SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless [7, 7P, 7X] vs Sony PULSE Elite: Which Headphones Are Better? - RTINGS.com

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SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless [7, 7P, 7X]

Sony PULSE Elite

Tested using Methodology v2.0

Updated Mar 11, 2026 04:23 PM

Tested using Methodology v2.0

Updated Jan 12, 2026 09:44 PM

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless [7, 7P, 7X] Picture

Sony PULSE Elite Picture

TypeLocked

Noise CancellingLocked

EnclosureLocked

Bass Amount Locked

WirelessLocked

TransducerLocked

Treble Amount Locked

MicLocked

Sound Signature Locked

TypeLocked

Noise CancellingLocked

EnclosureLocked

Bass Amount Locked

WirelessLocked

TransducerLocked

Treble Amount Locked

MicLocked

Sound Signature Locked

Recommended in 6 articles:
Gaming
Wireless Gaming
PC Gaming
3

Our Verdict

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless [7, 7P, 7X]

Sony PULSE Elite

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 and the Sony PULSE Elite headsets perform very similarly. They both offer warm sound, good microphone performance, and poor noise isolation. The SteelSeries have a number of console-specific variants that allow for wider compatibility, while the Sony has limited functionality with Xbox consoles. Still, the Sony runs for 20 hours longer on a single charge.

Variants

Arctis Nova 7X (Black)
Arctis Nova 7P (Black)

PULSE Elite (White)

Review

See SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless [7, 7P, 7X] Review

See Sony PULSE Elite Review

Check Price

White

Arctis Nova 7P

White

PULSE Elite

White

Arctis Nova 7X

White

PULSE Elite

Black

Arctis Nova 7X

White

PULSE Elite

Black

Arctis Nova 7P

White

PULSE Elite

Black

Arctis Nova 7

White

PULSE Elite

Diablo IV Edition

Arctis Nova 7

FaZe Clan Edition

Arctis Nova 7

World of Warcraft Edition

Arctis Nova 7

Main Differences for

Sports And Fitness

Threshold

0.10

Sports And Fitness

0.0

0.0

JOIN NOW to see main differences

Full Comparison

Sports And Fitness

0.0

0.0

Travel

0.0

0.0

Office Work

0.0

0.0

Wireless Gaming (In Development)

0.0

0.0

Wired Gaming (In Development)

0.0

0.0

Audio Reproduction Accuracy

0.0

0.0

Noise Isolation

0.0

0.0

Microphone (In Development)

0.0

0.0

Frequency Response Consistency

0.0

0.0

Sound

Sound Profile

Sound Profile

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Normalization Frequency

Lock Hz

Lock Hz

Bass Amount

Locked

Locked

Treble Amount

Locked

Locked

Sound Signature

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Frequency Response Consistency

N/A

N/A

Consistency L

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless [7, 7P, 7X] Consistency L Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony PULSE Elite Consistency L Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Consistency R

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless [7, 7P, 7X] Consistency R Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony PULSE Elite Consistency R Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Std. Deviation

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Raw Frequency Response

Raw FR L

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless [7, 7P, 7X] Raw FR L Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony PULSE Elite Raw FR L Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Raw FR R

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless [7, 7P, 7X] Raw FR R Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony PULSE Elite Raw FR R Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bass Profile: Target Compliance

N/A

N/A

Bass Profile: Target Compliance

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

RMS Deviation From Target

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-Range Profile: Target Compliance

N/A

N/A

Mid-Range Profile: Target Compliance

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

RMS Deviation From Target

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 Profile: Target Compliance

N/A

N/A

Treble Profile: Target Compliance

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

RMS Deviation From Target

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 Nova 7 Wireless [7, 7P, 7X] Peaks/Dips Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony PULSE Elite Peaks/Dips Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Peaks

