Accessories

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless review

Best for gaming?

Published

July 22, 2024

I have always wanted to get my hands on a SteelSeries headset. You see, in gaming circles, it’s a popular brand among gamers looking for a relatively affordable option for gaming headsets. Along came the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless with a high promise when it comes to delivering quality audio for gaming.

Competitively priced

Let’s get the affordable part out of the way. The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless retails for PhP 7,765/ USD 129.99. That’s right around the ballpark of one the more popular recommendations among gaming circles – The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 which, depending on where you’re looking, ranges from USD 150-170.

Among gaming-centric headsets released relatively recently, it’s also priced quite competitively. It’s more affordable than the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro (2023), Sony INZONE H7 and H9 (the H3 is wired so that’s a non-starter here), and PlayStation’s Pulse Elite.

It’s also a lot more affordable than “mainstream” headset options like the Sony WH-1000XM series and Airpods Max.

While compelling, pricing alone isn’t the determining factor in making this purchase decision. So, what kind of value are you getting exactly?

Headset highlights

That’s our News Editor Luigi wearing the Arctis Nova 5

To me, the Arctis Nova 5 offers five features that help its case as the “default option” for gaming-related headset recommendations.

Game specific presets through the companion app.

The Arctis Nova 5 has a companion app available for iOS and Android. Through the app, you get a robust list of game preset equalizers already optimized for plenty of games. The list includes first person shooters like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare and CS: GO, sports games like NBA 2K24 and EA Sports FC 24, and popular titles like Baldur’s Gate 3, Genshin Impact, Tekken 8, and much, much more.

Many of the titles are recently released games. If the specific game you’re looking for isn’t on the list, just pick one that’s close to that game’s genre and it should work like a charm. For instance, I always fire up Returnal when testing audio products because it has one of the best sound designs on any game ever. Unfortunately, that title isn’t available as a preset. So, I chose any of the shooter games like COD and Hell Divers 2 as the preset and I found that these worked well with the game.

By default, the equalizer is set to flat and I found that it works well for most media consumption. I tried switching things up and used music-focused titles like Hi-Fi Rush but felt that flat was still best for general music listening and video viewing.

Lightweight.

The headset is mostly made of plastic making it extremely light. That means there’s absolutely no strain whatsoever on your head when wearing it for an extended period.

Some might view this as a markdown in build quality. However, I think the weight and price byproducts balance the steady but not stellar build.

Battery Life.

The Arctis Nova 5 promises a 60-hour battery life (or the equivalent of 8-hour gaming sessions every day for a week). Further, USB-C fast charging can juice up to six hours in just 15 minutes.

Naturally, I don’t game for eight hours a day (nor should you, unless that’s how you make a living). In my mixed use of music listening, video viewing, video conferencing, and gaming for roughly 20 hours per week, I only felt the need to charge the thing once every two weeks. That’s elite.

There’s one outlier when I brought it to an overseas work trip. I charged the headset once towards the end of the trip, right before the flight back, to make sure I had enough juice for the plane ride.

Connectivity.

The headset’s claim to versatility in connectivity lies in two connection options: 2.4Hz dongle and direct Bluetooth.

The direct Bluetooth connection means it can seamlessly pair with most smartphones and laptops, and PCs. Meanwhile, the 2.4Hz dongle connection means you can use it with anything that has a USB-C port.

In my time with the device, I used it on the following devices:

Legion Go
PlayStation 5
ROG Ally
iPhone 14 Pro Max
MacBook Pro
Huawei MateBook X Pro
ASUS ZenBook DUO (2024)
OPPO Find N3
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5
Xiaomi Pad 6S 12 Pro
…and possibly more

That’s quite an exhaustive list. And yes, it works on a Nintendo Switch too.

ClearCast microphone.

The Arctis Nova 5 is now my default headset when taking video calls because of the ClearCast mic. For one, I love the way it’s tucked into the left earcup. Unlike Razer’s BlackShark V2 (2023) whose microphone is an attachment that can easily be misplaced.

Second, I asked for feedback from those I was in a call with and got feedback that my audio is pretty clear and crisp. I won’t be recording any voice overs with this mic, but for calls, it’s more than good enough. I imagine the same is true for co-op games, of which I do not play because I suck as a teammate.

Almost perfect

There are a few things I wish the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless had to make it my default headset for everything I do.

Active Noise Cancellation (ANC).

This one really drives me nuts because I’ve really only extensively used headsets with active noise cancellation over the past half decade. Even some minor active noise canceling would have made this a no-brainer recommendation for me. Alas, that is not the case.

