It's hard to appreciate until you've tried it, but buying a soundbar can be the one purchase that palpably upgrades your gaming experience. These TV- or PC- compatible speaker bars offer much greater sound fidelity than screens' built-in panels, and over Black Friday they can also be subject to some heart discounts.

If you didn't know, Black Friday is now and so the soundbar deals are live now. Currently, we're seeing major price cuts in audio products from a range of major companies like JBL, Amazon, Roku and Bose. If you've already picked up a Black Friday TV deal, this will be the perfect accompaniment to it.

Since I've tested soundbars and other speakers from a few major companies, I've gone through the Black Friday soundbar deals to find you a few picks worth considering. I'll order them from cheapest to most expensive, of course with the latter bringing you amazing audio but the first few being great for their price.

Just a note, on something that confused me before I covered audio. When you see a soundbar billed as 2.0, or 5.1, or 7.1, those numbers aren't some arbitrary grading system.

They in fact refer to the number of channels, and its ratio of full-range ones to subwoofers (the latter used for bass). So 5.1 means 5 normal speakers, one bass one. Generally, more is better, but most audio fans want some bass too, and only cheaper options are .2.

• Find more soundbar deals at Amazon
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• Find more soundbar deals at Best Buy

For pointers in other non-deal picks, we've got a round-up of the best soundbars for TV, and discount-hunters can use our Black Friday gaming deal guide to find price cuts on hardware, software and games.

I sometimes have to admit that testing tech for a living has spoiled me in a few ways. And one of the most scorn-worthy opinions I have is that it's really hard to enjoy open-world games like The Outer Worlds 2 without good gaming audio gear.

I'm not saying I'll refuse to play games without spending thousands on the best gaming sound systems money can buy, but over the years it's become apparent to me that a great pair of computer speakers are more important than the best gaming monitor, comfiest chair or most feature-packed controller when it comes to immersion in open-world games.

The ambience of a biome; the roar of a river or wind through trees; the melee of a distant encounter that's beckoning you over. These are details that you'll pick up and hear with good speakers, that really help you ground yourself in a world or map.

Having tested loads of headphones, earbuds and even soundbars over many years, I'm convinced that dual-speaker set-ups are the way to go, as they create a more convincing surround-sound set-up. Taller is better, as great speakers put the sound at ear-level so it doesn't sound like it's coming from below you. Ideally too, the best pair of speakers won't break the bank.

If you're getting excited for The Outer Worlds 2 and have been meaning to expand your setup, here are a few suggestions to consider.

1. Creative Pebble 2.0

We're starting with cheap and cheery; I've tested entries into Creative's Pebble line of computer speaker before, and was impressed by what I heard. The Pebble 2 are some low-end options but they're really, really cheap.

For the price you're getting two small but solid speakers with built-in radiators and far-field drivers for an array of sounds. They offer 2.0 audio and are angled slighty upwards, so they're pointed straight at your ears.

Since the Pebble 2 connects to your chosen output with only a 3.5mm audio jack and USB plug, not requiring a wall outlet, they're quite portable too. You can take them alongside your gaming laptop if you go on a trip.

2. Logitech Z407

For our my next entry, I picked the option at the top of our round-up for the best computer speakers.

The Logitech Z407 has two speakers, like all the other options on this list, but also a subwoofer for added bass. You can point to this boxy addition for the 2.1 sound offered by the speakers.

Since bass is often the thing missing in cheaper gaming speakers, you'd be surprised at how much audio you're missing out if you get lesser speakers. So the Z407 would be a top pick for titles like The Outer Worlds 2.

3. Edifier G2000 Pro

Another brand I've enjoyed using speakers from in the past is Edifier and in our review of the new Edifier G2000 Pro we gave it a commendable four and a half stars out of five.

These RGB-toting blowers are fully specced, offering 7.1 surround sound and a huge power output to make games soudn fantastic; Edifier positions them as speakers not just for PC gaming, but for console owners too.

A range of inputs make them just as great for other forms of entertainment and they can also support various modes and EQ presets to that end. That's all for speakers which, at the end of the day, are only mid-range in price.

4. Razer Nommo V2 Pro

I'm ending this list with the priciest option on it: the Razer Nommo V2 Pro. Razer has a busy line of speakers but this is the most feature-packed (and expensive).

The Nommo V2 Pro has something I love in immersive speakers: Spatial audio (a more advanced version of surround sound which pans sound high and low as well as left and right). The Nommo can even load up bespoke sound profiles for certain games to enhance this further.

Judging by our review, the Razer simply sounds incredible too. Like the Logitech above, it comes with a subwoofer to add a little extra to your game's audio, and unlike certain rivals' options it's a wireless one.

• More gaming speakers at Amazon
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Want to ignore my advice to get a speaker? Instead here are the best gaming headsets, or the best gaming earbuds, and you can also look ahead to our Black Friday gaming deals prep page to save money very soon.

Spatial audio is one of my favorite gaming headset features, as I love me some immersion. I want to feel like I'm right in the action of my favorite games and distract myself from the horrors of daily life, so my interest was well and truly piqued when I learned about the Razer Clio.

The THX spatial audio-enabled wireless computer speaker devlipers immersive audio quality without the need for a headset, and hooks onto your gaming chair without any troublesome wires. The setup is straightforward; it can integrate with your current speakers, and the audio payoff is grand, but it is undoubtedly one of the most niche bits of audio tech today, and a little on the pricey side, which makes recommending it a bit awkward.

The $229.99 / £179.99 wireless speaker cushion is best attached to Razer-branded chairs, so it's only going to suit a small number of gaming setup types. That being said, I don't ever want to imagine my chair without it, as I love the freedom and immersion it brings to my PC gaming sessions. I just don't think everyone is going to get the same rush of nerdy joy from this unique speaker cushion.

Key Specs

Design

The Razer Clio has a very croissant-like shape. I'm fortunate enough to have my toosh on the Razer Iskur V2, which is one of the exact chairs the Clio was designed for, and it almost perfectly aligns with the upper section of the chair.

Where it differs is its sides, which protrude slightly outwards, but that's exactly what they're intended to do. The 43 mm full-range speaker drivers are found on the left and right sides of the Clio, and these need to stick out some so the sound isn't muffled.

The speaker is all-black, and there's no RGB lighting to be found. That doesn't mean you can't identify it as a Razer product, as it has that iconic green serpent logo embossed on the front-facing side, which is as neon as I've ever seen it on any of my Razer gadgets.

The Clio design is simple, but I'm a fan. It ties into my Razer gaming chair and feels very understated and sleek with its plain all-black colorway. It's also coated in a black fabric to give it a bit more dimension.

On the top of the speaker, directly above the Razer logo, is where you'll find all the on-board controls, which include volume buttons, an EQ button, a source button (that switches between Bluetooth and 2.4GHz), and a power button. Beneath that, and at the back of the Clio, you'll find both 43 mm full-range speakers located at the left and right sides of the device, with the USB-C port hanging out also on the left-hand side.

Features

The Razer Clio is both a cushion and a wireless speaker all rolled into one. However, before I delve into the audio side of things, I want to quickly talk about the features of the Clio as a gaming chair cushion.

Razer graciously states that the adjustable straps of the Clio allow it to fit on "most high-back gaming chairs" but it definitely feels like it's more suited to Razer chairs. My partner has a high-back chair, and while the Clio did eventually fit when I made the straps as loose as possible, it was just barely hanging on and made me incredibly anxious that the $229.99 / £179.99 accessory would fall and smash into pieces on my hardwood flooring at any moment.

Razer does at least acknowledge this by also stating that it best recommends the Clio for Razer chairs the best "enhanced immersive" gaming experience, and I agree. I popped it on the back of my Razer Iskur V2 without issue, and it actually suits the chair more than the head cushion it originally came with.

The original head cushion is a lot more comfortable, however. There's only a light thickness of padding on the center of the Clio, and that's all you get. Fortunately for me, I very rarely have my head resting at the top of my chair anyway, but it's worth keeping in mind if comfort is a big priority.

The Clio is "THX spatial audio-enabled," which basically means you use it alone, or as part of your existing PC audio setup, to create an immersive soundscape for all your gaming needs. This is achieved via Razer's Synapse software, and there's even a THX demo video available that you can test out as soon as possible.

The Clio is equipped with Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless via the accompanying Razer HyperSpeed Wireless dongle, and can be charged via the USB-C port with any 14W USB Type-C charging cable. It takes around 6 hours for a full charge, which will provide up to 14 hours of battery life.

With its Bluetooth and 2.4GHz connectivity at the helm, you could technically use this with a range of consoles, but it's pretty much aimed towards PC players. Having the PC Synapse software is a must in order to get access to the headset's EQ settings and to equip the Clio as your rear speakers to create your own immersive sound system, so console players have to miss out on this niche Razer chair accessory.

Performance

To start testing the Clio, I popped the 2.4GHz wireless dongle into my PC and brought up Razer's Synapse software to set the Clio as the rear speaker, while my Razer Leviathan V2 X Kuromi Edition soundbar was selected as the front. You don't need to have an existing pair of Razer speakers to incorporate the Clio in this way, either, but it just so happened that I was already knee-deep in the Razer tech ecosystem.

I have quite a sensitive noggin', so the first significant thing I noticed with the Clio was the relief of enjoying the benefits of hearing a game's audio in a 3D-soundscape without a tight feeling of a headset pressing up against my glasses and the temples of my head. The comfort was emphasized more as using the Clio meant I had to correct my posture at all times.

My posture has often been compared to that of Shaggy from Scooby Doo, so anything that can help ensure I'm sitting properly while gaming is a plus. In order to hear the Clio properly, I always had to be sitting up straight, so playing Fortnite in this way meant I didn't have the middle-aged gaming pensioner back pains I normally experience after any PC-gaming session.

It wasn't just comfortable, but the game sounded fantastic through the 43mm full-range audio drivers, too. It was sadly a bit on the quiet side, no matter what settings I tinkered around with on my PC and on the Clio, which is unfortunate. However, running around in zero build mode with the twinkling sound of nearby chests sounding off all around me was a treat. I usually need a headset in order to experience that added immersion, but with the Clio, I felt just as aware of my surroundings in-game and out.

I'd like to sit and pretend that this made me better at the game, but I still found myself getting shot at by Sabrina Carpenter and some Power Rangers and being at least 10 spots away from that glorious Victory Royal.

As far as online games go, I also tried out multiple matches of Marvel Rivals, a game that's been my obsession for most of this year. As my competitive game of choice, I'm always going to prefer a headset as ANC-enabled cups like the Corsair Virtuoso Max Wireless help isolate unwanted sounds and focus on the game. Hearing the creeks of my house and my cat's zoombies while using the Clio didn't help me get closer to my Lord status as Jeff the Land Shark, but it was still a fun experience.

Jeff's "yummy yummy" cries sounded more ominous coming from the Clio behind my head, and where times I even glanced back in case Scarlet Witch was really behind me, ready to blast me out of existence with her chaos powers. I also made sure to get some single-player action the go. For me, this meant seeing how the Razer Clio-enabled sound system dealt with the likes of Baldur's Gate 3, especially when it came to the game's triumphant score by Borislav Slavov.

I quickly went about creating a new player character just to run through the game's opening, as there's a lot going on in just that beginning segment. Every roll of the dice from the first battle to the moment I escaped the terrifying Nautiloid ship sounded even more clicky and heavenly than the last. It was almost as if I were playing a genuine D&D session with my friends, which was nice, as I haven't actually done that in a while.

What was apparent by now was that I could actually hear finer details and nuances of the Baldur's Gate 3 soundscape as the 43 mm full-range drivers of the Clio were positioned closer to my ears. It wasn't to the level of a gaming headset, which is why the Clio is never going to replace my favorite bit of gaming tech any time soon, but the upgrade from just sticking to my everyday soundbar is why I don't ever want to imagine my sound system without the Clio in the future.

The best bit about testing the Razer Clio was that it ended up not being about gaming at all, and instead, it became my favorite way to listen to music at my desk.

The Razer Clio made listening to everything from my favorite band, Bombay Bicycle Club, to my latest obsession, the local Scottish band Slim City, sound incredible. A lot of the bass frequencies of either band would come from the Clio, rather than the front speakers, which made every song sound all the more exciting - like I was at a live show.

It sounded even better once I switched to the 'music' preset, which is one of three available via Synapse, or a button located on the top of the speaker, and this was the same case when it came to popping on TV shows and movies. I'm deep into Dexter Resurrection right now, and the iconic leitmotif that plays at the end of every episode felt as goosepimply as ever with the Clio's movie audio preset. I don't have a surround sound system in place in my living room, so this was as close as I could get, and I loved every moment.

What I didn't expect to love about the Razer Clio was that it meant I could have a better piece of mind when listening to music, or playing games in my office. As a woman, I sometimes get very anxious working away at my desk, and more so with a headset on, as there are times when I suspect there might be someone in the room with me.

Of course, there never is, unless you count my cat. However, that anxiety has meant that I never feel truly comfortable with a headset on, and the Clio has given me back that sense of agency and comfort. Now, I can still have an immersive experience with my games and be hyper aware of any sounds and goings on in my home.

The only hindrance for me, besides the very quiet sound and brow-raising price point, is that it's sadly really a PC-only accessory. My PS5, Nintendo Switch 2, and home consoles are all set up in the living room and nowhere near a Clio-compatible gaming chair. And to make matters more annoying, you really need to have the PC Synapse software running to get the most out of the Clio.

I'm a big horror girlie and would have loved to experience the upcoming Silent Hill f, which I've pre-ordered for my PS5, through the Clio.

Should you buy the Razer Clio?

The Razer Clio is one of my favorite accessories that I'm always eager to show off to friends when they ask if I've reviewed any cool bits of tech lately, and yet, it's very awkward to recommend.

It's niche, and niche bits of tech are only going to suit a teeny weeny subset of players. In this case, those tiny players are going to be PC gaming fans with a high-back Razer chair, who rely heavily on spatial audio in games but don't always like to have that restricting feeling of a PC headset on their head. If that sounds like you, then the Clio would fit right at home amongst the rest of your setup.

Even then, the $229.99 / £179.99 MSRP is a lot to pay for what is essentially a large wireless speaker with some straps, no matter what way you look at it. If it were closer to that $150 / £100 mark, got a little bit louder, and was compatible with more non-Razer branded chairs, I'd be more than happy to sing its praises to everyone. However, you'd be better off grabbing a speaker like the Razer Levithan V2 X for $99.99 at Amazon, which is regularly found even cheaper, if you want to expand on your existing Razer audio tech ecosystem.

How I tested the Razer Clio

I tested the Razer Clio over a couple of months by attaching it to my Razer gaming chair and incorporating it as part of my current sound system setup. During those many weeks, the Clio was set up as my rear speaker, with my current PC soundbar set as the front speakers, while I tested a range of games from Fortnite, Marvel Rivals, and single-player experiences like Baldur's Gate 3.

