SteelSeries Nova Pro Wireless vs Astro A50 Gen 4 wireless - Great for different reasons
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- Опубліковано 2 лис 2024
- Here's a comparison between the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless and the Astro A50 Wireless. These are two of my favourite headsets for different reasons - comfort, charging convenience, connectivity and more.
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SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless
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Highlights of the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless headset include:
An AI powered noise cancellation microphone
Plush memory foam ear cushions which give passive noise cancellation
Custom sound settings and EQ profiles tuned for various games
The ability to customise audio from your friends on Discord
A really comfortable fit all day long
Active Noise Cancellation which blocks out fan noise and other annoyances
Dual Bluetooth and wireless connectivity
Swappable batteries mean you never have to plug it in
Lowlights:
As standard it picks up a lot of background noise via the mic
Compressed mic sound
Horrible sound when going too far from the base station
Expensive
Specs:
Neodymium Drivers 40 mm
Headphone Frequency Response (Wired) 10-40,000 Hz
Headphone Frequency Response (Wireless) 10-22,000 Hz
Headphone Sensitivity 93 dBSPL
Headphone Impedance 38 Ohm
Headphone Total Harmonic Distortion 1%
High-Res Audio Capable Yes (Headphone Speakers)
Active Noise Cancellation 4-mic hybrid design with Transparency Mode
Microphone Type ClearCast Gen 2 - Fully Retractable Boom
Microphone Polar Pattern Bidirectional Noise-Canceling
Microphone Frequency Response 100-6500 Hz
Microphone Sensitivity -38 dBV/Pa
Microphone Impedance 2200 Ohm
Number of Batteries 2
At Home Non-stop battery with hot-swap (within 8 seconds)
On-the-go 44 Hours - 2.4GHz Quantum 2.0 Gaming Wireless / 36 Hours - 2.4GHz Quantum 2.0 Gaming Wireless + BT (18-22 hours per battery)
Fast Charge
15 mins for 3 hours play
Bluetooth Wireless v 5.0
Gaming Wireless Low Latency 2.4 GHz
Dual Connection Simultaneous 2.4 Ghz & BT
Wireless Range 40 ft / 12m (2.4 GHz)
The Astro A50 is expensive and better in some ways, worse in others.
Here's the reasons why:
1 - Its comfort is unbeaten in my opinion
2 - The charging base station is super convenient and I very rarely need to plug it in
3 - The sound is great for gaming, music, movies or anything else
4 - It has a decent mic (not the best, but not awful either)
5 - It allows me to mic monitor my external mic setup via my GoXLR (very few wireless headsets allow this)
That's the highlights, the lowlights are:
It doesn't have Bluetooth like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless
It doesn't have user replaceable batteries (unless you can solder)
The headband gets worn out over time
The design is quite flimsy considering what you're paying
There's no high res audio (like with the Audeze Mobius)
See deals on the Astro A50 Gen 4 here*:
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Find out more about the Astro A50 Gen 4 here - www.astrogamin...
Specs include:
Open Air Over-Ear design
Cloth ear cushions upgradable to leather
40mm Neodymium Magnet drivers
20Hz - 20,000Hz Frequency Response
Tuned Astro Audio V2
Two years free access to Dolby Atmos
Game/voice balance button
Optical Pass-through, USB Power & Soundcard, USB Charging Port, AUX In / Mic out (TRRS 3.5mm) inputs via basestation
Compatible with Astro Gaming Command Center
Dolby virtual audio and Dolby Atmos
Up to 15-hours battery life
Up to 30ft wireless range
6mm uni-directional noise-cancelling microphone
Flip-to-mute functionality
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Products featured may also have been sent for free for review/testing purposes. Often these have to be returned by me, but not always. I endeavour to avoid bias in my videos wherever possible and try to give honest, subjective opinions.
