Compare SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite vs Skullcandy Crusher PLYR 720

Reviewers repeatedly describe the sound as elite, hi-fi, detailed, or best-in-class, with only one notably price-sensitive review saying the audio still does not justify $600.

Most reviewers found the core gaming sound clear, punchy, and highly enjoyable even with Crusher bass off. A few felt the stock tuning was merely decent or less refined than top premium rivals.

Passive isolation is widely strong, credited to sealed pads and dense cushions, though one review only calls it moderate.

Passive isolation is very weak by design. The open-back cups let outside sound in, making the headset a poor fit for noisy rooms.

Sound leakage is excellent in the one scored review, which reports zero spillage even at loud volume.

Open-back leakage is noticeable in shared spaces, though a couple of reviewers found it less severe than expected at normal listening levels.

ANC is one of the most consistently praised features, with reviewers calling it class-leading for gaming headsets, though a few compare it less favorably to consumer ANC flagships.

Active noise cancellation is absent, and one reviewer counted that omission against the headset at this price.

Soundstage is considered wide or exceptional by several reviewers, though one review notes stock single-player presentation can feel somewhat tight.

The open-back design creates an unusually wide, spacious presentation that reviewers repeatedly praised for immersion and a convincing sense of distance.

Spatial audio is generally praised for immersion, depth, and open-world presentation, though the tuning is more cinematic than strictly esports-focused.

THX Spatial Audio can add strong immersion and convincing head-tracked movement, but reviewers disagree on its precision and usefulness. Some found it excellent; others found distance controls subtle or head tracking buggy.

Frequency-response impressions are mixed: one review praises balanced warmth, depth, and clarity, while another notes ANC and tuning changes affect consistency.

Measurements and listening impressions point to generally solid tonal balance, but with uneven bass-to-mid transitions and notable treble peaks that benefit from EQ.

Positional audio is generally strong, with praise for footsteps, directional cues, and spatial detail; one review finds it merely good enough.

Positional audio is a major strength, with reviewers repeatedly able to pinpoint footsteps, gunfire, and movement accurately in competitive games.

Microphone noise reduction is praised for suppressing hiss, vacuums, washing machines, and background noise, with only minor processing caveats.

Background-noise rejection is a strength: keyboard noise, ringing phones, and other room sounds are filtered effectively, though the processing can make voices sound compressed.

Bass is generally praised for precision, texture, and depth, though a few reviewers note the stock tuning can be bass-heavy or excessive in some contexts.

Crusher bass is the defining attraction: it can make explosions, engines, and music physically rumble with unusual force. Reviewers also warn that high settings become overwhelming, fatiguing, or even distort the presentation.

Hinge durability is supported by one review that praises the full metal yoke construction as more durable.

Plastic hinge and adjustment points raised durability concerns in two hands-on reviews, including creaking and visible flex.

Build quality is consistently praised as premium, sturdy, metal-rich, and solid, with only isolated complaints about small squeaks or finish details.

Build quality is divisive. Some units feel premium, sturdy, and durable, while others come across as too plastic-heavy with creaking adjustment points for the price.

Design and aesthetics are widely praised for the sage/gold look, mature styling, and premium visual finish.

The styling is restrained for a gaming headset, with a premium matte-black look and subtle lighting. The oversized cups can still look bulky on the head.

Clamping force is a repeated comfort caveat, with multiple reviewers calling it tight or stronger than expected even when the headset remains wearable.

Clamping is light and comfortable, but one reviewer found it so loose that the headset could move during more active head motion.

Comfort is highly polarized: many reviewers call it plush and long-session friendly, while others report tightness, sweating, pressure, or fatigue.

Long-session comfort is usually very good thanks to breathable pads and the suspension design. Heavier weight, a sticky silicone strap, and occasional fit quirks keep it from being universally comfortable.

Weight comfort is mixed: some reviewers say the headset does not feel cumbersome, while others call it heavy or not among the lightest.

Weight impressions are mixed. The suspension system distributes the mass well for some reviewers, while others found roughly 370 grams too heavy for extended wear.

Integrated microphones are convenient and surprisingly good for calls or discreet use, though they are still secondary to the boom mic.

There are no integrated microphones, so removing the boom mic sacrifices call convenience and makes the headset less practical on the go.

USB-C is a limitation in one review because the headset charges over USB-C but does not support direct USB audio.

USB-C audio adds another useful wired connection option alongside Bluetooth, 2.4GHz, and 3.5mm.

Volume output is supported by one review describing full, rich playback without detail loss.

One reviewer found PC and music playback quieter than expected for a premium gaming headset.

Microphone performance is broadly strong, often described as excellent or improved, though one reviewer still finds it compressed and unspectacular.

