SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wirereless review – Good all-rounder with staying power, but without any real highlights

1 - Introduction, scope of delivery and technical data 2 - Look and feel, connectivity 3 - Microfon measuring and software 4 - Frequency respose and burst decay 5 - Sound check and conclusion

Subjective sound check

After all the technical details, let’s finally get to the most important thing: how does it actually sound? Let’s continue where it hurts a little more: the individual listening test. The headphones were diligently played for almost 60 hours, because I also tested the battery. So this argument is no longer applicable. My Tidal playlist is used, this time alternating in a loop with stuttering techno, Güttler’s Bach trumpet and chamber music.

Bass range

Testing the lowest bass in the subcontraoctave (16.4 Hz to 32.7 Hz) with a recording of Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D minor (19 and 25 Hz) and Tchaikovsky’s Festival Overture 1812 (10 Hz and 12.5 Hz). The same applies to the lower ranges of the contraoctave (32.7 to 65.4 Hz). The large bass drum (kick drum), which is a popular accompaniment in underground music and is usually tuned to around 55 to 60 Hz, will then round off this assessment.

The headset offers a slight emphasis in the bass range, which gives it a subjectively rather “full” sound without being too boomy. Although the bass range is present, it is not overemphasized. However, there is a noticeable roll-off in the low bass starting at 40 Hz. This can lead to a somewhat “spongy” sound with some styles of music, but it doesn’t have to. I refer you to the diagram with the burst decay on the previous page. This is where the parametric EQ comes into play again, as it can be used to improve the sound.

The upper bass up to 150 Hz, which also contains the high octave (65.4 to 130.8 Hz), accommodates the fundamental frequency of the male voice and is very important for the lifelike reproduction of male vocals.

This range appears confident and is perfectly fine. The male vocals are modeled quite voluminously and are positioned slightly above a purely neutral fundamental tone base. The instruments are also very cleanly connected, which doesn’t sound completely mass-compatible per se, but still sufficiently neutral. You certainly have to get used to it first if you’re not used to it, but I definitely like it. The minimal bathtub orientation is quite successful, because even male voices get a not too strong but audible foundation here. So you can leave it as it is.

Midrange

The lower mid-range (also the fundamental range) lies at approx. 150 to 400 Hz. Together with the upper bass already mentioned, this range plays a very important role in the subjectively perceived warmth and fullness of the sound. The fundamental frequency of female voices can be found in this range.

Now it becomes a little cooler because the mids recede a little more into the background. Nevertheless, many details of the fundamental frequencies remain very close to the original, so it is still acceptable. You can even like that, because this style of play radiates a little distance. Female vocals sound acceptable in the fundamentals, but somewhat weaker than the male vocals. The resolution of the drivers is good enough to reproduce everything quite accurately. You can safely leave it that way.

The upper mids between 400 Hz and around two KHz contain a mark at one KHz that is still considered the reference for many measurements. Unfortunately, you often notice this with cheaper devices, as manufacturers often try to overemphasize this frequency.

There is a slight dip at around 1.5 KHz, only to then increase enormously again, which is minimally detrimental to the differentiated reproduction in this range and results in a picture of misunderstood neutrality. Despite everything, the stage is quite wide and the subjectively perceived quality of the spatial resolution here is at an above-average level. High levels with many sources playing together are not a problem despite the 3 KHz peak, but localization gains immensely if the range around 1.5 KHz is raised slightly and the 3 KHz is reduced somewhat (bell filter is sufficient). In gaming, the level is not quite as critical and it is much as a certain group of gamers would like it to be. However, the localization of the sound sources is significantly better after the aforementioned intervention with the equalizer, although it is already well above average even without help.

High frequency range

The human ear is most sensitive between two and around 3.5 KHz, especially as this lower treble range is responsible for the good overtone reproduction of the human voice. This frequency range is decisive for the recognition of a voice or an instrument; in this context we also speak of the respective timbre.

The quality of the reproduction is good, but it is a little treble-heavy, which is particularly distracting at higher levels. It is based on the sometimes restrained mid-range and the concise upper mid-range, which balances the whole thing out somewhat, but calls for the EQ. The speech intelligibility and the quality of the vocals in terms of recognition, on the other hand, are really good and it always gets much better, right up to the edge of perfection, if you reduce this area a little on the EQ. A matter of taste, as always. Exactly the same applies to gaming, so the result is completely acceptable for gaming too. However, some peaks are annoying. Well, that’s what the EQ is for.

The mid-range treble (3.5 to six KHz) determines the success or failure of speech reproduction as a whole, as the S and sibilants fall into this range. The upper treble frequencies then extend up to approx. ten KHz in order to transition to the super treble.

The treble is one of those things. Sibilants and blow-out noises are very present, but not too overpowering, although it does slide into the metallic and peaky range from time to time. Some icy treble air forms above this, but you can adjust it. In terms of sound, the headphones are right on trend, even if I personally don’t like it that much. Just a matter of taste.

Summary and conclusion

Where should I classify the whole thing now? For a street price of currently around 120 euros, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless is certainly not an extremely cheap offer, but you get adequate value for money. However, there are also some points of criticism. While the sound quality is generally satisfactory and the microphone is usable, the treble is a little too sharp at higher levels, which can be unpleasant in the long run. The headset also lacks active noise suppression, which could be a disadvantage for mobile use, especially if you want to use the headset outside of gaming, for example on the go.

The design is comfortable and robust, but the plastic looks a little cheap and is also sensitive. The wearing comfort is good, but not epically comfortable. On the other hand, I really like the fact that the ear pads are textile-covered. This means that the headset is free of any major flaws, but unfortunately it’s not a head-turner with any real highlights either. Yes, the headset isn’t bad and the battery feels like it lasts forever, but you have to take into account the circumstances of the compulsory registration. Yes, it’s once again in the “you can do it, but you don’t have to” category.