I mentioned earlier that I took this with me on an overseas work trip. That was not ideal at all. Coming from the Sony WH-1000XM4 and even the soundcore Space One headsets, I severely missed the active noise canceling feature. I could hear the buzzing sound and worse, a crying, whining child during the flight.

The lack of this feature is bearable in most settings like in your home while playing and while out and about walking or inside a buzzing café. But for traveling, it is best to have something that has ANC.

In-app equalizer adjustment.

The presets are great and all, but it doesn’t allow for personalized tweaking to make it sing the way you want to. The only way to change the equalizer is to switch it to any of the game presets as well as a flat and focus options. Focus ups the voice while flat is… just flat.

As of writing, your best option is to try every single available preset and find which one works best for you when it comes to uses outside of gaming. It’ll probably take an entire weekend day if you’re truly meticulous about it.

I wish it had slots for 2-3 personalized presets that users can switch to. I fervently hope this comes in a future app update.

A slot for the 2.4Hz USB-C dongle.

I tend to misplace tiny things. In fact, as of writing, I am unsure where I placed this exact USB-C dongle. I am also currently at a loss as to where I placed another tiny USB dongle, but that’s for a controller.

The dongle that comes with the Arctis Nova 5 is so tiny that I’m sure they could’ve figured out a way to include some kind of pouch in the headset itself to store it. They were able to figure out the mic part, perhaps they could have done the same for the dongle.

I’m sure I’ll find the dongle with a clean sweep of my room but some way to safely carry it with the headset would have done wonders.

Is the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless your GadgetMatch?

As far as gaming-focused headsets go, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless could soon replace its older sibling, the Arctis 7, as the top recommendation among console gamers. The sound quality is top-notch and the presets really do help in making you feel immersed in the gameplay.

That same level of immersion can also be experienced when listening to music that’s perfectly mixed. I strongly recommend using this with Apple Music for lossless sound. The sound isolation is elite and works both in gaming and music.

Some level of active noise canceling would have taken this over the top for me. I’m not even looking for something on par with Sony’s XM-series. Even something to the level of the soundcore Space One would have done the trick. If that comes in a future product, SteelSeries, you know where to find me.

That said, the Arctis Nova 5 is still a product I can recommend. The value you’re getting for what you’re paying outweighs any drawback I found. It’s a really good gaming headset and one you should consider if you’re in the market for one.

Accessories

Sony WF-1000XM6 was accidentally leaked online

The design suggests some interesting changes.

Published

February 3, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Despite how small they are, the unannounced Sony WF-1000XM6 has just made a huge appearance, albeit accidentally, in an online retail store. Though the leak doesn’t reveal all the technical details about the device, the scant photos and specs are enough to paint an interesting picture about Sony’s next earbuds.

Via The Walkman Blog, an online retailer called Power Buy accidentally released a store page for the WF-1000XM6. The page contains extensive photos and a few specs for the device. Now, the specs don’t reveal much. As we can already ascertain based on previous releases, the earbuds will have Active Noise Cancelation and IPX4-rated water resistance.

The photos, however, are telling. For one, the WF-1000XM6 will return to a completely matte texture after a brief switch to a glossy texture for the current generation. The overall design is more elongated or pill-shaped, too. Previous earbuds feature a more circular or compact design.

Conversely, the charging case switches from a pill-shaped design to a more angular one, featuring flat bases. The flatter design should make the case stabler while on a surface but might make it clunkier when inside a pocket.

The leak caps it all off by including a price: THB 11,990 (or roughly US$ 381), which is a lot higher than the current generation. Either Sony went crazy with the price increase, or this is just a placeholder price. Only time (and an official launch) will tell. The leak, unfortunately, doesn’t reveal a launch date, so it might still be quite a wait.

Accessories

OBSBOT launches AI-powered 4K Tiny 3 series webcams

Professional-grade audiovisual features in compact bodies

Published

January 28, 2026

GadgetMatch

OBSBOT has announced the global launch of two new AI-powered 4K webcams: the Tiny 3 and Tiny 3 Lite.

Designed for content creators, streamers, podcasters, remote professionals, educators, and more, the Tiny 3 series sets a new benchmark for professional webcams.

The products combine studio-grade spatial audio, flagship-level imaging, and industry-leading AI intelligence.

The two variants also come in ultra-compact aluminum-alloy bodies while delivering premium sight and sound.

Both the Tiny 3 and Tiny 3 Lite feature industry-leading triple silicon MEMS microphone array. This system combines one omnidirectional and two directional microphones powered by Sisonic MEMS technology.

The architecture is commonly found in premium TWS earbuds and professional audio equipment. Such technology enables:

ultra-low distortion up to 130 dB SPL
exceptional 69dB signal-to-noise ratio
full spectrum 50Hz-20kHz frequency response
consistent unit-to-unit studio quality

This way, users can expect immersive sound that rivals dedicated microphones without the need to buy an extra product.