The boom microphone is clear enough for gaming, but its stiff arm repeatedly drew criticism because it springs back instead of holding precise placement.

Sidetone is useful and clear, but reviewers also describe it as overpowering or only comfortable at moderate levels.

Sidetone is one of the weaker features. Multiple reviewers called it faint, quiet, or robotic, though one found the level appropriate.

Stability is mixed: the headset is secure enough in normal use but can slip with sudden movement or have wireless breakup at longer range.

Once adjusted, the earcups held their selected height surprisingly well in one detailed review.

Wireless latency is consistently excellent in the scored reviews, with reviewers reporting no notable lag or no skips.

Wireless latency reports conflict sharply, from snappy 25ms or effectively lag-free use to concerns over a quoted 40–50ms delay.

Instrument separation is mostly praised for detail retrieval and the ability to pick out subtle sounds, but one review specifically says separation is lacking.

Busy game scenes stay well separated, with effects and gunfire remaining distinct even when the action gets dense.

The retractable mic mechanism is convenient in the scored review, where it is easy to pull out and position.

The detachable boom mic is convenient when switching to a separate microphone or using the headset without the boom attached.

Ear cup rotation is praised in one review for freer movement that improves seal behavior compared with previous models.

The 180-degree earcup swivel was praised as convenient for resting the headset around the neck.

Game/chat balance works well on PC and via the base station, but PlayStation chat compatibility is a limitation.

Game/chat balance works directly on the headset for Xbox and PC, but reviewers note that the same control is unavailable on PS5.

Portability is a weakness in the one scored review, which calls the headset bulky compared with high-end headphones.

The wide, bulky earcups make the headset awkward to pack or use as a travel companion, and the lack of integrated mics further hurts portability.

Treble receives mixed reactions: several reviewers hear smoother or clearer highs, but others find peaks, sharpness, or fatigue that benefit from EQ correction.

Treble is the main tonal weakness. Several reviewers heard reduced top-end refinement or an 8kHz emphasis that can sound sharp, metallic, or sibilant.

Earpad padding is broadly praised for plushness and softness, but several reviewers warn faux leather can get sweaty or may wear over time.

The ear cushions are generally soft, breathable, and comfortable for long gaming sessions, though a few reviewers found the cloth less plush than expected.

Preset EQ profiles are praised for quantity and game-specific usefulness, though their value depends on users being willing to switch or tune profiles.

Several reviewers were happy with the default flat or out-of-box tuning and found little reason to change presets.

Replaceable earpads are positive overall, extending service life, though one review flags pleather wear as a long-term concern.

The earpads can be replaced, which helps cleaning and longevity, although reinstalling them can be fiddly.

Xbox compatibility is positive where discussed, with reviewers noting Xbox support through the hub and no need for a separate Xbox variant.

The Xbox version is repeatedly recommended because it adds wireless Xbox support while also working across PC, PlayStation, Switch, and mobile in testing.

Multi-platform compatibility is very strong, with reviewers calling it an all-systems or premium multi-platform solution.

Multi-platform support is excellent, especially with the Xbox version, which reviewers used successfully across major consoles, PC, Switch, and mobile.

Connectivity versatility is the clearest consensus strength: reviewers repeatedly praise multi-device support, four-source mixing, and broad setup flexibility.

Connectivity is exceptionally versatile, combining Bluetooth, 2.4GHz wireless, USB audio, and 3.5mm across a broad range of devices.

Console limitations are a recurring caveat because the highest hi-res benefits are PC-only and some chat behavior is not fully compatible.

Platform support is broad, but documentation around the two variants and PlayStation behavior can be confusing or contradictory.

Headband adjustability is positively described as adjustable, smoother, and more rugged, though coverage is limited.

Height and headband adjustment can be smooth and stable, but at least one unit gradually slid out of position and needed repeated readjustment.

Included accessories are generally considered generous, though another review frames them as goodies rather than luxury-level extras.

The box is well equipped, and the Xbox version’s included Game Pass code was singled out as a welcome extra.

Midrange clarity is viewed positively, with reviewers noting cleaner mids and detailed reproduction; one technical review still flags tuning choices that affect perceived clarity.

The midrange was described as clean and well balanced overall, with only minor coloration.

Packaging quality is supported by one review that found the unboxing experience premium.

The packaging was praised for its presentation and eco-friendly approach.

Smudge resistance is weak in one review, where the metallic finish is described as a fingerprint magnet.

The silicone suspension strap can pick up visible grease and feel sticky, which makes it less pleasant to keep looking clean.

Physical controls are usually praised for tactile wheels, intuitive placement, and good feedback, though one reviewer says smaller buttons feel less premium.