I'm still captivated by the Astros A50, which features a forward-looking capability to detect when the headphones are set down and responds by powering on or off in response to motion. It seems that, among the current crop of headsets, the Astros A50 stands alone in offering such a feature. Consequently, this smart technology ensures that the battery never truly runs out, as it automatically turns off within 20 seconds of no activity. However, I must admit that I also appreciate the Steel Series with its impressive 18-22 hours of battery life, which eliminates the need for battery replacements.
Just ordered the Nova Pro and am returning it for A50s instead. I LOVE my A40s so I should've known better. I can't deal with closed back headphones anymore for gaming. It's a shame because if the Novas were open back, I'm 99% sure it would sound better than the Astros. Soundstage performance is too important for me now. The A40s spoiled me with that. Can't go back to closed anymore.
Same here with a50 👍🏻
@@RGR465 Yea, I should've trusted RTings from the start. They have never let me down with their tech reviews. They rate the A50's as having better audio for gaming and soundstage performance.
Great video. Wish there was more of a conclusion at the end summarizing your desire for the steel series but it was good. You had my attention for the full length.
Astros will last for yrs. I had Gen 3 for over 4 yrs then I gave them away and they are still working good. I went with the A40s cause I was gaming on pc, but now with the ps5 I got the GenS 4 with the adapter FOR PS5 and they are really good. Only thing I don't like is that the top soft support kept falling off. I returned them, and went to pick new ones at the store. Looks like shipping people are careless and throw them around. this new one is working fine now so far.
I’ve had two pairs break in 5 years.
@Walker Dear damn raging ? Lol ul or very heavy use. Mine last for 4 yrs. I'm still testing this new one.
I refuse to consider anything from Astro until they come out with new versions of their headsets. The current A50 is mega old at this point.
True. Hoping for gen 5 soon.
Let's hope the gen5 has usb C, Dolby Atmos, a higher frequency on the driver's, and the leather pads included instead of in the mod kit. I would instantly buy them IF their frequency was 10 - 30 kHz +. They are a great headset, but they really do need that refresh.
@@Nubsauce I'd like Bluetooth and deeper earcushions. Plus user swappable batteries like the SteelSeries Nova Pro wireless
@@TheProvokedPrawn D. All of the Above. XD
@@Nubsauce it does have dolby atmos gen 4 that is.
I think the mic, build quality, sound, and swapable battery feature are all the best parts of the arctis nova pro. He didnt go super deep in detail about it in this video but the nova pro also has a large amount of extra settings on pc with the steelseries gg app which I think makes it the better pick for pc.
the mic is ass i got one but the rest is perfect xD
I’m a long time A50 user, nearly 10 years now, but I think it’s time to retire them. I’ve loved the A50s and have always thought they have amazing sound. Can I get similar if not betterperformances from Nova?
Ive been going back and forth on these 2 headsets and ive been patiently waiting for astro to come out with a new headset but i cant wait any longer. I really thought I would go with the Nova, but im going to go with the astros again. Ive had my Astro A40 TR's for 8 or 9 years now and they have been flawless. Very comfortable and have no problems at all, just want a wireless headset now. Lets just hope they dont end up coming out with a new headset right after i get mine haha
The Novas are great tbh my new favourite
Great video. I’ve been using the pro wireless for years… on my second pair and they have also broken. The build quality is shocking, so looking to upgrade. Very sad to see they removed the optical pass through and maybe the build quality might introduce the same weakness in the hinge. I’m tired of replacing every couple of years at £250-£300 each time. The a50 looks like the perfect candidate but no Bluetooth!! 😭😭😭
I had the A50's Gen 4 but the middle part of the head band kept popping out on its own making them really annoying and dubious build quality for me, so I sent them back for a refund.
Ugh I just had to deal with that, it’s been both annoying and uncomfortable. Think I bought a faulty one, my a50 for my Xbox is built good. My ps5 one’s however are pretty bad
@@brianduarte5724 i am on my second pair and still getting the same issue, move to the steal series
So glad I pulled the trigger on these love them , I don’t feel tha anc nob so it sucks for those who do , I had a40s 50s n these are way better to me
I have had 2 arctic nova pros and I just returned the second one today for the A50s. I opted not to go for A THIRD because after 5-9 months of use, the headphones and mic decide not to WORK unless you are using Bluetooth connection. This issue is almost guaranteed unless you play on console. If you are on PC please save itself and just get the Astro A50.