Additionally, I used the Razer Clio while playing music via Spotify, which included listening to a range of genres and bands, from Bombay Bicycle Club, Slime City, and the KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack. Lastly, I also used the Clio while catching up with TV shows like Dexter Resurrection via Paramount+ + and the latest shows and documentaries via Netflix. For more information on how we test speakers and other audio tech, check out the full GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

Fancy a headset instead? Our guides to the best PS5 headsets, best Xbox Series X headsets, and the best Nintendo Switch headsets are full of high-quality cups ideal for your beloved console of choice.

As a bit of a nerd, all of the pillows in my house are of the gaming or anime persuasion, so you can bet I was surprised when the Razer Clio came along.

Unlike those intended to support my butt or my back while I'm sitting back for a night of Marvel Rivals quick matches, the Clio is actually a gaming sound system in disguise and it's become my favorite out of the lot - which is a big deal as the owner of a very cool Dreamcast cushion.

Ever since it arrived at my door, the Razer Clio has lightened up my PC setup with its surround sound magic. It's definitely a niche accessory, and its $229.99 / £179.99 MSRP isn't cheap, especially when you consider that the best gaming headsets already on the market have spatial audio support and better compatibility with non-Razer hardware. However, that hasn't stopped the Razer wireless speaker head cushion from feeling right at home with my PC setup.

I'm a big fan of niche gaming tech accessories, and the Razer Clio is just that. It's very much designed for a certain subset of people, and by that I mean, those with a high-back fancy gaming chair in their possession.

The official product page for the wireless speaker cushion on the brand's site states that it can "fit on most high-back gaming chairs" but it definitely looks better when fitted on top of the Razer Iskur V2, one of the chairs it was designed for. Luckily for me, that just so happens to be the exact chair I have in my office, so the setup was pretty straightforward. There's two buckled straps that wrap around the top of your chair, and that's all you really need to hook it up - easy peasy.

All that was left was to pop in the accompanying 2.4GHz wireless dongle into my PC, and the Razer Clio was ready for anything I threw its way. Razer kindly provides a THX surround-sound demo via its Synapse software so you can test out the point of this niche accessory before playing anything. The second I turned this on was the moment I knew this was never going to leave my chair.

The surround sound of the cushion works similarly to any surround sound you'd find in the best PC headsets for gaming, where the audio will appear in a 3D space. Bullets whizzing past your ears from the far left in games like Fortnite will actually sound as though they're coming from that direction in an attempt to add a little extra bit of immersion. I didn't core a Victory Royal, but this is undoubtedly handy in games like Fortnite, and I was able to track down noisy players thanks to its immersive soundscape.

This is where I realized the cushion is ideal for those days when I want a break from having a pair of cups on my head. Some of my absolute favorite headsets, like the Corsair Virtuoso Max Wireless, come with spatial audio support but in a heavy 417g package. Since I began to test the Razer Clio, any day I feel a migraine coming on or just want a headset break, I can turn on the speaker cushion and give my noggin a well-deserved break and still have that immersive gaming advantage.

The wireless speaker cushion has surprisingly helped me with my posture too - which has been a pleasant surprise.

To use the Razer Clio properly, you need to sit back so your head is at ear length of its 42mm full-range audio drivers. Normally, I sit hunched over my desk like a gremlin, but the testing process has meant I have to deliberately force myself to sit up, which has been helping with my old-age gaming pensioner back pains.

Not only that, but it's made me appreciate other bits of Razer tech in my possession. My gaming PC is currently hooked up to the Razer Leviathan V2 X Kuromi Edition soundbar, and through Synapse, I was able to set that as my front-facing speaker, and the Razer Clio as the back. I geeked out so hard about this discovery that I told as many friends as I could, as it basically means my desk is now a Razer-themed nightclub.

Seriously, I will never tire of blasting Guess by Charlie xcx and Billie Eilish through this new setup. Especially as the Leviathan V2 X is now able to keep flashing its RGB lighting across my desk.

I'm still in the early stages of testing the Razer Clio THX Spatial Audio-Enabled Wireless Speaker Head Cushion, so these are just my initial findings of Razer's niche PC accessory so far. While it's definitely impressed me, and I don't ever want to imagine my chair without it, the testing process so far has given me a fair few brow-raising moments.

For one, even at a hefty $229.99 / £179.99, it doesn't come with all you need to set it up. As of typing the cushion, which is only in stock in the UK for now, doesn't come with a USB-C charging cable. That isn't a huge deal as most people have a drawer full of them, but it was still a let down given it's not a cheap product.

Its battery life isn't the best either, providing up to 14 hours of playback at a time. I've been using it to listen to the Deltarune Chapter 3 & 4 soundtracks at work every day, which has resulted in me needing to charge it every evening. Again, not the biggest deal in the world, but without an accompanying charging cable, it's been awkward to find a charger long enough to go from my PC to the cushion. Without a long cable, you're left to keep taking it on and off the chair, which is as tedious as it sounds.

This early into testing, I am still loving the sheer novelty of having surround sound while gaming or listening to my favorite tunes, even without a headset or a convoluted speaker system at my disposal. Not everyone is going to get a kick out of the Razer Clio and it's definitely better suited to those already deep in the Razer tech ecosystem, but for now, I can't get enough of how it has turned my PC setup into an immersive gaming disco.

Our guides to the best Nintendo Switch headsets, best Xbox Series X headsets, and the best PS5 headsets are full of high-quality alternatives to the Razer Clio if you'd prefer a more traditional audio gaming setup.

The Divoom Ditoo will never be a contender for one of the best gaming sound systems money can buy, and yet the little retro pixel art Bluetooth speaker has remained a staple of my PC gaming setup for years.

It can't connect to my PC like the best gaming headsets and improve my skills in my favorite online games from Marvel Rivals to Dead by Daylight, but its vivid LCD display and cute retro-TC design have cemented it as my favorite PC gaming setup accessory. It's perfect for that cozy gaming PC setup dream.

For those unfamiliar with the Divoom brand, the Ditoo is a retro TV-shaped 16 x 16 pixel art display that can display custom-made sprites and animated art created through its app.

The Divoom Ditoo utilizes a dot matrix style display, which helps tie into its retro-looking design. Out of the box, you have some vibrant clock-face sprites to select from using the six built-in RGB-lit up keyboard keys on the front of the speaker, but it's the software that makes it one of my favorite accessories in existence.

The Divoom app is available on Android and iOS-based smartphones, and is behind what makes this retro speaker so special. The second it's open, you're bombarded with some of the most adorable pixel art found on the internet - from animated sprites of sparkling hearts, to low-spec but cleverly hand-crafted dot matrix renditions of games from the Pokémon series to Deltarune.

When I first got my Divoom Ditoo Plus (the slightly older model than what's available today), I accumulated a bunch of sprite art that still brightens up my desk to this very day. Divoom app user bunnybun and their adorable rendition of the annoying dog from Undertale still looks extra fitting on my speaker's 16 x 16 LCD screen, as does the sickenly cute animated Kirby sprite by user Twilights. You can also create your own and upload them for the rest of the Divoom community to enjoy.

If you're sat there questioning the point in having cute animated art displayed on your desk, plainly put, it's just for that extra cute factor. I'm primarily a console fan, but ever since I've leaned into my PC more and more, I've dreamt of having one of those jaw-droppingly cute, pink cozy setups that are plastered all over the likes of Pinterest.

I still have a long way to go in making that dream become a reality, especially as my PC itself is in dire need of being fixed up with one of the best graphics cards so I can actually play some of my favorite cozy games on it without issue. However, in the meantime, the Divoom Ditoo speaker manages to make my setup look a tiny bit more impressive than it actually is.

If you're wondering why I haven't really delved into the fact that the Ditoo is also a portable speaker, that's because it feels like an afterthought. To me, this is a pixel art display perfect to sit behind you during live streams, and not something you'd want to pick if you fancy yourself a new high-quality audio setup.

That being said, the 15W speaker isn't actually bad - which still surprises me to this very day. The bass is pretty booming, and there's no distortion whether you're blaring out the soundtrack to Netflix's Kpop Demon Hunters film, or the metal stylings of STESY's 'We Like to Party' Vengaboys cover. I'm not going to replace my Razer Leviation V2 X soundbar with it any time soon, but it helps make the $79.99 / £89.99 MSRP feel a little more justified.

It's also a working alarm clock and comes with a set of built-in games. There's everything from a Tetris-like to a Breakout-like, which are a bit awkward to play on the keyboard keys and rose-gold lever. However, they're a fun novelty for when you're bored sitting, waiting for a new Steam game to download on your PC.

Over the years, I've been slowly collecting cute, pink, and pastel-colored accessories for my desk in hopes that it'll come day amount in a setup worthy of an anime magical girl. It's going to take me much longer to get there, but in the meantime, the cute retro-TV looking Divoon Ditoo has helped get me closer to making that cozy gaming PC gaming dream a reality.

If you want to give your PC gaming setup a well-needed makeover, checking out our guides to the best gaming desk, the best standing desk, and the best gaming chairs is a great place to start.

I've never been the best at parrying in video games. I've always been a dynamite dodger, but something about parry timing windows always slips by me, leading to a lot of frustration and even more in-game deaths. For that reason, I wasn't clicking with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 to begin with, until one of my friends gave me some invaluable advice.

There may not be a prompt on screen that flashes up, telling you when to hit the parry button, but if you listen closely, you'll hear an audio cue for 90% of attacks being swung at you. That's when I cranked up the volume on my Logitech Z407 speakers, and everything started to fall into place. I'm now about 14 hours in, I'm successfully parrying the majority of attacks, and Clair Obscur is easing its way onto my best games of all time list. That's pretty impressive for a set of speakers that only cost $103 at Walmart right now, they've helped me appreciate a truly priceless video game.

The best computer speakers are often overlooked for a decent gaming headset, but I think the former is actually better suited for the busy soundscape of Clair Obscur. You don't need to worry about positional audio in this game too much, but with good speakers, you'll be able to appreciate all the finer details (like combat sound effects). Plus, you'll still hear the once-in-a-generation soundtrack soaring over the top of the combat. All that, and you won't damage your ears by too many hours spent listening through a headset.

Should you buy the Logitech Z407 speakers?

In fairness, any good set of speakers could help your parry game in Clair Obscur, I'm just recommending the ones that worked for me. I've tested quite a few different speakers for PC now, but the Logitech Z407 might be my favorite of the lot. For a 2.1 system that's relatively affordable, it gives you surprisingly detailed sound that you usually need to pay a lot more for. I use the Z407 for my TV setup and, even though these have been designed for use on a desk with positioning a bit closer to your ears, I think they actually feel more at home underneath a TV because they have so much power.

The Ruark MR1 MK2 speakers, which I use at my desk, are much more expensive and aimed at more of an audiophile market. Even they don't sound quite as detailed as the Z407 at times. Granted, I use them without a subwoofer, but it continually surprises me how Logitech's cheap and cheerful 2.1 setup can sound so good. Having spent months with the SteelSeries Arena 7 speakers, I can safely say Logitech outguns them.

I also think the Z407 sport some really great practicality wins. They have a unique shape, but a clever stand that means they can lie horizontally or vertically. This gives them the versatility to work with your setup. There's also a handy control puck. This lets you skip songs, play and pause playback, or control volume with a satisfying twist of its top. Especially for their current price, I think the Logitech Z407 are great value for money. Perhaps their only weakness is that, because they're a tad older, they don't have USB-C connectivity, instead still having micro-USB, and there's no cable in the box. If that isn't a dealbreaker for you, I'd thoroughly recommend them.

For more upgrades to your best gaming PC, check out the best CPU for gaming, and the best RAM for gaming.

There’s nothing immediately striking about the Logitech Z704 Speakers when you first give them a look. They look pretty similar to any other run-of-the-mill, affordable computer speakers with fairly greywashed hues and muted silvery highlights. They look ordinary, and I’d say that’s one of their greatest tricks.

You see, compared to a lot of the other best computer speakers out there at the moment, the look of the Z407s is disarming. Their design tells you not to expect much - that they’re just baby’s first set of PC speakers, but they’re anything but. Soundbars, 7.1 setups, and audiophile-tilted speakers can set you back a small fortune, and I’m not sure half of them sound much better than Logitech’s entry-level 2.1 solution.

Let’s face it, a gaming PC setup is bitty and a never-ending task to assemble. There are so many components, peripherals, and truly unaffordable parts to think about, so speakers can often be an afterthought luxury. For that reason, it’s important that affordable options exist for those of us who blew our budgets on a GPU, CPU, or new monitor. At the same time, audio quality is important, so they need to get the job done. At $119 / £119, this aging 2.1 setup still feels worth every penny, and it might just be the best set for most players.

Design

For its lack of a jazzy or even premium look, the Logi Z407 speakers do have a lot of practicality. This is a 2.1 system (one left, one right, one subwoofer), and although the two speakers have been designed to sit on a desk or a bookshelf, they have a great stand system that gives them versatility. On the bottom and sides of both the left and right speakers are some mounting rails for their stands, which means they can stand upright, or, if you want to use them in a gaming TV setup like I have, you can lay them down horizontally.

Compared to something like the SteelSeries Arena 7 speakers, they have just about the same footprint in terms of pure real estate they’ll steal from your desk, but thanks to a slimline oval shape, they don’t feel as bulky, and the ability to sit them in different positions does give them added convenience.

Coming in just one Graphite colorway, the system feels quite neutral and blends in with the mix of technology on my TV stand without offending any existing color scheme. The subwoofer, for how powerful it is, actually has a very small size, which again, feels much more considerate than the equivalent from SteelSeries. On the other hand, the Arena 7 have a bit more personality thanks to RGB arrays on their backs. To get a more understated look from SteelSeries, you have to opt for the SteelSeries Arena 3. I suppose you’ll need to decide which suits you and your setup more.

Interestingly, there are no on-board dials, buttons, or knobs with Logi’s Z407s. For all your control needs, you’ll be at the mercy of a small, wireless control puck, which I’ll tell you more about in a second. From a pure design standpoint, having no control options on the speakers themselves is certainly a choice - make sure you don’t lose or break that controller.

Features

The downward-firing subwoofer combines DSP (digital signal processing) capabilities with 20W of power. The two satellite speakers have 10W of power each, harnessing tweeters of around one inch in diameter. That means the entire setup gets a peak wattage of 80W. I’d love to go into more detail about the types of drivers used and the nitty-gritty details of each speaker’s innards, but Logitech reveals very little about these speakers on its store pages. Whilst that lack of detail might worry the most audio-centric shoppers among us, I very quickly came around when I heard the noise these things make.

Logitech hasn’t provided many ways to customize sound profiles either, even if some of the best gaming sound systems might allow for it. There’s no companion software to speak of, either. The Z407s launched in early 2021, so it was a bit before this became the done thing. However, control isn’t totally in Logi’s hands. Coming with the setup is a small control puck that acts as a catch-all remote. By twisting the top to the left or right, you can increase or decrease the volume, but combinations of clicks also work as play/pause and skip functions.

