Best for Preset EQ profile quality
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless Gaming Headset
4.9 feature score
Highest scored product for this feature based on supporting review evidence.
Best Headsets for Preset EQ profile quality
Preset EQ profile quality Decision Dashboard
Safest pick
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless Gen 2
4.4 feature score
Balances feature score, supporting reviews, and overall product strength.
Most evidence
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 Gaming Headset
9 supporting reviews
Has the broadest review evidence for this feature.
Best overall product
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite
4.2 overall score
Strongest overall product among items with scored evidence for this feature.
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Preset EQ profiles are consistently praised as useful, effective, and capable of making games and music sound better.
Pros: Charging, Spatial audio
Cons: Hinge durability, Smudge resistance
One reviewer specifically praised the included EQ presets as well done.
Pros: Spatial audio, Positional audio accuracy
Cons: Carry case quality, Detachable microphone convenience
Preset EQ support is praised in one review for strongly affecting microphone and sound quality.
Pros: Earpad replacement ease, Weight comfort
Cons: Sidetone adjustment quality, USB-C
Preset EQ profiles are praised for quantity and game-specific usefulness, though their value depends on users being willing to switch or tune profiles.
Pros: Maximum volume clarity, Multipoint connectivity reliability
Cons: Portability/foldability, USB-C
Preset quality is strong overall, especially community-created presets and broadcast-style mic profiles.
Pros: Positional audio accuracy, Soundstage width
Cons: Active noise cancellation, Hinge durability
The Dolby performance preset was praised for making important competitive sounds easier to hear.
Pros: Audio-video sync accuracy, Battery
Cons: Bluetooth, Active noise cancellation
Preset EQ profiles were generally useful and sometimes game-changing, especially for footsteps, though one reviewer was skeptical of per-game tuning.
Pros: Connectivity versatility, Multi-platform compatibility
Cons: Transparency mode quality, Active noise cancellation
Preset EQ profiles were repeatedly praised for game-specific tuning and live switching, with only minor caveats that not every preset made a big difference.
Pros: Charging, Weight comfort
Cons: Sound leakage, Cable quality
Preset EQ profiles are viewed as effective but subtle, especially for shooters and action games.
Pros: Battery, Audio-video sync accuracy
Cons: Xbox compatibility, Volume output
Preset EQ profiles were viewed positively, with one reviewer preferring the Depth preset out of the box.
Pros: Spatial audio, Software/setup simplicity
Cons: Xbox compatibility, Sidetone adjustment quality
Preset EQ profiles received positive but limited evidence, with reviewers preferring FPS or finding preset tests surprisingly good.
Pros: Audio-video sync accuracy, Wireless latency
Cons: Midrange clarity, Ear cup swivel/rotation range
Preset EQ was serviceable to good, with reviewers liking the default balance or recommending gaming presets over bass boost.
Pros: Wireless latency, Weight comfort
Cons: Microphone noise reduction, Multipoint connectivity reliability
Preset EQ profiles are context-dependent: some gaming presets help, while music performance can suffer and some profiles sound poor.
Pros: Instrument separation, Maximum volume clarity
Cons: Hinge durability, Carry case quality
Preset EQ profiles were mixed, with useful game/music options offset by hit-or-miss tuning and some presets pushing bass or highs too far.
Pros: Cable quality, Hinge durability
Cons: aptX, Active noise cancellation
Preset EQ quality is mixed: Signature Sound earns praise, while Superhuman Hearing and preset handling draw complaints.
Pros: Weight comfort, Cable quality
Cons: Active noise cancellation, Noise isolation (passive)
Preset EQ opinions are mixed: one review says a preset improves mids, while another dislikes the built-in presets.
Pros: Maximum volume clarity, Earpad replacement ease
Cons: Bluetooth, Xbox compatibility
Preset quality was mixed in TechRadar's testing: the RPG profile stood out, but bass boost was described as unlistenable.
Pros: Weight comfort, Battery
Cons: Noise isolation (passive), Sound leakage
FPS EQ presets helped with footsteps for some reviewers but were criticized for being too narrowly focused and sometimes muffling battle noise.
Pros: Weight comfort, Comfort during long use
Cons: Xbox compatibility, Smudge resistance
Preset EQ opinions were mixed, ranging from barely noticeable to just useful enough for different content.
Pros: Volume output, Audio-video sync accuracy
Cons: Xbox compatibility, Equalizer customization
Preset EQ evidence was negative from SoundGuys, especially for the Music preset, which they said worsened balance and listening quality.
Pros: Audio-video sync accuracy, Multi-platform compatibility
Cons: Cable quality, Preset EQ profile quality
Preset EQ or DTS profiles were criticized in the reviews that evaluated them, with reviewers saying presets worsened the sound or diminished quality.
Pros: Multi-platform compatibility, Dongle
Cons: Replaceable earpads, Preset EQ profile quality
Preset EQ evidence was strongly negative in the one direct review, which called the included presets junk.
Pros: Hinge durability, Wireless latency
Cons: Preset EQ profile quality, Xbox compatibility
Preset EQ support is poor because the reviewer complains that the CH351 lacks Music, Movie or Game mode-style presets.
Pros: Microphone noise reduction, Spatial audio
Cons: App, Equalizer customization