The controls offer a lot directly on the headset, but the multifunction joystick can feel overloaded, imprecise, or easy to mis-trigger. Other reviewers found the layout satisfying and easy to reach.

Call and chat mic quality is strong overall, with reviewers reporting clear voice quality and a mic competitive with top wireless headset microphones.

Microphone impressions range from crystal-clear to merely usable. Voice intelligibility is usually good, but some reviewers heard compression, clipping, white noise, or weaker-than-premium quality.

Bluetooth is generally useful and flexible, especially for simultaneous phone/app use, though codec and platform limitations still appear in nearby reviewer comments.

Bluetooth preserved the headset’s haptic-bass performance well in the tested use case.

Setup and software simplicity is mixed: the GameHub and menus can be easy, but OLED choice, Windows volume behavior, and app friction draw criticism.

Setup can be straightforward when everything behaves, but conflicting instructions, unclear icons, and serious software bugs made the experience frustrating for some reviewers.

EQ customization is a major strength, with repeated praise for parametric EQ, per-source profiles, and on-the-fly tuning across app, hub, and PC software.

EQ flexibility is extensive, with multiple custom slots and multi-band tuning that can meaningfully fix the headset’s sharper or bassier tendencies.

The app ecosystem is mixed: reviewers like mobile/console control and deep options, but some find the desktop software intrusive or frustrating.

The apps offer unusually deep control over EQ, lighting, spatial audio, mic settings, and more. Reliability is inconsistent, with some reviewers reporting smooth operation and others repeated detection or sync bugs.

Battery performance is strongly praised because the two-battery system largely removes runtime anxiety, despite one reviewer disputing true hot-swap behavior.

Battery results vary widely: some reviewers saw multi-day endurance near the advertised range, while others measured closer to about 25 hours with features active.

Charging is viewed positively thanks to fast charging, the hub battery slot, and quick swaps that reduce the need to tether the headset.

Rapid charging is useful, with one reviewer citing roughly four hours of playback from a ten-minute charge.

Fit and seal reliability is positive in one review, where freer ear cup movement is said to maintain a better seal.

The articulated cups can create a good seal and fit larger heads well, but some reviewers found the overall grip loose enough to shift when tilting the head.

Earpad replacement ease is positive in one review that says the design should be easy enough to repair.

The earpads are removable and easy to clean, but one reviewer found them frustrating to reinstall.

Value for money is the most divided attribute: reviewers praise the elite feature set but repeatedly warn that $600 is only sensible for a narrow audience.

Value is highly audience-dependent. Bass enthusiasts often feel the experience justifies the premium, while other reviewers argue the $260–$270 price is steep beside cheaper, more polished alternatives.

Multipoint and simultaneous-source behavior is praised as seamless or unusually capable, especially when combining Bluetooth, USB, and aux sources.

Simultaneous Bluetooth plus 2.4GHz is one of the most consistently praised conveniences, letting users keep game audio active while taking calls or using a phone app.

Android Bluetooth pairing was seamless in two reviews, with stable audio and no meaningful quality drop.

Hi-res playback and the GameHub/DAC are major strengths, though some reviewers question whether the hi-res benefit matters outside PC and music use.

The included flat analog cable works, but one reviewer found its tendency to bunch up annoying.

The carry case is repeatedly criticized as too soft or insufficiently protective for the price, despite a few reviewers calling the pouch nice.

The analog cable option is useful in at least one real use case, where the reviewer said it worked well when directly powered.

The 2.4GHz dongle is easy to use, with reviewers describing instant plug-and-play behavior.

Glasses wearers reported little to no extra pressure, with the soft cups sitting comfortably over frame arms.

Maximum-volume clarity is supported by one review that found loud game effects remained clear.

Overall reactions range from ecstatic to deeply frustrated. The unique bass, strong gaming sound, and immersion inspire unusually strong fans, while software bugs, weight, build concerns, and price prevent universal endorsement.

Replaceable ear plates are positively mentioned as a fan-favorite design element.

Auto-sleep behavior was unreliable in repeated testing, occasionally leaving the headset powered on for hours.

Touch control responsiveness is lightly positive, with the touch-sensitive GameHub button described as easy enough for menu navigation.

Wireless range drew a repeated complaint: one reviewer saw dropouts at roughly 12 feet, far short of the expected range.

One reviewer reported no perceptible lag during wireless use, with game audio feeling immediately synchronized.

Footstep-focused EQ evidence is positive, with the Valorant preset said to make footsteps more detailed and enemy positions easier to localize.

Codec support is viewed as robust thanks to LC3/LC3+ and hi-res wireless, though one reviewer wanted additional support such as aptX-like options.

RGB is subtle rather than flashy and can be customized by color and brightness. Effects are fairly limited, and much of the lighting sits inside the earcups.