Review: Steelseries Arctis Nova Pro Omni
The easiest way to describe the Steelseries Arctis Nova Pro Omni gaming headset is that it’s the middle child between the Nova Pro and the Nova Elite. It mixes elements from both, namely the plastic and steel build of the Pro and the newer tuning, ANC, microphones, and USB hub of the Elite to create something fresh. Does SteelSeries really need three different “Pro” gaming headsets above $300? I’m not so sure, but the Omni makes a convincing case as a great option for multisystem, multimedia power users.
Like its siblings, the two standout features here are battery swapping and multisystem mixing. You’re paying a premium for both, and if you don’t need them, there are plenty of other great headsets that cost half as much (like the brand’s own Arctis Nova 5, for example). But if you truly need three or even four different audio sources, the Omni can handle it much more seamlessly than the Pro (and for much less than the Elite).
The Best of Both Worlds
The Nova Pro Omni may have the same 40 millimeter drivers as the Pro model, but changes to the tuning and processing have made a big difference in the audio quality. The Steelseries software does a lot of heavy lifting here, with game-specific profiles that help pull the right sounds to the surface. Turning on the profile built for Marathon, the heady screeching and chirping sound effects and environmental noise was appropriately scalding, but I could still easily hear the crunching of enemies approaching from outside buildings. Combined with improved active noise-canceling that’s similar to the Elite model, the audio experience is truly excellent.
The headphones work just as well for music and movies, which is where I heard the biggest upgrade from the older Pro model. There’s a nice richness, particularly with the EQ presets for music applied, that you don’t get on most wireless gaming headsets. Like the fancier Elite, the Omni support hi-res audio wirelessly, another upgrade from the older Pro model. I still have doubts about whether it’s actually useful for gaming, but I usually listen to music while I play games, so the benefits are there regardless.
Switching back and forth between the Omni and the much pricier Elite, I can definitely hear the difference, but it’s subtle. The Omni don’t have the same spacious soundstage or delicate details as the Elite. This stands out more listening to music than it does gaming. But when I have two or three sources running at once, I don’t feel like I’m missing anything using the Omni over the more expensive Elite.
Feature Packed
Multisystem mixing is the key selling point with the Omni. Like the other Nova Pro headsets, it comes with a dedicated USB hub for inputs. You can mix up to four inputs, up from two on the Pro model, but I struggle to come up with scenarios where it’s truly needed. The most complex common situation I can think of would be a console for gameplay, a PC for Discord voice chat, and a phone or tablet for music over Bluetooth. The Pro can’t handle that setup, but the Omni can, so if that sounds like you, it’s worth the cost of the upgrade. The microphone will also output to multiple destinations at once, so if you need to pop into proximity chat while on a Discord call, you can do that.
SteelSeries also made a point to emphasize that this microphone, now omni-directional, is a big improvement from the old models, but that’s more of a gift for your friends and fellow raid members who have to hear you. The Omni, like the Nova Pro and Elite, sound significantly cleaner and crisper than most gaming headset mics, although I still think the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro is a bit sharper. Both do an excellent job of filtering out coughing, chair scooting, and the occasional dog bark.
The other big selling point is the swappable battery, a trick that I haven’t seen any other gaming headset makers attempt. The USB hub, which also hosts the 2.4GHz wireless connection, has a slot in the side to charge up one of the two included batteries. When the headset starts to get low, you swap out the batteries, and the result is essentially infinite juice as long as you’re near your desk. As long as you do it fast enough, the headset will even turn back on and reconnect automatically. If you do find yourself away from the hub, there’s a sneaky USB-C port hidden under the earcup cover for charging.
Like the entire Nova family, these are among the most comfortable gaming headsets I’ve tested. The “ski goggle” support strap on the headset helps keep pressure off the top of your dome during long sessions, and the earcups are noticeably thicker and more padded than the older Pro. While you can’t get these in the very slick sage and gold color exclusive to the Elite, they do come in a nice dark blue that’s different and not too gamer-coded.
The Whole Family
I’m not sure what led SteelSeries to produce three different gaming headsets at $300 or above, particularly when most folks I talk to spend significantly less. As I write this, the older Nova Pro is available for $280 at Best Buy, and especially if you can get it for even cheaper, I think you’ll be more than happy with the sound, comfort and two source mixing. There’s certainly no reason to upgrade to the Omni if you are an existing Pro owner, unless you really need the extra inputs.
If both are at full price, the Nova Omni has some extra functionality, namely four inputs and improved wireless audio quality, but I only really noticed this while listening to music or watching movies. Still, you should only reach for the top-tier Nova Elite if you think spending an extra $200 is worth it for extra-premium materials (carbon fiber and brass) in an exclusive sage gold color (which is admittedly very slick).
Ultimately, I like the Arctis Nova Omni just as much as I like the Nova Pro, and I don’t mean that to come off as dismissive: they’re both excellent headphones. If you’re willing to spend more on your gaming headset, these are undoubtedly the most feature-rich and elegant sounding ones out there, at least for serious, mixed-use gamers. I had hoped for something a little more distinct from the brand’s other headsets, but the subtle improvements and extra functionality make them worth the cost, assuming your setup is complex enough to warrant it.
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