Products
Tested using Methodology v1.6
Updated Jan 26, 2026 08:13 PM
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Amazon
Tested using Methodology v2.2
Updated Apr 15, 2026 07:40 PM
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Amazon
TypeOver-ear
Noise CancellingNo
EnclosureClosed-Back
WirelessYes
TransducerDynamic
MicYes
TypeOver-ear
Noise CancellingNo
EnclosureClosed-Back
Bass Amount
Emphasized (4 dB)
WirelessNo
Transducer
Treble Amount
Balanced (0 dB)
MicYes
Sound Signature
Warm
Our Verdict
SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro
Depending on your usage, you may prefer either the SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless or SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro. While both headphones are comfortable, you can use the Arctis 9X wired and wirelessly, but they're primarily designed for Xbox consoles. They even support Bluetooth, so you can receive audio from your smartphone while gaming on a console. They're better built and have a flatter default sound profile, which some users may prefer, and their boom mic offers better overall performance. However, the Arctis Nova Pro are wired headphones that come with the second generation of the GameDAC, which puts inputs and controls such as channel mixing and EQs right at your fingertips. However, some users have reported high latency with the Xbox variant of the Arctis Nova Pro. The PlayStation/PC variant we tested doesn't have this issue.
Variants
- Arctis 9X (Black)
- Arctis Nova Pro (Black)
- Arctis Nova Pro for Xbox (Black)
Check Price
Black
Arctis 9X
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Amazon
Black
Arctis Nova Pro
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Amazon
Black
Arctis 9X
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BestBuy.com
Black
Arctis Nova Pro for Xbox
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Amazon
Black
Arctis 9X
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Walmart.com
Black
Arctis 9X
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B&H
Black
Arctis 9X
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SteelSeries
Main Differences for
Neutral Sound
Neutral Sound
Threshold
Neutral Sound
Full Comparison
Sound
Sound Profile
Sound Profile
Normalization Frequency
Bass Amount
Bass Amount
Treble Amount
Treble Amount
Sound Signature
Frequency Response Consistency
Consistency L
Consistency R
Std. Deviation
Raw Frequency Response
Raw FR L
Raw FR R
Bass Profile: Target Compliance
Bass Profile: Target Compliance
RMS Deviation From Target
Low-Frequency Extension
Low Bass
Mid Bass
High Bass
Mid-Range Profile: Target Compliance
Mid-Range Profile: Target Compliance
RMS Deviation From Target
Low Mid
Mid-Mid
High Mid
Treble Profile: Target Compliance
Treble Profile: Target Compliance
RMS Deviation From Target
Low Treble
Mid Treble
High Treble
Peaks/Dips
Peaks/Dips Graph
Peaks
Dips
Stereo Mismatch
Frequency Response Mismatch
Phase Response Mismatch
Weighted Amplitude Mismatch
Weighted Frequency Response Mismatch
Weighted Phase Mismatch
PRTF
PRTF
PRTF Accuracy (RMS Deviation)
PRTF Size (Avg.)
