Gaming
JBL Quantum 950
79Great
$330
Full review dataJBL Quantum 950 vs SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 84. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite - Outstanding overall at around $426.
Gaming
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite
84Outstanding
$430
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite leads on 4 of 7 measures.
- JBL Quantum 950
- SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite
HearWiki score
79
84
Sound
8.6
8.9
Noise cancelling
8.4
8.7
Battery
9.5
9.5
Calls
7.8
9.1
Value
8.0
5.4
Price (USD)
$330
$430
Generation & platform
The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?
New platform
Both shipped in 2025. The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite is the newer platform here: Top codec LC3 against AAC and LE Audio (LC3).
- Quantum 9502025
- Arctis Nova Elite2025
What differsQuantum 950Arctis Nova Elite
- Top codec
- AAC
- LC3
- LE Audio (LC3)
- No
- Yes
Platform
Level on: ANC type, Multipoint pairing, USB-C.
Specifications
Quantum 950Arctis Nova Elite
- Type
- Gaming
- Gaming
- Price (USD)
- $330
- $430
- HearWiki score
- 79
- 84
- Released
- 2025
- 2025
- Availability
- Sold new
- Sold new
- Driver
- 50 mm dynamic
- 40 mm dynamic
- Driver type
- dynamic
- dynamic
- Driver size
- 50 mm
- 40 mm
- Drivers per side
- -
- 1
- Frequency response
- 20 Hz - 40 kHz
- 10 Hz - 40 kHz
- Impedance
- 32 Ω
- 38 Ω
- Sensitivity
- 101 dB/mW
- 101 dB/mW
- Bluetooth
- 5.3
- -
- Codecs
- SBC, AAC
- LC3
- Multipoint pairing
- Yes
- Yes
- Wireless range
- -
- 10 m
- Battery life
- 30 h
- 44 h
- Battery life (ANC on)
- 20 h
- -
- Battery incl. case
- -
- 60 h
- Full charge time
- -
- 180 min
- Quick charge
- -
- 15 min → 4 h
- Wireless charging
- No
- No
- Active noise cancelling
- Yes
- Yes
- ANC type
- adaptive
- adaptive
- Transparency mode
- -
- Yes
- Companion app
- -
- Yes
- Custom EQ
- -
- Yes
- Wear detection
- -
- No
- Controls
- -
- both
- Weight
- 398 g
- 350 g
- Case weight
- 173 g
- 143 g
- Water resistance
- none
- none
- USB-C
- Yes
- Yes
- Model code
- JBLQTUM950BLK
- -
- Microphones
- 1
- 2
- Microphone type
- -
- beamforming
- Call noise reduction
- -
- Yes
- Call NR technology
- -
- AI ENC
What reviewers said
JBL Quantum 950
The JBL Quantum 950 is a wireless over-ear gaming headset that combines adaptive active noise cancellation with a 50mm dynamic driver for immersive sound. It supports both Bluetooth 5.3 and a low-latency 2.4GHz connection, plus multipoint for easy device switching. With up to 30 hours of battery life (20 with ANC on), it's built for long gaming sessions.
- Pro:Adaptive ANC for immersive gaming and focus
- Pro:Versatile wireless: Bluetooth 5.3 and 2.4GHz
- Pro:Multipoint lets you switch between devices
- Con:Heavy at 398g for extended wear
- Con:No water resistance for sweat or spills
- Con:Only one mic for voice capture
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite is a premium wireless gaming headset that combines adaptive active noise cancellation with a 44-hour battery life, extendable to 60 hours with its case. It features 40mm dynamic drivers, Bluetooth multipoint support, and a transparent mode for situational awareness, making it a versatile option for both gaming and everyday use.
- Pro:Adaptive ANC for immersive gaming
- Pro:Long 44-hour battery life, 60 with case
- Pro:Multipoint Bluetooth for easy switching
- Con:No water resistance rating
- Con:No wireless charging
- Con:Heavy at 350 grams
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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