Skip to content
Specdex
Compare now
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 (Black) · Midnight Black — Gaming · 2024 · Black
SteelSeries

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 (Black) · Midnight Black

Gaming · 2024 · Black

82
/ 100
From $129
VS
Sonos Ace wins by 5
Sonos Ace — TV Audio Swap · Dolby Atmos · Wireless Home Theater
Sonos

Sonos Ace

TV Audio Swap · Dolby Atmos · Wireless Home Theater

87
/ 100
From $449
Specdex verdict

Sonos Ace takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 (Black) · Midnight Black lands at 82 and Sonos Ace at 87. That puts Sonos Ace ahead by 5 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 (Black) · Midnight Black if…

  • ✓Low-latency 2.4 GHz wireless (most)
  • ✓Detachable broadcast mic
  • ✓Console compatibility

Pick Sonos Ace if…

  • ✓Unique TV Audio Swap with Arc soundbar
  • ✓Great ANC
  • ✓Spatial audio
Share this comparison: Share to Reddit X / Twitter

Winner by scenario

Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate test

Sound quality

Sonos Ace

Tuning, detail, and staging

Sonos Ace leads on sound (90 vs 82).

Noise cancelling

Sonos Ace

ANC strength for commute and travel

Sonos Ace leads on anc (90 vs 70).

Comfort

Sonos Ace

Long-session wearability

Sonos Ace leads on comfort (88 vs 80).

Value for money

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 (Black) · Midnight Black

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 (Black) · Midnight Black more score per dollar ($129 vs $449).

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 (Black) · Midnight Black 82
vs
87 Sonos Ace

Score breakdown

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 (Black) · Midnight Black
82
anc 70
sound 82
comfort 80
battery 86
features 82
Sonos Ace
87
anc 90
sound 90
comfort 88
battery 84
features 92

Specs side-by-side

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 (Black) · Midnight Black versus Sonos Ace — full spec comparison
Spec SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 (Black) · Midnight Black Sonos Ace
Type
Gaming headset
—
Variant
Black
—
Release year
2024
—
Driver
—
40 mm dynamic
Battery
—
30 h
Weight
—
312 g
Codecs
—
aptX Lossless via Snapdragon Sound

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 (Black) · Midnight Black

Pros
  • +Low-latency 2.4 GHz wireless (most)
  • +Detachable broadcast mic
  • +Console compatibility
Cons
  • −Bulkier than audiophile cans
  • −Game-tuned EQ
  • −Software required on PC

Sonos Ace

Pros
  • +Unique TV Audio Swap with Arc soundbar
  • +Great ANC
  • +Spatial audio
Cons
  • −Swap feature only works with Arc/Arc Ultra
  • −Sonos app issues
  • −Heavy

FAQ: SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 (Black) · Midnight Black vs Sonos Ace

Which is better, SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 (Black) · Midnight Black or Sonos Ace? +

Sonos Ace scores 87 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 5. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 (Black) · Midnight Black worth the price? +

At $129, SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 (Black) · Midnight Black delivers a Specdex score of 82 — strongest in battery.

Is Sonos Ace worth the price? +

At $449, Sonos Ace delivers a Specdex score of 87 — strongest in features.

Does SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 (Black) · Midnight Black or Sonos Ace last longer? +

Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.

Which is better for sound quality, SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 (Black) · Midnight Black or Sonos Ace? +

Sonos Ace — leads on sound (90 vs 82). Tuning, detail, and staging.

Which is better for noise cancelling, SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 (Black) · Midnight Black or Sonos Ace? +

Sonos Ace — leads on anc (90 vs 70). ANC strength for commute and travel.