By long-pressing the puck’s button, you can enter bass mode and use the scroll function to adjust its level. I have to admit, out of the box, the mix was just right for me, but if you feel the need to turn it down, or really crank it for a party, the option is there. Some handy notification sounds tell you when you’ve entered bass mode, when you’ve connected to an audio source, and an indicating LED on the bottom of the puck also helps you know which connection mode the speakers are in.

When it comes to connectivity, there are three options. The first, and I’d argue, main connection is through a USB to micro-USB port on the back of the subwoofer. In 2025, seeing a device still being sold with a micro-USB connection stings a little, more so because there’s no cable provided in the box. This really does feel outdated at this point, but besides a lack of convenience, I had no problems with the speed of the connection when testing. Still, I would have expected Logi to update this at some point if it wasn’t going to produce a newer 2.1 set, or at least adjust the packaging to also provide an appropriate cable.

Luckily, if you’re not up for digging through your drawers to find a functional micro-USB cable, a 3.5mm aux port resides on the back of the subwoofer, allowing you to hook into a TV or potentially one of the best streaming mixers. The third and final connection type is Bluetooth, which can come in handy depending on your setup and room size. This was reliable enough in testing, although I did notice a touch more latency than with the other outputs. Cue an Imperial Death Star worker saying, “It’s older Bluetooth, sir, but it checks out”.

In the box, Logi is semi-generous if you can forgive the lack of a micro-USB cable. You get the two satellite speakers, subwoofer, control puck, two AAA batteries for it, a mains power cable, and the RCA cables for hooking up the satellites to the sub. No need for a pesky speaker cable, the simple setup is all handled through the subwoofer.

Performance

For a fairly affordable, plain-jane-looking set of computer speakers, I really didn’t expect the level of quality the Logi Z407s has. These are some bloody powerful speakers, and although it may seem like low-hanging fruit in a sound system review to say my neighbours probably hate them, I think they’ve certainly noticed the difference since I started using them. These pack a serious punch if you want them to, and keep in mind I’ve been testing them through my TV setup, so I’m saying that knowing full well I’ve had them a bit further away than many desk users will. The Z407 emanate a wall of sound that doesn’t feel proportional to their size, and usually when that’s the case, the detail or treble can suffer, but it doesn’t at all here. You’ll hear me say this a few times in this review, but this might be one of the most detailed 2.1 speaker systems I’ve come across.

Comparing them to the Ruark MR1 Mk2 speakers I have at my desk, they sound just as detailed, if not enhanced, thanks to the additional bass you get from the subwoofer. Ruark’s audio has a richer sound to it overall - you can definitely see why it’s priced for audiophiles, but for a two-speaker solution which costs a lot less, Logi’s detailing is surprisingly good.

I’ve tested the Z407s over countless hours of playing Avowed, Assassin’s Creed: Shadows, Middle-Earth Shadow of Mordor, and Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero. I'm constantly amazed by the level of detail that each game’s audio has when it’s coming through these speakers. The subtleties of Avowed’s audio have been a real standout during testing. I usually like to wear one of the best gaming headsets when playing games in first-person, but the positional audio while exploring the Living Lands has been so solid through Logi’s speakers that I’ve taken it as an opportunity to protect my eardrums a bit. Nevertheless, I haven’t felt as though I’m missing out on immersive sound. The twinkling audio of lootable treasure in Obsidian’s 2025 hit is always easy to pinpoint, and that’s impressive for a 2.1 system.

That’s great for ambient sounds, but then, when cutscenes begin, the Z407 speakers take on a whole new persona. Whether it’s Tallion and Celebrimbor arguing with one another in cold, brooding fantasy timbres, or Kai’s bassy voice giving my Envoy his always valuable advice, the clarity and rich tones of voice acting sound great through these speakers. Combat is powerful, with explosions and effects working overtime to immerse me in each battle. Overall, a fantastic set of gaming speakers for anyone playing on one of the best gaming PCs.

But a set of speakers isn’t just for gaming. I am constantly listening to video game soundtracks, movie soundtracks, among other orchestral music I can work along to during the day, so how these sound through is always going to be a big factor for me before coming to a review verdict.

I probably sound like a broken record here, but the crisp detail of these speakers makes pieces of music I’ve listened to hundreds of times sound new. Logi’s retail page and marketing material are pretty tight-lipped about what particular DSP is going on behind the scenes, but each soundscape is balanced blissfully. The subwoofer has this velvety, brain-tingling quality to it, while the satellites will harmonise over the top with precise brush strokes, bringing out details in your favorite music you had no idea were there.

That’s what I found listening to all sorts of soundtracks, with Ghostrunner’s futuristic club feel sounding just as at home as DOOM’s metal work. All the while, the powerful orchestral swells of Llan Eshkeri’s Ghost of Tsushima soundtrack took me right back to Jin Sakai’s adventure. These speakers have a way of bringing out some of my favorite moments of music, and even at lesser volumes, they don’t lack the detail that these soundtracks are known for.

The best example I can give of this is when I was listening to live recordings of a few musicals. Having just discovered Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1912, I wasn’t all that familiar with it, but its prologue (which is a banger) is a particularly wordy piece. I hadn’t felt truly wrapped up in its story despite listening to this number a few too many times last month, but the clarity of the Z407 brought out each lyric so I could really say I knew each character well.

So, all in all, we’re talking about a surprisingly good level of audio quality for the money you part with. But on a practical note, how are they to use? Well, you certainly miss out on the USB-C of it all. I think the audio quality of the SteelSeries Arena 7 speakers pales in comparison to the Z407s, especially at lower volumes, and with detail in the treble ranges, but Sonar software does allow you to fine-tune any SteelSeries audio device. I’m not sure you really need companion software for speakers like the Z407, and oftentimes I find this to be more of a gimmick than it is “for glory”. Still, that’s what you’re missing out on here versus the obvious competition.

Logi has something the Arena loadouts don’t, however, and it’s the brilliant little control puck. I love this, and I really enjoy having a tactile way of controlling volume. A scroll wheel is so much more satisfying than a remote with buttons, and it makes for some fun swells in music you can crank up the volume for with a DJ-like twist. The puck, however, isn’t perfect. There are a lot of times where it refuses to wake up from sleep, despite having a connection range of 20m. I don’t know whether this is a signal-blocking issue, but sometimes you twist the volume dial and nothing happens. It’s disappointing, but it only occurs some of the time.

In the same way, the control scheme is plastered on the puck’s top with a sticker that, if it’s peeled off, will remove any reference to what the puck is capable of. I expect this was a design choice to keep to a minimalist aesthetic, but it is a remote control first and foremost, so function should come before design. An embossed or engraved dimple, or some symbols on the puck itself wouldn’t ruin anything for me, especially when the entire speaker setup doesn’t really have a very bold design language to upset anyway.

Should you buy the Logitech Z407?

I’m slightly worried that some audiophile purist is going to come at my email inbox to tell me I’m wrong for this, but the Logitech ZZ407 speakers are, in my opinion, some of the best value you can get on the market. Yes, they’re older, yes, they don’t have as much customization as some smarter options, and maybe they suffer from a lack of a bold aesthetic. There is no escaping the fact that this sound system delivers a pure, bassy, rich, and detailed performance of whatever audioscape you throw at it.

On top of that, it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg, and whatever the audiophile purist drafting a strongly worded email to me right now is about to recommend instead, the $300+ sound system they like isn’t for everyone. I am (slightly weirdly) obsessed with audio design and music, and these speakers constantly surprise me with how good they are at representing them.

I hope Logi comes back to us with an updated version soon, maybe in line with its Logi-tune software to allow for more customization, and with a USB-C connection. Until then, however, the practicality of these speakers is enough for me, and the versatility of connection types works as planned. I’d argue they’re some of the best on the shelves.

How I tested the Logitech Z407 Speakers

I put the Logitech Z407 speakers to the test in my TV setup for around three or four weeks before this review was written. In that time, I used them for loads of gaming sessions, and I listened to countless hours of music on them while working. I listened to a wide variety of soundscapes and musical genres with them, comparing them closely to the sound quality I know from the Ruark MR1 speakers I use on a day-to-day basis, as well as the SteelSeries Arena 7 I was using until recently.

For more on how we test the latest tech, check out the full GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

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Each year CES is home to a myriad of world firsts in the tech world, and this year's event is no different. Shure, a brand synonymous with some of the best microphones you can get your hands on, has just launched the MV7i Smart Microphone, the first-ever XLR microphone to have its own built-in audio interface.

According to Shure's CES press release, the MV7i microphone is designed to "simplify the way creators record audio" as it allows connecting a second XLR microphone, or an instrument like a guitar or bass, negating the need for a separate pricey audio interface. AVP of Global Marketing and Product Management at Shure, Eduardo Valdes, explains that the newly launched mic saves creators from "additional expenses and the hassle of confusing setups so they can focus on their craft."

Typically, if you have an XLR microphone at your fingertips, you need one of the best streaming mixers to actually use it. Desktop PCs and Macs don't come with XLR ports from the get-go, so having an interface like the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (the one I use every day) comes in handy. A device like this provides not only a way for you to hook up and record various audio and instruments but can also provide phantom power needed for any condenser XLR mics you may have at your disposal.

But interfaces like those don't come cheap. If you've already spent a small fortune on a high-powered mic, it's unlikely you'll have the financial means, or even just the motivation, to add a separate audio interface into the mix. That's what makes Shure's new MV7i Smart Microphone and Interface an ideal piece of audio kit for budget-conscious audio nerds, like myself.

Not only is the MV7i set to save you from forking out more cash for your setup, but Shure states that the brand-new microphone offers up the same audio quality as the MV7+ podcast mic and includes the onboard DSP and MOTIV Mix desktop and MOTIV mobile app integration. Through these apps, you can control both channels, whether you're recording two mics for a podcast or preparing for your next gaming live stream.

This newly upgraded smart microphone also comes decked out with Auto Level Mode with SmartGate Technology that automatically calibrates gain depending on certain factors, a Real-Time Denoiser to reduce ambient noise, a Digital Popper Stopper that acts like a pop-shield to damper harsh sounds, and Adjustable Reverb.

Despite being just showcased for the first time at the Pepcom CES Digital Experience this year, the MV7i Smart Microphone and Interface is already available now on the Shure website for $349 / £329. Hopefully, I can get my hands on it for testing and see if it truly makes my Focusrite interface a thing of the past.

Not quite sure the Shure MV7i Smart Microphone is for you? Check out our guide to the best gear for streaming where there are plenty of other options for you to choose from. We've also tested out some of the best webcams and the best capture cards if you're hunting for something more specific.

Hats off to the BlueAnt Soundblade, as the under-monitor gaming soundbar has convinced me that using standalone desk speakers is once again worthwhile. I’ve tried to get back into having some sort of external audio solution within my PC setup, don’t get me wrong, but it always ends in me getting tired of the clutter and falling back to either a headset or subpar integrated speakers.

For $199.99, the BlueAnt Soundblade sits under most of the best gaming monitor models and serves punchy audio. For the money, I think you’re getting a pretty powerful soundbar for gaming that won’t dominate your desk with garish gamery looks. In today’s world of RGB domination and edgy designs, that’s pretty important, especially since many players will still be looking for something that benefits game audio. Yes, the 120W system can get incredibly loud, but it also takes footsteps, gunshots, and other specific sound elements and gives them a valuable boost.

Would I buy the BlueAnt Soundblade to just listen to music? Probably not, since a few things keep it from being an excellent general-use soundbar. But, as a sleek under-monitor solution that provides thunderous bass and decent attention to mids and treble, this speaker will make a big difference to your desk setup. Plus, it doesn’t commit the unforgivable sin of only featuring USB connections for your PC – something I’m noticing more and more with systems specifically for desktops.

Specs

Despite its relatively compact size, the BlueAnt Soundblade is packing some serious audio heat. The 120W package squeezes an 80mm neodymium subwoofer, dual drivers, voice coils, and a single cone speaker driver into something 2.13 inches tall. All-in-one devices are anything but new, but I am used to seeing options like the Razer Leviathan V2 resort to separating bass into a space-gobbling box. 

In another move that puts that specific Razer soundbar to shame, the BlueAnt Soundblade offers auxiliary connectivity alongside USB and Bluetooth functionality. Even if you are simply planning to hook up to your PC and have no need for analog output, leaving it out limits your future options if you choose to, say, use the soundbar with your gaming TV. Or, if you’re like me and have ten million things plugged into your rig, being able to go with a wired connection that won’t fight peripherals for ports is handy.

Design

You can tell that BlueAnt has put a lot of effort into the Soundblade’s design, and while there are a few decisions that are a little eye-brow-raising, I think the overall package makes sense. Putting together a soundbar of this caliber that, in most cases, can slide under your monitor is no mean feat, especially since it avoids using an external subwoofer. 

Okay, let’s address the elephant in the room – the Soundblade looks like a monitor-riser but isn’t. That whole sentence sounds completely ridiculous and will have many of you wondering what BlueAnt was thinking with this approach. The thing is, if this soundbar did double as a riser, sitting weighty things on top of it would mess with the speaker’s overall resonance anyway, and at full volume, I imagine your screen would start vibrating if you perched it on top anyway. 

Now that we’re clear that your monitor goes over the Soundblade but not on top, we can chat about why that’s an excellent approach. Most screens I test these days opt for a fairly low-profile stand that’s either V-shaped or a pedestal. The soundbar uses rubber feet to add clearance underneath and includes slightly taller replacements for higher-up display bases, which in turn increases your chances of sliding the speaker over. Your mileage will vary with how far you can tuck the Soundblade in, but it still looks neat even when sticking out a bit. 

At the moment, I have the Soundblade sitting under the LG Ultragear 32GS95UE-B with the taller rubber feet attached. The 4K OLED screen is actually a perfect fit for the soundbar, as it slides under to cover most of its pentagonal base. I also previously had the speaker plugged into the Samsung Odyssey OLED G6 before we parted ways, and while it didn’t quite fit under as nicely due to the base’s width, it still looked pretty tidy under the 27-inch panel.

The takeaway here is that the Soundblade can fit under many screens without sticking out too far, even if each panel uses a slightly different pedestal. I don’t personally think it looks terrible even when just sitting in front of your monitor, but I’m fully aware that desk space is precious. The soundbar’s low-profile body can at least serve as a place to pop your keyboard or other peripherals while you’re engaging in other activities (for me it’s modding old Game Boys).

As for aesthetics, BlueAnt has struck a fairly nice balance between sleek and subtle with the Soundblade. I’m testing the charcoal grey version, which blends in with the rest of my setup, but pastel blue, pink, and green versions are also available for those of you with a more vibrant ensemble. Its curved plastic body sort of looks like part of a Tony Hawk’s Pro Skate track, which in turn makes me want to go buy a Tech Deck for my restless fingers. But alas, I’ll be able to resist since I end up forgetting it is there once tucked under a monitor.

