was a much more balanced sound presentation than I expected while still achieving the intended benefits.
In Destiny 2, I was particularly impressed. With invisible Hunter and threaded specter gameplay still being prevalent in PVP, I need to be extra alert with my obnoxiously shiny Titan. As I used the Arctis Nova 7X Wireless in Trials of Osiris runs the last two weeks, hearing enemies trigger abilities and/or going invisible never felt easier. Going Flawless with the Arctis Nova 7X Wireless was an enjoyable experience.
As it was with the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, another strength of the Arctis Nova 7X Wireless is its high level of customizability. When connected to the PC, the free SteelSeries GG software gives you all of the control you would want over your headset.
However, the SteelSeries GG Sonar Software goes much further in how you can control the headset’s sound, both inbound and outbound. Sonar gives you detailed controls of your EQ’s, your 3D sound presentation, and your mic and chat presentation to others. With this software, you can fine-tune the Arctis Nova 7X Wireless to meet your exact tastes.
Lastly, the ClearCast Gen 2 mic shines, delivering my voice to my teammates with clarity. Unlike the option available to you with the SteelSeries flagship, theArctis Nova Pro Wireless, the Arctis Nova 7X Wireless does not give you control over your mic’s gain. So, while your voice comes across clearly, so does the occasional ambient noise. However, you do have control over the mic’s outbound volume. This gives you a good degree of control over how much of your background your teammates can hear. With the right setting in SteelSeries GG, I was able to find the volume level that allowed teammates to focus on my voice, regardless of the platform I was playing on. As such, the mic on the Arctis Nova 7X Wireless received solid marks.
Final Thoughts
Coming at a price point of $179, the Arctis Nova 7X Wireless is a solid all-in-one gaming headset solution. If you were to look at this as only a wireless Xbox gaming headset with Bluetooth capabilities, you would still not be disappointed. The Neodymium Drivers delivers a satisfying sound presentation while the ClearCast Gen 2 delivers your voice with clarity and focus. Combine that with the Bluetooth functionality, you have yourself a headset designed for the complete Xbox experience. Whether you are Xbox gaming at home or via the cloud on your mobile device through Xbox Game Pass, this headset will more than satisfy you for all things Xbox.
Now take into consideration that it is more than just an Xbox headset. It is a universal one. This one wireless headset, through its USB-C dongle, can be used with the PC, Nintendo Switch and Playstation. Not only can you tweak this headset to match your tastes, it can easily be the one wireless solution to all of your gaming platform needs. You can even add a little more flair to an already attractive headset by checking out SteelSeries’ Arctis Nova Booster packs here.
If you are looking for a one and done wireless solution for all of your gaming and media consumption needs, the Arctis Nova 7X Wireless is a headset you should check out. You can check out the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X Wireless for Xbox for yourself by clicking here. You can also check out the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P Wireless by clicking here.
† We were provided a SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X Wireless for review purposes and were not compensated for this review.
