SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X Specifications, Tests and Review

Product SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X are wireless headphones with a detachable cable, which combines the advantages of both solutions. The wireless connection option offers freedom of movement while increasing the comfort of use. The detachable cable then provides a listening alternative in the event of a low battery caused by wireless listening.

The design of the headphones is around the ears. Because of this design, the headphone envelops the entire ear and isolates the ear better from surrounding noise when listening compared to for example on-ear headphones. With that, they offer high-quality listening without interference. However, they are most likely heavier by design and less practical for frequent carrying.

The sound quality can be affected by many factors. When it comes to frequency range, the wider it is, the more detail you will hear when listening. However, the range a person can perceive is highly individual. The average person is able to perceive frequencies in the range of 16 to 20 000 Hz. So the most common frequency range you will see on the market is 20 to 20,000 Hz. Lower frequencies up to approximately 256 Hz are considered bass frequencies. Therefore, the lower the bottom value is, the better the headphones will reproduce bass. Conversely, values from approximately 2 048 Hz upwards are treble. That is why headphones with a high upper value will provide a much more accurate reproduction of high notes. SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X offers a frequency range of 20 - 22000 Hz. The sensitivity parameter determines how sensitively the headphones can receive the signal from the source. The higher the sensitivity value, the louder the headphones will be able to play with less power consumption. In general, a higher listening volume also means a higher power load for the connected device. So if you're buying headphones to listen to music from your mobile phone, for example, this is relevant to think about as you don't want to drain your phone's battery too much. Lower values around 85 dB are more suitable for listening in more quiet environments (for example, at home or in the office). Medium values of around 90 dB can provide good listening quality in noisier environments (for example, on public transport or in cafés). Headphones with high sensitivity values of around 100 dB or more are designed for really noisy environments, such as concerts. The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X has 93 dB.

The device connected to the headphones also plays a role most times. The lower impedance value (approximately 100 to 150 Ohms) is suitable for playback from mobile phones, laptops or other portable players that do not have a powerful enough amplifier. The lower impedance will ensure that the required volume level is achieved with less power, thus extending the life of the player. However, at the same time, with lower impedance, there is more distortion of the sound. Headphones with a higher impedance of around 250 Ohms and above are then more suitable for playback from really powerful signal sources or using a headphone amplifier, otherwise the sound coming out of them might not be loud enough. At the same time, higher-impedance headphones will also ensure less distortion in the sound. In the case of these headphones, the impedance reaches the 36 Ohm value.

An important part of these headphones is the diaphragm, which, simply put, converts the electrical signal into a sound. The thin diaphragm that is around 6 mm thick can react quickly to changes in the audio signal and improves high-frequency listening. However, it is less sensitive to bass. The medium-thick diaphragm of around 10 mm provides a fairly balanced sound profile, allowing you to enjoy both bass and treble. A thicker diaphragm of around 20 mm cannot react so quickly to changes in the sound signal, thus impairing bass listening. However, it is more sensitive to higher frequencies. This model features the 40 mm. Total harmonic distortion is one of the parameters you will come across and usually includes the average value of the distortion when reproducing all frequency bands. This parameter is not critical when choosing headphones, but it is important to remember that higher harmonic distortion can negatively affect sound quality. In case of these headphones, the total harmonic distortion is Audio Output | Total Harmonic Distortion.

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X has a boom–type microphone. The microphone sensitivity is -38 dB. A lower microphone sensitivity will generally ensure that even quieter sounds are caught. On the other hand, in noisier environments, distortion of the recording may occur. With a higher sensitivity, the microphone will not distort the recording even in noisy environments. On the other hand, the microphone will not pick up quieter sounds. So it depends on the environment and the purposes you plan to use the headphones for. A nice benefit of the microphone of the Headphones SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X is the Noise Canceling technology that suppresses ambient noise and allows a clearer sound recording to be captured.