SteelSeries’ latest headset, the Arctis Nova 3 Wireless Headset, is a super lightweight mid-range headset that’ll set you back just AUS$200, while delivering many of the same features that are available in SteelSeries’ more premium options. It’s a good and versatile headset, though the step down from those premium devices is noticeable.
The first thing you’ll notice is that the headset is incredibly light over the ears. Light, but also tight, with the suspension headband being quite stiff to distribute the weight. The ear cushions are likewise quite stiff, and are made from fabric rather than the fake leather that most headsets aim for these days. Thanks to this material the headset allows the ears to breathe pretty comfortably despite the fit being more snug than I generally prefer. Overall, it’s a headset that you can wear for long durations comfortably.
Happily, the Nova 3 Wireless Headset’s mic is detachable, which means the headset can be used outside of gaming and work sessions. Nothing worse than looking like you’re a call centre employee when you’re just trying to relax to some tunes on the train. The headset also comes in four colour options, all of them aesthetically pleasing, and that’s a nice touch when most of the time you have a choice between white, black, and what can only be described as “gamer colour” and so aesthetically broken you end up wondering just how gamers turn out like they do. I have the soft green headset, and I find myself reaching for it on my stand of headsets simply because it looks different to most of the rest of them on there.
If you do take it outside with you, however, I have to warn you about noise bleed. The Nova 3 Wireless is pretty good at keeping outside noises out despite relying on passive isolation rather than active noise cancellation. That is somewhat disappointing since there are other sound options with ANC at around this price point. However, as an issue that pales compared to the noise bleed: The Nova 3 Wireless is almost shockingly bad at keeping noise to yourself, and even at low volumes people around you are going to know what you’re listening to. So do yourself a favour and make sure your playlists don’t have anything too embarrassing on them, and you don’t turn the volume up too far (because that will absolutely annoy everyone around you).
Of course, the primary purpose of the Arctis Nova 3 Wireless is for gaming, and it’s got the full suite of features. Most importantly, there is a 2.4GHz wireless dongle included, meaning you can play with minimal latency, while also offering Bluetooth for more general uses. There is also fast charge, with SteelSeries claiming that 15 minutes of charging will give you nine hours of gaming, and a full charge will last for 30 hours on a 2.4GHz setting and 40 hours on Bluetooth.
Also important is the app. SteelSeries has spent a considerable time creating tailored audio profiles for more than 200 games, including the big ones like Baldur’s Gate 3, Fortnite, Assassin’s Creed, and so on. SteelSeries does continue to build this list, with Clair Obscur 33 being a notable recent addition (and just as well as that game has one of the greatest soundtracks of all time). There are even some profiles for some odd games that you wouldn’t expect SteelSeries to spend time working on, like Dead or Alive Xtreme or Doki Doki Literature Club, though it probably should go without saying that for the vast bulk of indie and retro games you’ll need to go for an approximation rather than a profile specifically designed for that game.
The app is otherwise pretty limited, with no custom equalizer, but you can opt for bass boost and dialogue clarity to enhance whatever you happen to be playing or listening too. Limited as it is, it is nice to be able to play with the settings for a headset outside of a PC app, and SteelSeries has done a commendable job making their mobile settings app a must.
Thankfully, I had an exceptional, if challenging, game to test this headset’s performance with. Death Stranding 2. Kojima’s incredibly atmospheric game has a complex soundscape, from environmental noises to some pretty high-impact combat and action scenes (and with audio cues that are almost as important as the visuals). Meanwhile, every so often, a melancholic, ethereal piece of music will play, and then there is all the nuance in the voice performances to capture.
The Arctis Nova 3 Wireless performed reasonably. The audio cues were clear enough, the soundtrack ambience was there, and the tone of the dialogue came through with enough crispness to support the performances. The only issue is that there wasn’t quite the full, thumping body that you’d find in a more premium headset, meaning the sound doesn’t fully “wrap” around you, and making Death Stranding 2 something very pleasant to listen to rather than truly immersive. With that being said, I wouldn’t expect any better performance from any other mid-tier headset on the market.
For music, perhaps the best test I can refer to is Metallica’s Whisky in a Jar. Listen to that and you can hear the lyrics and guitar riffs just fine, but it lacks the aggressive impact that you’d want for something that heavy rock. Meanwhile, I listened to the theme song of my own game, which is much heavier on the melody and vocals, and it was very crisp and pleasant to listen to. Finally, for work, the headset does a perfectly adequate job on Zoom calls, and the microphone allowed my voice to carry clearly enough.
SteelSeries is possibly my favourite company when it comes to high-end gaming headsets, and I would certainly recommend that you find the budget to push for one of those if you can. Even the Arctis Nova 5 is only $100 more, and it’s worth that premium and then some. With that being said, for a low-mid range headset, the Arctis Nova 3 Wireless Headset does its job, and does it admirably. It’s comfortable, versatile, robust and well-featured.