Other than a traditional silver logo on the speaker's front fabric, every other element is practically out of sight, with touch controls for volume and input keeping well out of the way on the right-hand side. If you’re worried that means you’ll be fumbling to adjust volume or switch to Bluetooth, fear not, as this soundbar comes with a handy dandy remote. I’m forever shouting about monitors not coming with external controls, and while using the Soundblade’s doofer isn’t going to solve screen OSD dilemmas, it still earns lots of brownie points for covering the volume side of things. 

Features

If you love your PC peripherals and accessories to be bursting with features like additional software, you’re out of luck with the Soundblade. Rather than using some sort of accompanying app to make EQ tweaks or change settings, BlueAnt instead sticks with three pre-sets on its remote; Game, Music, and Movie. Each mode somewhat aligns things with their respective genre without having to deal with clunky programs, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to mess around with an equalizer manually. 

One of the biggest Soundblade selling points is undeniably its 120W capabilities, as this soundbar gets loud. Alternatives out there with matching capabilities are usually much larger or use an external subwoofer, so feeling the sheer volume of audio coming out of BlueAnt’s compact setup did catch me off guard. Even when dialed down to a respectable level, that downward-facing woofer really creates a rumble using your desk’s surface, with treble and mids flowing outwards effectively. 

While it’s a bit of a commonplace feature these days, I also appreciate having Bluetooth included with the Soundblade. I tend to move around my office a lot, and I’ve been making full use of pinging my Spotify sessions to the speaker in between gaming sessions. I’ve been finding that I can stray much further away from BlueAnt’s soundbar than other cheaper speakers I use too, as I could still hear Childish Gambino blasting away from inside while out in the garden. 

Audio quality

Just like everything I review, I went into my BlueAnt Soundblade testing sessions with gaming in mind. That means assessing how the soundbar handles gaming-specific sounds that matter in both competitive and immersive scenarios, while also taking note of fidelity when enjoying movies, TV shows, and music. I’m pleased to report that the speaker system holds up on multiple of those fronts, and I can see myself using it in place of a gaming headset regularly.

My go-to shooter is Halo Infinite, so I used the FPS game to see how well footsteps, far-off gunshots, and other audio queues come across using the Soundblade. While storming multiplayer sessions as a Spartan, I was able to hear encroaching movements from the enemy, enabling me to swing around before they got the upper hand. I even managed to hang onto the Oddball during a match for way longer than usual thanks to handy audible clues provided by this soundbar, which is praiseworthy indeed.

Outside of the carnage of intergalactic warfare, I put the Soundblade to the test with a few newer releases. I’ve been making my way through Still Wakes the Deep, and the soundbar manages to take the subtle details within the horror game’s Scottish oil rig and turn them into eerie nightmare fuel for the ears. Deep bass allows for groans and rumbles to hit a register that feels like something’s lurking in the far-off distance, with clean mids and trebles serving up more direct spooky sounds while keeping vocals crystal clear. 

One of my only gripes when it comes to gaming performance is that the bass can sometimes feel a little heavy-handed. The complaint is situation-dependent, as while the vocal clarity produced in Baldur’s Gate 3 is exceptional, its soundtrack mixed with action sequences can feel a little overwhelming. The sensation tempts me towards cranking down the volume, but that ultimately means scaling back on more subtle sounds that benefit from amplification.

When it comes to handling music, the Soundblade ends up embracing the same strengths and succumbing to similar pitfalls. As a benchmark for all sound equipment these days, I tend to use the Otis Macdonald track “Scarlet Fire” (yes, I am an unapologetic fan of the audio YouTuber Dankpods). The electronic artist’s beats feature heavy bass that can assess how balanced speakers are, and BlueAnt’s soundbar really falls deep into the bass zone with the track playing. It doesn’t completely trade away mids and treble to hit those low notes, but it’s absolutely in line with speakers that use bass to sound more punchy.

I’m a big Boards of Canada fan, which normally leads to me blasting the Scottish duo’s electronic tracks through speakers and headsets. The song “ROYGBIV” in particular takes full advantage of this soundbar’s integrated subwoofer and dual drivers, with sharp snare and high-hat rhythm piercing through those low rumbly synth-wave notes. 

The rest of my testing is less sophisticated, as I normally tend to spin some pop punk, midwest emo, and metal when relaxing and working. Notable shoutouts include Ghost, as I’ve had the song “Rats” on repeat this week and haven’t once craved using a headset or other set of speakers in place of the Soundblade. 

Should you buy the BlueAnt Soundblade?

Compact soundbars normally come with compromise, but the BlueAnt Soundblade offers exceptional fidelity while living under your monitor. Rather than merely offering up something better than your screen’s integrated speakers, this soundbar packs the premium punch you’d expect from more complicated setups, and it’s also versatile thanks to its USB, aux, and Bluetooth connectivity.

Ultimately, the Soundblade only has a few caveats holding it back, with its lack of full EQ options being my main complaint. It could also fall short when it comes to complete monitor compatibility, as while I’ve been able to park the soundbar under displays in a way that suits me, I can see the design being awkward if you’ve got a weird-shaped bass. I’m also pretty sure that some players are going to pick this speaker system up expecting it to double as a monitor riser, inevitably leading to disappointment when said panel doesn’t sit right on it or indeed topples in an unfortunate mishap. 

Basically, the BlueAnt Soundblade is great, but don’t sit your monitor on it or I’ll be very cross with you.

How I tested the BlueAnt Soundblade

For a month, I used the BlueAnt Soundblade as my main desktop speaker system. In that time, I positioned it under three monitors; the Samsung Odyssey OLED G6, LG Ultragear 32GS95UE-B, and the AOC U32G3X/BK. To put the soundbar’s audio capabilities to the test, I connected it to my PC using USB-C and Auxillery while playing music over Bluetooth using the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro. 

In addition, I used games like Halo Infinite, Still Wakes the Deep, Another Crab’s Treasure, and Baldur’s Gate 3 to assess fidelity, balance, and accuracy. Outside of gaming tests, I also played tracks by Ghost, Boards of Canada, Otis Macdonald, and various other artists from the pop-punk/midwest emo genre to determine the speaker’s musical capabilities.

For a full rundown of how we test speakers and other audio devices, check out our GamesRadar+ hardware policy to learn more.

Looking for a new screen? Take a peek at the best monitor for PS5 and the best 4K monitor for high-spec displays. Alternatively, swing by the best gaming handheld for systems you can take on the go.

I've been using the BlueAnt Soundblade for a few weeks now, and while I've never been into desktop soundbars, this one is something of a game changer. It's both designed to tuck under your screen and provide powerful 2.1 channel capabilities that'll put integrated display speakers to shame. Sounds good? Well, I've got a Prime Day discount that sweetens the deal even further.

Over at Amazon right now, you can grab the BlueAnt Soundblade for $149.99 (was $199.99) thanks to a hearty 25% off Prime Day gaming deal. At full price, this sleek soundbar will normally set you back $199, which is admittedly a bit pricey. However, that extra $50 brings it down to a price I'm very comfortable recommending, especially when you consider it's fantastic features and specs. 

I never take any discounts at face value, regardless of whether they're covered in fancy Prime Day labels. So, I've already checked to see if this soundbar has ever dropped lower during previous sales, and I'm pleased to say this is a bona fide record low. It managed to dip to $169.99 back in June, but it's safe to say I'll be now expecting to see BlueAnt's funky speaker system drop below $150 when rounding up future offers.

Should you buy the BlueAnt Soundblade?

I've used and tested quite a few soundbars in my time, and honestly? Most of them leave me feeling underwhelmed. That's particularly the case when it comes to desktop options, as they usually end up lacking the sort of audio range I'm looking for or are incredibly awkward to fit in at your setup (looking at you, Razer Leviathan V2 X).

I much expected to experience the same with the BlueAnt, but I was immediately impressed with the thoughtfulness put into its design. The Australian-based company does caveat that you shouldn't sit your screen on top of this under monitor soundbar, but it'll slide under most displays without taking up much room. Plus, it features downward firing subwoofer that provides excellent bass without requiring an extra box. I mean, where do you expect me to put that? If you think I'm moving my Club Penguin hockey plush to make space, you're sadly mistaken, sir. 

Design it's the Soundblade's only flex, however, as it provides excellent fidelity and a soundstage that sounds more natural than most gamer-related products. I'm not saying it achieves audiophile levels of perfection necessarily, but it's nice to have a speaker system set up that doesn't use bass to make a point or sound tinny. I'm also a huge fan of the soundbar's input flexibility, offering up Bluetooth, Aux, and USB-C to cover all compatibility corners. 

To give you a taste of how the BlueAnt Soundblade holds up in use, let's just say that I'm still freaked out after playing the Scottish horror romp Still Wakes the Deep at the weekend. Every creak and eerie moan within the game's oil rig filled my office thanks to this soundbar, instilling a sense of dread within me that I thought was only possible using a gaming headset. As much as I'm also a big fan of the fact it comes with a remote, I did accidentally sit on it at one point, resulting in the Soundblade ramping its 120w audio to max and me almost jumping through the ceiling. 

In any case, if you need a soundbar that'll fit right in with your existing setup and provide a tremendous audio boost, the BlueAnt Soundblade is well worth picking up this Prime Day. I'll be sharing my full review at some point in the near future, but I already know that I'd be happy even paying full price for this slick desktop speaker system.

Looking for more savings? Swing by Prime Day TV deals and Prime Day monitor deals for display discounts. If you'd rather venture outside, take a peek at Prime Day Steam Deck deals and Prime Day Asus ROG Ally deals for portable PC price cuts.

I had high expectations for the SteelSeries Arena 3 speakers based on the brand's reputation and how well-received the Arena 7 set was when we reviewed it back in 2022. Now that some time has passed since the Arena lineup hit the shelves, how will the lower-end option fare?

Entry-level speakers have a tall order to fill these days. The best options tend to target audiophile purists and as a result, don't compromise on price. The SteelSeries Arena 7 and Arena 9 stand among some of the best computer speakers on the market, but offer separate subwoofers and more devices for their price tags. These would undoubtedly be a solid addition to any of the best gaming PCs, but won't work for everyone's setup.

As the lower-end model in its Arena range, prices for the Arena 3 sit around $129.99/£109.99 compared to the more expensive Arena 7 ($299.99/£299.99) and the Arena 9 ($484.99/£473.99). Your money here gets you two speakers as part of a 2.0 stereo setup, but will that be enough?  

Design & Features

Upon unboxing the Arena 3 speakers I was met with a very premium experience. I personally love an unboxing and this was no exception. The speakers themselves are well-designed, with an oval-like shape and a matte black finish. The drivers on the front of the chassis are a slightly lighter color compared to the body which has a more charcoal-like hue. This is similar to the Arena 7 and Arena 9 design except less rounded. 

At a glance, they do look fairly high-end, despite their price tag, but also quite muted (visually, not audibly thankfully). You won’t find any fancy RGB or bright lights here - a simple design does the job nicely. Sitting on stands, the speakers can tilt up to roughly 20 degrees to allow you to angle them to suit your setup. I would have liked the ability to rotate them, but sadly, that’s not found here. On the base of the speaker, you’ll find a rubber ring to ensure that the speakers don’t wobble about on your gaming desk or TV stand - not that my setup does wobble much, but it’s nice to have peace of mind that they won’t go flying. 

If they did go flying though, I would watch out because the size and weight of these speakers are much larger than I was expecting. While that size lends itself to producing a nice punch to sounds, you might struggle for desk real estate, especially if you have a few of the best gaming monitors on there already. I personally found them a little large for my desk but that’s only a small complaint. 

On the front of the right speaker, you’ll find a knob that controls volume and a multi-function button that allows you to switch between audio inputs and enter Bluetooth pairing with support for Bluetooth 5.0. Speaking of audio inputs, you’ll find all of these on the rear of the right speaker and this includes jacks for a headset, AUX, PC, and of course your DC power port. Attached to this is a speaker cable which attaches to the left-hand device and connects the two together. With all the controls and ports on the right speaker, this does mean that one is ever so slightly heavier than the left.

Unfortunately, there is no USB A, USB-C, or optical connectors, something which you might expect speakers to include. It’s not too much of an issue, but it does mean that you’re relying on AUX for the SteelSeries Arena 3 - something the Ruark MR1 MK2 speakers also compromise on. Alongside this, having the headphone jack on the back of the right speaker does make it a little bit inaccessible depending on where the units are placed.

Performance

SteelSeries is known for producing some of the best gaming headsets for both PC and consoles and I am pleased to say that its record continues with the Arena 3 speakers. For the lower-end model in the Arena series, I was very impressed with the quality of sound that they produced, especially compared to my previous speakers which were close to a decade old - this was night and day.

As someone who has mostly relied on headsets as opposed to speakers (something I'm sure my neighbors thank me for), I wasn’t expecting to hear such a difference. I found myself going back and forth between my old speakers and the Arena 3 speakers to determine the quality difference in action. I went to Spotify and played some Low Roar - because I’m a massive Death Stranding fan - and the quality that the Arena 3 displayed was outstanding.

Throughout my testing, I used the Arena 3 speakers alongside the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7x headset which gave me a good feel for how these devices would compare to SteelSeries' other audio solutions. As someone who primarily uses headphones, I did initially find the move to the Arena 3 strange as I was so used to having sound funneled directly into my head. However, more often than not, I found myself choosing to use the Arena 3 over the Arctis Nova 7x when playing games or listening to music - it just felt more relaxing. I think it depends on the type of content you're enjoying though, I tried out Starfield with both the speakers and the headphones; in that instance, I opted for the headphones as it felt more intimate. The Arena 3 stood out to me more in Assassin’s Creed Mirage, however, with its open world, third-person setting, the Arena 3 really did justice to the historical setting, its ambient sounds, and music.

In musical testing, the Arena 3 performed really well at both very loud levels and when quiet, never losing detail at either end of the dynamic range. When louder, it filled my entire flat with sound - sorry neighbors. As this model doesn't include a Subwoofer like its Arena 7 or Arena 9 counterparts, the sound isn’t quite as full on. Nevertheless, the Arena 3 set doesn't feel lacking in bass - at least, not so much that you’ll really notice unless you’re an audiophile and looking for the best gaming sound systems possible.

But it’s not just music where the Arena 3 performs well. During more intense gaming, it does an incredible job of immersing you in virtual worlds. I tested Alan Wake II and Assassins Creed Mirage for this aspect and the former, in particular, impressed me. I began with the now Iconic ‘Initiation: We Sing’ level and was surprised at just how well the Arena 3 enveloped me in the Dark Place. The earworm that is Herald of Darkness blasted through the Arena 3 and filled my flat with crystal-clear Asardian rock. The vocals of the Old Gods of Asgard were picked up well and weren't lost in the often overwhelming mix of metal music. Gunshots packed a punch here with every shot ringing out with weight to it. The Arena 3 speakers were a perfect weapon for jumpscares to wield as well. As a horror fan I do love a good jumpscare and the Arena 3 speakers, when turned up loud, really do Remedy's sound design justice.

