SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 EQ settings for Mac
Measured EQ correction for the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5, the specs that matter, and what changes when you use them with a Mac. Copy the settings and apply them in one click.
The short answer
- Dips about 8 dB around 125 Hz.
- Adds about 6 dB around 450 Hz.
- Adds about 5 dB around 4.3 kHz.
- Dips about 5 dB around 6–9 kHz.
- Adds about 7 dB above 10 kHz.
Arctis Nova 5 at a glance
Wireless gaming headset with 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth, released in 2024. Official specifications from SteelSeries:
- Driver
- 40 mm neodymium
- Bluetooth
- 5.3 + 2.4 GHz
- Battery
- Up to 60 h
- Weight
- 286 g
Sources: SteelSeries: Arctis Nova 5.
Using the Arctis Nova 5 with a Mac
Codec: AAC. The Arctis Nova 5 support AAC and SBC, and a Mac picks AAC, the better of the two. It carries the full 20 Hz to 20 kHz range at standard sample rates (44.1 or 48 kHz).
Calls sound worse than music. As soon as an app uses the headphones' microphone (Zoom, FaceTime, a dictation shortcut), Bluetooth switches to hands-free mode, which has much lower audio quality. Pick your Mac's built-in microphone as the input to keep the Arctis Nova 5 in stereo music mode.
Dual wireless Connects via 2.4 GHz USB-C dongle or Bluetooth. On a Mac the Bluetooth side uses AAC.
What the measurements show
This correction comes from AutoEQ, based on Rtings' measurements of the Arctis Nova 5. It shows how much to boost or cut at each frequency to bring the headphones closer to AutoEQ's neutral target:
- Dips about 8 dB around 125 Hz.
- Adds about 6 dB around 450 Hz.
- Adds about 5 dB around 4.3 kHz.
- Dips about 5 dB around 6–9 kHz.
- Adds about 7 dB above 10 kHz.
Fit, ear pads and your own ears all change what you hear, and neutral isn't everyone's favourite sound. Use this as a starting point, then adjust by ear.
Apply it in TuningMac (parametric EQ)
TuningMac's Advanced EQ imports this format directly. Copy the settings, then:
- Open TuningMac ▸ Settings ▸ Advanced EQ with your Arctis Nova 5 connected.
- Turn on Use Advanced EQ for Arctis Nova 5 (or whatever you've named them on your Mac).
- Choose More ▸ Paste from Clipboard.
TuningMac saves it for your Arctis Nova 5 and loads it whenever they connect.
Preamp: -6.0 dB Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain 0.4 dB Q 0.70 Filter 2: ON PK Fc 139 Hz Gain -6.6 dB Q 0.77 Filter 3: ON PK Fc 452 Hz Gain 6.4 dB Q 1.17 Filter 4: ON PK Fc 4320 Hz Gain 5.2 dB Q 3.73 Filter 5: ON PK Fc 212 Hz Gain -1.9 dB Q 1.19 Filter 6: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain 4.1 dB Q 0.70 Filter 7: ON PK Fc 9164 Hz Gain -6.5 dB Q 2.07 Filter 8: ON PK Fc 6263 Hz Gain -4.9 dB Q 5.86 Filter 9: ON PK Fc 4910 Hz Gain 2.2 dB Q 3.07 Filter 10: ON PK Fc 54 Hz Gain 1.9 dB Q 5.15
| # | Type | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Low Shelf | 105 Hz | +0.4 dB | 0.70 |
| 2 | Bell | 139 Hz | −6.6 dB | 0.77 |
| 3 | Bell | 452 Hz | +6.4 dB | 1.17 |
| 4 | Bell | 4.32 kHz | +5.2 dB | 3.73 |
| 5 | Bell | 212 Hz | −1.9 dB | 1.19 |
| 6 | High Shelf | 10 kHz | +4.1 dB | 0.70 |
| 7 | Bell | 9.16 kHz | −6.5 dB | 2.07 |
| 8 | Bell | 6.26 kHz | −4.9 dB | 5.86 |
| 9 | Bell | 4.91 kHz | +2.2 dB | 3.07 |
| 10 | Bell | 54 Hz | +1.9 dB | 5.15 |
Preamp: −6.0 dB. It lowers the overall level so the boosts don't clip.
Prefer simple sliders? The 10-band version
No Advanced EQ needed: AutoEQ also gives values for a standard 10-band equalizer, the same bands as TuningMac's main EQ. In the menu bar popover choose Custom, set each slider, and set the preamp to about −6.0 dB.
Values in dB, at 31 Hz to 16 kHz. The parametric version above is more precise.
Questions
Which codec do the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 use on a Mac?+
AAC. The Arctis Nova 5 support AAC and SBC, and a Mac picks AAC, the better of the two. It carries the full 20 Hz to 20 kHz range at standard sample rates.
What are the best EQ settings for the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5?+
AutoEQ's correction, based on Rtings' measurements, dips about 8 dB around 125 Hz, adds about 6 dB around 450 Hz, adds about 5 dB around 4 kHz, with a preamp of -6 dB. The exact values are on this page, ready to copy. Treat it as a neutral starting point and adjust to taste.
Why do my SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 sound bad on calls on a Mac?+
When an app uses the headphones' microphone, Bluetooth switches from stereo music mode to a hands-free call mode with much lower audio quality. To keep music quality during calls, choose your Mac's built-in microphone as the input instead. TuningMac's Input list does this in one click, and its Device Info shows which mode you're in.
Should I turn off the EQ in SteelSeries's app?+
For the most accurate result, yes. An equalizer set in SteelSeries's app is applied inside the headphones, so it also affects your Mac and would add to this correction. TuningMac's EQ only changes sound from your Mac, so it won't affect your phone.
Tune your Arctis Nova 5 on your Mac
Parametric and 10-band EQ, noise control and battery in the menu bar.
EQ data from AutoEQ by Jaakko Pasanen (MIT licence), measurement by Rtings. Specifications from SteelSeries's published specifications. SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 is a trademark of SteelSeries; TuningMac is not affiliated with SteelSeries.