If you can actually use the Astro A50 Microphone with GOXLR Wirelessly than that will be my next headset for sure.
Some people said you can only use the Astro A50 with GOXLR only for sound and not the mic.
My screws fell out of both pairs of my A50s and I take very good care of my gaming equipment
i test bass response of my headphones off of provoked pawn’s intro… thx mate!
🤣
Hello Mr.Prawn, i really hope you get back to me on this one. So i currently have the astro a40's gen 4 with the mixamp and the ps5 adapter with the mod kit and don't get me wrong i love them but i plan on buyin a 1440p monitor next year and i don't know if the ps5 adapter will support 1440p 60 or 120. So that is why i am now looking to buy the nova pros. My question is, which one would you recommend considering i will only use them on ps5. Would you recommend the nova pro wired or wireless?
Nova Pro's are the Best Wireless Gaming Headsets you can buy. Versatility, Comfort, and Sound. If Running on PC The Sonar App make the Mic sound close to professional. And the Game DAC allows you to customize the Sound to your liking on PC or Console. And best of all they are supported by All Consoles and PC's.
I’m going to steel series for sure. I loved my a50’s but the build quality is super cheap. They are too expensive for them to stop working out of nowhere and the middle part to pop out. Steel series gives you quality for your money.
Bro, can you please tell me where you got that glass skull you are using to hang your headphones? It’s bad ass!
amzn.to/3gtIGnR
I've had the Gen 2 A50s since release and they have been nice but they've started disconnecting from the base station, just bought the nova pros
I need a recommendation as a gamer which one should I buy
Astro or steelseries or there is any other options ?
So for shooters (cod) (warzone) ps5 would u rather a50’or nova pro?
Nova Pro, but it really comes to everyone opinion.
No more SPDIF output and this is clearly a stepback compare to old version caused by Sony and Microsoft. They removed SPDIF port on console. They added Tempest 3d audio / 360 audio which try to make cheap headset sound decent but it clearly cut the quality of high-end audio device. They also decided to not implement display port which results in having to chose between sound quality with audio extractor(currently there's no audio extractor supporting hdmi 2.1 on the market) or image quality (4k 120hz supported via hdmi 2.1). This can be explain by the fact that Sony is a brand of television and television already got SPDIF port on them. Headset constructor decided to invest on something that will be cross platform. At least, Xbox support USB UAC2 which makes Astro mix amp and others amp/dac to work. Sony is still using UAC1 and almost none of the amp/dac supports it anymore. In my point of view, the current gen console is a shame. This is caused by old school company wanting to keep the market for themselves. Another thing tha proves my point is that the PS5 still doesn't support 2k native resolution.
Can you download sound profiles to the Steel series like you can with the Astro A50s?
Hey there just found your channel doing a little research on gaming headsets, and a reply from you or anybody would really help my decision, but i had the razer kraken v3 hypersense wired headphones for a little over a year, and i got a little annoyed of the wired connection, and wanted to upgrade to a better headset, considering razers reputation, the horrible synapse software, and i felt like if i spent some more money, i could really get the gaming, experience/immersion i want, or i guess bang for my buck lmao, and I've came down to these 2 headsets, I've already bought the a50s, and im mainly a pc gamer, but i do also have a ps5, for games like god of war, after looking at the steel series headset, it looks like a way better upgrade than the a50s, as I'm looking for headphones with surround sound, decent/deep bass for when i listen to music, and being able to hear footsteps easily and far away, for that competitive advantage, plus the noise cancelling would be fantastic, as with the a50s even with the mic muted i can still hear my fan on the other side of the room lol, with my razer headphones, it's a lot more noise "cancelling" just going from the kraken v3 to the a50s was a very nice and noticeable improvement, with audio quality, besides them being very quiet compared to the "voice" audio, but i still use "game" with the dolby access app, so i can have crisp surround sound, but the steel series has way more features for about the same price, without having to buy a separate "hdmi adapter" lmao, plus ive seen really good reviews about the surround sound on the steel series, anyway an opinion, or recommendation, on the matter would be appreciated, as i think i should return the a50s and get the steel series, with all those added features.