SteelSeries’ Arena 3 speakers performed similarly, albeit with fewer jumpscares, in Assassin’s Creed Mirage. The sounds of a bustling Baghdad were picked up very well and were delivered with clarity. I did find however that at one point while entering a cutscene there was some stutter and a little bit of lag from the sound compared to what was on screen, this only happened once and I am inclined to say it was a combination of the game and my PC rather than the speakers themselves. For anyone rocking one of the best graphics cards or the best CPUs for gaming, I doubt it's a problem you'll run into.

As previously mentioned, I also gave Starfield a go using the Arena 3, but I did find myself reaching for the Arctis Nova 7x as my choice when playing. It wasn’t that the Arena 3 delivered a bad experience - on the contrary - I just felt for the more intimate first-person experience the Arena 3 was less effective than using headphones.

Despite only being a 2.0 stereo system I still wanted to test out spatial audio. Although they wouldn't be as viable as headsets for this use case, a couple of spatial audio testing videos produced some impressive results. Despite not being surround sound, the two channels conveyed spatial audio really well. It’s not perfect, but it’s a good attempt for the price.

The speakers do work alongside SteelSeries’ GG software, which allows you to customize the sound of the Arena 3 to your liking, however, I didn’t explore this too much and instead opted to stick with the preset options that come with the Arena 3 - I felt this was the settings that most gamers would likely opt for if they aren’t rocking other gear from the brand, like the SteelSeries Alias Pro microphone.

Should you buy the SteelSeries Arena 3?

Starting at $129.99/£109.99, the Arena 3 speakers won’t break the bank compared to other PC speakers and are very impressive for the relatively cheap entry price. For the money, they delivered a very sound experience - pun fully intended - and delivered exactly what they advertised. I found my time with them to be a great overall experience that delivered across the board for gaming, listening to music, and watching content.

Overall, I found few issues with the SteelSeries Arena 3 and I think the quality of sound they produce is well worth the investment - especially from a big brand like this. However, the lack of USB-C, optical connector, or RGB - if you enjoy that in your gaming tech - is worth noting as these are something the midrange Arena 7 models do include - along with a subwoofer - for roughly $170/£190 more. 

Regardless, for the price of the Arena 3, you can’t really go wrong. If you're on the hunt for a simple two-speaker setup for your gaming PC, these stand up against some of the best computer speakers on the market. 

How we tested the SteelSeries Arena 3 speakers

The SteelSeries Arena 3 was used alongside my PC for a week as I worked day-to-day and was used as my main output for playing games, watching videos, and listening to music on my PC. I tested the Arena 3 speakers within Alan Wake II, Assassins Creed Mirage, and Starfield. I spent a couple of hours in each to test the capabilities of the speakers. I closely compared my experience with the speakers to using gaming headsets, including the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X, which SteelSeries sent me alongside the Arena 3 review sample. I also compared my time with these speakers to my use of older speakers I had in my setup.

Day-to-day I used the Arena 3 to listen to Spotify while using my PC, alongside this I tested them while watching YouTube and some streaming use. 

For more on the ways we test the latest gaming tech, you can peruse our hardware policy.

Looking for more gaming PC upgrades? Check out the best PC cases, the best RAM for gaming, and the best Alienware gaming PC.

Wireless neck speakers aren't new, but with both Sony and Bose failing to bring the airport pillow style design to the mainstream, Panasonic has stepped up to the plate. The Panasonic Soundslayer first made its debut in 2021, with a wired only model. This time, the electronics brand has thrown a 2.4GHz wireless transmitter in the box and cut the cord completely. The result is a certainly workable wireless speaker, but one that won't take over from the best gaming headsets any time soon. 

Design

The Panasonic Soundslayer is a larger device compared to Sony's NS7 Wireless model, and clocks in at a heavier 403g (versus 319g). In practice, that additional weight does make itself known during longer sessions - though it took me around five hours of gameplay for my neck to need a break, and it's taken far less time for my ears to need a headset breather. Of course, that's the main benefit built into the very fabric of the Soundslayer - there's nothing on your ears. 

Headset design has come a long way, but no matter how much padding you add to your cushions and no matter how breathable the fabric you're never going to get away from the fact that your ears are encased. If you wear glasses or you're particularly sensitive to this pressure, that can get old really fast. The Soundslayer was a welcome departure from this claustrophobic feeling and came with the added benefit that I was still aware of my surroundings while listening to music or playing.

The main device is constructed of a solid plastic, with a rubberized band holding the two speaker sides together and sitting on the back of the neck. The flexibility of this band meant I was able to get a comfortable fit immediately after donning the device, and the rubber feet under each side keeps the pressure off your chest as well.

Two LED lights display the system's current battery or connection status at the bottom of each side, lit underneath the mesh fabric speaker cover. Meanwhile, you'll find main controls on the left side, with tactile rubber icons allowing for quick and easy presses during gameplay. The volume scroller housed underneath the same side is a little trickier to find with the left hand, so I found it easier to reach across with the right for adjustments.

Overall, everything looks and feels well put together. The rubber panels lining the control buttons does make the experience feel a little cheaper than the $300 you're paying, but they're well sized and don't show any signs of wearing away.

Features

The speaker setup in the Panasonic Soundslayer Wireless is impressive. You've got four 38mm speakers positioned in a square around the head to provide a particularly convincing surround sound effect. That sound can be fine tuned across six different profiles, for music, movies, RPGs, FPS, and dedicated profiles for mic usage and stereo sound. You can also create your own EQ presets within the device's PC software. In everyday practice, though, I didn't notice too much difference between these modes - for reasons we'll get into later on. 

The Soundslayer needs a full wireless transmitter box to speak to your PC or console, running off a spare USB-A port. That does, however, give you the opportunity to plug in a separate subwoofer for extra power. I jacked it up to my Logitech sub, and while it was initially a little disconcerting due to the different locations of various sounds, it made for a more immersive experience overall. 

That's the only connection you've got, though - there's no Bluetooth here. As far as I'm concerned that's a massive oversight. This isn't expensive tech we're talking about here - nearly everything has Bluetooth in it these days. Dropping the simple everyday connection means the Soundslayer isn't compatible with mobile devices, PC gaming handhelds, or the Nintendo Switch when not docked. Considering you're spending $300 on - let's face it - a bit of an experiment, that's going to hurt.

On the other hand you're getting a surprisingly sophisticated noise cancelling microphone setup here. While I did often run into problems where turning my head would cause my mic to drop, that's more of a testament to the power of the noise cancellation here. I was worried when I first booted up a work call. I have a one year old puppy who loves nothing more than to start shouting at the door as soon as he hears me log on to a meeting. Such ruckus was never picked up by the microphone, and didn't bleed into my own voice tests either.

Battery life is also solid. Panasonic estimates a 9 hour lifespan per charge, which I found to be accurate. Straight out of the box (and after a full charge) I was able to run the Soundslayer Wireless for around a day and a half of fairly heavy use before plugging in. That translated to around 10 hours in my testing, but I can assume that battery life will start to shift down over time.

Performance

The audio coming out of the Panasonic Soundslayer Wireless isn't going to rival that of an equally priced gaming headset. Game and music audio was flat compared to the Logitech G Pro X2 which retails at a slightly lower $249, and lacked the spring of the marginally more expensive Turtle Beach Stealth Pro. Of course, both of these devices benefit from blaring their sound straight into your ear holes whereas the Soundslayer has a very different MO. 

I was impressed by the volume levels on offer here - given the chance, this thing can easily fill a room - albeit with a little distortion in the lower and mid-ranges when whacked up to 11. Directional audio also felt particularly natural thanks to the built in surround speaker system. While the overall impact of sound effects like footsteps, explosions, and shots was lessened in CS:GO and Apex Legends, the directionality of these cues was spot on and the open air design placed them within my environment particularly well. It's a trade off for precision over robustness, but one some may choose in the right scenario. 

That open design did lend itself well to open world games and their soundtracks as well. Skyrim's environmental world sounds shone through here, creating a bubble of audio around my head that felt open and free without losing its texture. Horizon Forbidden West generally poses a problem in this regard - I often find headsets struggle to keep up with heavier machine sounds when competing with more delicate open world effects. The case is the same here, though the extra space in the soundstage meant these whirrs and clunks weren't quite as overpowered as they often are in a closed back gaming headset. 

I do have to mention that the first Panasonic Soundslayer Wireless I received suffered from some popping sounds in the left speaker. These were intermittent, and fixed with a replacement device sent by the brand, however they do call into question the reliability of that supply. 

Should you buy the Panasonic Soundslayer Wireless?

The Panasonic Soundslayer Wireless is a fun device, and one that certainly has its own benefits. If you're tired of feeling your ears pinch under a heavy gaming headset, or you want to experience a more open soundstage without the wired connection necessary in an open back headset, it's a fantastic alternative. You're dropping some of the power of your sound by opting for a speaker design, but the comfort and breathability is unparalleled. 

However, there's nothing in here to sway gamers who already get on with headsets away from them. At $299 this is a pricey investment, and if you don't mind getting your ears cozy it's not one I'd recommend making. The lack of Bluetooth is a serious flaw to consider not just for compatibility but for portability as well (the wireless transmitter isn't a tiny piece of kit), meanwhile the audio quality isn't going to compare with that of even a cheap gaming headset these days. 

If you're already set on a wearable speaker, the Panasonic Soundslayer is well positioned in the market. Its $299 MSRP is often discounted down to $249 - $50 cheaper than the Sony NS7. While the larger form factor could lead to reduced comfort compared to Sony, this is a device designed far more for gaming rather than movies. Of course, Sony does include Bluetooth in its alternative which would be a consideration for anyone looking to play on a gaming phone or a gaming handheld. 

How we tested the Panasonic Soundslayer Wireless

I used the Panasonic Soundslayer Wireless for three weeks in total, the first two weeks running on a device that eventually was replaced due to popping sounds, and the final week with a new unit after a short break. In that time, I used the speaker for work meetings alongside the Astro A50 X, and solely used the speaker for gameplay across Skyrim and Apex Legends. I also tested across Horizon Forbidden West and CS:GO. For more information on how we test gaming headsets, check out the full GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy. 

We're also rounding up all the best wireless gaming headsets on the market right now, as well as the best PS5 headsets and the best Xbox Series X headsets as well. 

The Razer Nomma V2 Pro speakers follow the trend of Razer products getting the updated ‘V2’ treatment, and there’s a range of changes afoot. From design and build alterations, to improvements across setup and connectivity, this new set looks to update the Nommo series and drag it into the next generation of gaming.

The Leviathan line of soundbars also got the same glow up recently and now spans a full range of audio needs and price brackets - but can the new Nommo range do the same successfully? And can the new Razer Nommo V2 Pro be a true flagship, taking on the best computer speakers going in 2023?

Design

• Quality design and build
• Compact units
• Wireless woofer and remote

The Nommo V2 Pro immediately looks like something from the brand and share a lot with Razer headsets in terms of design language, with its sleek matte black finish. However, these do look a lot different from the original Nommo Pros - the design has been fully overhauled. The desktop speakers are now medium-sized cylinders on circular stands - way smaller and much more space-friendly than the double-cylindered speakers of the original. Each is sturdy, robust, and feels very solid - and the wide circular base means they won't be going anywhere. The subwoofer is a simple black box - a huge improvement on the absolutely enormous cylinder that came with the first iteration (I had to get a new gaming desk to accommodate that a few years ago).

The subwoofer is now wireless, which is a small but enormously welcome addition to finally grace any set of Razer speakers or soundbars. It probably shouldn’t have taken until 2023 for this to appear - my Samsung soundbar from 2015 has a wireless subwoofer, for example - but then again Razer doesn’t iterate on its speakers that often. The remote controller is back for the V2 Pros, and is now a ‘proper’ remote, ditching the wire.

Features

• Wireless remote and woofer
• Severely limited connection options
• 3" full-range drivers and wireless down-firing subwoofer

The set’s features are much altered from the original. The remote has a few controls (turn to increase/decrease volume, and there’s a source button) built into its sleek hockey puck-like shell though it’s very likely that the only one you’ll find yourself using is the three-second press for on and off.

The speakers themselves have fewer features, gone are the double speakers in the left and right, with each now having just one 3" full-range driver. This is welcome as it reduces the size and weight of each side, and the sound is not compromised.

Perhaps the biggest factor among the V2 Pros' features, however, is the connectivity on offer. Like the revamped Leviathan V2 soundbar range, the range of connections has been stripped right back. So stripped back that it’s only USB and Bluetooth - there is no ‘old fashioned’ port or connection such as an audio jack or optical port. And, of course, you won’t find many folks recommending a Bluetooth connection over any wired one for gaming. I find this disappointing but it clearly shows how Razer is viewing its range of speakers now - for desktop PC use only. Whereas we used to hear of the original Leviathan and Nommo Pro speakers being deployed with gaming TVs and consoles, the V2 variant of both are now firmly pitched as something to team with a gaming laptop or gaming PC. As a result, it’s a push to think of this as a set that could take on the best gaming sound systems in terms of flexibility and where it can be deployed.

There’s a decent amount of presets and flexibility available in Synapse; the presets are generally good, the EQ is easy to manipulate, and if there’s a premade THX profile for the game your playing, then that’ll be automatically added as an option. The main audio modes are the traditional stereo 2.1 output and the THX Spatial setting which is a virtual surround sound offering.

Of course, RGB is featured too, but has been moved from the stands of each desktop speaker in the original to the rear. This change means that you’ll get the most out of it when the speakers back directly onto a nearby wall, and in low light situations (of course). It would have been nice to see the RGB in the stand retained in addition to the rear lighting to offer even more ambience and enable you to enjoy it more.

Performance

• Superb audio across all media
• Great bass levels and overall volume
• Superb audio modes and EQ options

On a purely audio-quality level, the Nommo V2 Pros are easily the best Razer speakers I’ve ever used. Across the board, no matter the media, they excelled and provided brilliant audio, with plenty of range, volume, bass, and detail. And while there’s no fancy beamforming audio like the Leviathan V2 Pro, there is sumptuous Razer-quality audio - in both sound modes. 

When used in stereo mode the Nommo V2 Pros reinforce the fact that there is a place for 2.1 stereo audio in gaming in the year 2023 - it’s perfectly balanced, rich, rounded, and doesn’t miss a beat. Even though it's virtual, the THX Spatial mode produces some wonderfully produced surround sound effects, however it does pay to tinker with the EQ when setting up as I found it can sound a little thin at first.

