SteelSeries isn’t here to play nice. The new Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 Series lands with more control, more power, and a clear message for the Audeze Maxwell crowd: the wireless gaming throne isn’t yours alone. Beyerdynamic and Sennheiser have been busy carving out their own slice of the multi-billion-dollar gaming pie over the past two years, but this new headset from SteelSeries looks ready to undercut both — offering more features, more control, and a lower price of entry.
SteelSeries: The Original Esports Innovator Powering the Future of Gaming Culture
Founded in 2001, SteelSeries built its reputation as the first true esports brand, long before gaming went mainstream. Known for its premium headsets, keyboards, mice, and gaming accessories, the company has been at the center of competitive gaming for over two decades.
SteelSeries helped define what it means to blend performance, innovation, and culture, creating gear that serves both pro players and everyday gamers. Their focus on cutting-edge technology, like first-to-market audio and wireless systems, continues to shape how gamers experience both play and sound — a far cry from the audiophile scene, but with the same obsession for precision and performance.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2: Real-Time Control, Dual Audio Power, and a Battery Boost
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 Series isn’t a small step forward — it’s a full-system upgrade.
SteelSeries has taken its award-winning Arctis heritage and fine-tuned it for the next era of gaming. The Nova 7 Gen 2 series covers every platform — PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch/Switch 2 — and now lets players dial in audio performance game-by-game with presets for Call of Duty, GTA, and Fortnite. It’s the kind of headset built for players who want full control, zero lag, and no excuses — and yes, that’s a direct shot at the Audeze Maxwell.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2: Dual Audio Mixing for the Multitasker
Whether you’re chatting on Discord while grinding through Call of Duty, playing Mario Kart and taking a phone call, or watching TikToks while waiting for your next Fortnite lobby to load, the Arctis Nova 7 Wireless Gen 2 doesn’t break a sweat. Its simultaneous 2.4GHz and Bluetooth dual audio mixing lets you do it all at once — the kind of versatility today’s gaming lifestyle demands.
With 200+ finely tuned audio presets via the Arctis App, you can instantly dial in sound for gaming, music, or streaming. Add an upgraded 54-hour battery with fast charging (six hours of play from a 15-minute charge), and you’ve got serious endurance.
The Neodymium Magnetic Speaker Drivers deliver precise, spacious audio, while the ClearCast Gen 2 mic keeps comms clean and natural. The Nova 7 Gen 2 is built for multitaskers who refuse to pause — because the grind doesn’t stop just because your headset can’t keep up.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2: Key Specs and Compatibility
Compatibility
- PC (Windows 10+) – Full support with ChatMix via Sonar
- Mac (macOS 10.13+) – Compatible (ChatMix not supported)
- PlayStation 4 & 5 – ChatMix control via on-screen menu
- Nintendo Switch / Switch 2 – USB-C wireless or Bluetooth (mic over 2.4GHz only)
- Mobile (Android & iPhone) – USB-C wireless or Bluetooth
- Tablets / Handhelds – USB-C wireless or Bluetooth
- Meta Quest 2 & 3 – USB-C wireless or Bluetooth (audio only)
Software Support
- Arctis App (iOS 15.6+ / Android 9+)
- SteelSeries GG + Engine (Windows 8.1+ / macOS 10.13+)
- GG + Sonar Audio Suite (Windows 10+, required for ChatMix)
Audio Performance
- Drivers: 40mm Neodymium Magnetic
- Frequency Response: 20Hz – 22,000Hz
- Impedance: 36 Ohms
- Sensitivity: 105dBSPL @ 1kHz/1mW
- THD: <3%
- Spatial Audio: 360° Supported
Microphone
- Type: ClearCast Gen 2 Retractable Boom
- Pattern: Bidirectional Noise Cancelling
- Frequency Response: 100–7000Hz (2.4GHz) / 100–6500Hz (Bluetooth)
- Sensitivity: -12dBV/Pa (Near-field), -15dBV/Pa (Far-field)
Battery & Charging
- Battery Life: Up to 54 hours (2.4GHz) / 42 hours (Bluetooth) / 38 hours (simultaneous)
- Fast Charge: 15 minutes = up to 6 hours of play
Physical
- Weight: 325g (0.72 lbs)
- Included Accessories:
- USB-A to USB-C charging cable (1.5m / 5ft)
- Compact USB-C wireless dongle
- USB-C to USB-A adapter
The Bottom Line
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel — it’s here to perfect it. With real-time audio control via the Arctis App, 200+ game-specific presets, simultaneous 2.4GHz and Bluetooth dual audio, and a massive 54-hour battery life with fast charging, it packs features that even pricier headsets can’t match.
Add a premium build, clear communications through the ClearCast Gen 2 mic, and full multi-platform compatibility, and you’ve got a headset that delivers high-end performance without the high-end price.
At $199.99, it’s a rare combination of versatility, quality, and value that makes it a standout choice for serious gamers — and a pointed challenge to competitors like the Audeze Maxwell.
Price & Availability
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 Series is available now at SteelSeries.com and authorized retailers worldwide. Each model comes in three colorways — black, white, and magenta — and is priced as follows:
- Arctis Nova 7P Wireless Gen 2 (PlayStation): US $199.99 | UK £179.99 | EU €199.99
- Arctis Nova 7X Wireless Gen 2 (Xbox): US $199.99 | UK £179.99 | EU €199.99
- Arctis Nova 7 Wireless Gen 2 (PC): US $199.99 | UK £179.99 | EU €199.99
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