Hi-Res Meets High Style: SteelSeries Introduces the Arctis Nova Elite

By DaMarko Webster

Danish brand SteelSeries has never been shy about pushing boundaries, but its latest release feels like a direct challenge to the entire audio industry. Enter the Arctis Nova Elite—a $600 statement piece that the company calls “the world’s first hi-res wireless headphones for gaming.” At a price point higher than Apple’s AirPods Max and rivaling luxury models from Sony and Bose, this is SteelSeries’ most ambitious play yet.

The Arctis Nova Elite is co-created with Copenhagen-based designer Jacob Wagner, known for his work with Bang & Olufsen, and built like a piece of industrial art. An all-metal frame anchors the silhouette, while polished detailing and a sculpted control wheel emphasize durability and luxury. Oversized earcups lined with ultra-plush memory foam provide comfort that feels more couture than console.

Inside, custom 40mm carbon fiber drivers—engineered exclusively for this model—power the sound. SteelSeries describes the dual drivers as piston-like, working in alternating motion to eliminate distortion even at peak volume. With a frequency range stretching from 10Hz to 40kHz, the Nova Elite promises soundscapes that feel less “gaming headset” and more “private screening room.”

But the hardware is only half the story. Features like OmniPlay (supporting up to four connected audio sources at once), over 200 game-specific audio presets, and active noise cancellation tuned to rival the best in class bring depth to the design. Even the microphones level up: recording at 32kHz/16-bit, they capture voice clarity more detailed than anything the brand has released before.

SteelSeries CEO Ehtisham Rabbani frames the Nova Elite as more than a launch: “It is a statement of boundless imagination and the limitless capabilities of SteelSeries. With this new line, we are redefining premium gaming audio, transforming every moment into something extraordinary.”

Luxury has always been about experience. And with the Arctis Nova Elite, SteelSeries isn’t just selling a headset—it’s selling the idea that gaming deserves the same sonic prestige as cinema and high-end music listening. Available globally now at $599.99 USD / £599.99 GBP / €649.99 EUR, the Nova Elite positions itself not only as the future of gaming headsets, but as an object of modern design culture.