Compare SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless Gaming Headset vs Audeze Maxwell

ANC draws the widest range of opinions: some reviewers call it exceptional or effective, while others find it merely decent, pressure-heavy, or worse after long-term use.

Active noise cancellation is absent, and reviewers who care about ANC treat that omission as a real limitation.

The app/software ecosystem is powerful and often praised, especially Sonar, but some reviewers criticize SteelSeries GG setup friction or base-station interaction quirks.

The app/software experience is mixed-to-negative overall, ranging from stable but basic to buggy, clunky, incomplete, or unreliable.

Audio-video sync evidence is positive where tested, with no noticeable lags or delays during games and movies.

Bass is generally described as impactful, punchy, full, and controlled rather than merely loud or muddy.

Bass is usually praised as punchy, detailed, and controlled, though a few reviewers note it is not a boomy basshead tuning without EQ.

Battery is one of the strongest consensus wins thanks to hot-swappable batteries, long runtime, and little to no downtime.

Battery life receives near-universal praise, with reviewers repeatedly describing the 80-hour class endurance as impressive or exceptional.

Bluetooth is valued for simultaneous use and separate controls, but multiple reviewers report annoyances with volume behavior, PC modes, or intermittent phone issues.

Bluetooth performance has limited scored evidence here, with one reviewer reporting annoying stutter at distance.

Build quality is mostly praised as sturdy, premium, and durable, though one reviewer wanted sturdier materials around the hinges.

Build quality is mostly praised as sturdy, premium, or tank-like, but early-unit failures and cosmetic wear create some caution.

The base station/DAC-like control hub is one of the product’s biggest strengths, offering battery charging, source switching, EQ, and on-desk control.

Built-in DAC and hi-res playback evidence is positive but limited, centered on high-bitrate decoding without external gear.

Controls are generally praised for distinct buttons, tactile wheels, useful mute indicators, and intuitive access, with only minor dock-use caveats.

Physical controls are often appreciated, but reviewers also mention a learning curve, confusing multifunction wheels, or poor placement.

Cable quality has limited scored evidence; one reviewer calls the included USB-C cable very basic.

Carry case evidence is limited to one positive mention of a nice included carrying bag.

Carry case quality is effectively poor because one reviewer explicitly criticized the absence of any case or bag.

Charging is praised because the base station keeps one battery ready, making quick swaps easier than plugging the headset in.

Charging is praised because short top-ups provide many hours or a full day of additional use.

Clamping and internal ANC hardware create mixed comfort feedback: some find the fit snug, while others warn about pressure or the protruding nub.

Clamping force is generally viewed positively because it seals without feeling overly tight in most reports.

Codec support is well regarded because reviewers value LDAC, LE Audio, LC3/LC3plus, and other higher-quality or future-facing options.

Comfort is a major strength across reviews, especially for long gaming sessions, though some long-term and comparison reviewers report pressure after hours.

Long-session comfort is mostly positive despite heat and weight caveats; many reviewers could wear it for hours after adjusting.

Connectivity versatility is a defining strength, especially for desk setups and users who switch between PC, console, Bluetooth, and mobile sources.

Connectivity versatility is a major strength because reviewers value Bluetooth, dongle, USB-C, analog, and broad platform support, despite switching caveats.

Console compatibility has real limitations because versions differ, with multiple reviewers warning that the PlayStation model does not cover Xbox.

Console compatibility has real caveats around buying the correct version and uncertain cross-platform wireless behavior.

Design is consistently praised as premium, stylish, clean, sophisticated, and less overtly gamer-looking.

Design and aesthetics are mostly praised as understated, premium, sleek, and non-gamer-looking, though one reviewer finds it clunky.

The wired option is valued as a useful fallback or flexibility feature, even though the headset still needs power.

The detachable microphone is valued because it makes the headset easier to use as headphones for music or travel.

The wireless dock/dongle setup is praised as handy and market-leading for battery handling and source flexibility.

Dongle impressions are mixed, with praise for range or form factor offset by artifacting, connection failures, or USB-controller sensitivity.

Earpads are soft and padded, but many reviewers note heat, breathability issues, thin stock pads, or limited fabric-swap options.

Earpad padding is often plush and comfortable, but repeated caveats mention heat, sweat, thinness, or firmness.

