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  1. Table of Contents
  2. Top
  3. Main Differences
  4. Design
    1. Style
    2. Comfort
    3. Controls
    4. Breathability
    5. Portability
    6. Case
    7. Build Quality
    8. Stability
    9. Headshots 1
    10. Headshots 2
    11. Top
    12. In The Box
  5. Sound
    1. Sound Profile
    2. Frequency Response Consistency
    3. Raw Frequency Response
    4. Bass Profile: Target Compliance
    5. Mid-Range Profile: Target Compliance
    6. Treble Profile: Target Compliance
    7. Peaks/Dips
    8. Imaging
    9. Passive Soundstage
    10. Virtual Soundstage
    11. Weighted Harmonic Distortion
    12. Test Settings
  6. Isolation
    1. Noise Isolation - Full Range
    2. Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios
    3. Noise Isolation - Voice Handling
    4. ANC Wind Handling
    5. Leakage
  7. Microphone
    1. Microphone Style
    2. Recording Quality
    3. Noise Handling
  8. Active Features
    1. Battery
    2. App Support
  9. Connectivity
    1. Wired Connection
    2. Bluetooth Connection
    3. Wireless Connection (Dongle)
    4. PC Compatibility
    5. PlayStation Compatibility
    6. Xbox Compatibility
    7. Base/Dock
  10. Comments

Astro A50 Gen 4 Wireless 2019 vs SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

Astro A50 Gen 4
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro

Tested using Methodology v1.8

Updated Jan 08, 2025 08:21 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.8

Updated Jan 21, 2025 08:21 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Astro A50 Gen 4 Wireless 2019 Picture
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Picture

Variants

  • A50 Gen 4 2019 (PC/PS4)
  • A50 Gen 4 2019 (PC/Xbox One)
  • Arctis Nova Pro (Black)
  • Arctis Nova Pro for Xbox (Black)

Our Verdict

Astro A50 Gen 4 Wireless 2019

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro

Depending on how you game, you may prefer either the Astro A50 Gen 4 Wireless 2019 or the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro. The Astro are wireless gaming headphones that are more comfortable, better built, and have more consistent audio delivery. Additionally, their boom mic has a significantly better overall performance. However, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro are wired headphones that come with a GameDAC so that you can make adjustments as you game. Their companion software offers significant customization features too.

0

Check Price

PC/PS4
A50 Gen 4 2019
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Arctis Nova Pro
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
PC/Xbox One
A50 Gen 4 2019
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Arctis Nova Pro for Xbox
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Main Differences for

Threshold 

0.10

Neutral Sound 

7.6
7.1

Treble Profile: Target Compliance 
 

7.2
5.4

Frequency Response Consistency 
 

8.6
5.3

Passive Soundstage 
 

6.8
5.5

Full Comparison

Design

Style  

Design Picture 2  

Astro A50 Gen 4 Wireless 2019 Design Picture 2
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Design Picture 2

Type  

Over-ear
Over-ear

Enclosure  

Semi-Open
Closed-Back

Wireless  

Yes
No

Transducer  

Dynamic
Dynamic

Show text

Comfort 
 

8.0
7.5

Comfort Picture  

Astro A50 Gen 4 Wireless 2019 Comfort Picture
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Comfort Picture

Weight  

0.8 lbs
0.66 lbs

Clamping Force 
 

1.3 lbs
1 lbs

Show text

Controls 
 

6.2
6.2

Controls Picture  

Astro A50 Gen 4 Wireless 2019 Controls Picture
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Controls Picture

OS Compatibility 
 

Not OS specific
Not OS specific

Ease Of Use  

Good
Good

Feedback  

Good
Good

Call/Music Control  

No
No

Volume Control  

Yes
Yes

Microphone Control  

Mute/Unmute
Mute/Unmute

Channel Mixing 
 

Yes
Yes

Noise Cancelling Control  

No
No

Talk-Through 
 

No
No

Additional Controls  

Presets + Surround Sound
Multi function

Show text

Breathability 
 

6.4

Breathability After Picture  

Astro A50 Gen 4 Wireless 2019 Breathability After Picture

Avg.Temp.Difference  

5.9 °C

Show text

Portability 
 

5.4
6.0

Portability Picture  

Astro A50 Gen 4 Wireless 2019 Portability Picture
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Portability Picture

