SteelSeries just created a luxury gaming headset category that didn't exist before. The company's new $599.99 Nova Elite combines hi-res wireless audio, carbon fiber drivers, and a metal frame to challenge what gamers will pay for premium audio. But with a price tag matching an Xbox Series X console, the real question isn't whether it's the best gaming headset - it's whether anyone will buy it.
SteelSeries is betting big that gamers are ready for luxury. The company just launched its Nova Elite headset at $599.99, creating what it calls a new category of premium gaming audio. After five years of dominating with the Arctis Pro line, SteelSeries is now asking whether the best gaming headset justifies console-level pricing.
The Nova Elite doesn't look dramatically different from the existing $379.99 Nova Pro, but the materials tell a different story. Where the Pro uses plastic construction, the Elite upgrades to aluminum and stainless steel throughout. The frame feels substantially more premium, and the plush memory foam ear cups provide better comfort during extended gaming sessions.
But the real breakthrough lies in the audio engineering. The Nova Elite becomes the first gaming headset to support hi-res wireless audio, streaming 96kHz/24-bit audio over 2.4GHz through its GameHub DAC. It also supports Bluetooth with LC3+ codec for mobile devices. According to The Verge's Tom Warren, who tested the headset extensively, the setup proves "a little fiddly" due to Windows audio complexity, but the results justify the effort.
The carbon fiber speaker drivers deliver noticeable improvements in environmental audio. Warren spent hours testing with Battlefield 6 beta, then switched back to his Nova Pro. "The explosions, tanks, and gunfire all sounded better with the Nova Elite," he noted in his detailed review. However, the improvements vary by game type - competitive shooters like Valorant show minimal differences since players focus primarily on footsteps and audio cues.
SteelSeries enhanced the microphone system with dual options: a retractable boom mic and a new on-ear mic for users who prefer less visual obstruction. The company also improved wireless signal strength, addressing dead spots that plagued the Nova Pro in some environments.
The standout feature remains Omniplay technology, allowing simultaneous connection to four audio sources. Users can chat on Discord via PC's 2.4GHz GameHub connection while hearing Xbox game audio through USB-C, taking phone calls via Bluetooth, and even connecting a fourth source through 3.5mm aux. This versatility addresses the modern gamer's multi-device reality.
