Category Reviews

Recently I switched to a new phone, the Pixel 6A. Beautiful device, love it so far, but it doesn’t have a 3,5mm jack. So here begins a new quest for me; finding a wireless headset that is good for me. After looking around the internet, my eyes fell on the Jabra Elite Active 4.

Bought out of necessity?

Late last week I replaced my Pixel 4a 5G with a Pixel 6a. My biggest doubt when purchasing the new Pixel variant was the lack of a 3.5mm connection. At home, I often use my Sennheiser HD660S headset in the evening to listen to music. In the end I took the plunge because the design of the Pixel 6a really appealed to me. I thought, fine then I’ll just use a usb-c to 3.5mm converter if I really have to at home. And my wife has a Bose QC45 which I was sure I could use whenever I wanted. Well… Turns out I do miss the convenience of just plugging in my wired Sennheiser buds I always carry in my jacket with me. And my wife has paired the QC45 with her phone as well, so now whenever she decides to listen to an audiobook my music goes away or vice versa. I decided I needed some wireless earbuds.

Welcome to the jungle

No i’m not talking about that fantastic song; Im talking about the jungle of wireless earbuds. I didn’t really know where to start but I made a small list of demands:

• Somewhere around €100,-
• Multipoint
• Not an Apple product, since I use windows and Android
• Not the shape of the airpods
• USB-C

Turns out there are so many shapes of earbuds, marketing terms, brands. Looking around the internet, reading reviews, scrolling to reddit, watching youtube… It didn’t make things a lot easier for me.

Jabra Elite Active 4

Then I stumbled on a pair of Jabra headsets after seeing an advertisement on a website. I used a Jabra headset in the past which served me well so I decided to take a closer look. The Jabra active 4 was on a discount and caught my eye. The things that appealed to me where:

• Nice design
• Water, sweat and dirt resistant
• Multi point (more on this later)
• ANC + hear through
• Good looking App (sleek, no fuss)
• USB C
• Around budget (recommended price €110,-)
• Reputable brand

Specifications of the Jabra Elite Active 4

Connectivity

• Bluetooth 5.2

Audio

• ANC
• Adjustable HearThrough
• Sound-insulating design
• SBC and Qualcomm® aptX™
• Adjustable EQ
• 4-microphone technology

Ease of use

• Mono mode
• Rechargeable battery (Up to 7 hours of battery life in the earbuds, and 21 hours in the charging case)
• Fast Charging
• Instant access to apps Play with Spotify Tap* (Android only)
• Google Fast Pair
• Voice assistant support Alexa built-in (Android only), Siri® and Google Assistant

Design and comfort

• Compact design

Accessories

• 3 Pairs of Round Silicone EarGels (S, M, L)
• Charging case
• USB-A to USB-C cable

Sustainability

• IP57 Waterproof and made of high quality, durable materials
• 2 year warranty against dust and water (after registration in App)

App

• Jabra Sound+

Unboxing the Jabra Elite Active 4

The Jabra set came in a nice little carton box made from recycled material.
Inside you will find the case containing the earbuds, some reading material, and a blister with two extra pairs of ear-tips; an S and an L next to the standard M size that are already on the buds.
In the supplied documentation, Jabra refers to the Jabra Sound+ app to get the most out of the earbuds. Unfortunately, the buds and the box were empty so I first had to give them some juice.

Build quality and comfort

The earbuds look neat and feel solid. under the logo is a push button which is easy, but not too easy to press. Unlike some of the other earbuds from Jabra such as Elite 3 or Elite 7 pro, the push buttons are not visible here, but have a protective layer to guarantee water and dirt resistance. There is also a filter around the microphone. The silicone plugs are not easy to pull off so will not quickly become loose or lost. On the other hand, they are easy to get back on. I’ve had a lot more trouble with this with other earplugs.

The case is neat but simple with a magnetic closure. Don’t expect high-end design or wireless charging here. It gets the job done, no more, no less. It does fit in the small pocket of a pair of jeans, very handy!

The earplugs themselves go well in my ears with the standard plugs and immediately stay in place surprisingly well. Shaking my head hard didn’t let them fall out. The shape is also well adapted to the ear, nice that the claims of Jabra seem to be correct. The Sennheiser ear plugs were immediately painful around the ear for me. However, especially in the beginning, I always had the feeling in my right ear that the earplug was in danger of coming loose. However, this has not been the case. This may be because the plug is firmly in the ear, but the housing around it is not secured by means of a wing or the like. After a while I no longer had this feeling.

Sound+ app

As suggested by the instructions I downloaded the Jabra app. I was then able to pair the earbuds with this and provide them with the latest firmware update. The app looks user-friendly and clear. It is possible to choose what to see and in which order. If the earbuds are not connected, you can request the last known location, provided you have given permission for this. For getting a full two year covery of warranty against dust and water damage you need to register the headset through the app. Personally I prefer apps which don’t require any registration.

Once connected to the earbuds, after downloading the latest update, an individual battery status of both earbuds as well as the case can be seen. I personally like this very much, especially because I sometimes only use a single earplug. There are also various sound presets, but you can also adjust the equalizer to taste. Personally I like the smooth preset. There is just enough bass for my personal taste without giving to much high pitches in the treble to which my ears can be a bit sensitive. For example, the strength of the Noise Cancellation as well as the sound of your own voice during a call can be adjusted, but it is also possible to set whether or not to play music after activating the hear through mode. I personally find the Sound+ app very pleasant and of added value, I have experienced this differently.

Sound

In my opinion, the Jabras give a very pleasant sound when playing various types of music. Nowhere do I have the feeling that an angel has taken up residence in my ears and sings its tunes to me, but it sounds “just right”. No shrill sound, no crackling, just good music. Whether I play Dire Straights or Metallica, it all sounds great. Of course not on the same level as my HD660S in combination with a Topping DX3 Pro+ DAC, but a lot better than my daughter’s Huawei buds, for example.

ANC and HearThrough on the Jabra Elite Active 4

Speaking of the ANC, I found it to work fine, though not class leading. When I enabled the ANC mode annoying sounds in my house like that of the cat fountain or robot vacuum where inaudible, Some higher pitched sounds were still able to come through though. All in all it is acceptable for me, I wasn’t expecting the same performance as a Bose headset after all.

HearTrough works perfectly fine. I was able to hear everything around me in a perfect and natural way without any distracting metallic sound signature. It is possible in the app the choose whether music should stop, or continue to play while enabling HearThrough mode.

No multipoint

While I initially thought this model had multipoint support, it turns out that this option is not available. I can understand the absence of wear-detection, but not having multipoint is kind of a deal breaker for me personally in this price class. Jabra added the option later in the Pro 7 model so it seems like something that could still be added, from what I have read online though, Jabra has no plans to include it in this model.

Conclusion

I am very satisfied with the Jabra Elite 4 active earbuds. They are very comfortable for me, although in the beginning had a kind of phantom feeling that one of the ear plugs would come loose. Sound is really fine, although they will not be classified as audiophile material. AAC and Aptx support is present. The absence of multipoint is something I personally find an odd choice in this price-class.

Overall I am very pleased with these earplugs! If you don’t have a huge need for multipoint, then the Elite active 4 earplugs are highly recommended in my opinion!