 

10.2" (25.9 cm)
7.5" (19.0 cm)

 

7.9" (20.0 cm)
6.7" (17.0 cm)

 

2.6" (6.7 cm)
2.0" (5.1 cm)

Volume  

211.79 in³ (3,470.60 cm³)
100.51 in³ (1,647.00 cm³)

Transmitter Required  

Yes
No

Show text

Case 
 

0.0
5.0

Case Picture  

Astro A50 Gen 4 Wireless 2019 Case Picture
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Case Picture

Type  

No case
Pouch

 

N/A
N/A

 

N/A
N/A

 

N/A
N/A

Volume  

N/A
N/A

Show text

Build Quality 
 

8.0
7.5

Build Quality Picture  

Astro A50 Gen 4 Wireless 2019 Build Quality Picture
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Build Quality Picture

Show text

Stability 
 

6.5
6.5

Stability Picture  

Astro A50 Gen 4 Wireless 2019 Stability Picture
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Stability Picture

Show text

Headshots 1  

Angled Picture  

Astro A50 Gen 4 Wireless 2019 Angled Picture
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Angled Picture

Side Picture  

Astro A50 Gen 4 Wireless 2019 Side Picture
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Side Picture

Headshots 2  

Front Picture  

Astro A50 Gen 4 Wireless 2019 Front Picture
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Front Picture

Rear Picture  

Astro A50 Gen 4 Wireless 2019 Rear Picture
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Rear Picture

Top  

Top Picture  

Astro A50 Gen 4 Wireless 2019 Top Picture
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Top Picture

In The Box  

In The Box Picture  

Astro A50 Gen 4 Wireless 2019 In The Box Picture
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro In The Box Picture

Show text

Sound

Sound Profile 
 

Sound Profile  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Normalization Frequency 
 

950 Hz
600 Hz

Bass Amount 
 

-2.1 dB
4.3 dB

Treble Amount 
 

-0.3 dB
-0.2 dB

Show text

Frequency Response Consistency 
 

8.6
5.3

Consistency L  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Consistency R  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Avg. Std. Deviation 
 

0.29 dB
1.55 dB

Show text

Raw Frequency Response 
 

Raw FR L  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Raw FR R  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Bass Profile: Target Compliance 
 

7.8
7.8

Bass Profile: Target Compliance  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

RMS Deviation From Target 
 

4.3 dB
4.7 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

38.05 Hz
20 Hz

Low Bass 
 

-5.86 dB
4.26 dB

Mid Bass 
 

-0.18 dB
4.1 dB

High Bass 
 

1.77 dB
4.59 dB

Show text

Mid-Range Profile: Target Compliance 
 

8.4
8.5

Mid-Range Profile: Target Compliance  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

RMS Deviation From Target 
 

1.61 dB
1.51 dB

Low Mid 
 

0.3 dB
-1.44 dB

Mid-Mid 
 

-1.5 dB
0.79 dB

High Mid 
 

1.48 dB
1.57 dB

Show text

Treble Profile: Target Compliance 
 

7.2
5.4

Treble Profile: Target Compliance  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

RMS Deviation From Target 
 

3.12 dB
4.7 dB

Low Treble 
 

-1.42 dB
-2.65 dB

Mid Treble 
 

1.22 dB
3.08 dB

High Treble 
 

-5.63 dB
-3.76 dB

Show text

Peaks/Dips 
 

7.0
6.8

Peaks/Dips Graph 
 

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Peaks 
 

1.71 dB
1.78 dB

Dips 
 

2.19 dB
2.55 dB

Show text

Imaging 
 

8.0
9.0

Group Delay  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Phase Response Mismatch  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Weighted Group Delay 
 

0.28
0.28

Weighted Phase Mismatch 
 

5.92
3.37

Weighted Amplitude Mismatch 
 

1.56
0.29

Weighted Frequency Mismatch 
 

1.95
1.39

Show text

Passive Soundstage 
 

6.8
5.5

PRTF  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

PRTF Accuracy (Std. Dev.) 
 