I've had my Arctis Wireless Pro since... 2018? and its still running so gosh darn well I'm trying to find an excuse to upgrade to the Nova Pros but my current set up is just too good. I might be helping my bro and just giving mine to him and buying these still on the next sale.
Sensible
Hehe same problem here ❤😂
Astro desperately needs to update their headsets. I have an older set of A50s that I bought in the PS4 days and it worked perfectly but ever since upgrading to the PS5 I feel like I’ve been robbed in terms of sound quality. They need to move away from the optical port. I game on a 4K 120 monitor without an optical port and I have no options as of right now to connect it properly (other than USB which sounds like crap) I’ve waited and waited for them to release a new headset or at the very least an HDMI 2.1 spitter so I won’t lose my 4K 120. Finally I got tired of waiting and just bought the Arctis Nova Pro wired.
my tv has an optical so i use that. but when i switch to just usb they sound fine to me
dealbreaker for me with the Nova Pro is the ANC nub. Hurts my ears almost immediately after wearing them. I know you can buy replacements to fix it but that shouldn't be necessary with a $350 headset.
Bro the nub is the worse design I have no clue why no one was like these might hit some peoples ears
@@allisoncavanaugh4775 I ended up returning them and picking up the Nova 7. Much more comfy and half the price.
Im changing out my A50s for the steel series the A50 charging station becomes very problematic especially with charging the headset i have to wiggle it to get it to charge, i had it for quite some time now the headset band comforter just fell out out of nowhere and the charging station does glitch out also mid game i have to reset the charging station to reconnect the headset which is very known issue and this is my second set of A50s my first ones just stopped working for no reason I enjoyed it and kept it well maintained so to have these issues come out of nowhere really annoying..
It’s worth the issues the steels sounds super tinny
Astro A50 Gen 4 Wireless 2019 is still the best wireless gaming headset in the market. I own one and I trust rtings review on that. For the price of a Nova Pro you can buy an A50 Gen 4 AND a Sony WH1000XM3. The Sony is a bluetooth headset with phenomenal active noise cancellation. With that you get the best of both worlds in stead of sacrificing on both with the Nova Pro.
LOL DUDE for the price of the nova you can only buy the astros or the sony. I also have all 3 and i think the Astros have better bass vs the Nova
I've read that A50s support Dolby Atmos, yet they're driven by an optical connection. Optical connections do not support Atmos from what I've read. Any insight? Currently I am using Gen 1 A50 with my PS5, using the optical out connection coming from my TV (Sony A80K). Looking to see if there is something better on the market.
Driven by a USB to the base station from the pc/console.
for various multiple reasons I would like to know the multiple reason that you elude to many times. For real tho, i dont see much point in upgrading from my arctis pro wireless to the nova pro. the only new feature is the noisecacnceling and from what i hear it isnt all that great. besides the arctis pro has decent enough passive isolation imo
Better passive noise cancellation, bigger and better fit, more comfortable, semi hot swappable batteries, better custom sound with Sonar, just better.
The stand alone Bluetooth and phone connection as well.
@@TheProvokedPrawn but you have failed to mention the many downsides of the new nova over the original wireless Pro. Example the lack of optical port. Optical sound is better then USB sound. Because of the optical port on the steelseries arctis pro wireless and wired. They offer dolby and dts surround sound on both console and pc. The new nova only offers its surround sound audio through pc. On console your now forced to use the default sound they provide. So on playstation 5 it's 3d audio. Which is not great for all games. Ps4 you will only get stereo sound. Because they don't have the 3d tempest engine. X box. You can get dolby through the USB because Microsoft have paid for a license from dolby to allow them to option access it through USB. In any case its not of the same quality as optical sound.