Positive

• Decent ANC
• HearThrough works great
• Good Battery life
• Nice app
• Water and dust proof

Negative

• No Multipoint
• No Aptx support

Disclaimer

I bought this set with my own money, Jabra had nu influence on my opinions. This article was first published by me at Tweakers.net in Dutch.

Akko makes a lot of different keyboards. I have covered some of these different boards on this website. Most keyboards Akko sells have a polycarbonate housing and come complete with keycaps and switches. But the company also has a DIY line-up. These boards are made with customization in mind and come without keycaps or switches. The MOD 007 and its Improved brother, the MOD 007 v2 have been among the bestsellers in this line-up. Now Akko has introduced the MOD 007S v2 which is Akko’s first keyboard with a south-facing switch layout.

North vs South

Up until now Akko has produced all of it’s keyboards with a north facing switch layout. This means the LED’s in the switch sockets are on the upper side. Some people like prefer this because this way the leds don’t shine in your face. But many enthusiasts are specifically looking for keyboards with a south facing layout. The main reason for this is that the populair Cherry-style layout of keycaps can interfere with a north facing layout. Akko answered the call and made an updated version of the popular MOD 007 v2.

Youtuber Romsicle made a very informative about the differences between North- and South facing boards. You can check it out here.

Specifications of the Akko MOD 007S v2

The specs according to Akko’s website:

• Plate: aluminum and polycarbonate plates;
• Gasket Mount: the aluminum plate comes with silicon gasket (to avoid misplacement) by default with spare poron gaskets for users to pick;
• The MOD007v2 will not come as pre-assembled (screws provided), making it easier for users to mod;
• Comes with both poron plate foam and bottom case foam, specifically the case foam is pre-cut against the hot-swappable sockets to reduce unnecessary space for improved sound profile;
• Poron switch pads added to the kit;
• Reduced PCBa thickness to 1.2mm to increase the softness, and be compatible with more screw-in stabilizers;
• Black Coiled Cable.

Unboxing

Exterior

The first thing I noticed, this box was a lot heavier then the previous ones I had on my desk from Akko. Akko’s headphone wearing alien-cat (or whatever it is) is once again up front next to the companies name. The exterior looks like there is a reason to celebrate with all the colored dots. So I decided to find out and remove the wrapper.

Under the wrapper is a chique and sturdy box with Akko Designer Studio printed in silver. I cannot read the symbols above, I presume they say the same.

Taking a look inside the MOD 007S v2

Inside the box the top of the keyboard is bundled with the metal plate, plate foam and the silicon gaskets attached to it. , bags which include the knob, the optional poron gaskets, screws and manual can all be found here. Diving deeper inside we find the polycarbonate plate and the bottom housing with the optional lower case foam and switch pad.

Assembling the MOD 007S v2

Plate, foam and tape

I chose to build the board with the polycarbonate plate as this is my preference when it comes to sound and feel. The first thing I did was adding some screw in stabs, also from Akko. These are of very good build quality and come with sound dampening stickers as well. I lubed the housings gently with some g205g0 and the wires with dielectric grease.

Next up I added the switch pad material and plate foam. I went with three layers of painters tape on the back of the pcb and went without the lower case foam. I added pieces of bandaid on the lower part of the case next to the screw holes to avoid any pinging sounds.

Switches and Keycaps

The Jelly black switches (review) were my choice for this build. They compliment the screw in stabs from Akko very well as they both have a dark-smoke housing. For the keycaps I chose the Akko Black and Cyan kit. Personally I find this a very stylish combination. Please take a look at the pictures I made and judge for yourself.

Using the MOD 007S v2

Build

The board feels and looks premium from every angle. And as far as build quality goes, there is really nothing to complain about, it is built like a tank.

I really liked the feel of the Jelly blacks (which also come as a pre-lubed option) in this board and paired with the I was very satisfied. Eventually I did remove the layers of tape and instead added the included case foam and changed the rubber gaskets for the porron versions. This was for me a more satisfying typing experience. All this is very personal ofcourse and that is what the MOD series is all about. I was thinking of getting the Macaw keycaps as an upgrade myself.

Software

Akko is still using its own software; Akko cloud. While this works fine for the most part, I still hope they will add VIA support to their boards in the future, especially for the MOD series. For the most part Akko cloud is easy to use and intuitive but I wished for total control of customization. The knob can be used to adjust the level of lightning on the board and after pressing it once, it will control the volume of your pc. I would have liked to adjust it for other purposes like zooming or scrolling.

South facing LED’s

Ok, VIA support isn’t here yet, but another highly requested feature finally is! Akko has implemented a south facing layout in this board which ensures perfect compatibility with Cherry-style keycaps. The LEDs themselves are of great quality and shine bright and vivid when needed. At first I was a bit worried of having a burst of light shining in my eyes, but fortunately this was not the case. I don’t have any cherry-style keycaps myself so I never had the problem of incompatibility but it is sure nice to know this won’t be of any issue in the future. All the usual lightning settings can be found on the board.

Verdict

The MOD 007S v2 is a very nice board which can compete with boards like the Keychron Q1 and GMK. While I personally would choose the MOD007S v2 over the GMK, the Keychron Q1 is a tougher nut to crack. Its biggest pro is the VIA and QMK support which Akko doesn’t have. Akko does win with the build quality though as the MOD series do seem to have a nicer finish with their aluminium. I have also read numerous reports of not so great after sales from Keychron which do concern me. It is up unto the end-user to decide which of these things are the most important of course.

I do wish Akko they included screw in stabs as a standard, the included ones are not that bad and come pre-lubed. I still prefer the screw in version though. I am very curious to see if the board will come available in other colors, but trust me, the product pictures don’t do the board justice, it’s even more beautiful in real-life! Overall I am very impressed by the MOD 007S v2. You can order the keyboard directly from Akkogear.eu.

Disclaimer

This product was send to me by the Akko. Opinions are my own. This review may contain referral links. By using these links you support this website and allow us to get products in for review and testing.

If you asked me a couple of years back if I would ever buy a Chromebook, I would have kept laughing. I was of the opinion these were wannabe laptops for kids.

Recently I did buy one in an impulse though. I thought: let ‘s see if i can use this to write some stuff on the go or give it to the kid for watching some YouTube.

What is a Chromebook?

A Chromebook is an alternative to the classic laptop running Chrome OS. Chrome OS is a lightweight operating system which sits somewhere between that of a classic laptop and that of a Tablet. At first they were presented mainly as a cost-effective device for schools. They can be used with Google ‘s office alternatives, watch movies on YouTube or browse the internet. Unlike windows laptops in the same price range Chromebooks are responsive, fast and don’t need an anti-virus program running in the background.

A little history

Netbooks

Back in the day I worked as a salesman at an electronic store. Apart from household appliances, fridges, tv’s and all kinds of other electronics we sold computers and laptops. These mostly consisted of consumer brands like HP, Acer, Packard Bell and Asus. Most of these brands started to come with so called Netbooks around 2007. The Netbook’s purpose was to give consumers a cost-effective way to access online content. Back then we didn’t have big mobile phones with large internet contracts.

Specs

Netbooks were not known for being fast. They usually had a Celeron or Atom processor, coupled with 1 or 2GB of RAM, and a maximum of 32gb of storage space. Usually they were shipped with windows Xp and later windows 7 starter. Screen sizes typically ranged from 7 to 10″. Netbooks typically had a price between €179,- to €279,-.

