Arctis Nova Pro Omni: Design, workmanship and comfort
SteelSeries has opted for a design that feels pleasantly mature and shouldn't even cause any embarrassment in a Teams meeting. My test sample came in dark blue; the headset is also available in black and white.
While SteelSeries primarily uses plastic for the headset, it feels high-quality. Nothing creaks, nothing feels flimsy, and there's no cheap plastic sound when you pick it up. The metal headband provides stability, and the plastic housing keeps the weight manageable. At 339 grams, it's not ultralight, but comfortable enough for long days.
The Nova Pro Omni certainly got plenty of use from me, as I didn't just use the headset for gaming during the test. I often listened to music while working in the morning, had meetings during the day, and then played a few rounds of Counter-Strike 2 or Battlefield in the evening. As a result, the headset frequently stayed on my head for eight hours or more at a time.
comfort
To achieve this, SteelSeries has invested heavily in wearing comfort. Instead of transferring the entire weight directly to the head, a pleasantly soft, neoprene-like headband is used, which can be adjusted in three stages and distributes the pressure evenly.
The ear cushions also contribute to the overall experience. They are noticeably thick, softly padded, and covered in synthetic leather. Synthetic leather is usually a red flag for closed-back headsets, as it can quickly become unbearably hot depending on the padding. However, I was surprisingly unaffected by this with the Arctis Nova Pro Omni.
The ear cushions seal well even with glasses, don't press uncomfortably, and dissipate heat better than I expected. After several hours, you do notice you're wearing a closed-back headset, but I was largely spared sweaty ears or unpleasant heat buildup. The ear cushions are easy to replace if needed. They're simply clipped on and can be easily removed.
The size is infinitely adjustable via the outer headband. Once adjusted, the setting stays put. No slow slippage and no readjustment after every other use. Left and right are clearly marked, so you can't accidentally put the headset on the wrong way round.
Operation and connections
All buttons on the headphones are logically arranged and can be found quickly, even blindly.
On the left earcup are the power button, the pleasantly notched volume control, and the microphone mute button. I found myself using the latter surprisingly often in everyday life, whether during meetings, voice chats, or when the doorbell rang. A quick press is all it takes to deactivate the microphone immediately. The Bluetooth button is located separately on the right earcup, virtually eliminating any chance of confusion.
The outer surfaces of the earcups are covered by magnetically attached panels. On the left is a USB-C port for direct charging of the headset, while the right panel houses the replaceable battery. Both panels fit perfectly and can be removed easily.
On the left side, there's also a 3,5 mm jack for wired use. While this is more of a fallback option, it's still a nice feature. Small microphone openings are also visible on the earcups; these are part of the ANC and transparency system.
Retractable microphone
The retractable microphone is a clever design. It disappears completely into the housing, can be easily pulled out when needed, and can be positioned very precisely thanks to its flexible arm. The only slightly inconvenient aspect is the separate pop filter. If you want to use it, you have to attach it before use and then remove it again afterward so that the microphone can retract neatly into the housing.
As is well known, such small parts have a tendency to disappear at some point into the desk drawer, under the mousepad, or into the parallel universe of lost USB dongles.
Delivery
The packaging contains the Arctis Nova Pro Omni, the GameHub, two interchangeable batteries, two USB-C to USB-A cables, a microphone pop filter, a carrying pouch, and the usual paperwork.
The fact that SteelSeries includes two batteries is important, as this is the only way the Infinite Power system works as intended. One battery is in the headset, while the other charges simultaneously in the GameHub. It's a bit of a shame, however, that a 3,5 mm cable isn't included. The jack is present on the headset, but anyone wanting to use it will have to bring their own cable.
Ear pads, headbands or additional batteries can easily be purchased separately if needed.
Arctis Nova Pro Omni: GameHub and Connectivity
The GameHub is pleasantly compact and takes up hardly any space on the desk. A small display is located on the front, next to a rotary dial and a touch button for navigating the menu. This allows you to directly control volume, sources, battery level, EQ profiles, microphone settings, and other functions without having to open the software each time.
Depending on the situation, the display shows information such as battery level, volume, active source, sampling rate, bit depth, and the mix between sources. In certain games, it can also display additional information. During testing, this was nice to look at, but honestly, I rarely paid attention to it. The most important values, like volume and battery level, are still useful because you can see them at a glance.
The charging slot for the second battery is located on the side of the GameHub. While one battery is in the headset, the other charges simultaneously in the station.
Connections and sources
On the back of the GameHub are three USB-C ports, a line-in, and a line-out. USB 1 is primarily intended for the PC, while USB 2 and USB 3 are for other devices, with USB 3 also being designed for Xbox.
The headset also features Bluetooth 5.3, supporting SBC, LC3, and LC3+. The latter is particularly interesting with regard to Bluetooth LE audio, even though LC3+ isn't yet standard on every device. For gaming, however, the 2,4 GHz connection via the GameHub remains the preferred option due to its low latency and support for Hi-Res Wireless up to 96 kHz and 24-bit resolution.