Running the Nommos across a few games, the quality on offer is a joy to experience. Dawn of War 3’s crunchy, busy combat was delivered with great fidelity, and every sound of stomping units or barked orders and commands were crisp and clear. The original Stalker’s atmospheric and creepy audio still holds up in 2023 when given to me with the Nommo V2 Pros, giving me some chills. And in Fortnite, I was gifted a solid action-packed audio experience, being able to discern enemy and gunshot direction well, though I’d always recommend a gaming headset over speakers for something of a competitive nature.

Voices from family and colleagues on voice calls were crisp and clear, while music of all kinds was a joy to listen to. Making adjustments will elevate your experience, but it can be as simple as flipping the preset EQ from Game to Music. No matter what it was, classical or Slipknot, the Nommos pumped it out beautifully.

Ease of use is well worth mentioning here too. It’s great that the controller is wireless now which means it’s perfect if your keyboard has no media controls. The problem with that is that most gaming keyboards and Razer keyboards do have media controls. As a result, I barely used the remote apart from the power function. 

Should you buy the Razer Nommo V2 Pro speakers

If you’re looking for some of the best PC speakers for gaming right now, then the Nommo V2 Pros should be front and centre on your shortlist. The audio is terrific, the design, build, and ease of use are all excellent, and they do offer something close to the full - albeit streamlined - PC audio package.

As with anything in this price range, and as usual with Razer, there is a slight question mark over value. After double and triple-checking the Razer website and interrogating the manufacturer’s spec lists, the ‘regular’ Nommo V2 speakers seem to be identical to the V2 Pros bar only two slight differences: the wireless subwoofer and the remote. This means that if you’re OK with just one more cable to manage, and controlling the speakers from your keyboard or Synapse, then you can save yourself $150 / £150 - which is wild given the negligible differences. You’re not missing out on anything audio-wise, to be clear. And in terms of direct competition, part of me would still just about recommend the QAcoustic M20 HD speakers too for connectivity and flexibility reasons. However, despite the original Nommos having greater connectivity, it is fair to say that the V2 Pros do offer more value than their predecessors, so that is a welcome advancement.

Having ditched multi-speaker setups in the recent past to get rid of cable spaghetti, I’d thought that nothing would displace my simple Yamaha SR-C20A soundbar for a while. The Nommo V2 Pros have made me rethink that. If you’re looking for a big upgrade in your desk-bound audio, or want to go big and best with your first set, then the Nommo V2 Pros are very strong contenders; this set can do it all, very well.

How we tested the Razer Nommo V2 Pro speakers

I have used the Razer Nommo V2 Pro speakers as my everyday sound-givers for several weeks and used them for everything from video calls to background music, and from streaming TV, to plenty of gaming across different genres. In terms of music specifics, I have tested multiple types including instrumental video game music that I work to, and dock and metal for some leisure listening. I tested the Nommo V2 Pros with a range of games to put them through their paces too: strategy games like Total War: Troy and Dawn of War III, the original Stalker game which I’m revisiting, as well as Fortnite. I was also able to do some AB testing against the Yamaha SR-C20A soundbar which is my usual daily driver.

Tested on PC with an Acer Predator X38 monitor from Acer. 

If you’re looking for more intimate audio options then check out our best gaming headset, best wireless gaming headset, and best PS5 headset guides.

The thing you've got to understand about the Razer Leviathan V2 X is that it never said it was going to change your life. It's a $99 / £99 USB-C powered soundbar with very little to bloat its price point. 

That makes it an easy going speaker to the everyday player who wants to add a little flair to their setup - no more, no less. That means anyone coming from a $100 / £100+ audio setup is going to notice a reduction in quality, and anyone considering investing in a solid sound system should be looking further up the price bracket. However, in today's two-figure market, there's very little out there for budget buyers, and the Razer Leviathan V2 X is poised to act as a catch-all for this cheaper price range. It's not going to give the V2 or V2 Pro any trouble, but as an affordable entry point it certainly fills a hole. 

I spent two weeks running all my gaming, movie, music, and meeting audio through the Razer Leviathan V2 X to see where it sits among the best soundbars for gaming on the market. 

Design

• Compact footprint and minimal cables
• Sturdy build 
• 14-zone Razer Chroma RGB adds a premium touch

Considering you're not breaking past $100 here, the build quality of the Razer Leviathan V2 X is to be commended. While the plastic chassis isn't as visually slick as some high-end options out there, it feels solid in the hand and doesn't show any concerning flexing or chipping from our use so far. Along the front you'll find a non-removable fabric grill stretched around a Razer logo, which feels movable without threatening to rip or tear. 

Underneath there are two rubber feet angling the front upwards slightly, though unfortunately - unlike the main Razer Leviathan V2 model - they are fixed in and can't be adjusted depending on your position. Still, I found a nice elevation level here. Audio was positioned straight between the ears, allowing for the surprising level of directional sound to breathe fully. 

This is still a decidedly Razer affair, with a strip of Chroma RGB LEDs running along the bottom of the device itself. I switched over to a full Razer setup to test just how much these LEDs added to the aesthetic of a fully synced desk top, running with the Razer Basilisk V3 mouse and Razer Huntsman V2 keyboard for a full light show. It's a nice effect overall, with lighting projecting onto the desk to match that of the Basilisk, and an effect that gives the cheaper soundbar a much more premium feel in its aesthetic. 

As a member of the small desk gang I was overjoyed to find that the Leviathan V2 X sat neatly underneath my monitor, without taking too much space away from the keyboard and mouse. Admittedly, things were still tight with the full-sized Razer Huntsman in play, but considering my desk top only measures in at 50cm the fact that it's possible is more than enough for me. Not only that, but the single USB-C cable delivering both power and audio made for a particularly clean setup. I'm usually fighting an unending war with cables for my Logitech Z533 computer speakers, so this minimalist design was more than welcome. 

Features

• Limited connection options
• No dedicated subwoofer 
• Bluetooth 5.0 is a neat additional extra

There's no easy way to say it, the Razer Leviathan V2 X is lacking in features when compared to the rest of the market. However, the rest of the market is leaving this sub-$100 / £100 price point well alone - the cheapest gaming soundbars you're likely to find start at $250 / £250 in general. The question, then, isn't necessarily whether the V2 X is underperforming in its spec sheet compared to what's already available, but whether it can actually serve the needs of its market while keeping costs this low. 

For the most part, yes, it can. A simple USB-C connection may limit those on the hunt for HDMI or optical audio, but it's perfectly serviceable for everyday use. The lack of a 3.5mm port may be a little more difficult to swallow - especially if, like me, you're running off a gaming laptop setup with limited USB-C options. Using an additional hub was the only way I was able to use both the Leviathan V2 X and the Logitech Stream Cam at the same time, for example. 

Of course, you've also got that Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity built in as well. While that's a little too slow for gaming, I did enjoy being able to quickly switch to my phone audio to load up some Spotify during more meditative Planet Coaster sessions. Plus, the Razer mobile app opens you up to a whole host of EQ settings and RGB controls, as well as acting as a separate remote for playback.

The only real barrier to a solid everyday experience is the lack of woofer. There are plenty of soundbars on the market without a dedicated subwoofer in play, but they generally make up for that lack of bass with additional attention to the low ranges in driver tuning. As we'll see in the next section, that isn't on the cards here, and the Leviathan V2 X does suffer for it.

Performance

• Heavily reduced bass range means it lacks oomph
• Nice handling of finer sounds in mid and upper ranges
• Surprising level of directional audio

I had already set my expectations after learning there was no dedicated subwoofer here, but I was still disappointed in the audio produced by the Razer Leviathan V2 X. Maybe I've been spoilt by my time with a full system setup, maybe I'm too used to the world of the best gaming headsets, but I was disappointed with the V2 X the first time I booted it up. It's worth noting that I do naturally prefer a bassier sound, so the heavily flattened low range was particularly offensive. With those first impressions out the way, though, I persevered - and started to see where that $99 / £99 price point makes sense. 

For all its faults in the low ends, the mids and uppers are actually very nicely balanced. While the Doom Eternal soundtrack was a mere shadow of itself, the gore sounds and weapon effects shined through naturally, and with more power than I was expecting. Deag Ranak's multi-layered dialogue carried its different tones with excellent depth, and the clink of armour pickups snapped into the forefront, clipping even the muddiest of bass tones in the soundtrack. 

It was in PUBG that I realised this smaller soundbar actually carries directional audio surprisingly well as well. Gunshots in the distance still erupted from the left with a nice degree of positional accuracy, and tracked smoothly as I panned around to meet them. My own weapon sounds were ok, but certainly not as well rounded or powerful as they would be on my own Logitech system. 

Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice benefitted the most from this weakened bass, with detailed, rich dialogue swirls holding their position and clarity well, even in quieter whispers. My sword slashes didn't have as much grunt to them as usual, but in the higher ranges of my exploration I was impressed. 

The Razer Leviathan V2 X will work better for certain soundscapes then, and certainly won't work for you if you prefer a beefier timbre to your gunshots. The same is true for music. Running through Kali Uchis' Red Moon in Venus album was a little harsh without the basslines to support these twinkling melodies, but I could still appreciate a nice soundstage in the same mids and upper levels that worked so hard in games. There was also plenty of attention to more complex layers on tracks, but the whole experience wasn't as atmospheric as usual. Grandson was a no-go. That teenage crunch just wasn't there, and the whole track was flattened into a single stream of angst with very little definition between parts. 

Should you buy the Razer Leviathan V2 X

While its performance isn't its strong suit, the Razer Leviathan V2 X still has its place on the market. Those on the hunt for a sub-$100 soundbar don't have a lot of choice, with options generally limited to older Sony releases. The Sony HT-S100F and SF150 are the two devices comparing themselves to the Leviathan V2 X in this price point, and both offer HDMI connectivity for the same cost. That said, these will drop you down to Bluetooth 4.2 which will be too slow for wireless gaming speeds. 

The X model can't hold up to the audio quality and feature lists of both the Leviathan V2 and Razer Leviathan V2 Pro, but you're spending a considerable amount more on these more sophisticated soundbars. The former clocks in at $249.99 / £229.99 while the latter will set you back $399.99 / £399.99 and packs head tracking 3D audio into the price tag. We weren't too impressed with this feature, though, noting that it rarely worked fast enough to keep up with on-screen action, and could only be used by one player at a time by its design. If you're after a solid all-rounder, then, we'd recommend the standard V2 - you're still splashing out, but you're not wasting money on features for features' sake. 

Anyone after a budget buy, though, especially those who aren't coming from a more high-end system, will still be able to get along with the Leviathan V2 X.

How we tested the Razer Leviathan V2 X

I used the Razer Leviathan V2 X for all gaming, movies, music, and meetings over the course of two weeks. During this time, I primarily tested on Doom Eternal, PUBG, and Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice, with some Cities Skylines and Planet Coaster thrown in as well. I used the Leviathan V2 X to listed to a range of music genres via Spotify, running quality at the highest settings. For more information on how we make our recommendations, check out the full GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy. 

If you're after something a little more substantial, take a look at the best computer speakers on the market right now. Or, check out the best wireless headsets if you're looking to keep the noise down. We're also rounding up all the best gaming sound systems for the full whack.

Logitech microphone, not two words you’d generally expect to see side by side and definitely not a brand you’d naturally be looking for in a studio setting. Yet here we are, the Logitech Blue Sona - the first entry into the broadcast audio space for Logitech - sort of.

In 2018 Logitech acquired iconic microphone manufacturer Blue and the Blue Sona is the first fruit born from that tree. So while all the branding says Logitech, this $349/£299 dynamic XLR microphone is far from a beginner’s first attempt, there’s Blue blood running through its veins. 

We put the Blue Sona through its paces to see where it sits among the best microphones for streaming. 

Design and Features

Everywhere I looked on the Logitech Blue Sona I found something new to like. Hats off, it’s a really nicely designed microphone full of clever touches. You’ll find two versions of the Blue Sona available, all black or mostly white, I’ve been playing with the latter.

There’s a bit of sci-fi weapon vibe to the Blue Sona. The rounded off rectangular body held aloft by a robust, equally rounded off mounting point with its XLR connection bolted on to underneath - it’s all very spaceship railgun and the metallic white colourway is doing nothing to hold that aesthetic back. It’s wholly pleasant though and everything is nicely in proportion to itself.

Every part of the body bar the interchangeable windscreen is metal which is both nice to see and expected at this prosumer price point. You’ll find two of the foam pop filter windscreens in the box which came as a fun surprise, not least because your options are a classic black or eye-poppingly bright red. They’re easily swapped out with a subtle magnetic connector and it’s refreshing to see a brand offering customisation that isn’t an excuse to take more cash from your pocket. I rocked the red and was greeted with more than one complement on it.

The Logitech Blue Sona isn’t a small microphone by any means, however the attached bracket offers great flexibility when it comes to mounting positions, working equally well either hanging off or standing up on the mic arm that you’ll need to supply yourself. I like to keep my microphone off screen and actually ran the Logitech Blue Sona on its side halfway between the two and it lay happily floating in mid air throughout testing.

On the end of the Blue Sona you’ll find another of its clever little touches, given away only by a helpful sticker, hiding underneath the Logi logo is a secret panel. A little push at the bottom pops the magnetic panel off to reveal the onboard EQ switches. It’s a nifty solution and also allows you to orientate the Logi logo the right way up no matter the mounting position, if you’re concerned about that sort of thing.

Performance

At $349/£299 the Blue Sona has a lot to live up to if it’s to compete with other options within its price range. Thankfully for Logitech though, this is where the expertise of that Blue connection really starts to pay off. 

Being XLR you’ll need an audio interface (and you’ll need one that delivers phantom powered too) and it’s a BYO XLR cable situation as there isn’t one in the box. For my testing I used the Elgato Wave XLR and a cable from RODE. Overall I was impressed by what Logitech have put together with the Blue Sona. Audio performance is strong across the areas that matter most for streamers and podcasters and it’s clear there’s been some focus placed on those use cases. There’s a load of clever work going on under the hood with the Logitech Blue Sona that all works together to deliver excellent sound. 

The result is super clean vocal performance, even in environments that aren’t ideal for pristine audio. There’s a little acoustic treatment in my streaming setup, but there’s also a wooden floor and a lot of hard surfaces so it’s far from ideal. I found the Logitech Blue Sona did a great job at putting my voice front and centre and I’d back it to still perform well in even the least ideal home studio spaces. My voice came across strong and clear and distractions like my mechanical keyboard were muted at best.

Out of the box the Blue Sona delivers a pretty balanced sound that I found to be a nice compromise between realistic and stylistic. There’s no overly intimate podcast voice closeness but being a dynamic microphone there’s no overriding sense of roominess either. Logitech offer some control onboard as hidden under the secret panel on the end are two switches that control the onboard EQ options. The effectiveness of these will vary from one voice to the next so it’ll be a case of trial and error. For me, I found the changes they made a little intense so I kept them both off but that’s down to personal preference more than anything.

Should you buy the Logitech Blue Sona mic?