Use cases

Me and my colleagues usually presented them as portable devices to watch some movies, or to make notes on. There really wasn’t that much else to do with them to be honest. The things were slow and the build quality usually wasn’t that fantastic either. I noticed most people buying these mini-laptops were parents, wanting to give the kids a “my first Sony” laptop.

Death of the Netbook

Netbooks slowly died out as fewer people wanted a small and sluggish device when the normal laptops became less bulky and cheaper. Smartphones with bigger screens started to come out and people had more access to WIFI and mobile data.

The final nail in the coffin was the Tablet-rage which was started by Apples Ipad and followed by Samsung, Asus and many others.

Introduction of the first Chromebooks

A year or so after the release of the Ipad, Chromebooks started to come out. They were marketed as cheap, safe and fast alternatives for laptops in the classroom. Students did not need to rely on expensive software and there were no risks of viruses. Brands like Samsung and Acer were among the first ones to launch these devices. Unlike the Ipad a Chromebook came in a laptop design which means a keyboard was attached to the device.

The Google play store on your Chromebook

Everyone who owns an Android device is familiar with the google play store. When Google announced that Chromebooks would support apps from its play store they instantly became a lot more interesting for most people. Not all apps are optimized to be used on a Chromebook though so sometimes you wil have to manually make the screen for it larger. Most of the time though there are no issues.

The Lenovo Ideapad Flex 5 Chromebook

A challenging quest

I was looking for a portable device to be able to write some articles on the go. At first I thought of just using my wife’s windows laptop. But after taking it with me to the local library there were two major issues I had with it. It was big and bulky, and it had terrible battery life. I started to look at some smaller laptops and set myself a budget of €500,-. Of course I soon discovered there are a lot of compromises to make in this price-range. Screens are usually not that great, storage is small, keyboards are rubbish or or the build quality is just awful. Most of the time a couple of these negatives were fused together in one package.

Stumbling upon a deal that would change my mind

When browsing through some forums, websites and looking at some buying guides I stumbled upon the Lenove Flex 5 Chromebook. For €399,- it had a pretty impressive list of specifications, ill list the most important ones here:

• 13.3 inch full-HD OLED touch screen
• 100% DCPI
• touchscreen
• 8GB of LPDDR4X ram
• Core I3-1115G4 processor
• 256GB M.2 SSD
• WIFI 802.11AX
• two USB C 3.2 Gen1 ports
• one USB A 3.2
• Bluetooth 5.1
• foldable screen (you can use it as a tablet or put it in tent mode for example)

As you can see this is a pretty impressive package for just €399,-. So i thought, lets do it. At worst case scenario I’ll just use it as a tablet replacement.

The Lenovo Chromebook in real life

The laptop, or Chromebook in this case makes a solid impression. The Chromebook is mostly made of sturdy polycarbonate material with an aluminum lid. I like the dark grayish color and compact design. On the left you can find on the of the USB-C ports, an USB-A, the headphone jack and a microSD port. on the right there is a second USB-C port and a kensington slot.

The Oled panel

This particular model comes with a Samsung Oled panel. This ensures the screen is vivid and has beautiful blacks. Watching movies on this device is a treat. There is a risk of burn in with an Oled panel, but personally I’m not that concerned as I never use any static images on my screen for prolonged periods. The screen is touch sensitive so when folding it around it can be used like a tablet.

Tablet and tent mode

Like I said, the Lenovo Chromebook can be folded flat. This way the keyboard sits on the back and is automatically disabled. You can use the Chromebook in tablet mode this way which can be handy when you are using some of the apps or streaming services on the couch. I ordered myself a Lenovo USI-pen which this device supports so I can use the pen for drawing or making notes in tablet mode. Another option is to set it in “tent” mode. I use this mode in the kitchen sometimes when I want to look at a recipe for example while cooking.

Keyboard

Lenovo has gotten much praise over the years for their excellent keyboards in their ThinkPad laptops. This Chromebook doesn’t have that same keyboard, but it is still among the better ones I have used on a keyboard. The keyboard has a nice travel and feel to it. There is little flex, unless you press real hard down the middle. The letters are easy to see thanks to the white print on the grey/silver keycaps. I love the fact the keyboard comes with a back-light as well. If you still want to use a separate keyboard though you could check out the Akko 3084B Plus for example. This is the wireless version of the 3084S which I have reviewed on this site.

Audio and connectivity

Audio is ok, nothing that will wow you. For casually watching a show or online conversations it will do just fine. But realistically I think most people pair their portable devices with (wireless) earphones these days. Speaking of wireless, the Lenovo IdeaPad 5 has wifi 6AX and Bluetooth 5.1 which are both not the absolute latest and greatest but still very modern. Good luck finding a portable computer for this price with WIFI 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 though.

Color saturation fix

I did find one issue though which had me concerned I had a defective panel. When watching movies on streaming services or YouTube I sometimes experienced some weird color changes. My screen would give a sudden red or green flickering, at first I thought it had something to do with my settings or the apps I used. Fortunately I found that this is a problem with the automatic display settings in Chrome that does something weird. The color saturation randomly keeps shifting. Until Google finds a fix with a software update there is a way to resolve this manually.

• type in your browser: chrome://flags
• Go to force color profile
• set this to one of the other settings that work for you instead of automatic (for me the best one was SRGB)

Chrome OS

Chrome OS on one hand looks a lot like what you find on most tablets. There are some differences though. Chrome OS is more of a desktop oriented interface which relies on Google’s services, mostly the Chrome browser. In the Chrome browser you can, unlike the mobile version on android tablets, use plugins. Another benefit is the life expectancy. My unit will get software updates for Chrome OS until at least June 2029. With most Android tablets you can feel lucky when you get just 1 update.

One downside is the reliance on internet connectivity. When you don’t have this you can still use your downloaded files or type your text in google’s own alternatives to office but you won’t be able to acces things like Microsoft office which can only be used as an web based version on a Chromebook. This however has been no issue to me so far.

Phone Hub

One of the updates Chrome OS received is the Phone Hub which serves as an extension for your android device. This lets you quickly switch to sites recently visited on your phone, receive notifications and quickly look at the latest shot photos.

Overall impression of the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex5 Chromebook

So far I have been very satisfied with the Chromebook. For me it’s a perfect device to use on the couch, take it with me to the library or just do some casual gaming. The screen is very nice, typing on it is excellent, it’s fast, quiet and doesn’t annoy me with notifications or having to restart with every little change.

The battery life is OK, but I have seen better and occasionally I can hear the fan spin briefly. The build quality is decent enough for me but I managed to get a small dent in the aluminium top which annoys me a bit. I also wished there was a convenient way to store the optional USI pen.

Personally I am very satisfied with the Chromebook and will keep this as my portable device next to my desktop.

Just like with mechanical keyboards, the world of headphones can be quite the rabbit hole. Today we will be taking a look at a headphone that is regularly on sale on Amazon. Is it any good, should you grab one on sale, or is it even worth getting at its MSRP? Let’s take a look at the Sennheiser HD 599 SE.

The Sennheiser HD 599 was originally launched in 2016. It was introduced as a successor to the popular HD 598. The sound on the HD 599 SE has been tuned, improvements have been made to the build and there is a bit more bass.