In addition, the Tiny 3 series features five dedicated audio profiles so users can tailor fit the webcams for various needs:

Pure Audio Mode — zero processing, studio-grade capture
Spatial Audio Mode — enhanced left-right stereo separation for vlogs, storytelling with soundscape
Smart Omni Mode — AI-powered 360-degree pickup with balanced vocals, ambient sound
Directional Mode — focuses on voice in front while cutting surrounding noise
Dual-Directional Mode — clear audio capture from front and rear while rejecting side noise

Moreover, the Tiny 3 series comes with Voice Locator. This feature lets the product find users, smoothly rotating the gimbal and tracking them automatically.

They can also leverage voice commands or the OBSBOT Vox SE wireless lavalier for cable-free audio.

Flagship imaging

Picture wise, the Tiny 3 features 4K@30fps video and up to 120fps high-frame rate capture. The system also uses advanced DCG HDR for balanced highlights and shadows, as well as ultra-fast dual all-pixel PDAF autofocus.

And powered by OBSBOT’s AI algorithms, the series introduces AI Tracking 2.0. Key capabilities include:

accurate tracking of subjects like individuals, groups, hands, objects, and more via Only Me mode
auto zoom, customizable composition lines, Face Framing
Voice Tracking
Multiple AI modes, including dedicated Desk Mode, Whiteboard Mode
Intuitive gesture and voice controls

For further control, users can use the OBSBOT Center and OBSBOT live for creative controls. These cover exposure and gamma curve adjustments, manual white balance tuning, and more.

Furthermore, the Tiny 3 products support remote interaction and VR features powered by the OBSBOT Toolkit.

They also integrate effortlessly with the OBSBOT ecosystem for livestreams, gaming handheld capabilities, and more.

Price, availability

The Tiny 3 starts at US$ 349 while the Tiny 3 Lite starts at US$ 199. The Vox SE, meanwhile, retails for US$ 59.

Accessories

Soundtrack for the city: HIDDEN.NY x AIAIAI TMA-2 headphones

Published

January 28, 2026

Alex Matinkhah

Living in a big city like New York makes you want to have music on a lot: on the subway, walking between meetings, sitting in a café with your laptop, zoning out on a long walk home, or romanticizing the smallest things. Headphones have become an essential part of my life.

That’s why the HIDDEN.NY x AIAIAI collaboration makes sense. The TMA-2 HIDDEN Edition headphones are reminiscent of early-2000s tech. It’s nostalgic but with New York City character, at least the kind that I encounter and not the one you see in movies.

If you follow either brand, the partnership feels natural. HIDDEN.NY started as an Instagram mood board and grew into a full lifestyle platform rooted in street culture and design. AIAIAI is a Danish company that’s long been part of music culture, known for modular gear that artists use.

The first thing you notice is the colorway. The transparent design with green highlights is subtle. It’s not loud but still stands out.

You can see the structure of the headphones, which makes them feel more like an accessory than just another piece of black plastic tech. Bonus points that they are a conversation starter, too.

In daily use, the headphones are easy to live with. They are light and comfortable, which is important when you’re wearing them for long stretches. They don’t clamp too hard nor do they feel bulky.

Sound-wise, they’re clean and balanced. While it doesn’t have active noise cancellation, it works well for all the ways people actually listen in a big city. I like that you don’t have to think about the sound much.

It’s just good in a way that doesn’t get in your way, whatever mood I’m in wherever I am in the city, these headphones are great company.

AIAIAI’s modular approach also means these aren’t built to be tossed when something wears out. The speaker, headband, earpads, and cable are all replaceable.

So much of the tech we use should grow with us, even if they get outdated. So AIAIAI builds systems that can be upgraded over time. That’s part of why artists and DJs use them.

Especially because it’s a collectible, it feels like a piece you’ll want to keep. As someone who uses his prized possessions for a really long time, I love this about these headphones.

In a city where everything moves fast and feels temporary, it’s nice to have gear that doesn’t feel disposable.

The campaign, shot by photographer Gunner Stahl, probably looks familiar if you’re attuned to hiphop culture. What sets his work apart is his portraits feel more raw and relaxed instead of posed and polished. It aligns with HIDDEN.NY’s aesthetic, the kind of everyday style that feels genuine.

At the end of the day, the HIDDEN.NY x AIAIAI TMA-2 Bluetooth headphones make sense for people who live in cities like New York, where music is part of how you move, work, and think.

They sound good, they look interesting and different. They fit into real life without trying too hard.

The TMA-2 Hidden Edition headphones retail for US$220 and is available on aiaiai.audio.