We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-28 · 8 min read · Independent comparison
If you want a wired gaming headset that doubles as an everyday all-rounder across Xbox, PC, PlayStation, Switch and mobile, choose SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1X; if you need a PC-and-Xbox headset built specifically for competitive FPS play with Dolby Atmos and a mic you can flip instantly out of the way, choose Nacon RIG R5.
• SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1X — biggest strength: genuine multi-platform flexibility with a 3.5 mm wired connection plus Bluetooth, a 36 ohm impedance, and a 20 Hz–20 kHz dynamic driver tuned for the "Signature Arctis Sound" I associate with the Arctis line.
• SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1X — biggest trade-off: passive noise cancellation only, and the volume control is touch-based rather than a physical dial, which some people simply don't get along with.
• Nacon RIG R5 — biggest strength: a competitive-gaming tuning philosophy in hardware — 40 mm graphene-coated drivers, a 20 Hz–40 kHz extended frequency response, under 0.5% harmonic distortion, and an upper-mid-range boost that pushes footsteps and reloads forward.
• Nacon RIG R5 — biggest trade-off: it's a wired-only 3.5 mm headset with no Bluetooth, so it lives with your Xbox or Windows PC rather than travelling with you.
• Who each is for: SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1X → the multi-device gamer who wants one headset for console, PC and phone; Nacon RIG R5 → the PC/Xbox player who wants competitive audio detail and a flip-to-mute mic.
The Arctis Nova 1X reads like a headset designed around the idea that you own more than one gaming device. The spec sheet lists Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation, Switch and mobile, and the connection is a straightforward 3.5 mm jack, so anything with a headphone socket is fair game. There's also Bluetooth 4.1 listed, which is unusual for a wired headset and makes it genuinely useful away from the desk — pairing with a phone or tablet for casual listening between sessions. The over-ear plastic enclosure, black finish, 36 ohm impedance and 20 Hz–20 kHz dynamic driver are all conventional, sensible numbers that suit being driven straight from a controller or a laptop's headphone port without fuss.
What it does best, in my reading, is versatility. A 36 ohm impedance is low enough that you don't need a dedicated amp or DAC to get reasonable volume, and the wired connection means no charging routine — you plug in and you're playing. The ClearCast Gen 2 mic is the other headline feature, and it's the kind of thing that matters if you're on voice chat with friends, on a work call, or streaming casually. Passive noise cancellation is the only isolation on offer, so it won't block out a loud room, but it also means no battery drain or noise-cancellation circuitry to think about.
Nacon RIG R5: Who It's For
The RIG R5 Spear PRO HX is a much more focused product. It's officially licensed for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and Windows PC, and it's wired over a universal 3.5 mm connection — no Bluetooth, no wireless mode, no ambiguity. That's clearly deliberate: this is a headset for sitting in front of your screen and playing. The audio hardware is the interesting part. The 40 mm drivers are coated in graphene, and Nacon rates harmonic distortion at under 0.5% with an extended frequency response of 20 Hz to 40 kHz — that upper extension goes well past the 20 kHz ceiling of the Arctis Nova 1X. Sensitivity is listed at 117.5 dB and impedance at 32 ohm, so it should also run happily from a controller or a standard PC headphone jack.
The tuning is described as custom-tuned for first-person shooters, with a boosted upper mid-range specifically to bring out footsteps, reloads and other game-critical cues. Combined with the 3D audio accuracy claims and the included one-year Dolby Atmos for Headphones subscription (which needs an Xbox or Windows 10/11 device, the Dolby Access app and a Microsoft account), that's a coherent package for someone who plays competitive shooters and wants positional information to be as legible as possible. The 6 mm flip-to-mute mic covers 50 Hz–15 kHz, which is a sensible voice band, and the flip-to-mute gesture is one of those small design choices that becomes second nature fast.
Comfort gets real attention here too: a lightweight frame, memory-foam-lined headband and ear cushions, adjustable size sliders, and a stated weight of 336 g. The SNAP+LOCK mod system lets you swap Mod-Plates for looks, though those are sold separately. Who should buy it: a Windows PC or Xbox player who mainly plays FPS titles, wants Dolby Atmos positional audio, and doesn't need the headset to leave the desk. Who should skip it: anyone who wants Bluetooth, anyone gaming on PlayStation or Switch as a primary platform, and anyone who prefers an understated look — the mod-plate system is clearly aimed at people who enjoy customising.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for multi-device households → SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1X. Xbox, PC, PlayStation, Switch and mobile are all listed, and Bluetooth 4.1 adds phone and tablet listening on top.
• Best for positional/3D audio → Nacon RIG R5. Dolby Atmos for Headphones is included for a year, which needs an Xbox or Windows 10/11 device plus the Dolby Access app.
• Best for extended treble detail → Nacon RIG R5. Its frequency response reaches 40 kHz versus 20 kHz on the Arctis Nova 1X.
• Best for plug-and-play simplicity → SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1X. Low 36 ohm impedance, standard 3.5 mm jack, no software requirement and no subscription to activate.
• Best for mic convenience in a hurry → Nacon RIG R5. The 6 mm flip-to-mute mic mutes with a flick of the boom, which is faster than hunting for a control.
• Best for customisation → Nacon RIG R5. The SNAP+LOCK mod system accepts swappable Mod-Plates across the R5 series (plates sold separately).
• Best for PC-only minimalism → SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1X. If you don't need Atmos or mod plates, its lower-commitment feature set is easier to live with.
If I were buying for a Windows PC setup and my main diet was shooters, I'd take the Nacon RIG R5. The graphene-coated drivers, the sub-0.5% distortion figure, the boosted upper mid-range and the included Dolby Atmos subscription are all pointed at exactly the thing PC FPS players care about: hearing the other guy first. The flip-to-mute mic is a genuinely useful design touch, and the memory-foam comfort package suits long sessions.
The Arctis Nova 1X is the pick if your gaming life is spread across several devices — that Bluetooth 4.1 addition and the five-platform listing make it the more flexible object, and the ClearCast Gen 2 mic is a solid all-rounder. But for a PC-first buyer, the RIG R5's audio hardware is the more specialised tool. Check both on Amazon and let the current price have the final word.
how to connect headphones to windows pc
On most Windows desktops and laptops you plug the 3.5 mm jack into the headphone or combo audio port, then set the headset as the default playback device in Windows sound settings. Both headsets here use a standard 3.5 mm jack, so the same process applies to each. If your PC only has separate mic and headphone ports, you'll need a splitter.
how to connect headphones to pc windows 10
Windows 10 usually detects a 3.5 mm headset automatically and lists it under Settings > System > Sound. Select the headset as your output device, and if you want to use the mic, confirm it's set as the input device too. For the Nacon RIG R5, Dolby Atmos additionally requires the free Dolby Access app from the Microsoft Store plus a Microsoft account login.
how can i connect my headphones to my pc
Wired is the simplest route: a 3.5 mm jack straight into the PC, no pairing or charging involved. That's how both the Arctis Nova 1X and the RIG R5 connect. The Arctis Nova 1X also lists Bluetooth 4.1, so if your PC supports Bluetooth you have a second, cable-free option with that headset.
how to use headphones on pc
Once connected, set the headset as your default output in Windows sound settings and adjust volume from there or via the on-headset control. The Arctis Nova 1X uses a touch control for volume, while the RIG R5 uses a button control with a flip-to-mute boom mic. If game audio sounds thin, check that spatial audio or Dolby Atmos is enabled for the RIG R5.
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