First up

I am no audiofile, so don ‘t expect any professional measurements or things like that. I am just an audio lover, enthusiastic, or whatever you want to name it. I love listening to music on the headphones I own and want to share my personal experience. If you want professional measurements I can highly recommend Audiosciencereview. There are also a lot of different YouTube videos to be found about headphones, but my personal advice is to always listen to a headphone and see if YOU like the sound.

Sennheiser, what’s in a name?

Chances are small you have never heard of the name Sennheiser. But where does it come from? The name Sennheiser comes from its founders last name; Fritz Sennheiser. Fritz Sennheiser founded the company, then named Laboratory Wennebostel, or simply ‘Labor W’ in 1945. After making equipment for another well known German company: Siemens, Sennheiser soon started making their own products.

Decades after Fritz Sennheiser started the company in a farmhouse, Sennheiser is still in the hands of the family.

You read the entire history of Sennheiser at their website.

The HD 500 series of headphones

The HD 500 series of headphones are a mid-range series from Sennheiser. These headphones provide a healthy mix of great quality sound with affordable prices. They aren’t known for providing great bass though. The series consists of several models with each having slight differences in sound-profile, price and comfort. Most of the models are so-called open back headphones. Open back headphones generally give a wider soundstage but do tend to leak sound. Therefore they are better suited to private listening sessions and not meant for commuting for example.

What’s in the box

The Sennheiser HD 599 comes with two cables, a 1.2 meter cable that ends in 3,5mm and a 3 meter cable which ends in 3,5mm. Sennheiser also includes a 3,5mm to 2,5mm adapter. Both cables end in a 2,5mm plug which locks into the headphone.

Specifications of the Sennheiser HD 599 SE

Feel and comfort

The HD 599 SE is very comfortable to wear. There is nice padding and the velour ear cups feel very soft, they sit around the ears. There is very little pressure and the headphones can be worn for hours without feeling heavy or uncomfortable. When on a hot summer day though the headphone can become a bit uncomfortable to wear. But personally I find this to be true on most headphones. The cables aren’t my favorite; they do tend to make sound when moving them against my shirt for example.

The sound of the Sennheiser HD599 SE

The HD 599 is a very pleasant headphone for listening to almost any genre. Music sounds lively, voices are clear and natural and the soundstage is good. Being an open back headphone, bass isn’t its strongest card but it is still there.

Gaming is also very nice with the HD 599. The headphones give a good sense of the environment while playing online shooters and they are great at positioning all kinds of sounds.

Should you buy the Sennheiser HD599 SE?

The HD 599 SE can regularly be found for around €100,- on Amazon. If you are looking for a comfortable open back headphone to listen to your favorite music I think it is money well spend. These headphones are also very well suited for playing (online) games.

Being very easy to drive at 50 Ohm the headset is very versatile and doesn’t need a headphone amp. It is also great for listening to you favorite playlist on your smartphone.

If you want to analyze every song and hear every crack in a song, these aren’t your headphones. Take a look at the HD 560S instead.

Recently I switched to Noctua NF-A14 Chromax fans for my setup after getting to test these out (review here). As much as I like these fans, I know in the back of my head a new version of these fans is coming up. The 120mm fans already got a successor in the form of the NF-A12X25, so let’s take a look at these in the meantime!

Specifications of the NF-A12X25 Chromax

Size: 120x120x25 mm

Mounting hole spacing: 105×105 mm

Connector & pin-configuration: 4-pin PWM

Cable length: 1cm + 30cm NA-EC1 extension cable

Bearing: SSO2

Blade geometry: A-Series with Flow Acceleration Channels

Frame technology: AAO (Advanced Acoustic Optimisation)

Material: Sterrox® LCP

Rotational speed (+/- 10%): 2000 RPM

Min. rotational speed @ 20% PWM (+/-20%): 450 RPM

Airflow: 102,1 m³/h

Acoustical noise: 22,6 dB(A)

Static pressure: 2,34 mm H₂O

Max. input power: 1,68 W

Max. input current: 0,14 A

Operating voltage: 12 V

Voltage PWM signal: 5 V

MTTF: > 150.000 h

Scope of delivery

• 4x NA-AVP1 chromax.black anti-vibration pads
• 4x NA-AVP1 chromax.blue anti-vibration pads
• 4x NA-AVP1 chromax.green anti-vibration pads
• 4x NA-AVP1 chromax.red anti-vibration pads
• 4x NA-AVP1 chromax.white anti-vibration pads
• 4x NA-AVP1 chromax.yellow anti-vibration pads
• 4x NA-AVP1 grey anti-vibration pads
• NA-AVG1 chromax.black anti-vibration gasket for water cooling radiators
• Fan screws

Warranty

6 years

Unpacking the NF-A12X25 Chromax

The packaging is consistent with the rest of the products in the Chromax line-up I have seen so far. The fan sits neatly in a plastic shell inside the box with one of each included colored anti-vibration pads. In contrast to the NF-A14 thought, additional grey anti-vibration pads come pre-installed. Underneath is a little box which contains 4 screws and the rest of the colored anti vibration pads. The fan cable is detachable, this can come in handy if using a fan splitter for example like the NA-SYC1. Another included accessory is an anti vibration gasket made of silicon. Using this ensures a tighter seal when placing the fans on a radiator.

A closer look at the fan

Metal-reinforced motor hub

The first thing that catches the eye is the big motor hub in the center of the fan. It’s not just for show though. The hubs centerpiece is made from steel with a brass reinforced axle mount. This prevents the fans from wobbling around, something I already noticed being almost absent in the NF-A14 when comparing this to the P14 from Arctic which wobbled around a lot in my setup.

The NF-A12X25 is on Sterrox

Looking closely at the fan blades you can see they aren’t made of the usual solid black PBT or other plastic kind of material. Noctua used its own customized fiber-glass reinforced Liquid Crystal Polymer or LCP. The Austrian based company calls this tech Sterrox. You can check out the link to read about all the technical ins and outs. Using the Sterrox technology allowed Noctua to make a gap of just 0,5mm between the blades and the frame.

Perfect for liquid cooling

anti-vibration gasket

Mounting is as easy as every other fan. The included anti-vibration gasket ensures the fans sit tight on the radiator and prevent air leakage. I have tried these kinds of afterparty rubber frames before but always ended up trashing them because they wouldn’t fit nicely. These actually do; Noctua already has the cutouts for their anti vibration pads, and the anti-vibration gasket makes good use of these.

Replacing my stock AIO fans with the NF-A12X25

I mounted the fans on the radiator of my Deepcool Castle 360EX RGB cooler. The Castle is a very capable liquid cooler with a beautiful infinity mirror design on the pump and some good looking rgb fans. The included fans do their job at cooling very well, but they make quite noise doing so and the build quality is not that amazing. The Noctua fans on the other hand feel very sturdy and hefty. The switch was done fast and simple and I used the Deepcool fan-splitter that came with the AIO to hook them up in sync with each other.

Performance

cooling

My 5900X is being used with PBO enabled and resides in a Phanteks P600S case. I currently use 3 Noctua NF-A14 Chromax fans as intake and one as outtake at the rear. My radiator is mounted on the top of my case. For thermal paste I used Noctua’s NT-H2.

Cooling is excellent as expected; going full out the results are absolutely great with the cpu hitting 67,3 °C max. This is with an ambient temperature of 22,5 °C.