Theoretically, the Arctis Nova Pro Omni can play back up to four audio sources simultaneously: USB 1, USB 2 or USB 3, Bluetooth and Line-In.
Compatibility
I primarily used the headset with my PC and also paired it with my smartphone. While playing a game or participating in a meeting on the PC, I simultaneously received notifications or calls from my smartphone. The volume levels can be adjusted separately, so you don't have to frantically grab your phone or mess with the Windows volume settings every time.
Users of devices like a PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, or a handheld gaming console can leave multiple systems permanently connected to the GameHub. There's no need to constantly unplug and replug, re-pair, or worry about which device has priority. Instead, everything runs centrally, eliminating cable clutter.
SteelSeries officially supports PC, Mac, PlayStation 5 and 4, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, iPhone and Android devices with USB-C, tablets, handhelds, and Meta Quest 2 and 3.
Arctis Nova Pro Omni: Software and settings
The Arctis Nova Pro Omni truly shines when used with the software. On a PC, everything runs through SteelSeries GG, specifically Engine and Sonar. Engine handles the direct device settings, while Sonar is the significantly more powerful audio control center.
The installation is worthwhile if you use Windows or macOS. On Windows, you get the full range of features, including sonar. SteelSeries GG is also available on Mac, but without the sonar functionality. Linux users, however, are completely out of luck. Considering Steam Deck, SteamOS, Bazzite, or CachyOS, this is a shame, as headsets like these are no longer limited to traditional Windows PCs.
Engine and sonar
Engine allows you to adjust basic headset settings. These include ANC, transparency mode, microphone options, sidetone, power saving functions, volume behavior, and EQ settings. Firmware updates are also performed through the application.
Sonar goes even deeper, creating virtual audio channels for game sound, chat, media, microphone, and aux input. This allows for very precise control over which app runs on which channel. Discord can be managed separately from the game, music separately from system sounds, and the microphone independently of everything else. Initially, this might seem a bit overwhelming, but it's useful once you understand the principle.
Equalizer and presets
The equalizer is particularly powerful. Instead of just offering a few basic controls for bass and treble, Sonar allows for very precise adjustments to the sound. Frequencies can be selectively boosted or cut, enabling you to tune the headset to be more neutral, bass-heavy, or more focused on footsteps and positional details.
In addition, there are numerous presets for individual games. These include profiles for titles such as Counter-Strike 2, Valorant, Apex Legends, Call of Duty, and Fortnite. For competitive shooters, presets that emphasize footsteps, reloading sounds, and positional cues are particularly useful. Single-player games, on the other hand, often benefit from a fuller, more cinematic sound.
Microphone and companion app
The microphone can also be adjusted in the software. In addition to level, EQ, sidetone, and AI noise cancellation are available. The noise cancellation works not only on the PC but also directly on the headset, and therefore also on consoles or smartphones.
For console gamers and users without a PC, there's also the Arctis Companion App for iOS and Android. It's not quite as powerful as Sonar on PC, but significantly more convenient than having to switch to the computer every time. The app allows you to adjust sound profiles, microphone settings, and other headset functions directly from your smartphone.
Arctis Nova Pro Omni: Sound quality
The Arctis Nova Pro Omni uses 40mm drivers with neodymium magnets, which, according to SteelSeries, cover a frequency range of 10 Hz to 40 kHz.
The sound is dynamic, detailed, and pleasantly clean. The bass has punch but mostly stays where it should. Explosions, engine noises, and the overall impact of the soundtrack come across powerfully without muddying dialogue or subtle details. Those who prefer a more powerful or analytical sound can adjust it significantly using the equalizer.
Gaming
As expected, the headset performs best during gaming. In single-player titles, it quickly creates a pleasantly wide soundstage. In Cyberpunk 2077, Night City's street canyons feel alive, with voices, vehicles, billboards, and ambient sounds all clearly separated. In Battlefield, explosions, gunfire, and vehicles benefit from the excellent dynamic range without losing any of the finer details.
The advantage is even more noticeable in competitive shooters. In Counter-Strike 2, the sound localization was first-rate. Footsteps, reloading sounds, and changes in position can be pinpointed with remarkable accuracy. At times, you really feel like you can hear enemies as soon as they start running from their base. It's not quite that magical, of course, but the Nova Pro Omni conveys the direction and distance of sounds with great precision.
Especially with CS2, it pays off that the headset isn't simply loud and bass-heavy. Important game information is clearly audible without grenades, gunfire, or ambient noise drowning everything out. This effect can be further enhanced with the CS2 preset or a custom EQ adjustment.