Lock dB

Lock dB

Dips

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Stereo Mismatch

N/A

N/A

Frequency Response Mismatch

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless [7, 7P, 7X] Frequency Response Mismatch Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony PULSE Elite Frequency Response Mismatch Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Phase Response Mismatch

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless [7, 7P, 7X] Phase Response Mismatch Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony PULSE Elite Phase Response Mismatch Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Weighted Amplitude Mismatch

Lock dB

Lock dB

Weighted Frequency Response Mismatch

Lock dB

Lock dB

Weighted Phase Mismatch

Lock°

Lock°

Show Text

Group Delay

N/A

N/A

Group Delay

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless [7, 7P, 7X] Group Delay Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony PULSE Elite Group Delay Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Weighted Group Delay

Lock ms

Lock ms

Show Text

Cumulative Spectral Decay

CSD

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless [7, 7P, 7X] CSD Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony PULSE Elite CSD Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

PRTF

N/A

N/A

PRTF

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless [7, 7P, 7X] PRTF Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony PULSE Elite PRTF Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

PRTF Accuracy (RMS Deviation)

Lock dB

Lock dB

PRTF Size (Avg.)

Lock dB

Lock dB

PRTF Distance

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Harmonic Distortion

N/A

N/A

Harmonics Levels

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless [7, 7P, 7X] Harmonics Levels Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony PULSE Elite Harmonics Levels Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

THD Ratio

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless [7, 7P, 7X] THD Ratio Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony PULSE Elite THD Ratio Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

WHD @ 94 dB SPL

Lock%

Lock%

WHD @ 104 dB SPL

Lock%

Lock%

Show Text

Electrical Aspects

Impedance

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless [7, 7P, 7X] Impedance Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony PULSE Elite Impedance Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sensitivity @1kHz-1V

Lock dB SPL

N/A

Bluetooth Max SPL

Lock dB

N/A

Show Text

Virtual Soundstage

N/A

N/A

Virtual Soundstage

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless [7, 7P, 7X] Virtual Soundstage Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony PULSE Elite Virtual Soundstage Sample

SAMPLE

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

Test Settings

Firmware

Locked

Locked

Power

Locked

Locked

Connection

Locked

Locked

Codec

Locked

Locked

Test Instrument

Locked

Locked

EQ

Locked

Locked

ANC

Locked

Locked

Tip/Pad

Locked

Locked

Microphone

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Design

Style

Design Picture 2

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless [7, 7P, 7X] Design Picture 2 Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony PULSE Elite Design Picture 2 Sample

SAMPLE

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 Nova 7 Wireless [7, 7P, 7X] Comfort Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony PULSE Elite Comfort Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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 Nova 7 Wireless [7, 7P, 7X] Controls Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony PULSE Elite Controls Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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

Portability

N/A

N/A

Portability Picture

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless [7, 7P, 7X] Portability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony PULSE Elite Portability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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 Nova 7 Wireless [7, 7P, 7X] Case Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony PULSE Elite Case Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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 Nova 7 Wireless [7, 7P, 7X] Build Quality Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony PULSE Elite Build Quality Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Show Text

Stability

N/A

N/A

Stability Picture

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless [7, 7P, 7X] Stability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony PULSE Elite Stability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Show Text

Headshots 1

Angled Picture

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless [7, 7P, 7X] Angled Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony PULSE Elite Angled Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Side Picture

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless [7, 7P, 7X] Side Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony PULSE Elite Side Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Headshots 2

Front Picture

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless [7, 7P, 7X] Front Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony PULSE Elite Front Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Rear Picture

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless [7, 7P, 7X] Rear Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony PULSE Elite Rear Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Top

Top Picture

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless [7, 7P, 7X] Top Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony PULSE Elite Top Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

In The Box

In The Box Picture

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless [7, 7P, 7X] In The Box Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony PULSE Elite In The Box Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Show Text

Isolation

Noise Isolation - Full Range

N/A

N/A

Noise Isolation - Full Range Graph

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless [7, 7P, 7X] Noise Isolation - Full Range Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony PULSE Elite Noise Isolation - Full Range Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Noise Cancelling

