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  1. Home
  2. Headphones
  3. Compare

SteelSeries Arctis 1 vs Arctis Nova 1

Which Headphones Are Better?

    Top
    Main Differences
    Design
      StyleComfortControlsBreathabilityPortabilityCaseBuild QualityStabilityHeadshots 1Headshots 2TopIn The Box
    Sound
      Sound ProfileFrequency Response ConsistencyRaw Frequency ResponseBass AccuracyMid AccuracyTreble AccuracyPeaks/DipsImagingPassive SoundstageVirtual SoundstageWeighted Harmonic DistortionTest Settings
    Isolation
      Noise IsolationLeakage
    Microphone
      Microphone StyleRecording QualityNoise Handling
    Active Features
      BatteryApp Support
    Connectivity
      BluetoothNon-Bluetooth WirelessWiredPC CompatibilityPlayStation CompatibilityXbox CompatibilityBase/Dock
    Comments

Products

SteelSeries Arctis 1
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1

Tested using Methodology v1.5

Updated May 28, 2025 01:14 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.5

Updated Oct 01, 2024 06:12 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
SteelSeries Arctis 1 Picture

Track

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 Picture

Track

TypeOver-ear
EnclosureClosed-Back
WirelessNo
TransducerDynamic
Noise CancellingNo
MicYes
TypeOver-ear
EnclosureClosed-Back
WirelessNo
TransducerDynamic
Noise CancellingNo
MicYes
  1. Recommended in 1 article:
  2. SteelSeries

Our Verdict

SteelSeries Arctis 1

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 offers a marginal improvement over the SteelSeries Arctis 1. The Arctis Nova 1 are more comfortable and better built. However, both headphones offer a fairly similar overall performance.

0 

Variants

  • Arctis 1 (Black)
  • Arctis 1 (Destiny Edition)
  • Arctis Nova 1 (Black)
  • Arctis Nova 1X (Black)

Review

See SteelSeries Arctis 1 Review
See SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 Review
2 
1 

Check Price

Black
Arctis 1
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Arctis Nova 1
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Destiny Edition
Arctis 1
SEARCH
Amazon.com
Black
Arctis Nova 1X
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
 
Black
Arctis Nova 1P
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
 
White
Arctis Nova 1
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
 
White
Arctis Nova 1P
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Main Differences for
Neutral Sound

Threshold 

0.10

Neutral Sound 
 

0.0
0.0
JOIN NOW  to see main differences

Full Comparison

Design

Style  

Design Picture 2  

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Design Picture 2 Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 Design Picture 2 Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Type  

Locked
Locked

Enclosure  

Locked
Locked

Wireless  

Locked
Locked

Transducer  

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Comfort 
 

N/A
N/A

Comfort Picture  

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Comfort Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 Comfort Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Weight  

Lock lbs
Lock lbs

Clamping Force 
 

Lock lbs
Lock lbs
Show Text 

Controls 
 

N/A
N/A

Controls Picture  

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Controls Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 Controls Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

OS Compatibility 
 

Locked
Locked

Ease Of Use  

Locked
Locked

Feedback  

Locked
Locked

Call/Music Control  

Locked
Locked

Volume Control  

Locked
Locked

Microphone Control  

Locked
Locked

Channel Mixing 
 

Locked
Locked

Noise Cancelling Control  

Locked
Locked

Talk-Through 
 

Locked
Locked

Additional Controls  

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Breathability 
 

N/A
N/A

Breathability After Picture  

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Breathability After Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 Breathability After Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Avg.Temp.Difference  

Lock °C
Show Text 

Portability 
 

N/A
N/A

Portability Picture  

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Portability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 Portability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

L  

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)

W  

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)

H  

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)

Volume  

Lock in³ (Lock cm³)
Lock in³ (Lock cm³)

Transmitter Required  

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Case 
 

N/A
N/A

Case Picture  

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Case Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 Case Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Type  

Locked
Locked

L  

N/A
N/A

W  

N/A
N/A

H  

N/A
N/A

Volume  

N/A
N/A
Show Text 

Build Quality 
 

N/A
N/A

Build Quality Picture  

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Build Quality Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 Build Quality Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Show Text 

Stability 
 

N/A
N/A

Stability Picture  

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Stability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 Stability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Show Text 

Headshots 1  

Angled Picture  

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Angled Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 Angled Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Side Picture  