Going to 65% fan speed the max temperature reached 68°C, which is still very good.

When adjusting the fans to a noise normalized setting at 35 dB it is clear the Noctua beats the stock fans Deepcool provides with the AIO. With a higher total package power the Noctua cooler performs better while giving no humming sounds (like the Deepcool fans do).

Sound produced by the NF-A12X25

Let’s continue with the noise a bit here. Like I said before Deepcool included some capable fans, but they do make a lot of sound when spinning these boys up. The NF-A12X25 are something else for sure! The cooling itself was, as expected very good, but the real threat here is the silence at which these fans can do their job! I can easily run these fans at 75% which translates to +/- 1525 rpm while still barely hearing them spin at my desk. Opening up the case I could hear them do their job but this was still very respectable hearing these babies go at high speed! Running the fans to their absolute max the sound I measured on my desk was just 28dB on average and 25,6 at my ear height that is just amazing. I never would consider running fans at max speed before, but this is next level stuff.

Conclusion

Noctua prices are usually higher than that of its competitors. Other companies have stepped up their game in recent years and Noctua isn’t the only one making great fans anymore. The NF-A14 fans and their smaller version have gotten tough competition from brands like Arctic which offer insane value for money with their NP12 fans. The NF-A12X25 however shakes up the market once again. The cooling is outstanding, but even more is the sound, or rather the lack of it these fans put out while cooling at high speeds. Normally I avoid 120mm fans and 360 rads like the plague because of the sound, not an issue anymore with these.

The construction and build quality are also really top notch, so you really get what you pay for with these fans.

Are these worth the asking price of around €32,-? In my opinion they are, considering these come with a solid 6 years warranty and can provide years of outstanding cooling while keeping things quiet. The included silicon gasket is a nice bonus. If you are going for a high-end build components these fans can be a great investment. Personally I can’t wait for the 140mm fans to come out the gates of Noctua so I can replace my NF-A14 fans!

As for RGB, well still a big no here! But there are other ways around that. I bought a Deepcool RGB 200 PRO kit which I could connect to the hub included with my Castle 360. But there are many other options out there ofcourse. I chose this set because it can work in sync with the AIO without needing any software.

The Alice layout has become quite popular due to its ergonomic shape. Akko launched the white acrylic version last year and recently followed up with a spray painted white version. Still there were people wanting a black version. Akko has Finally answered the call with the Alice Plus Black! Fortunately for me I got the chance to test one out myself, so allow me to share my thoughts on this keyboard with you. Its full name is: the Akko Acr Pro Alice Plus Black, but I’ll just refer to it as the Akko Plus Black in this review for the sake of simplicity.

The Alice style layout explained

The Alice layout is one that aims to give users less muscle strain by forcing the wrists outwards like normal keyboards do. It is made with a space between the left and right sides both bending a bit inwards. Both sides have a smaller space-bar instead of just one big version. There are some different variations depending on which manufacturer makes these kinds of boards. Sometimes there are no dedicated arrow keys for example. Akko has chosen to include these, which in my opinion make for a more versatile keyboard. Basically this is a 65% keyboard with a more ergonomic shape.

Unboxing the Akko Alice Plus Black

Specifications

Structure: Gasket Mount
Number of Keys: 68
Case Material: Acrylic+CNC
Keycaps: ASA PBT Keycap Set Pink on Black
Switch: Akko CS Crystal Switch
Plate: Polycarbonate plate
Gasket: Silicone Socks with Regular Silicone Gaskets
PCB Thickness: 1.2mm
Plate Foam: Poron
Switch Pad: Silicone
Case Foam: EVA (not pre-installed, for users who prefer more muted sound profile)
Stabilizers: Akko Plate Mount Lubed Stabilizer (supports screw-in stabilizer as well)
Hot-Swappable: Yes

Direct link to product: Here

Included accessories

The Akko Alice Black comes as a comprehensive package. Included in the box are:

• USB C to A cable, Coiled
• Additional keycaps from the pink on black keycap set
• Keycap puller
• Switch puller
• Extra daughterboard
• Spare silicon gaskets
• Adjustable Acrylic keyboard feet
• Hex Screwdriver

First impressions of the Alice Plus Black

The first thing that surprised me when taking out the keyboard itself was its weight. It feels a lot more solid and hefty then pictures would suggest. It made a good solid impression lifting it up and holding it in my hands. The gasket mount seems to work pretty well here too.

The finish is nice with a solid spray painted black up front and a transparent black backside which extends to the sides of the keyboard. There are 12 gold plated screws on the back which can be removed with the included hex-screwdriver. On the back is a picture with Akko’s mascot and the model name is engraved at the bottom. At first I was surprised to see a B keycap on both the left and right side of the board, but after doing some research this appears to be common with Alice style keyboards.

Akko CS Crystal Switches

The keyboard comes with Akko’s CS Crystal switches. The Crystal switches are one of the newer switches in Akko’s portfolio. They came as the name suggests in an all clear housing made of poly-carbonate. The CS Crystal switch is a relatively light linear switch. The clear housing helps to distribute RGB lights full and bright. A lot of switch housings have a bit of color on them which impacts the RGB, not with the crystal switches though.

The CS Crystal switches are a light switch with an actuation force of 43gf and just 1.6mm of pre-travel. They feel very comfortable to type on, are smooth as butter and are on the clacky side sound-wise. I didn’t feel the need to lube these switches and experienced zero spring-ping or crunchy sounds. I liked these a lot more than the CS Silver switches and could see myself using these on a daily basis.

Keycaps supplied with the Alice Plus Black

The keyboard comes with double shot pbt keycaps in the ASA profile. The theme of the included keycaps is pink on black. The keyboard doesn’t just ship with the keycaps placed on it though. A full set is included so you can re-use these keycaps on almost any board you like, even ISO builds! In my case this seems like a real possibility, as both my wife and daughter immediately fell in love with the included pink novelties all pink caps like that came with it.

No more tape-mod on the stabs needed?

A cool new feature Akko included with the board are their updated stabilizers. The come with pom housings and stems which should eliminate the need for doing band-aid mods to reduce rattling. I can confirm that I didn’t experience any rattling myself. Great job Akko!

Using the Alice Plus Black

I have used the Alice plus black for about a week before writing this review. I can honestly say I am positively surprised about this board. At first I had to get used to the shape of the keyboard. Having used a 96% board for a while now I can really get the appeal people have towards this shape and layout. The keyboard sits a bit higher than my 3098B (review here) does, so I might look for a wrist rest later on. I could use the included keyboard feet but personally I don’t like the idea of having to put these on with adhesive stickers. Meanwhile the rubber domes on the back of the board do a good job of making sure it doesn’t move away. The board also comes with extra smaller gaskets if you want more bounce.

Typing experience with the Alice Plus Black

Typing on the Alice Plus Black is a delightful experience. At first I had to retrain my muscle memory a little bit of course, but this took about a day for me. The CS Crystal switches feel VERY smooth and really combine well with the ergonomic shape of the keyboard. I can see myself using these switches more in the future! The gaskets make for a pleasant cushioned feeling and help make it more quiet as well. You can adjust the feeling, as the board also comes with extra smaller gaskets for if you want more bounce.