PRTF Distance
Openness
Acoustic Space Excitation
Harmonic Distortion
Harmonics Levels
THD Ratio
WHD @ 94 dB SPL
WHD @ 104 dB SPL
Electrical Aspects
Impedance
Sensitivity @1kHz-1V
Bluetooth Max SPL
Virtual Soundstage
Virtual Soundstage
Head Modeling
Speaker Modeling
Room Ambience
Head Tracking
Virtual Surround
Test Settings
Firmware
Power
Connection
Codec
Test Instrument
EQ
ANC
Tip/Pad
Microphone
Imaging
Group Delay
Phase Response Mismatch
Weighted Group Delay
Weighted Phase Mismatch
Weighted Amplitude Mismatch
Weighted Frequency Mismatch
Weighted Harmonic Distortion
Weighted Harmonic Distortion
WHD @ 90
WHD @ 100
Design
Style
Design Picture 2
Type
Enclosure
Wireless
Transducer
Comfort
Comfort Picture
Weight
Clamping Force
Controls
Controls Picture
OS Compatibility
Ease Of Use
Feedback
Call/Music Control
Volume Control
Microphone Control
Channel Mixing
Noise Cancelling Control
Talk-Through
Additional Controls
Breathability
Breathability After Picture
Avg.Temp.Difference
Portability
Portability Picture
L
W
H
Volume
Transmitter Required
Case
Case Picture
Type
L
W
H
Volume
Build Quality
Build Quality Picture
Stability
Stability Picture
Headshots 1
Angled Picture
Side Picture
Headshots 2
Front Picture
Rear Picture
Top
Top Picture
In The Box
In The Box Picture
Isolation
Noise Isolation - Full Range
Noise Isolation - Full Range Graph
Noise Cancelling
Overall Attenuation
Isolation Audio
Bass
Mid
Treble
Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios
Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios Graph
Airplane Noise Attenuation
Airplane Noise Isolation Audio
Office Noise Attenuation
Office Noise Isolation Audio
Street Noise Attenuation
Street Noise Isolation Audio
Noise Isolation - Voice Handling
Female Voice 1
Male Voice 1
Female Voice 2
Male Voice 2
ANC Wind Handling
ANC Wind Handling Graph
ANC Wind Noise
Leakage
Leakage
Leakage Audio
Overall Leakage @ 1ft
Microphone
Microphone Style
Integrated
In-Line
Boom
Detachable Boom
Mic
Recording Quality
Microphone Frequency Response
Recorded Speech
LFE
FR Std. Dev.
HFE
Weighted THD
Gain
Noise Handling
SpNR
SpNR
Noise Gate
Speech + Pink Noise Handling
Speech + Pink Noise Audio Sample
Speech + Subway Noise Handling
Speech + Subway Noise Audio Sample
Active Features
Battery
Battery Type
Continuous Battery Life
Additional Charges
Total Battery Life
Charge Time
Power-Saving Feature
Audio While Charging
Passive Playback
Charging Port
App Support
App Picture
App Name
iOS
Android
macOS
Windows
Equalizer
ANC Control
Mic Control
Room Effects
Playback Control
Button Mapping
Surround Support
Connectivity
Wired Connection
Cable Picture
Analog Audio
USB Audio
Detachable
Length
Connector
Latency - Analog
Latency - USB
Recorded Latency
Recorded Latency Connection
Bluetooth Connection
Bluetooth Version
Multi-Device Pairing
Quick Pair (Android)
Quick Pair (iOS)
Line Of Sight Range
Latency - SBC
Latency - aptX
Latency - aptX Adaptive (High Quality)
Latency - aptX Adaptive (Low Latency)
Latency - LDAC
Recorded Latency
Recorded Latency Codec
AAC Support
Wireless Connection (Dongle)
Line Of Sight Range
Latency - Dongle
Recorded Latency
PC Compatibility
Analog
Wired USB
Non-BT Wireless
PlayStation Compatibility
PS4 Analog
PS4 Wired USB
PS4 Non-BT Wireless
PS5 Analog
PS5 Wired USB
PS5 Non-BT Wireless
Xbox Compatibility
Xbox One Analog
Xbox One Wired USB
Xbox One Non-BT Wireless
Xbox Series X|S Analog
Xbox Series X|S Wired USB
Xbox Series X|S Non-BT Wireless
Base/Dock
Type
USB Input
Line In
Line Out
Optical Input
RCA Input
Dock Charging
Power Supply
Check Price
Black
Arctis 9X
SEE PRICE
Amazon
Black
Arctis Nova Pro
SEE PRICE
Amazon
Black
Arctis 9X
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Black
Arctis Nova Pro for Xbox
SEE PRICE
Amazon
Black
Arctis 9X
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Black
Arctis 9X
SEARCH
B&H
Black
Arctis 9X
SEARCH
SteelSeries
SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro
Comments
SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless vs SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro: Main Discussion
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