I’m hesitant to call the Blue Sona a debut offering for Logitech, but the truth is even if this microphone had been released under the Blue branding proper it would still be a triumph and worthy of applause. 

Yes, the $349/£299 price point is steep (particularly for those who need to invest in an interface, cable and mic arm too) but the results speak for themselves and there’s really no area of weakness. The Logitech Blue Sona is a strong performer that comfortably sits at the top end of options for a home streaming studio or podcast setup. 

That said, if you're just getting started you likely don't need all the bells and whistles on offer here. For something cheaper, we'd recommend checking out the Blue Yeti Nano. You're getting the same Blue pedigree but dropping a few prosumer features for a sub-$100 / £100 price point. 

How we tested the Logitech Blue Sona mic

I added the Logitech Blue Sona to my streaming setup and used it for livestreaming on Twitch, Discord calls and some specific sound testing. It was mounted on a RODE mic arm throughout and connected to an Elgato Wave XLR interface (without Wave Link software) with a RODE XLR cable. For more information on how we make our recommendations, check out the full GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy. 

We're also rounding up everything you need to start streaming for gamers, as well as the best webcams and best green screens for that final professional finish. 

Elgato’s range has rapidly expanded in recent years to tick just about every box on a streamers setup build list. Though previously there was a glaring omission from the lineup that’s now been plugged; a dynamic, XLR microphone.

Meet the Elgato Wave DX, a $99/£109 solution that promises performance well beyond its near entry-level price tag. We already consider the Wave:3 one of the best microphones for streaming in 2022, so Elgato has set its own bar high.

Design & features

Sitting right at home in Elgato's streaming for gamers gear lineup, the Wave DX design is refined and reserved with a minimum of fuss. If you’re a fan of Elgato’s sleek, pared-back aesthetic the Wave DX will impress, with a simple white logo the only thing breaking up the blackout. There’s not a single LED or flashy gamer touch in sight.

Overall it’s a surprisingly small unit, ignoring the mounting joint the entire body is less than 5.9"/15cm long and just 2"/5.3cm across, making it an excellent option for tighter setups. The all-black hardened steel chassis feels particularly premium and while there’s a reassuring amount of weight to the microphone, it’s nowhere near heavy enough to cause a problem for even low-end mic arms. 

That’s a good thing too because you’ll need to invest in a mounting solution as there’s nothing included in the box. The mono swivel mount point offers nice clearance so should be universally compatible, and Elgato does include a couple of thread adapters, but it’s an added expense to make sure you consider when shopping. 

The mount point is fully removable and can be attached on either side of the microphone, offering great flexibility for all setup layouts and I had no trouble finding a spot I was happy with. You can even swap and rotate the Elgato logo to keep it the right way up for your viewers on stream, if that’s your kind of thing.

There’s an integrated pop filter hiding inside the body, though I didn’t find this as effective as external solutions, particularly if you’re up close and looking for that deep podcast sound. There’s also no way to shock mount the Wave DX with little protection on this front, which does leave it susceptible to desk bumps.

Overall though the Wave DX offers a design and build quality that feels well beyond its $99/£109 price tag. However it’s also worth noting Elgato doesn’t include an XLR cable with the Wave DX, so you’ll need to source one separately or bundle it with their own $19.99/£19.99 3m cable.

Performance

Microphones are one of the more subjective parts of a streaming setup, everyone’s sound is unique and different microphones can be tuned to extremes on the spectrum. That’s not the case with the Elgato Wave DX though which does a remarkable job of sitting on the fence. 

The one-line summary is pretty simple, the Elgato Wave DX sounds great and will suit most setups, even straight out of the box with no fiddling and tailoring of EQ settings. 

With the DX, Elgato has engineered a dynamic microphone that doesn’t go over the top by reminding you it’s a dynamic microphone. It doesn’t hammer home that intensely smooth, close podcast host sound and instead offers a lighter touch. There’s a brightness to vocals and overall it sounds less rounded off than some other dynamic microphones I’ve tested.

Whether this is a pro or con is going to vary from one person to the next and will account for personal taste and the other elements of your setup. It’s also worth remembering we’re considering the specific and subjective characteristics of the sound here, not the overall quality. The Wave DX delivers objectively clear and premium audio, it’s a great mic.

Microphone etiquette is important to remember as the Elgato Wave DX does a good job of rejecting other audio and general room sounds. This is great for dialling back unwanted noise like mechanical gaming keyboard chatter but will harm the audio quality of those streamers who forget to address the microphone properly. It also goes some way to accommodating less-than-ideal setups, a great choice for streamers with no acoustic treatment in their space.

As you’d expect the Wave DX works perfectly with the rest of the Elgato ecosystem, integrating with the Elgato Wave Link software and Stream Decks. Wave Link offers intuitive control of EQ adjustments and while the out-of-the-box sound is strong it’s worth taking five minutes to have a play around.

Overall - Should you buy the Elgato Wave DX?

The Elgato Wave DX is an excellent choice for streamers looking for a high-quality dynamic XLR microphone. It delivers strong audio performance in a premium feeling package and when it comes to quality and value there’s little to complain about.

How we tested the Elgato Wave DX

I used the Elgato Wave DX as both a microphone for live streaming and for everyday tasks like Discord calls for a couple of weeks. It was connected via XLR through the Wave XLR interface and used Elgato’s default post-processing through the Wave Link app.

You can read more about our approach to gaming tech and products in the full GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

Round out your streaming setups with upgrades elsewhere: consider adding one of the best capture cards and the best webcams to make your streams shine.

Update: 19/6/23 - Following my original complaints earlier this year, Razer has sent me a second Leviathan V2 pro unit to investigate. While this won’t change the original review or score - we can only review fully what is before us and sent to us - this replacement model has addressed some of these original complaints.

When I first reviewed the Leviathan V2 Pro, I received one of the first units ever made and, by extension, one of the first units to be sent out to the media. This replacement unit is from the mass production run that you, the readers, would also be buying from.

In brief, I’m pleased to say that this unit seems more representative of the Razer level of quality we have come to know over the time we’ve been reviewing its products. After many hours of testing, I can report that there is no strange crackling, and there is no delay to the head-tracking, beamforming audio that I previously experienced - in fact, I can now say that it is instant and, well, excellent. Naturally, however, the concern about value is still present, despite this unit having no problems - I remain unsure whether the beamforming audio feature and slightly beefier drivers warrant the 60% extra on the price compared to the regular Leviathan V2 soundbar. 

We don’t usually change review scores at GamesRadar+, plus, as mentioned, the original review was still a fair assessment of the product sent to me and that I lived with for several weeks. However, our overall advice and opinion have altered somewhat by seeing a replacement unit, and we can safely recommend this as a good soundbar and computer speaker option. 

The Razer Leviathan V2 pro completes the gaming hardware behemoth's refreshed lineup of the new Leviathan soundbar lineup - and it promises to offer something clever, unique, and truly different from competitors in the audio world. Adding a camera to a soundbar is something on its own, but Razer promises that this will mean that the bar can track your head and alter the audio no matter what position you take in order to give you the best experience with its beamforming surround sound. Curious indeed.

I thought the Leviathan V2 soundbar - now the middle model - was a decent revamp of the cult-favourite sound-giver that was initially released nearly a decade ago now. The original and the V2 now both sit on our best computer speakers and best gaming sound system pages - and for good reason.

So what does the V2 Pro offer, and is it worth the extra investment over its siblings. As Reverend Lovejoy put it: the short answer is 'yes', with an 'if'; and the long answer is a 'no', with a 'but'. Let's get into it.

Design & Features

Broadly speaking, the V2 Pro shares the same design language as the other models: cuboid, blocky, and rather unsubtle. The subwoofer is almost identical to the V2's but the soundbar is longer, wider, bigger, chonkier, and fatter in every way basically. This makes it a little more demanding of desk real estate but, all in all, it's still a pretty compact soundbar that can happily fit under any monitor.

The buttons to control the soundbar are all on top. There's a power button and volume dial, and four small circular buttons that cover EQ, 3D audio profile, input, and chroma functionalities. The camera and its sensors are flanked by two lines of LEDs that notify you of the camera processing and audio changing, but can also be used to indicate which settings you've chosen with the buttons on the top too - even though the on-screen notification is a far clearer and easier means through which to get that information.

Small design niggle: because the camera needs to be front-facing and the buttons are therefore shunted to the top - and pushed back a bit - interacting with them can be tricky depending on your monitor's height and positioning. My ultrawide monitor comes dangerously close to the top of the buttons, for example, which makes it harder to freely use the controls. Though, having said that, I get around that by using the media controls on my keyboard anyway. But still, little ergonomics like that matter, especially when the price tag is as high as this.

As is now commonplace across the Leviathan V2 series, Razer has deemed it appropriate to slime down the number of ports available to use - and thus connectivity options overall. Along with Bluetooth 5.0, there's a USB-C out and an audio jack. Once again then, this is a soundbar that is now geared firmly - exclusively - toward being used with a gaming PC or gaming laptop and not a games console or, well, anything else. At least there's an audio jack connection here so there's some reliable and trusty analog connection that the V2 and V2 X lack. 

Performance

I'll start with the positives, and that is, broadly speaking, the audio you get from the Leviathan V2 Pro is great Razer-grade gaming and media audio.

And you can go about getting that audio in a number of ways, to tailor it how you want. You can alter the EQ as you see fit, creating custom profiles in Synapse, or plumping for the presets - as you can with other Razer speakers - and you can also cycle through the soundbars 3D audio profiles (or not-3D as the stereo one is, for example). 

This can be where the Leviathan's audio shines its brightest too. The Virtual Headset mode does do a pretty good job of mimicking what Razer headsets and even the best gaming headsets can offer - and that's impressive from a soundbar. The Virtual Speakers profile also does a good job of giving roundness to all media which I've generally really enjoyed. 

However. It wasn't and isn't all glorious. I have experienced an incessant bubbling or crackling, or processing noise throughout all of my time using the Leviathan V2 Pro. This has been bad enough so as to ruin audio moments both when listening to music and in quieter game moments. In the hope of isolating the problem to a setting, I have tried multiple different USB ports on my setup, all the different EQs and modes, and combinations of them both - but have still got the awful noise, regularly. This is, quite frankly, not the kind of thing you want from a $400 soundbar. Or from an audio product from the likes of Razer too. For what it's worth, it was always at its worse and most egregious in the 'flagship', Virtual Speakers mode. Maybe this can be patched or 'firmwared' out, but as it stands, it really does impact the performance and experience greatly.

I've also found the head tracking feature to be a little disappointing, distracting, and, honestly, a bit gimmicky. Well, at first, it does seems clever, and listening out for how it changes the audio is fun. In practice it's another matter, as with every movement or change, the soundbar then has to work out and adjust to the changes. And this is not immediate. By any means.

The sound changes but it takes somewhere between a second and a few seconds -  so there's a delay and it jars. Hard. This delay is tolerable in single-player games like a Red Dead 2 and certainly nothing to worry about in something like a Total War: Troy. But it immediately gets more annoying in anything busier - even in Dawn of War 3 firefights for example. Obviously, the thing is: it shouldn't be to the 'credit' of a $400 soundbar that its headline feature is 'tolerable' (even in those less demanding games). And, naturally, you can't disable it, because it's the flagship feature of the bar...and if you could then it'd be incredibly like Any Other Soundbar so would rather defeat the purpose. The camera that brings about the sound alterations also, naturally, requires a clear of you, so if you have desk furniture or merch then it'll require careful placement, and if you share your workspace with a cat/s then it'll constantly change every time they take a stroll in front of it.

Away from games, if I'm just listening to music and working then it's downright annoying. For example, right now, as I type this out, I am learning slightly forward toward my screen, barely moving, and the soundbar keeps changing the audio of the music I'm listening to and it feels very, very weird. And I'm really not sure how this can be better than any other soundbar I've tested.

I will say, however, that the V2 Pro does iron out a slight annoyance I had with it's middle-brother: with the V2, it was very hard to balance the bass levels between the bar and woofer while using a standing desk rather than a stationary gaming desk; it was just really hard to find a 'set and forget' setting. I'm pleased to say that this has not been a problem with the V2 Pro. The bass is great and there's plenty of it too; generally the amount of volume and power in the V2 Pro is excellent and worth noting too.

Should you buy the Razer Leviathan V2 Pro?

When you get it right or get a 'clean listen' the quality of the audio saves the Leviathan V2 Pros graces rather and, if it were just giving me that, consistently, I might have looked on it more fondly. Because when the sound alone does punch through, uninterrupted, it does make for a very rounded, fulsome, excellent audio experience.

So to go back to Reverend Lovejoy's framing. Yes, the Leviathan V2 Pro does do a lot to justify its higher price tag if it were possible to isolate and concentrate on that great Razer audio quality on its own. But, also, no, the V2 Pro isn't worth the extra investment over the V2, but if my niggles and annoyances can be ironed out and the head tracking can become more instant, then it could be a great, clever soundbar solution. 

Until the latter does - if indeed it can be - get fixed, though, the Razer Leviathan V2 Pro has the making of a smart and quality soundbar but is let down by some pretty bad flaws and is quite hard to recommend as a result. Throw in that sizeable 60% price difference between the simpler, yet very solid Leviathan V2 and the V2 Pro is hard to recommend even when looking at its own line of models. (Heck, even the awesome stereo gaming speakers, the Q Acoustics M20 HDs are less than the Leviathan V2 Pro in the UK!)

And I suppose there's a chance my unit could have been a dodgy one, but we can only review what's in front of us and what's sent to us.

Given the head tracking weirdness particularly, the Leviathan V2 Pro feels less like a quality soundbar option for PC gamers, and more like an overcomplicated one that just doesn't sit well. I'd still much rather have something simpler that concentrates on good-quality audio - which is why I'm going back to my Yamaha SR-C20A straight away.

How we tested the Razer Leviathan V2

The Leviathan V2 Pro lived on my desk for about two weeks and was used almost every day for work and play - hours at a time, sometimes all day. I used in for meetings as well as listening to music and podcasts while I worked.

Where possible, it totally replaced my headset, and I was also able to A-B test it against the Yamaha soundbar I was using before. In addition to the aforementioned work, and daily use, I tested the V2 Pro with games like The Witcher 1 (I know), Red Dead Redemption 2, Apex Legends, Total War: Troy, Red Alert Remastered, and also remote playing my PS5 on my PC too.

You can read more about our hardware approach to all kinds of gear that we get our hands on in our full GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

Tested on PC with a Razer Blade 15 laptop supplied by Razer and with an Acer Predator X38 monitor from Acer.

If you're looking for a lovely new screen to place the Leviathan V2 Pro under then check out our best gaming monitor, best ultrawide monitor, and best curved gaming monitor guides.

RODE is evolving, well known as an industry leader in professional audio the Australian brand is now eyeing a new market with the launch of RODE X. Officially coined as the ‘The Streaming and Gaming Division’ of RODE, the launch sees the introduction of the RODE X XDM-100, a Dynamic USB microphone fine-tuned for content creation and looking to make a mark in the streaming for gamers market.