The headset also delivers strong spatial audio. Stereo works very well, and for supported titles, Tempest 3D Audio, Windows Sonic, SteelSeries Sonar Surround, DTS Headphone: Headphone, and Dolby Atmos are also available, although DTS and Dolby must be purchased separately. For competitive games, however, I wouldn't blindly activate every surround sound simulation. Depending on the game, clean stereo is often more precise, while virtual surround modes provide more atmosphere, especially in cinematic titles.
films and series
The Arctis Nova Pro Omni also performs well with movies. Action scenes have plenty of impact, voices remain clear, and effects move cleanly through the room. Large productions like Dune, Top Gun: Maverick, and The Batman especially benefit from the combination of strong dynamics and decent spatial sound.
Of course, the headset doesn't replace a good soundbar or a proper home theater system, but it comes closer to the experience than you'd expect from many gaming headsets. This is especially practical at night, because you can take in a lot of the atmosphere without disturbing the rest of the apartment with the noise.
Music
The Nova Pro Omni proves versatile with music, though not entirely neutral. Pop, electronic music, hip-hop, and soundtracks work very well because the bass is controlled and punchy, while the treble delivers sufficient detail. Vocals are clearly positioned in the mix, instruments are well separated, and even extended listening sessions remain comfortable.
Those with a very analytical listening style or who are used to a dedicated hi-fi setup will still notice that this is a closed-back wireless gaming headset. The soundstage isn't as open as with good open-back headphones, and the tuning is geared more towards versatility than maximum naturalness. However, this compromise works very well for everyday use, including work, music streaming, videos, and gaming.
Depending on your musical taste, it's worth using the equalizer. Adding a little warmth for acoustic pieces, more bass for electronic tracks, or reducing the treble for long listening sessions can be done quickly. This rapid adjustability is one of the headset's greatest strengths.
microphone quality
The ClearCast Pro microphone delivers a clear and easily understandable voice. The quality is perfectly adequate for Discord, Teamspeak, in-game chat, and video conferences. The voice sounds clean, direct, and less thin than is typical of many headset microphones.
As expected, it doesn't quite measure up to a good, dedicated USB or XLR microphone. It's too small, too geared towards everyday use, and is integrated into a gaming headset, not a studio setup. However, it performs very well for its intended purpose.
Microphone test recording without noise reduction
Microphone test recording with noise reduction
Microphone test recording with ClearCast AI Noise Cancellation
The noise cancellation is particularly impressive. Keyboard clatter, fan noise, and other ambient sounds are effectively reduced without completely distorting the voice. Many noise-canceling solutions quickly make speech sound artificial or choppy. With the Nova Pro Omni, intelligibility remains high, which is more important in voice chats and meetings than a "studio-like" sound.
ANC and transparency mode
SteelSeries uses ANC with four microphones, which reliably reduces consistent background noise. PC fans, quiet street noise, air conditioners, or a constant hum are significantly reduced. Keyboard sounds are also dampened, but not completely eliminated. Users with a particularly loud mechanical keyboard will still hear it, just less prominently.
The ANC filters out voices less consistently. This is normal for noise-canceling devices and not necessarily a bad thing in everyday life, because you're not completely cut off from the outside world when working from home. However, as soon as music, game sound, or a movie is playing, background conversations become significantly less distracting. The transparency mode does the opposite and selectively allows ambient noise to pass through.
Arctis Nova Pro Omni: Range and Battery
For the actual gaming connection, the Arctis Nova Pro Omni uses the GameHub and operates on the 2,4 GHz band. This is also the connection that should be used for games because it offers the lowest latency and supports Hi-Res Wireless up to 96 kHz and 24-bit. Bluetooth 5.3 is more of a secondary connection for smartphones, tablets, or other mobile devices.
Reach
In my roughly 75 m² apartment, I could move freely with the headset without the connection dropping. From my desk to the living room, the kitchen, or the hallway, the connection remained stable, without any crackling, dropouts, or audible fluctuations in quality. Even several walls between the GameHub and the headset posed no problem, and the Arctis Nova Pro Omni remained unfazed even by the running microwave, which is often the ultimate nemesis for wireless connections.
I used Bluetooth simultaneously with my smartphone. Calls, notifications, and media playback came through reliably, while the main connection to the PC via the GameHub remained active.
Battery
SteelSeries uses its Infinite Power system with two interchangeable batteries. One is housed in the headset, while the other charges in the GameHub on the side. When the headset battery runs low, you remove the magnetic cover of the right earcup, take out the old battery, insert the charged one, and turn the headset back on. The swap takes only a few seconds but briefly interrupts use because the headset powers down during the process.
My battery usually lasted two to three days, although, as mentioned above, the headset was in use for more than eight hours a day. SteelSeries itself states up to 30 hours per battery over 2,4 GHz without ANC, up to 50 hours over Bluetooth without ANC, and up to 19 hours per battery when 2,4 GHz, Bluetooth, and ANC are active simultaneously. With both batteries combined, that's up to 60 hours.
Should both batteries happen to be empty, there's a fast charging option. A 15-minute charge provides up to four hours of use. I hardly needed this during testing, as the second battery was usually charged and waiting in the GameHub.