I later Included the optional case foam to reduce sounds even more and this really made for a totally smooth and silent board. It is nice to see the EVA foam has cut-outs in all the right places so it fits perfectly. Using this board has convinced me I can actually live with smaller sized models. Something I was always a bit hesitant to do. Typing on this board feels smooth like butter and really helps with feeling less pressure on my wrists.

RGB

As is common nowadays this board comes with optional RGB lightning as well. Thanks to the Crystal switches RGB is full and bright. The keycaps that come with the board do not shine through, but the illumination surrounding them is still pretty good thanks to the CS Crystals. The board comes with a wide variety of RGB and solid color options. From breathing to tracing your keystrokes but also screen mirroring and music mode. Screen mirroring sets the color of the board to the primary one being displayed on your monitor.

Not only is it possible to choose from a variety of colors and patterns to illuminate the switches here though. There is also a second pair of LEDS that can individually be controlled to light up the back and bottom row of the board.

These settings can all be done on the board itself, but it is even easier doing this with Akko’s software suite.

Akko Cloud software

The Akko cloud software helps you set up your keyboard the way you want it. Whether it is setting up macros or rebinding your keys. If for example you rather have Home and End instead of Del and Ins you can adjust this here. This is where all those extra keycaps come in handy! You can also make layers on your keys in the Akko Cloud software. There are people hoping Akko will make their boards compatible with VIA/QMK in the future, the Akko Cloud software isn’t the worst alternative though. It is easy to navigate and use. You can find the software at Akko’s website.

Conclusion

The Akko Alice is a keyboard that really surprised me. I was intrigued by the shape when I first saw these kinds of boards, but always thought it wouldn’t be my cup of tea. Well I teach my kids to try before you say no to food, the same goes for me with keyboards I guess! I absolutely love the typing experience the Alice keyboard gives me. The shape feels a bit alien at first but I adapted quickly and really found it to be comfortable.

Not only does the shape of the board contribute to the typing comfort though. The gasket design adds to this as well. But the biggest surprise to me was the fact I really like the Crystal switches that come with the board. These are very smooth and light, but not too light. They feel so incredibly good straight out of the gate that I didn’t feel the need to lube these. The same goes for the upgrades stabilizers that come with the board. These do not need a band-aid mod at all!

Is everything great? No, personally I wished there were some retractable feet on the board itself or made these a screw-in option or something. I don’t like to add things to my keyboard with adhesive stickers. I might look at a wrist rest in the future. Another thing I would personally love is a wireless option, but this is more a desire from a clean-desk standpoint. Minor things that don’t make this keyboard any less desirable. If you are looking for an ergonomically shaped keyboard which comes in a very complete package at a very competitive price, look no further!

The Alice Plus Black with discount

Want to get the Alice Plus Black with a nice 10% off? Use HELLOAKKO as your coupon code at akkogear.eu. You can use this for your first order. Why not get some nice keycaps while you are at it? The black and cyan looks great on this board!

Disclaimer

This product was sent to me by Akkogear.de for review. I did not get paid to write this review and my opinions are my own. This review is also posted in dutch at Tweakers.met you can check it out here

Some links here are affiliate links, when using these links to order a product you support my website by getting more products in for reviewing.

Introduction

Not having used an air cooler for a few years now, I always remained curious about the performance of the Noctua air coolers. I used to have the famous Cooler master Evo 212 which did pretty good on my 4790K. After recently taking a look at their Chromax fans, I got a chance to review a Noctua cooler. Not just any cooler, but the NH-D15 Chromax Black Swap. This is the beefiest cooler Noctua has in its line-up at the moment. Not only did they send me this big boy, they also included their NT-H2 thermal paste and two boxes of Heatsink covers, which helps you match the cooler in style with the rest of your build.

Specifications

Images

Cooler Specification Noctua NH-D15 Chromax Black

Socket compatibility

Intel LGA1700 (included since Q4 2021, older coolers require NM-i17xx-MP83), LGA1200, LGA1156, LGA1155, LGA1151, LGA1150, LGA2066, LGA2011-0, LGA2011-3 (Square ILM) & AMD AM4, AM5

Height (without fan): 160 mm

Width (without fan): 150 mm

Depth (without fan): 135 mm

Weight (without fan): 980 g

Height (with fan): 165 mm

Width (with fan): 150 mm

Depth (with fan): 161 mm

Weight (with fan): 1320 g

Material: Copper (base and heat-pipes), aluminium (cooling fins), soldered joints & nickel plating

NSPR: 183

Max. TDP: see NSPR

Fan compatibility: 140x150x25 (with 120mm mounting holes), 140x140x25 (with 120mm mounting holes), 120x120x25

Scope of delivery

• Black NH-D15 heatsink
• 2x NF-A15 HS-PWM chromax.black premium fan
• 2x Low-Noise Adaptor (L.N.A.)
• 4-pin PWM Y-cable
• NT-H1 high-grade thermal compound
• Black SecuFirm2™ Mounting Kit
• Noctua Metal Case-Badge

Warranty: 6 Years

FAN Specification

Model: 2x Noctua NF-A15 HS-PWM chromax.black

Bearing: SSO2

Max. rotational speed (+/- 10%): 1500 RPM

Max. rotational speed with L.N.A. (+/- 10%): 1200 RPM

Min. rotational speed @ 20% PWM (+/-20%): 300 RPM

Max. airflow: 140,2 m³/h

Max. airflow with L.N.A.: 115,5 m³/h

Max. acoustical noise: 24,6 dB(A)

Max. acoustical noise with L.N.A.: 19,2 dB(A)

Voltage range: 12 V

MTTF: > 150.000 h

Measurements & Clearance of Noctua NH-D15 Chromax Black Swap

Unboxing the Noctua NH-D15 Chromax Black

Opening up the large black box reveals a nicely organised set of separate packages. There is of course a large box which houses the cooler itself. One of the two included fans comes pre-mounted whereas another is packaged separately. Lastly there is a box containing all of the included accessories. Noctua delivers a very complete package here for both Intel and AMD systems. Not only do you get all the relevant parts to mount the cooler to modern AMD and Intel sockets, you als get extra’s like a case badge, low noise adapters, and a syringe of the high quality NT-H1 thermal paste.

Taking a closer look

The NH-D15 Chromax makes a solid impression. Everything feels sturdy, no flimsy feeling fins and everything is made in a solid black color. They didn’t forget the heatpipes either which I can appreciate. It’s this attention to detail that makes Noctua set itself apart from other brands. The one thing not being painted black is the nickel plated copper baseplate. The baseplate looks very smooth and almost like a matte mirror. Nice!

Installing the Noctua NH-D15 Chromax on a X570 board

The right tools

Noctua included all the tools I needed for my AMD system. If you happen to buy a new cpu in the future Noctua will almost certainly be able to provide you with any needed mounting system. Just contact them and they will be happy to send out the right bracket for you. This is a great service and gives the consumer the reasurrence they make a good investment with this cooler.

Cooling Paste

Noctua included a syringe of their well knows NT-H1 thermal paste. I did however used the newer NT-H2 paste which Noctua included in the package they send to me. This is an improved version which should keep temperatures even better in check while using it on high end processors. I wiped off almost all of the thermal paste on my cpu. Using the NA-SCW1 alcohol wipes Noctua provides with their thermal paste I was able to get every last bit of residue off my cpu. The Cooling paste itself was easy to apply.