The ear cup rotation is lightly praised for letting the headset lay flat.

Ear cup swivel evidence is positive, with one reviewer noting the cups rested comfortably around the neck.

Earpad replacement ease is positively supported by a reviewer saying the pads snap on and off easily.

Earpad replacement is praised as easy, with several reviewers noting twist-off or easily removable pads.

EQ customization is a standout strength, with reviewers praising granular Sonar controls, game/chat/mic adjustment, and profile flexibility.

EQ customization is valued because the headset responds well to EQ, though reviewers criticize clunky interfaces and occasional access limitations.

Fit and seal are generally positive due to improved isolation and newer ANC nub changes, though warmth remains a caveat.

Fit and seal reliability are praised where discussed, especially for maintaining passive isolation.

Reviewers praise the software’s ability to surface game cues such as footsteps, enemy movements, and other competitive audio details.

The footsteps-focused feature is useful but not universally ideal; one reviewer preferred more custom EQ control for competitive FPS use.

Frequency response is viewed as good but not perfect, with some need for EQ tweaking to get the best balance.

Frequency response evidence is highly positive, with reviewers highlighting target matching, linearity, and controlled tuning.

Game/chat balance is useful and often praised, though one comparison reviewer notes reduced quality on the secondary driver.

Game/chat balance control is repeatedly praised for quickly adjusting game and voice levels without heavy software dependence.

Headband adjustability is praised for telescoping arms, larger-head accommodation, and more accessible sizing than older Arctis designs.

Headband adjustability is one of the clearest weaknesses, with reviewers criticizing the limited notches, awkward strap, and imperfect fit granularity.

Hinge durability receives a cautionary score because one reviewer dislikes the plastic hinge choice for longevity.

Hinge durability evidence is negative due to a reported early unit breaking during normal use.

Included accessories get limited positive support, mainly from one review describing a normal but premium-feeling box contents package.

Included accessories are praised for quality and usefulness, especially the included adapter and cables.

Reviewers praise separation and detail, especially for bass guitar distinction and competitive sound cues.

Instrument separation and detail retrieval are repeatedly praised, with reviewers noting clear layering in music, games, and busy mixes.

The retractable integrated microphone is praised for blending into the headset and continuing to work well, though quality is scored separately.

Integrated microphone evidence is mostly negative, with several reviewers calling the built-in mics bad, compressed, or inferior to the boom mic.

LDAC receives positive evidence, with one reviewer saying audio quality remained exceptional in LDAC testing.

Maximum-volume clarity is supported by PCMag’s bass test, where the headset stayed forceful without distortion.

Maximum-volume clarity is praised because highs remain clean and the headset avoids harshness or distortion when turned up.

Microphone quality is mixed: some reviewers call it good or excellent with tuning, while others find stock quality mid, quiet, compressed, or merely passable.

Microphone performance is mixed: the boom mic can be clear or strong, but some reviewers call it muffled, merely serviceable, or not creator-grade.

Microphone noise reduction is often praised when Sonar/ClearCast tools are enabled, but some reviewers note unwanted pickup or stock limitations.

Microphone noise reduction is one of the most praised non-audio features, repeatedly removing keyboard, fan, vacuum, and ambient noise effectively.

Call and chat voice quality is usable to good, with one reviewer praising natural Discord voice and another saying legibility remains fine despite recording limits.

Call and chat microphone evidence is adequate rather than studio-grade, with the boom mic considered good enough for work calls or gaming.

Midrange evidence is positive but narrower, with reviewers noting detailed sound and mids that do not get drowned out.

Midrange clarity is mostly described as clear, natural, or accurate, with occasional criticism that gaming tuning can make vocals sound thin or recessed.

Multi-platform compatibility is very strong, with reviewers emphasizing PC, console, phone, and multi-device use as a core advantage.

Multi-platform compatibility is a strength where discussed, with reviewers emphasizing broad support across common gaming and media devices.

Multipoint-style use is powerful when working, though one long-term reviewer found switching devices painful while others praised simultaneous Bluetooth and 2.4GHz audio.

Multipoint and wireless source handling are mixed: Bluetooth multipoint can help, but lack of simultaneous Bluetooth plus dongle playback frustrates several reviewers.

Passive isolation is generally seen as good, especially from the closed-back seal, even when ANC is not the focus.

