SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X Wireless Gen 2 review
SteelSeries' original Arctis Nova 7X Wireless was one of my favourite gaming headsets when it launched a few years ago, so I was certainly very excited to see what had changed with this flashy second-gen model to hopefully keep it towards the top of my own headset rankings. Having tested this shiny new model for the last couple of weeks, I've been simultaneously surprised and disappointed at what's changed. On one hand, the list of changes isn't that substantial, with things such as improved battery life and added support for SteelSeries' Arctis companion app, which I'll get into more in a minute, while the fit and finish and audio drivers inside haven't changed one iota as far as I can tell. Depending on your perspective, it's either laziness or refinement—for me, I'm going to be positive and choose the latter.
The fact is that there wasn't anything wrong with how the original Arctis Nova 7X Wireless sounded, so cocking about with it for this second-gen model would have been a bit of a shock to the system if you're already coming from the original. It means we're still getting the excellent all-round audio I liked so much from the previous model, which is characterised by more low-end grunt than typical headphones, helping its chops for listening to my movable feast of rock tracks from Marillion, Rush, Steven Wilson and others, plus adding a more immersive quality for explosions and gunfire in Counter-Strike 2.
Audio Quality and Performance
SteelSeries has retained the same retractable ClearCast Gen 2 microphone as the original model, which I liked for offering clear and decently clean comms with surprisingly decent body and noise rejection, and it's much the same story with the Arctis Nova 7X Wireless Gen 2. Of course, a dedicated USB or XLR microphone will provide you with better definition and a fuller sound, but in a pinch, this headset mic is perfectly cromulent.
We're still getting some lovely detail retrieval and a crisp mid-range that helps to accentuate details such as footsteps in Counter-Strike and well-handled vocals in mellower tracks from the likes of Jimmy Buffett or James Taylor, helping to make the Arctis Nova 7X Wireless Gen 2 a versatile headset for music, games and more besides. There is also quite a wide soundstage for a set of closed backs (open back and wired cans at this price, such as the new Sony Inzone H6 Air, will be stronger, though) with good imaging for things such as footsteps, distant chatter and gunfire or nearby grenade explosions in CS:2.
Connectivity and Software Support
Where this headset has upped its game, especially, is on the front of software support, which is evidently where SteelSeries has spent a lot of its time. SteelSeries GG handles desktop duties for customisation of things such as the EQ and surround sound settings, plus it comes with over 200 game-specific presets to optimise the headset's sound for whichever game you're playing.
What is new with the Arctis Nova 7X Wireless Gen 2 is that it'll also work with SteelSeries' Arctis companion app, which I've used with some of its other, more recent headsets. This sizes down the desktop app into an even lighter and slicker medium, providing a lot of the same presets and such that can be quickly selected before you jump into a mobile or console game. There isn't more granular EQ control in the companion app, though, which is a little bit of a shame.
On the point of connectivity, this -X suffixed model maintains its edge as the model variant of this headset that'll work with the most things. It connects either via Bluetooth or the bundled 2.4GHz wireless USB-C receiver, allowing it to work with both modern Xbox and PlayStation consoles, PC, Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, Android and iOS mobile devices, VR and more besides. That's a lot of devices; oh, it'll also work with both simultaneously if you're a power user, and you can connect via 3.5 mm wired to boot.
The Arctis Nova 7X Wireless Gen 2 also benefits from increased battery life over its predecessor, promising up to 54 hours over the 2.4 GHz receiver and up to 42 hours over Bluetooth—connected via both means, it'll go for up to 38 hours. By contrast, the original could only muster up to 38 hours over 2.4 GHz and up to 26 hours over Bluetooth. In my testing, I found SteelSeries' claimed improvements to be about right, getting about 50 hours or so on a charge before I needed to charge it back up again.
If you're caught in a pinch, there is a 15-minute fast charge available via USB-C that takes you back to six hours' worth of run time, while a full charge will take around 90 minutes if you can wait a little longer.
I'm a big fan of the new magenta colourway that my sample of the Arctis Nova 7X Wireless Gen 2 shipped in. There are more conventional colour choices available with black and white, but for an added splash of colour, it looks fantastic, perfectly matching the QcK Heavy mousepad and SteelSeries Aerox 3 Wireless Gen 2 rodent, which I also have knocking around.
The fit and finish of this headset haven't changed much from its predecessor, though. This means we're getting a hard-wearing plastic finish for the outer chassis at a price I'd expect to see a little more metal, although it feels reasonably sturdy. The earcups are made of a breathable fabric and feel decently roomy around my ears, alongside providing decent passive noise isolation for a headset with no ANC. They also fold flat for easy stowage.
SteelSeries' classic suspension headband also makes a return with a semi-elastic suspension strap with some additional padding, making it comfortable for long sessions. The overall design remains functional and practical, with no unnecessary embellishments that could compromise its usability.
Final Thoughts
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X Wireless Gen 2 is a solid evolution of a great headset. While the core features remain largely unchanged, the improvements in battery life and software support make it even more appealing for users who value convenience and performance. It's a versatile headset that can handle everything from intense gaming sessions to casual music listening, all while maintaining a sleek and stylish design.