@@leonprez231 Optical does provide better sound. True. I highly doubt anyone can tell the difference even in side by side comparisons. You'd need dog ears to even be capable of telling the difference in audio quality.
If you had to pick one of these headsets for competitive gaming. What would you pick? I am looking to get one of these two headsets and I would like the best competitive advantage.
Probably SteelSeries due to the tweaks you can make in the software
I’ve had the nova pro for a while now I got them to replace my astros but I’ve realized I like the astros more they’re more comfortable and I feel like I can hear footsteps in games better they have way more bass and more customizable the nova pros are still great I will probably give them to my girlfriend and use my astros again
"more customizable" LMAO
How can you continue using Astro A50s when the firmware won’t update?? Mine are dead.. cannot update firmware at all…
Headset is dead ?
it works fixed mine 🙂
So I just purchased the Nova Pro for ps5 headset and I'm truly disappointed. The headset sounds phenomenal but the only downfall to it is that if you don't have a window PC you can't mess around with the GG software or the Sonar and that's key for adjusting all the CHAT MIX and audio. btw I currently have the latest Mac book and still can't download any of the software because SteelSeries doesn't offer it for Mac.
You can play with the chat mix on the base or on the PS5 directly
Chatmix works only on xbox and pc with sonar. On ps5 u have to go in sound menu and adjust.
Just run a virtual machine on your MacBook and your all good
I used Astro headset pretty much exclusively from 2011 to 2016. I swapped to Steel Series and haven't looked back the build quality is simply better. Astros just aren't the same now that Logitech owns them.
Logitech owns Steel Series too
@@bryans5839 are you sure?
@@bryans5839 Not correct. Steel Series was acquired by GN Store Nord
what is better for call of duty footsteps? nova pro or astro a40tr/a50 ? anyone ?
Did u figure it out
I'm waiting for gen 5 Astro. Closed pack headset is not my thing ,I have Gen 3 and they are the best .
Nova pro looks very premium I wish they did semi open pack like astro.
Hello guys. Im using Astro a 50 with Xbox series X , is a worth it to buy steelseries nova pro? Will I see bigger upgrade with a sound quality?
I own A40s and just bought the Nova Pros. I'm returning the Nova Pros and will go with A50s. I should've never considered anything else.
My issue is, I HATE poor soundstage performance. I had forgotten how much I dislike closed back headphones. I really don't why people like closed back sound. Sure, it's great if you are surrounded by noise... but on a couch or desk at home situation, open ear sound is just so much better. I want the sound to feel like it surrounds me, not like it's coming from inside my head.
The other issue is that I have a bigger, wider head. The Nova Pros clamp too hard on me. Very uncomfortable and the faux leather cups get uncomfortably warm. It's not breathable whatsoever.
Great vid.
Thanks for watching
You forgot to mention that the A50s padding is removable and can change to different materials.
So is the steel series… you just lose quality on the nose canceling feature if you go for a softer felt material
Only with the 40 dollar modkit...so the headset goes up to the same price range as the arctis.
No idea what to get I’ve had the same pair of astros for 9 years so I feel like I owe it to Astro to stick with them but these nova pros look nice and that’s what everyone is saying is better.
They're great
What Gaming Headset has the Best Raw and Unedited Microphone Quality?
Probably the Corsair Virtuoso XT
@@TheProvokedPrawn How about budget headset?
@@flaviovercetti if you want a good mircrophone, stop looking for headsets. buy a decent pair of headphones and then add a microphone, either a modmic or a standalone one on your desktop
@@oOSpecialProskillsOo I don't have a PC I only use Phone and ModMic is expensive
I always had steel series and i just bought astros a50s and they suck they feel super cheap 😢
Hello guys, which headset would you recommend for PS5 and XSX? I would like to have option to switch between ps5 and xsx without unplugging usb dongle (now i have 7X steelseries and have to do that every time) is there any different option then nova pro x wireless?