2.23 dB
3.04 dB

PRTF Size (Avg.) 
 

2.51 dB
7.12 dB

PRTF Distance 
 

7.77 dB
13.26 dB

Openness 
 

9.1
4.9

Acoustic Space Excitation 
 

6.8
2.5

Show text

Virtual Soundstage 
 

2.0
2.0

Virtual Soundstage  

Astro A50 Gen 4 Wireless 2019 Virtual Soundstage
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Virtual Soundstage

Head Modeling 
 

No
No

Speaker Modeling 
 

On/Off
On/Off

Room Ambience 
 

No
No

Head Tracking 
 

No
No

Virtual Surround 
 

Dolby 7.1
Windows Sonic Spatial Audio

Show text

Weighted Harmonic Distortion 
 

7.5
7.7

Weighted Harmonic Distortion  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

WHD @ 90 
 

0.282
0.351

WHD @ 100 
 

0.174
0.114

Show text

Test Settings 
 

Firmware 
 

39964.43
2.4.0

Power 
 

On
USB

Connection 
 

Wireless (Proprietary)
USB

Codec 
 

PCM, 24-bit, 48kHz
PCM, 24-bit, 48kHz

Test Instrument  

Audio Precision APx517B
Audio Precision APx517B

EQ 
 

Studio
Default

ANC 
 

No ANC
No ANC

Tip/Pad 
 

Default
Default

Microphone 
 

Boom
Boom

Show text

Isolation

Noise Isolation - Full Range 
 

2.3
5.1

Noise Isolation - Full Range Graph  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Noise Cancelling  

No
No

Overall Attenuation 
 

-5.23 dB
-12.39 dB

Bass 
 

1.54 dB
4.08 dB

Mid 
 

-0.99 dB
-12.57 dB

Treble 
 

-18.11 dB
-32.16 dB

Show text

Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios 
 

2.6
4.1

Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios Graph  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Airplane Noise Attenuation 
 

-4.35 dB
-8.64 dB

Airplane Noise Isolation Audio 
 

Office Noise Attenuation 
 

-5.16 dB
-9.21 dB

Office Noise Isolation Audio 
 

Street Noise Attenuation 
 

-4.89 dB
-10.27 dB

Street Noise Isolation Audio 
 

Show text

Noise Isolation - Voice Handling 
 

Female Voice 1 
 

Male Voice 1 
 

Female Voice 2 
 

Male Voice 2 
 

ANC Wind Handling 
 

ANC Wind Handling Graph  

Astro A50 Gen 4 Wireless 2019 ANC Wind Handling Graph
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro ANC Wind Handling Graph

ANC Wind Noise 
 

N/A
N/A

Leakage 
 

4.2
7.8

Leakage  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Leakage Audio 
 

Overall Leakage @ 1ft 
 

53.37 dB
34.87 dB

Show text

Microphone

Microphone Style 
 

Integrated 
 

No
No

In-Line 
 

No
No

Boom 
 

Yes
Yes

Detachable Boom 
 

No
No

Mic  

Yes
Yes

Recording Quality 
 

8.6
8.5

Microphone Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Recorded Speech 
 

LFE 
 

20 Hz
20 Hz

FR Std. Dev. 
 

1.36 dB
3.03 dB

HFE 
 

6,267.15 Hz
9,255.5 Hz

Weighted THD 
 

0.105
0.097

Gain 
 

16.63 dB
21.47 dB

Show text

Noise Handling 
 

8.3
7.2

SpNR  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

SpNR 
 

39.29 dB
17.52 dB

Noise Gate 
 

On/Off Toggle
On/Off Toggle

Speech + Pink Noise Handling 
 

8.5
7.0

Speech + Pink Noise Audio Sample  

Speech + Subway Noise Handling 
 

8.0
7.5

Speech + Subway Noise Audio Sample  

Show text

Active Features

Battery 
 

8.0
0.0

Battery Type 
 

Rechargable
No Battery

Continuous Battery Life 
 

17.5 hrs
N/A

Additional Charges 
 

0.0
N/A

Total Battery Life 
 

17.5 hrs
N/A

Charge Time 
 

4.4 hrs
N/A

Power-Saving Feature 
 

Auto-Off Timer
No

Audio While Charging 
 

Yes
No

Passive Playback 
 

No
Passive Headphone

Charging Port  

micro-USB
None

Show text

App Support 
 

6.0
8.5

App Picture  

Astro A50 Gen 4 Wireless 2019 App Picture
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro App Picture

