NZXT has released a brand new set of PC gaming audio devices under the name Relay, including a headset, stereo speakers, subwoofer and USB DAC/mixer plus headphone stand. Available separately, the company is aiming at gamers that regularly switch between their headset and speakers, require the ability to adjust voice volume in game and have speakers that pack a punch too. Are they work the cash though?
The Relay headset will retail for $99.99 and includes a detachable microphone boom. It’s supremely comfortable – easily one of the most pleasant out there to have sat on your head for hours and also provides a good seal around your ears to prevent sound leakage in or out.
Its 40mm drivers are less powerful than the 50mm drivers in many other gaming headsets out there right now and the bass isn’t particularly powerful or deep, but on the plus side, music and games sounded particularly clear in the mid-range and high-end. If you’re looking for more balanced audio then you won’t have any complaints, although drum and bass fans will likely find it a little lacking.
It can’t collapse down either and lacks rotating earcups for easy transportation, but this is a headset that’s designed to spend its time at home nestled in your gaming setup. The build quality is excellent, though, as is the microphone audio quality.
The Switchmix comes complete with a headphone stand and combined USB DAC and mixer. The stand is the Relay’s party piece, though, as it includes a switch on top that’s activated when you place your headset on the stand, switching between headphone and speaker outputs for you. This will work with any 3.5mm jack headphones or speakers.
The device includes a volume dial that can mute the volume when pressed, with a mixer to the right that can adjust the likes of game and voice volume on the fly in games. You’ll need a spare USB port to hook it up to your PC and it can either sit on its own or mounted on the included stand. It will set you back $129.99.
The Relay speakers and subwoofer are available as separate items retailing for $250 and $150 respectively. That’s a hefty amount for a set of stereo speakers, but with 3 inch subs and 20mm tweeters plus epic build quality, fantastic audio and a deep rubber vibration-absorbing base, it’s easy to see why they cost this much. Thankfully, they come in white too, so if you want to match them to other NZXT peripherals and cases, that’s very much an option.
The subwoofer is there for added base, but will cost an extra $150. It provides a 6.5 inch driver and 140W of power so you could try the stereo speakers first and always add the subwoofer later since they’re only available separately.
Overall, the new range of audio hardware offers great build quality, excellent audio quality and reasonable prices, although, the headset maybe lacks bass and stereo speakers seem to sit in a price bracket above much of the rest of the hardware. Thankfully they offer the audio performance and build quality to match.
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