6:25
Go for the Nova Pro Wireless Xbox Version. There you can switch between Consoles with your headset button
@@Doublesmint I bought 5 days ago and it works well:) but sad thing is that Sonar works only with pc, I’m using this headset only with ps5 and xsx. Anyone knows maybe where I can find eq settings for different type of games? would like to have setting for fps, and for single player games (like uncharted etc) In Sonar windows app I have presets for each game but like I said, I’m not using pc for gaming. thank you!
@@tomislaw43 Problem is you can only have ONE of your own EQ Stettings saved in the DAC. I think its not possible to save more 🤔 Do you sometimes have a distorted Sound too on ps5? What are your Audio output Stettings (Linear PCM, Dolby, DTS)?
@@Doublesmint seriously? If I will change flat and smiley for example settings - it will save only one of them? :O I didn't know that. I didn't notice disorted sound on ps5 but for last 5 days I was playing only stupid fifa 23. I will check this today evening in other games. Just fyi and for others - in xbox series x I bought Dolby Atmos app and DTS X app - in dolby atmos there are 3 presets where you can customize your eq and switch between them (you have to launch app and change but it took 10 sec so not big problem) also I think that sounds quality on Xbox is better than ps5 but I will check output settings. What settings you are using on ps5? Dolby?
nova pro piss all over astro hands down…astro have always felt like cheap gaming head sets and look tacky, but some people like the gaming style with race chairs 😂…the nova pro look and feel like a premium all round headphones…
My second Astro a50 just broke and in the same way as the first.both Astro a50 gen 4’s had their left speaker start to crackle then all of the sudden go silent…do NOT BUY the Astro a50 gen 4…but if you do be prepared for the left headset speaker to fail
Had mine since day one I’m still waiting bud
Astro A50 all day
What would you say the best headset for PS5? I just want something that works great out of the box. Anything upto roughly £300z
Astro A50
6:25
Audeze penrose or steelseries nova pro
@@jasminahmetovic140 Astro A50 is the best, it’s like a headphone but for gaming and it’s the best
@@blue134 not even close my dude thats a fact
I hate them the A50, watched multiple videos, posts, comments etc and nothing. Won't pair with the base period..
I'm hesitant to go Steelseries. Their batteries are shit. I've had the Arctis Pro Wireless for about a year, and both batteries no longer hold any charge. They last about 1 hour each now. Plus the DAC has a shit tonne of OLED burn in.
Surely you can buy replacements
@@TheProvokedPrawn You can. They are about $30 AUD a battery, if you can find one. But my concern is with them lasting just less then a year, I don't want to keep forking out say $60 AUD every 10-12 months just to keep it running 🤣. The headset was like $549 AUD.
@@BobsBrotherSteven they sell the batteries in pairs, at least in europe they do, also if you just send them a polite email they maybe just ship you some for free, they did that for me recently
@@BobsBrotherStevenin the UK we have consumer rights to get repairs outside of warranty up to 6 years, not sure if in Aus there is anything similar?
1 hour??? iv had my artic 7 for a few years now and the battery still lasts all day for me
Why does every reviewer have a decent mic at a decent distance from his mouth but i need to put it practically in my mouth so people can hear me... (nova pro)
And yes the mic settings are in everyway on max. On the GG app and my ps5 and the hub on my desk whatever you call it
i have to Disagree with the Comfort.
The comfort of the Arctis Nova Pro is disgusting, i have very big ears and the headset is soo clampy that the microphones inside for the ANC hurts my ears and that sucks
Sorry to hear it
Trouble with the Nova wireless is the buzzing/interference you get when using Bluetooth with ANC on - damn annoying - I mean ANC is supposed to get rid of noise not add it.
I could live with ANC off but the audio quality is richer with it on. Returning mine. Dag nab it!
Weird..I don't have that issue.
@@TheProvokedPrawn Lucky chap! Reading reddit there seems to be quite a few with the same prob :-(
Mic of arcfic is trash
Micro usb ewwww Steelseries won just for having usb c. I stay away from any tech still on micro usb.