Difficulty of installation

Installing the cooler was quite easy. The hardest part was keeping the backplate from the AMD motherboard in place. In the past I had horrible experiences with installing air coolers. I couldn’t reach the screws, the fan mounting system was terrible or I cut myself on sharp fins. Installing this cooler went pretty fast. It only needed two screws to mount down on the baseplate. There was a large screwdriver included in the package which came in handy here. The fans could be easily clipped in place and I used the included Y-splitter to mount the two fans to my CPU-header.

Heatsink Cover

The heatsink cover was pretty easy to add to the cooler. You just choose the colored strip you want put and put at the back of the unit that clips on the cooler. Then it’s just a matter of putting the metal cover on top. Everything sits secure and well thanks to the build in magnets.

Performance

In all honesty I didn’t think an air cooler could come anything near my Arctic Liquid Freezer II , which is considered as one of the best AIO’s at the moment. Well I was very pleasantly surprised. I didn’t get the same temperatures, But I got much closer than I expected. I set all the fans in my system at which gave me very good results without being too noisy. With these settings I wasn’t bothered by the sound of my system standing under my desk.

Temperatures and results

When running Cinebench R23 the maximum temperature of my CPU got to 72°C. When doing a Timespy run the results weren’t too far off from my run with the 280mm mounted on top. After removing one of the top exhaust fans, I got even better results. The difference was only 4°C compared to the AIO. Do note that an AIO comes with the potential risk of leakage!

Final Looks

Well looks are personal and beauty isn’t everything they say. But Personally I think this is one of the most aesthetically pleasing builds I have made so far! But don’t take my word for it, take a look for yourself at the picture below. I have added the Noctua NF-A14 Chromax Black Swap fans from my other review to make the build complete.

Conclusion of the Noctua NH-D15 Chromax

The Noctua Chromax NH-D15 is a true beast. Not only does it look like one, it also cools like one. Keeping the temperature of my 5900x in tests like Timespy just 4°C lower than one of the best selling 280mm AIO coolers is very respectable. The cooler, despite being big is quite easy to assemble thanks to the well made manual and choices made in the design.

The cooler comes with well packed and with everything you need to install it on your favorite processor. The included NT-H1 cooling paste is one of the best on the market. If you want even better results you can buy the new NT-H2 paste.

The price is higher then some of its competitors but buying this cooler is an investment which will be sure to cool not only your current CPU but also the ones in your future builds. This is thanks to Noctua’s commitment to its customers, providing mounting plates for future sockets when needed.

I can highly recommend this cooler and to anyone looking for a high quality, maintenance free cooling solution.

This review of the Steelseries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless was originally posted in Dutch on Tweakers.net, the biggest techsite of the Benelux. This is a translation which for the most part has been kept the same.

Tweakers Test Panel

I was one of the lucky ones to be able to review a product as a member of the Tweakers Testpanel. They gave me the chance to test one of the Steelseries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless headsets. This was great news as I recently started using a wireless mouse and keyboard. I was already experiencing a lot less clutter on my desk because of this. I received a phone call from the courier company that delivered the headset on behalf of Tweakers.net After making an appointment, the headset got delivered the following day.

Specs of the Steelseries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless

Supported devices

• PC (with Sonar, windows 10 and higher)
• Mac (USB)
• Switch (USB)
• PS4/PS5 (USB)
• Mobile (Bluetooth)

Software requirements

GG + Engine: Windows 8.1 and above, Mac OS 10.13 and above

GG + Sonar Audio Software Suite: Windows 10 and above (required for ChatMix)

Speaker Drivers

Neodymium Drivers: 40 mm

Headphone Frequency Response (Wired): 10–40,000 Hz

Headphone Frequency Response (Wireless): 10–22,000 Hz

Headphone Sensitivity: 93 dBSPL

Headphone Impedance: 38 Ohm

Headphone Total Harmonic Distortion: < 1%

High-Res Audio Capable: Yes (Headphone Speakers)

Active Noise Cancellation: 4-mic hybrid design with Transparency Mode

Microphone

Microphone Type: ClearCast Gen 2 – Fully Retractable Boom

Microphone Polar Pattern: Bidirectional Noise-Canceling

Microphone Frequency Response: 100-6500 Hz

Microphone Sensitivity: -38 dBV/Pa

Microphone Impedance: 2200 Ohm

Infinity power system

Number of Batteries: 2

At Home: Non-stop battery with hot-swap (within 8 seconds)

On-the-go: 44 Hours – 2.4GHz Quantum 2.0 Gaming Wireless / 36 Hours – 2.4GHz Quantum 2.0 Gaming Wireless + BT (18-22 hours per battery)

Fast Charge: 15 mins for 3 hours play

Dual wireless

Bluetooth Wireless: v 5.0

Gaming Wireless: Low Latency 2.4 GHz

Dual Connection: Simultaneous 2.4 Ghz & BT

Wireless Range: 40 ft / 12m (2.4 GHz)

Box content

• Arctis Nova Pro Wireless Headset
• Wireless Base Station
• 2x USB-C System Connections, 1x Line-in, 1x Line-out
• 2x Lithium Ion Batteries
• 2x USB-C to USB-A Cable (5 ft / 1.5m)
• 3.5mm to 3.5mm Audio Cable – 5 pole to 4 pole (4 ft / 1.2m)
• 2x Removable Magnetic Ear Plates
• Microphone Pop Filter

Unpacking the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless

Exterior

The Steelseries Arctis Nova Pro comes in a big box. The headphones are shown on the front of the box together with the supplied DAC. As you can see, this version is suitable for both the PC and the Playstation 4 and 5. There is also a version that works with recent Xbox consoles. On the sides, seen from the front, on the left some quotes from reviewers and on the right the technical specifications. A number of USPs of the Arctic Wireless Pro are highlighted on the back.

In the box

When opening the box, you immediately see the bag that contains the headphones. Below that is a manual with in this case a card with the text First Edition. Between the headphones is the supplied DAC. More on this later.

On the lower part of the box you will find a red box containing the following accessories:

• 2 x USB-A to USB-C cables
• 1x Audio jack 3.5 to 3.5 mm
• 1x pop filter for microphone
• 1x Extra battery

First Impressions of the Arctis Nova Wireless Pro

The headset gave me a good first impression. The headset is mostly black with a so-called space silver look on the headband and ear cups. It’s not a head turning look. Most buttons can be found on the left earcup. Here you will find the on/off button, the microphone switch and the volume wheel. The retractable microphone and 3.5mm connection can also be found here. A button has been placed on the right earcup controlling the bluetooth function.

Build quality

As mentioned, the headset looks quite understated but feels solid. The headset is mainly made of plastic. Plastic has one big advantage over metal; it is light and therefore less likely to have a tiring effect while wearing. It also transmits less cold and heat to the user as metal does. A metal strip is mounted on top of the headband. The headset is easy to adjust in height, although there is no noticeable click while doing so. All in all the headset comes across as sturdy and doesn’t creak anywhere.

Earcups

There is a magnetic cover on both ear cups. These immediately reminded me of an earlier model of Steelseries which I have used in the past. Although this was a headphone where the covers were purely cosmetic, they now both hide a different function. Under the left cover you will find a USB-C connection and under the right the removable battery.

