SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless vs Apple AirPods Max Wireless Headphones
Get the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless. The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless wins Low-End Reach, High-End Reach and Power. It is also the cheaper...
The Ruling
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless or Apple AirPods Max Wireless Headphones? Get the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless.
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless wins Low-End Reach, High-End Reach and Power. It is also the cheaper of the two, by $169.01.
At a Glance
Where each one actually leads
Every axis is scored out of 10 from the catalog specs below. The scores are relative to the products on this page, so a 10 means “best of these”, not “perfect”, and two identical columns mean the catalog genuinely cannot separate them. Axes the catalog holds no figure for on both sides are left off entirely rather than guessed at.
| Category | SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless | Apple AirPods Max Wireless Headphones |
|---|---|---|
| Low-End Reach | 10/10 | 8.5/10 |
| High-End Reach | 10/10 | 8.1/10 |
| Isolation | 10/10 | 10/10 |
| Power | 10/10 | 9.1/10 |
| Value | 10/10 | 6.9/10 |
The Split
What each one wins
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless
Premium wireless gaming headset with active noise cancellation and base station chat/game mix controls.
On paper the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless takes frequency response (10Hz-40kHz) and battery life (22 hours, +2hours). It concedes nothing measurable on the sheet. It is the cheaper of the two, by $169.01.
Leads on
-
Frequency Response10Hz-40kHz20Hz-20kHz
Wider frequency response reproduces more of the audio spectrum for accurate monitoring.
-
Battery Life +2hours22 hours20 hours
Longer battery life means fewer mid-session charges on a wireless set.
Apple AirPods Max Wireless Headphones
Listening solution for creator monitoring, gaming, editing, and long-session comfort.
It gives up frequency response and battery life to the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless. That costs $169.01 more than the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless.
Leads on
- Nothing on the spec sheet goes this one’s way.
Where they’re identical
These 5 specs are the same on both of them, so none of it is part of the decision.
- Operating System windows, macos
- Fit Over-ear
- Enclosure Closed-back
- Active Noise Cancelling Yes
- Wireless Yes
The Record
14 specs, grouped by area
A group is won by whoever takes more of its rows outright. Specs the catalog cannot rank are shown but never decide a group.
Bottom Line
Who each one is for
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is the pick on the specs the catalog holds, but “better on paper” and “right for you” are different questions. Each case below names what the product is actually good at and who that suits.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless and Apple AirPods Max Wireless Headphones?
The largest gap is frequency response, where the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless leads — 10Hz-40kHz against 20Hz-20kHz. Across the catalog's specification sheet the two differ on 2 specs. They match on 5 specs, including operating system, fit and enclosure. Two headphones from SteelSeries and Apple, each taking a different approach to sound signature and comfort for long sessions.
Which is better for streaming, SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless or Apple AirPods Max Wireless Headphones?
Get the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless. The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless wins Low-End Reach, High-End Reach and Power. It is also the cheaper of the two, by $169.01.
What do the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless and Apple AirPods Max Wireless Headphones have in common?
Both share 5 specifications in the catalog, including operating system (windows, macos), fit (Over-ear), enclosure (Closed-back) and active noise cancelling (Yes), among others. None of those is a reason to pick one over the other.
Is the Apple AirPods Max Wireless Headphones worth the extra $169 over the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless?
The Apple AirPods Max Wireless Headphones costs $549.00 against $379.99, a difference of $169. On the catalog's specifications it does not lead the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless anywhere, so the premium buys brand, build or something the catalog does not record. Whether that is worth it depends on which of those you would actually use.