App Name  

Astro Command Center
Steelseries GG

iOS  

No
No

Android  

No
No

macOS  

Yes
Yes

Windows  

Yes
Yes

Equalizer 
 

Graphic + Presets
Parametric + Presets

ANC Control 
 

No
No

Mic Control  

Adjustable Level
Adjustable Level

Room Effects 
 

No
No

Playback Control 
 

No
No

Button Mapping  

No
No

Surround Support 
 

No
Yes

Show text

Connectivity

Wired Connection 
 

0.0
9.5

Cable Picture  

Astro A50 Gen 4 Wireless 2019 Cable Picture
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Cable Picture

Analog Audio 
 

No
Yes

USB Audio 
 

No
USB Type A

Detachable 
 

No
Yes

Length 
 

N/A
5.05 ft (1.54 m)

Connector 
 

No Wired Option
1/8" TRRRS

Latency - Analog 
 

N/A
0.2 ms

Latency - USB 
 

N/A
17.4 ms

Recorded Latency 
 

N/A

Recorded Latency Connection  

No Wired Audio
USB

Show text

Bluetooth Connection 
 

0.0
0.0

Bluetooth Version 
 

No Bluetooth
No Bluetooth

Multi-Device Pairing 
 

No
No

Quick Pair (Android) 
 

No
No

Quick Pair (iOS) 
 

No
No

Line Of Sight Range 
 

N/A
N/A

Latency - SBC 
 

N/A
N/A

Latency - aptX 
 

N/A
N/A

Latency - aptX Adaptive (High Quality) 
 

N/A
N/A

Latency - aptX Adaptive (Low Latency) 
 

N/A
N/A

Latency - LDAC 
 

N/A
N/A

Recorded Latency 
 

N/A
N/A

Recorded Latency Codec  

No Bluetooth Audio
No Bluetooth Audio

AAC Support 
 

No
No

Wireless Connection (Dongle) 
 

8.8
0.0

Line Of Sight Range 
 

57.00 ft (17.37 m)
N/A

Latency - Dongle 
 

11 ms
N/A

Recorded Latency 
 

N/A

Show text

PC Compatibility 
 

Analog 
 

No
Audio + Microphone

Wired USB 
 

No
Audio + Microphone

Non-BT Wireless 
 

Audio + Microphone
No

Show text

PlayStation Compatibility 
 

PS4 Analog 
 

No
Audio + Microphone

PS4 Wired USB 
 

No
Audio + Microphone

PS4 Non-BT Wireless 
 

Audio + Microphone
No

PS5 Analog 
 

No
Audio + Microphone

PS5 Wired USB 
 

No
Audio + Microphone

PS5 Non-BT Wireless 
 

Audio + Microphone
No

Show text

Xbox Compatibility 
 

Xbox One Analog 
 

No
Audio + Microphone

Xbox One Wired USB 
 

No
No

Xbox One Non-BT Wireless 
 

Audio Only
No

Xbox Series X|S Analog 
 

No
Audio + Microphone

Xbox Series X|S Wired USB 
 

No
No

Xbox Series X|S Non-BT Wireless 
 

No
No

Show text

Base/Dock 
 

9.0
7.0

Type 
 

Wireless Dock
Wired USB dock

USB Input 
 

Yes
Yes

Line In 
 

Yes
Yes

Line Out 
 

No
Yes

Optical Input 
 

Yes
No

RCA Input 
 

No
No

Dock Charging 
 

Yes
No

Power Supply 
 

USB
USB-C

Show text

Check Price

PC/PS4
A50 Gen 4 2019
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Arctis Nova Pro
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
PC/Xbox One
A50 Gen 4 2019
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Arctis Nova Pro for Xbox
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Astro A50 Gen 4 Wireless 2019

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro

Comments

  1. Comparison

Astro A50 Gen 4 vs SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro: Main Discussion

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