The ear cups themselves are made of artificial leather. This feels very comfortable and seem to have memory foam in inside of them. Removing the earcups also reveals one of the microphones that assist in the noise cancellation. I have read a number of stories where people indicated that they felt these and where bothered by it. For me personally, this has not been the case during testing. The ear cups are easy to rotate. This way you can fold the headset flat and transport it more conveniently.

Replacing the earcups of the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless

There’s something else about the ear cups that I’m personally a little concerned about. These are provided with a plastic cover with which you have to click them into place. I had a similar system with a Philips Fidelio Bluetooth headset. These earpads, also made of Pleather, needed to be replaced after a few years. Due to the very specific way of clicking into place, replacing it was no longer reasonably possible. I hope that Steelseries itself or a third party will release replacements for this headset in the future.

Removable Comfort Headband

The Arctis Nova Pro Wireless has a so-called comfort band; a flexible soft band that stretches with you. This band rests on the head and adapts to its shape. This provides an extremely comfortable feeling. There is a plastic belt which has various triangular structures in which there seems to be a soft foam. The strap can be adjusted in height if desired and is interchangeable.

Operating the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless

In general, I like the buttons on the headset. I do find switching it on and off confusing and I would have preferred a slider for this function, such as with my Bose 45 headset. I sometimes think to turn the set on or off, which does not seem to go well in practice.

Wireless Base Station

The Steelseries Arctic Nova Pro Wireless comes with a wireless base station. This makes it possible to connect the headset to the PC with a 2.4GHz connection. The main advantage compared to a bluetooth connection is that there is less latency. Of course during competitive games you don’t want to hear the footsteps behind you a second too late!

The base station is relatively small in size, about as wide and less deep as my DAC/AMP from Topping. There are two USB-C connections on the back for, for example, the PC or console connection. A 3.5mm line-in and line-out can also be found here. The unit itself is made of plastic and has an OLED screen. The display shows all information in white; there are no options for other colors. A large rotary knob has also been placed on the front. Finally, there is a recess on the side where one of the batteries can be placed to charge it.

On the base station itself you can read things like the volume, the bitrate that is used and the balance between the right and left channels. The volume knob can also be used to navigate the menu. You can confirm by pressing this button, while navigating back is done by means of a capacitive circle on the screen.

Software for the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless

To use the base station properly, it is necessary to download the steelseries GG software. When using the software, there was an immediate request to provide the headset with new firmware.

Engine

The headset can be fully configured to taste in the Engine software. For example, there are an equalizer, audio presets for music, games and speech, but you can also configure when the headset should go into standby.

Under the heading Apps, there are various settings that can be applied to the screen of the wireless receiver. For example, it is possible to show stats from your PC, discord messages can be displayed or song info from Tidal.
Finally, it is possible to link specific settings to individual games; for example, opting for more bass in Hitman 3 and focusing more on vocals in a game like Hades.

Sonar

Sonar is a must-have in my opinion if you want to get the most out of the Arctis Nova Pro wireless. Here you can really go wild to personalize the headset. There is a more extensive 10-band equalizer, more presets, smart volume, but also spatial audio. With spatial audio you can fine-tune where and how your sound should be positioned. This way you can adjust the distance of the sound, but you can also move a slider either towards performance or immersion.

Sonar has another card up his sleeve. There is Clearcast ; AI driven Noise cancellation which is still in early access. Noise gate cuts sound when it falls below a certain level, while Smart voice keeps sounds at a preferred level. After all, Noise Reduction is there to filter out things like keystrokes and case fans during recordings.

Sound quality of the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless

I have used the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless to play games, listen to music, make phone calls and watch movies. My experiences have been largely positive.

Listening

Games

I started using the headset while gaming. I really enjoyed sound in games like Hitman 3 where the sound was very detailed. Dialogues in the game were easy to understand and sound from, for example, throwing away a crowbar came in more impactful. Sea of ​​Thieves was a great experience with the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless. The music, but also the sound of confrontations on the high seas with another crew, fantastic! Spatial audio really adds something to games, enemies can be heard coming from all sides and directions.

Music

Tears in rain, Bladerunner soundtrack, Vangelis

I played this song on the clear vocal settings, full immersion and the very close range. In the beginning you can hear Rutger Hauer doing his iconic monologue. I had the feeling that I myself was kneeling in my trench coat with him. Awesome!

Your latest trick, Brothers in Arms, Dire Straights

The intro with trumpet (CD version) but also the saxophone can be heard well next to the vocals in the song with the Punchy setting. Occasionally the music sounded a bit too shrill for me, but adjusting the equalizer and the various presets is easy enough to set things straight.

The Business, The Business, Tiësto

This song, of course, was set to the Deep Bass preset. The bass got a nice boost without completely ruining the vocals. bass-heads can also have fun with this headset!

Recording

Gaming

While playing games, I didn’t get any negative feedback. When I asked how well I could be heard, I was told that I was well understood. People sometimes thought my voice sounded a bit too soft though. Perhaps this is a software setting that I have overlooked. Or it is something a firmware update is able to fix.

Calling

During a telephone conversation, I was clearly understood by the other person. I did get the comment that it was very good to hear that I happened to be taking a plate out of the dishwasher. Apart from that, the person I called was surprised when I told them I was calling with a headset. I could also understand the other person very well.

Sample recording

This is a recording made with the Steelseries Arctis Nova Pro wireless headset. Clearcast AI is not enabled.

This recording is made with clearcast enabled and set to the default settings.

Bluetooth

The bluetooth connection works great with my phone, Chromebook, and Windows laptop. The range and stability are excellent. However, I did experience an annoying drawback. While playing movies on my Chromebook, I noticed a lag. I couldn’t get this resolved myself and ended up using the headset wired. I think using the latest bluetooth 5.2 would have been a better option here.

ANC

Unfortunately, I think the ANC is less successful. I may have been spoiled with a Bose QC-45 headset though. The Steelseries headset does not reach this level. I can barely tell the difference between on and off. I can still hear sounds coming through in the background that I can’t hear while using the Bose.

Pricing

The Steelseries Arctis Pro has a suggested retail price of €379 in Europe and $349,- in the US. Although this is not a small amount, you do get a lot for your money. Not only do you get excellent sound, but you also get a great microphone and a wireless DAC for a stable 2.4 GHz connection. Finally, there is the software which really has added value in this case. For this amount you actually get two headphones, because it can also be used on the go thanks to bluetooth and a 3.5mm connection. The design is quite understated and the microphone is neatly tucked away, so you don’t have to worry about people staring at you.

Verdict

For the most part the Steelseries Arctis Wireless Pro headset is an excellent product. The headset is lightweight and feels solid despite the use of mostly plastic materials. Using interchangeable batteries that can be charged in the DAC are excellent choices. I would have liked to have seen a separate charger for a weekend trip, for example though.

The headband and ear cushions are made of fine material and provide great comfort. It’s nice to see that Steelseries makes it easy to replace the headband and covers and let you personalize them with other colors. I hope they will also sell individual earpads as they require a special click adapter. For me personally this is a disadvantage given previous experiences with other brands. Hopefully Steelseries handles this well.

The software is also fantastic and of added value. The connection of bluetooth could be better, perhaps this can be adjusted through a software update. The ANC is nice to have but not that great. All in all, I am very satisfied with the Steelseries Arctis Pro Wireless and can heartily recommend it if you are looking for a premium wireless headset.