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Side Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 Side Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Headshots 2  

Front Picture  

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Front Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 Front Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Rear Picture  

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Rear Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 Rear Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Top  

Top Picture  

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Top Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 Top Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

In The Box  

In The Box Picture  

SteelSeries Arctis 1 In The Box Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 In The Box Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Show Text 
Sound

Sound Profile 
 

Frequency Response  

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Bass Amount 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Treble Amount 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Frequency Response Consistency 
 

N/A
N/A

Consistency L  

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Consistency L Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 Consistency L Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Consistency R  

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Consistency R Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 Consistency R Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Avg. Std. Deviation 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Raw Frequency Response 
 

Raw FR L  

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Raw FR L Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 Raw FR L Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Raw FR R  

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Raw FR R Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 Raw FR R Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Bass Accuracy 
 

N/A
N/A

Bass  

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Bass Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 Bass Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Std. Err. 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

Lock Hz
Lock Hz

Low-Bass 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Mid-Bass 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

High-Bass 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Mid Accuracy 
 

N/A
N/A

Mid  

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Mid Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 Mid Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Std. Err. 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Low-Mid 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Mid-Mid 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

High-Mid 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Treble Accuracy 
 

N/A
N/A

Treble  

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Treble Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 Treble Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Std. Err. 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Low-Treble 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Mid-Treble 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

High-Treble 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Peaks/Dips 
 

N/A
N/A

Peaks/Dips Graph  

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Peaks/Dips Graph Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 Peaks/Dips Graph Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Peaks 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Dips 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Imaging 
 

N/A
N/A

Group Delay  

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Group Delay Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 Group Delay Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Phase Response Mismatch  

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Phase Response Mismatch Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 Phase Response Mismatch Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Weighted Group Delay 
 

Lock
Lock

Weighted Phase Mismatch 
 

Lock
Lock

Weighted Amplitude Mismatch 
 

Lock
Lock

Weighted Frequency Mismatch 
 

Lock
Lock
Show Text 

Passive Soundstage 
 

N/A
N/A

PRTF  

SteelSeries Arctis 1 PRTF Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 PRTF Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

PRTF Accuracy (Std. Dev.) 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

PRTF Size (Avg.) 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

PRTF Distance 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Openness 
 

0.0
0.0

Acoustic Space Excitation 
 

0.0
0.0
Show Text 

Virtual Soundstage 
 

N/A
N/A

Virtual Soundstage  

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Virtual Soundstage Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 Virtual Soundstage Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Head Modeling 
 

Locked
Locked

Speaker Modeling 
 

Locked
Locked

Room Ambience 
 

Locked
Locked

Head Tracking 
 

Locked
Locked

Virtual Surround 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Weighted Harmonic Distortion 
 

N/A
N/A

Weighted Harmonic Distortion  

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Weighted Harmonic Distortion Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 Weighted Harmonic Distortion Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

WHD @ 90 
 

Lock
Lock

WHD @ 100 
 

Lock
Lock
Show Text 

Test Settings 
 

Firmware 
 

Locked
Locked

Power 
 

Locked
Locked

Connection 
 

Locked
Locked

Codec 
 

Locked
Locked

EQ 
 

Locked
Locked

ANC 
 

Locked
Locked

Tip/Pad 
 

Locked
Locked

Microphone 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 
Isolation

Noise Isolation 
 

N/A
N/A

Noise Isolation  

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Noise Isolation Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 Noise Isolation Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Isolation Audio 
 

JOIN NOW
JOIN NOW

Overall Attenuation 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Noise Cancelling  

Locked
Locked

Bass 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Mid 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Treble 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Leakage 
 

N/A
N/A

Leakage  

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Leakage Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 Leakage Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Leakage Audio 
 

JOIN NOW
JOIN NOW

Overall Leakage @ 1ft 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 
Microphone

Microphone Style 
 

Integrated 
 

Locked
Locked

In-Line 
 

Locked
Locked

Boom 
 

Locked
Locked

Detachable Boom 
 

Locked
Locked

Mic  

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Recording Quality 
 

N/A
N/A

Microphone Frequency Response  

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Microphone Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 Microphone Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Recorded Speech 
 

JOIN NOW
JOIN NOW

LFE 
 

Lock Hz
Lock Hz

FR Std. Dev. 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

HFE 
 

Lock Hz
Lock Hz

Weighted THD 
 

Lock
Lock

Gain 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Noise Handling 
 

N/A
N/A

SpNR  

SteelSeries Arctis 1 SpNR Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 SpNR Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