Passive isolation is mostly praised thanks to the closed cups and pads, though one reviewer found outside sound cut through more than expected.

Packaging quality has limited but positive evidence, with one reviewer calling the packaging luxurious.

Portability evidence is limited but positive, with one reviewer noting the headset folds properly on the neck.

Portability is limited by the large, heavy cups, even when they fold flat.

Positional accuracy is a major gaming strength, with reviewers repeatedly hearing footsteps, verticality, projectiles, and directional cues clearly.

Positional audio is often excellent for gaming, but competitive-focused reviewers note weaker verticality or pinpoint footstep accuracy than some rivals.

Preset EQ profiles are consistently praised as useful, effective, and capable of making games and music sound better.

Preset EQ profiles are context-dependent: some gaming presets help, while music performance can suffer and some profiles sound poor.

Replaceable earpad evidence is mixed: some reviewers appreciate easy replacement, while PCMag notes the lack of official fabric-pad swapping.

Replaceable earpads receive positive evidence because reviewers describe the pads as easy to remove, replace, or swap.

Replaceable ear plates receive limited but positive customization evidence from a reviewer noting speaker plates and headbands for switching looks.

Sidetone is useful but uneven, with praise for adjustability and practical callout control alongside complaints about quiet or intrusive behavior.

Sidetone is the most consistently criticized feature, with noise, feedback, static, and bugs outweighing one positive report about loud monitoring.

Smudge and surface resistance is weakly supported by one complaint that gunk collects on the aluminum side cups.

Smudge resistance is weak in the one scored review, which says the cups show oil after handling.

Setup and software simplicity is mixed: plug-and-play use is praised, but firmware, GG, and Bluetooth setup issues appear in several reviews.

Setup simplicity is mostly positive for plug-and-play use and firmware guidance, though some reviewers criticize broader UX/app friction.

Reviewers broadly praise the headset’s sound as clear, detailed, powerful, and highly customizable for games, music, and everyday media.

Reviewers consistently frame sound quality as the Maxwell's core strength, often calling it best-in-class or audiophile-grade for a wireless gaming headset.

Soundstage feedback is positive for breadth in one review but mixed by a comparison reviewer who says it is not especially wide.

Soundstage earns strong praise from several gaming-focused reviews, while audiophile and competitive reviewers describe it as merely adequate or narrower than some rivals.

Spatial audio earns strong praise for immersion, directional effects, and expanded game environments.

Spatial audio is usually a useful immersion bonus, especially on PS5 Tempest or Dolby, but some reviewers avoid it for competitive play.

Stability is mostly strong for wireless range or physical fit, though Bluetooth distance artifacts appear in one review.

Transparency mode is split: one reviewer would not use it, another values the settings, and another calls it fantastic but slightly noisy.

Transparency-style passthrough is strongly praised in one review for realism and lack of harshness.

Treble is mostly praised for clarity and detail, though some reviews note high-end limits or occasional aggressiveness.

Treble is generally controlled and clear, but some reviewers hear too much brightness or less openness depending on EQ and use case.

USB-C is mixed: it is useful for backup charging, but reviewers repeatedly dislike the awkward side placement.

Value is strongly split by price: reviewers often say it is expensive, but many still argue the feature set justifies the premium.

Value for money is strongly positive overall: many reviewers call the price justified despite acknowledging the upfront cost.

Volume output is praised as ample, with reviewers noting enough overhead and power without needing to crank the headset excessively.

Volume output is considered ample, with reviewers describing the headset as plenty loud or unusually powerful.

Weight comfort is mostly positive, with reviewers saying the suspension band makes the headset feel light or pressure-free despite its mass.

Weight comfort is the main ergonomic tradeoff: reviewers call it heavy, but many say the distribution keeps it usable for long sessions.

Wireless latency and reliability are mostly strong, with several lag-free reports, though one SoundGuys test and one long-term owner noted occasional drops.

Wireless latency is generally low enough for gaming, though reviewers occasionally report small lag or system-specific issues.

Xbox compatibility is positive when buying the Xbox version, which reviewers recommend for wider console coverage and actual Xbox use.

Xbox compatibility favors the Xbox version for broader platform support and Dolby Atmos, but PlayStation support may carry risk or limitations.