Locked

Locked

Overall Attenuation

Lock dB

Lock dB

Bass

Lock dB

Lock dB

Mid

Lock dB

Lock dB

Treble

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios

N/A

N/A

Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios Graph

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless [7, 7P, 7X] Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony PULSE Elite Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Airplane Noise Attenuation

Lock dB

Lock dB

Airplane Noise Isolation Audio

Office Noise Attenuation

Lock dB

Lock dB

Office Noise Isolation Audio

Street Noise Attenuation

Lock dB

Lock dB

Street Noise Isolation Audio

Show Text

Noise Isolation - Voice Handling

Female Voice 1

Male Voice 1

Female Voice 2

Male Voice 2

ANC Wind Handling

ANC Wind Handling Graph

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless [7, 7P, 7X] ANC Wind Handling Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony PULSE Elite ANC Wind Handling Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

ANC Wind Noise

Leakage

N/A

N/A

Leakage

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless [7, 7P, 7X] Leakage Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony PULSE Elite Leakage Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Leakage Audio

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 Nova 7 Wireless [7, 7P, 7X] Microphone Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony PULSE Elite Microphone Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Recorded Speech

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 Nova 7 Wireless [7, 7P, 7X] SpNR Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony PULSE Elite SpNR Sample

SAMPLE

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

Speech + Subway Noise Handling

0.0

0.0

Speech + Subway Noise Audio Sample

Show Text

Active Features

Battery

N/A

N/A

Battery Type

Locked

Locked

Continuous Battery Life

Lock hrs

Lock hrs

Additional Charges

Lock

Lock

Total Battery Life

Lock hrs

Lock hrs

Charge Time

Lock hrs

Lock hrs

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 Nova 7 Wireless [7, 7P, 7X] App Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony PULSE Elite App Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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

Wired Connection

N/A

N/A

Cable Picture

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless [7, 7P, 7X] Cable Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sony PULSE Elite Cable Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Analog Audio

Locked

Locked

USB Audio

Locked

Locked

Detachable

Locked

Locked

Length

Lock ft (Lock m)

N/A

Connector

Locked

Locked

Latency - Analog

Lock ms

Lock ms

Latency - USB

N/A

N/A

Recorded Latency

Recorded Latency Connection

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Bluetooth Connection

N/A

N/A

Bluetooth Version

Locked

Locked

Multi-Device Pairing

Locked

Locked

Quick Pair (Android)

Locked

Locked

Quick Pair (iOS)

Locked

Locked

Line Of Sight Range

Lock ft (Lock m)

Lock ft (Lock m)

Latency - SBC

Lock ms

Lock ms

Latency - aptX

N/A

N/A

Latency - aptX Adaptive (High Quality)

N/A

N/A

Latency - aptX Adaptive (Low Latency)

N/A

N/A

Latency - LDAC

N/A

N/A

Recorded Latency

Recorded Latency Codec

Locked

Locked

AAC Support

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Wireless Connection (Dongle)

N/A

N/A

Line Of Sight Range

Lock ft (Lock m)

Lock ft (Lock m)

Latency - Dongle

Lock ms

Lock ms

Recorded Latency

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

White

Arctis Nova 7P

White

PULSE Elite

White

Arctis Nova 7X

White

PULSE Elite

Black

Arctis Nova 7X

White

PULSE Elite

Black

Arctis Nova 7P

White

PULSE Elite

Black

Arctis Nova 7

White

PULSE Elite

Diablo IV Edition

Arctis Nova 7

FaZe Clan Edition

Arctis Nova 7

World of Warcraft Edition

Arctis Nova 7

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless [7, 7P, 7X]

Sony PULSE Elite

Comments

Comparison

• Posted 11 months ago

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless [7, 7P, 7X] vs Sony PULSE Elite: Main Discussion

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