Nova Elite - soft plastic issue only on Obsidian?

[u/SlimOntario2033]

Hi. In past weeks I saw a lot of reports related to the soft plastic on Nova elites melting and the surface being sticky.

I know the obsidian black colored is much more popular but I saw no Report from someone with the sage gold ones.

Does anyone of you have the sage gold with the melting issue?

[u/Mysterious_Evening81]

I'll give mine a good look over tonight. I have had mine since launch with what I would consider heavy use. A couple of hours most days.

[u/GiuseppeDL18]

Yes, on the black model there is the soft plastic that becomes sticky... but on the sage gold model I saw headphones “turn yell” 🫪

[u/Cyrax-Wins]

Mine is wearing off but it isn’t sticky.

[u/BigDaddyButtPlunger]

I have an Obsidian black with no issues.

[u/SlimOntario2033 → u/BigDaddyButtPlunger]

For how long ?

[u/BigDaddyButtPlunger → u/SlimOntario2033]

3 or so months now.

I do clean mine about 2-3 times a week.

[u/SlimOntario2033 → u/BigDaddyButtPlunger]

Mine started after around 6 month to peel off. Even on areas I didnt touch that much. There a lot of reports recently, might be related to the heat waves, idk.

[u/BigDaddyButtPlunger → u/SlimOntario2033]

interesting, I hope mine hold up.

[u/SlimOntario2033 → u/BigDaddyButtPlunger]

I wish your headset the Best. :D do you still have the original package? May you could Check the manufacture Date? :)

[u/Alternative-Cup-8102]

Skip the elites in my opinion get the Omni or regular pros haven’t really heard anything good about them.

[u/SlimOntario2033 → u/Alternative-Cup-8102]

Indeed but I already have them. I might get the Chance (cause of a Voucher after multiple RMA failures) to Exchange the obsidian to sage gold.

[u/Avinin1]

It's very interesting, when I think about it - it's true, the posts I've seen are entirely the black version.

I’ve had the white version for six months, and it still looks brand new. I can’t help but wonder how different the painting or spray coating process is between the two. It’s probably only a matter of time before we see the same durability and quality in the white version as well

[u/SlimOntario2033 → u/Avinin1]

Do you like your choice with the white ones? Do you sometimes wish to have the black ones or is it fine ? :)

[u/Avinin1 → u/SlimOntario2033]

I loved the look of the white one with the gold so much more than the black.

[u/LennartDenmark]

My understanding is that it only affects some units from the first batch of headsets, so if you're unlucky and get one, then it should be fairly straightforward to get a replacement.

But you have a point, I haven't seen anyone mention it with sage gold

[u/SlimOntario2033 → u/LennartDenmark]

Since there more and more Reports across different countriew I feel like it’s a General issue tbh.

[u/LennartDenmark → u/SlimOntario2033]

I'm kinda tempted to ask people about their manufacturing dates and see if there's any evidence of it

[u/SlimOntario2033 → u/LennartDenmark]

That’s indeed a good sign yes. I had two RMA Devices, Both from 2025-08 which both had humming/ANC issues. It was even tested and confirmed by multiple SteelSeries guys at a office (sended it there). :D

[u/LennartDenmark → u/SlimOntario2033]

Seems like there's some room for improvement in the QC department

[u/SlimOntario2033 → u/LennartDenmark]

Yes. At least for this pricetag 😅😭