SpNR 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Noise Gate 
 

Locked
Locked

Speech + Pink Noise Handling 
 

0.0
0.0

Speech + Pink Noise Audio Sample  

JOIN NOW
JOIN NOW

Speech + Subway Noise Handling 
 

0.0
0.0

Speech + Subway Noise Audio Sample  

JOIN NOW
JOIN NOW
Show Text 
Active Features

Battery 
 

N/A
N/A

Battery Type 
 

Locked
Locked

Continuous Battery Life 
 

N/A
N/A

Additional Charges 
 

N/A
N/A

Total Battery Life 
 

N/A
N/A

Charge Time 
 

N/A
N/A

Power-Saving Feature 
 

Locked
Locked

Audio While Charging 
 

Locked
Locked

Passive Playback 
 

Locked
Locked

Charging Port  

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

App Support 
 

N/A
N/A

App Picture  

SteelSeries Arctis 1 App Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 App Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

App Name  

Locked
Locked

iOS  

Locked
Locked

Android  

Locked
Locked

macOS  

Locked
Locked

Windows  

Locked
Locked

Equalizer 
 

Locked
Locked

ANC Control 
 

Locked
Locked

Mic Control  

Locked
Locked

Room Effects 
 

Locked
Locked

Playback Control 
 

Locked
Locked

Button Mapping  

Locked
Locked

Surround Support 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 
Connectivity

Bluetooth 
 

N/A
N/A

Bluetooth Version 
 

Locked
Locked

Multi-Device Pairing 
 

Locked
Locked

NFC Pairing 
 

Locked
Locked

Line Of Sight Range 
 

N/A
N/A

PC Latency (SBC) 
 

N/A
N/A

PC Latency (aptX) 
 

N/A
N/A

PC Latency (aptX HD) 
 

N/A
N/A

PC Latency (aptX-LL) 
 

N/A
N/A

iOS Latency 
 

N/A
N/A

Android Latency 
 

N/A
N/A
Show Text 

Non-Bluetooth Wireless 
 

N/A
N/A

Non-BT Line Of Sight Range 
 

N/A
N/A

Non-BT Latency 
 

N/A
N/A
Show Text 

Wired 
 

N/A
N/A

Cable Picture  

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Cable Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 Cable Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Analog Audio 
 

Locked
Locked

USB Audio 
 

Locked
Locked

Detachable  

Locked
Locked

Length  

Lock ft (Lock m)
Lock ft (Lock m)

Connection 
 

Locked
Locked

Analog/USB Audio Latency 
 

Lock ms
Lock ms
Show Text 

PC Compatibility 
 

Analog 
 

Locked
Locked

Wired USB 
 

Locked
Locked

Non-BT Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

PlayStation Compatibility 
 

PS4 Analog 
 

Locked
Locked

PS4 Wired USB 
 

Locked
Locked

PS4 Non-BT Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked

PS5 Analog 
 

Locked
Locked

PS5 Wired USB 
 

Locked
Locked

PS5 Non-BT Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Xbox Compatibility 
 

Xbox One Analog 
 

Locked
Locked

Xbox One Wired USB 
 

Locked
Locked

Xbox One Non-BT Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked

Xbox Series X|S Analog 
 

Locked
Locked

Xbox Series X|S Wired USB 
 

Locked
Locked

Xbox Series X|S Non-BT Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Base/Dock 
 

N/A
N/A

Type 
 

Locked
Locked

USB Input 
 

Locked
Locked

Line In 
 

Locked
Locked

Line Out 
 

Locked
Locked

Optical Input 
 

Locked
Locked

RCA Input 
 

Locked
Locked

Dock Charging 
 

Locked
Locked

Power Supply 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Check Price

Black
Arctis 1
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Arctis Nova 1
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Destiny Edition
Arctis 1
SEARCH
Amazon.com
Black
Arctis Nova 1X
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
 
Black
Arctis Nova 1P
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
 
White
Arctis Nova 1
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
 
White
Arctis Nova 1P
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Back to Top

SteelSeries Arctis 1

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 2 years ago

SteelSeries Arctis 1 vs SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1: Main Discussion

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