All the right ingredients are there, but at $249/£269 it arrives at the very top end of the USB mic price range so has big boots to fill if it’s to take on some of the best microphones for streaming.

Design & features

If you’ve explored the RODE range before then the XDM-100 will be a familiar-looking beast. Take a RODE Procaster, make the silver parts red and you’re 95% of the way to an XDM-100. There’s a bit more going on here than that of course, but the core body of the mic is incredibly similar and that’s no bad thing.

As you’d expect from a premium brand with the reputation of RODE, the XDM-100 features an impressive build quality all over. It’s clear that no corners have been cut and nothing feels cheap or paired back. Even just holding the mic you get that studio equipment vibe, it feels properly professional and will be night and day from the toylike feeling of some cheap microphones.

The XDM-100 is hefty in just about every way, at more than 21cm long the barrel of this mic is the largest I’ve tested by quite a margin. Add in the (rather generously included) PSM1 Shock Mount and the whole unit becomes 11cm wide too - for tighter setups that’s a huge chunk of space. It’s a dominating presence and did take a fair amount of consideration when adding it to my setup. Finding a spot that let me correctly address the end of the mic, from the right distance, without it annoyingly obscuring my monitor was tough going. 

You’ll need a mic arm for the XDM-100 and will want to be careful with the one you choose. RODE’s own PSA1+ handled the task perfectly well, albeit with a little bouncing after making adjustments, but that’s no real surprise as when housed in the shock mount the XDM-100 weighs in at over a kilo. That’s more than double the weight of the Elgato Wave DX and I found it surprisingly heavy every time I picked it up. It’s not really a major issue of course, but some cheaper mic arms might struggle to stably handle the weight.

Performance

One of the main benefits of a USB microphone is the simplicity of setup and that simplicity is a real strength of the RODE XDM-100. One cable, straight into my gaming PC, and I was off and running with impressive audio quality from the start. Interestingly the included 3m cable is USB-C on both ends, something to be aware of if your motherboard is a couple of years old.

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that a microphone from RODE sounds great, and this microphone from RODE X sounds great. It delivers on those close feeling ‘podcast voice’ characteristics that creators often look for in a dynamic microphone, with particularly warm and rich vocals. In testing on my livestream, viewers pointed out there was a distinct smoothness to my vocals compared to other microphones I’ve used and everything sounded nicely rounded (listen to the audio test below for an insight into that). This was at the expense of some brightness and clarity, but that’s a matter of personal preference.

The RODE X XDM-100 does a good job at rejecting unwanted off-mic noise like the clatter of a mechanical gaming keyboard and goes some way to accounting for an otherwise poorly insulated studio too. Compared to a condenser microphone you’ll find less residual room noise and less bounce back off hard floors and surfaces, handy for those without a dedicated streaming space.

The XDM-100 performed impressively straight out of the box with no post-processing, but for those wanting to hone their sound, RODE has also launched the UNIFY app. Like offerings from other brands, it gives creators the option to divide up and control different audio sources, while also offering a handful of basic EQ controls for RODE microphones. For now though the app feels a little undercooked, it works fine for the most part but there are a few rough edges and it just doesn’t offer a huge amount of value.

Overall - Should you buy the RODE X XDM-100?

While the XDM-100 may be the debut offering of RODE X it’s clear it builds off years of experience and development. For a USB microphone, it is absolutely faultless when it comes to audio performance and it delivers a sound quality in line with its premium price. 

There’s plenty to like about the high-end XDM-100, except perhaps that high-end price point which may keep it at arms length for the streamers it's aimed at. For those who can afford it and who do invest, however, it’s a great microphone that will deliver excellent results.

How we tested the RODE X XDM-100

I used the RODE X XDM-100 in my studio setup for a couple of weeks for both livestreaming and general PC audio. It was mounted on a RODE PSA1+ mic arm using the included PSM1 Shock Mount and had the included pop filter attached throughout.

You can read more about our approach to gaming tech and products in the full GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

Complete your streaming setup with one of the best capture cards and the best webcams.

After years spent in professional studios, RODE is getting into gaming, and the streaming for gamers space. Launched as the iconic brand’s new ‘streaming and gaming division’ RODE X brings two new microphones to the market, the dynamic XDM-100 and this, the XCM-50.

A $149/£169 USB condenser microphone, the RODE X XCM-50 promises studio quality sound that’s been ‘optimised for gaming and streaming’. It should have all the ingredients to make it one of the best microphones for streaming, but this a crowded marketplace to break into, regardless of your roots.

Design & features

There’s something strangely charming about the design of the XCM-50. A compact little rectangle with rounded edges and a playful red tint behind the grill, the whole unit measures just 11cm long and 6cm wide. The integrated 360-degree swing mount means the XCM-50 often lives with a seemingly quizzical tilt to its head, maybe that’s where the charm comes from; it's a bit like R2D2 reborn as a microphone. 

Both the USC-C and 3.5mm headphone jack ports are hidden on the back and a striking red gain dial pops off the front. There’s quite a bit of resistance to the dial which will stop accidental bumps, but I also found it to be somewhat redundant anyway. I spun it to 80% when I first set up the microphone and never looked at it again. Any level changes from then on were from the software side, but it’s not doing anyone any harm by being there I suppose.

Build quality on the XCM-50 is as rock solid as you’d expect from RODE and the gently textured black metal body has a properly premium feel to it. The same is true of the included 3m USB-C to USB-C cable, it just feels incredibly high-end. It’s not a generic plasticky cable, it’s flexible and rubberised and lovely. I know this is a microphone review and not a cable review, but it really stood out to me and it sums up the whole experience with RPDE X and the XCM-50 - you’re getting real quality in exchange for that above-average price point.

RODE does include a stand with the XCM-50 which comes as a pleasant surprise and like everything else in the box the mini tripod feels well-made and premium. However, while something is definitely better than nothing, I didn’t find it particularly useful. The clear desk space needed when the tripod is fully open meant there was no spot I could add it to my setup where it wasn’t in the way of something else or in the wrong place for the mic itself. Of course, you can also mount the XCM-50 to a traditional mic arm and the hidden, integrated shock mount did a commendable job at isolating bangs and bumps from the desk.

Performance

For a plug-and-play USB microphone in such a compact form factor the XCM-50 floored me with just how well it performed. You’d be forgiven for expecting a small microphone like this to deliver timid results but the truth is the opposite. The XCM-50 produced impressively powerful, clean audio from the outset, even without tweaking EQ settings.

Being a condenser microphone you’ll find a crisper and more natural sound here than with dynamic microphones like the XDM-100. This isn’t to say better of course but it does bring with it different considerations when it comes to your setup and what you want to present.

In testing, I found the XCM-50 did an excellent job at providing loud and clear vocals that sounded like you were in the same room. It was more natural than the overly smooth ‘podcast voice’ some microphones aim for while still sounding clean and without an excess of room noise. Condenser microphones can often be brought undone by bad environments, but the RODE X XCM-50 does a good job of minimising disruption courtesy of a tight polar pattern and integrated pop filter.

The XCM-50 features some clever internal processing as standard too but if you want to take further control then RODE has launched the UNIFY app. It still feels a little bit beta and the included filter and effect options are limited for now, but they do a decent job of offering some basic personalisation to hone in your audio. There’s room for improvement on the software side but thankfully it’s far from necessary anyway.

Overall - Should you buy the RODE X XCM-50?

It’s a bit of a cliche but the RODE XCM-50 is a great example of getting what you pay for. At $149/£169 it’s at the higher end of USB microphones but it delivers build quality and performance well and truly in the top tier. For streamers looking for a balanced, natural-sounding microphone the XCM-50 is an excellent choice that won’t disappoint. 

How we tested the RODE X XCM-50

The RØDE X XCM-50 became my primary microphone for a couple of weeks, mounted on a PSA1+ mic arm and connected to my gaming PC with the supplied USB-C cable. It was tested across a range of tasks including live streaming, voice recording, and Discord calls. 

You can read more about our approach to gaming tech and products in the full GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

Complete your streaming setup with one of the best capture cards and the best webcams.

Soundbars like the Yamaha SR-C20A might not be the kind of audio solution that comes to mind when shopping for the best computer speakers. But after spending weeks with the device, I can safely say that it absolutely should be in your mind when looking for something to plug into your gaming PC or gaming laptop.

It doesn't demand a super-high price of admission; it doesn't have many moving parts or extras; it doesn't have dozens of speakers; and it doesn't shout at you about its features. It all seems a little too good to be true, especially when the audio is as good as it is... Let me elaborate.

Design & Features

The Yamaha SR-C20A is very much of a 'soundbar aesthetic'. It's got that speaker mesh all over it, a small touchscreen panel, and matte plastic on the back and bottom (with some lights to notify source and volume change). It really is that simple - the panel and display are maybe too simple. As a result, it absolutely would be at home under a TV as equally as it is on a desk.

It's got a great compact size - which is where it deviates from those larger TV-focused brethren. For me, this doesn't compromise the sound quality you get - more on that below - and makes it even more perfect for a gaming setup. While the slightly smaller Razer Leviathan V2 will serve those who have less desk space to work with, and who want some RGB on their desktop devices, the C20A is understated and simple.

You are well served on the ports and connectivity front. Present are: HDMI ARC, two optical ports, an audio jack, and Bluetooth 5.0. These are plenty but for something aimed at being a gaming speaker we would have like a USB input too - and this feels like a missed opportunity. There's no PC software to fiddle with EQs, but then this isn't that kind of soundbar.

The remote control is simple in its design and aesthetic but allows for plenty of adjustments and optimisations to suit your audio needs. On top of the basics, it allows tinkering too: there are mode option buttons, clear voice and bass buttons, and the ability to increase or decrease the volume of the subwoofer independently - this is a great benefit to an all-in-one soundbar which others don't offer.

Performance

In short, that Yamaha rich and fulsome sound is here, front and centre for this compact soundbar. The richness is superb, the detail is great for such a small bar, and the power is belting too. As a desktop, gaming-setup companion - and an all-in-one solution at that - there might not be anything better out there.

Its audio quality in every department is more fulsome and rounded than another soundbar I had in recently, the Panasonic SoundSlayer. Despite the latter being impressive and having a punch that such a small box has no right to, the SR-C20A is just better across the spectrum, and pulls ahead of the SoundSlayer. It has more bass, in particular, which makes an enormous difference.

I have kept the C20A in Game mode pretty much constantly as this offers the roundest sound in my experience - across all media - and offers the best one-and-done setting. Music is punchy and crisp, dialogue in games like Red Dead 2 and strategy games like Total War: Troy is clear, environmental noises in Red Dead 2's landscape are excellent and detailed, and gun noises in the likes of Apex Legends are boomy and have guts. Elsewhere, it's played music beautifully to me over the past weeks, and also does a fine job with meetings and calls where I've not used a headset.

Of course, it is just a compact soundbar - so will it replace the overall expression, breadth, and minute detail that one of the best gaming headsets or best PC gaming headsets might? No, probably not. However, if you're like me, you've probably got a 'general' audio source for daily use, and a headset for particular games or online play so it's hard to truly pit soundbar vs headset against one another directly.

In a strict soundbar market context (i.e with TV- and living room-setups in mind), sure, it's not going to be the best all-in-one solution, and it'll get beat by those more premium gaming sound systems that have a dedicated woofer. But from a gaming perspective, and particularly that as a compact soundbar for a gaming desk there might not be one better - and that's what's guided my scoring here.

As a final note of great performance, and as I've touched on in other soundbar or gaming speaker reviews, the SR-C20A does excel at being perfect for those of us who use standing desks rather than stationary gaming desks. As there is no subwoofer to contend with or try to position and cable up perfectly, it simplifies the whole situation and works beautifully at every desk elevation.

Should you buy the Yamaha SR-C20A?

The Yamaha SR-C20A is a brilliant and simple audio solution for PC and desktop gaming - and it'll also do a great job at being a compact soundbar in a gaming TV setup too. This flexibility is a great boon to it and means it can excel in both uses.

I have been testing this mostly from a computer speaker perspective, and I can't think of a better all-in-one audio solution to sit under your monitor. The quality is so good no matter what you're listening to, and the modes are truly excellent. The surround mode is just *chef's kiss* too and makes for magical sound - and a rich, fulsome sound that emanates from just a small soundbar. This genuine excellence in audio, as well as the model's design, means there might not be a better all-in-one speaker solution for gaming at the moment. Much like the Q Acoustics M20 HD speaker system, someone is going to have to forcibly remove the C20A from my possession.

With a list price of just $179.95, this is exceptional value too - it's also not a stranger to price cuts too which makes it even more value-busting. In the UK, the RRP is higher at £249.99, but, again, it is regularly on offer and represents great value for money. 

Yes, it'd definitely be even better to have a USB input and maybe some PC software to fiddle with EQs but in all honesty, for the money, this could, and maybe should, be all the soundbar you'd ever need.

How we tested the Yamaha SR-C20A

The Yamaha SR-C20A became my everyday driver for all audio for a matter of weeks. It sat under my ultrawide monitor and provided the audio for all my music throughout the working day, as well as being used in calls and meetings. I spent many hours with it in multiple gaming sessions, covering a range of genres to see how the soundbar could present different game audio.

I was also able to A-B test the SR-C20A against the Panasonic SoundSlayer and the Razer Leviathan V2 soundbars. This enabled me to see how i fared and compared directly to its competitors.

You can read more about our hardware approach to all kinds of gear that we get our hands on in our full GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

Tested on PC with a Razer Blade 15 laptop supplied by Razer and with an Acer Predator X38 monitor from Acer.

If you're looking for something to place the Yamaha SR-C20A under then check out our best gaming monitor, best ultrawide monitor, and best curved gaming monitor guides.

If you're looking for a new microphone for streaming, music production, or anything in between then you should be considering the HyperX QuadCast S (which costs $160 / £160) and HyperX DuoCast (coming in at $100 / £100). 

These are exceptional microphones that are worth every penny. I felt like a professional podcaster having them on my desk and when listening back to the audio it sounded like I was literally in the room. They're the perfect addition to any streaming for gamers setup. 

Design and Features

You'll find that the design of these microphones is relatively similar. Both are structured similarly: a slim cylinder design with a shock mount towards the bottom. You are able to mount both to a boom arm or use them with the stands included in the box. 

You'll also find that the microphones feature some gorgeous RGB, however, the DuoCast does win on this front as it has an LED sound level indicator. The main interior of the microphone lights up, and this can be fully adjusted to match your setup using the HyperX software. One cool feature is the RGB turns off when your mic is muted so there's no longer a need to scratch around to check if your mic is muted on stream anymore. 

A big difference between the builds of these two microphones is the weight. The QuadCast comes in at a hefty 710 grams - which is something to consider when you're shopping for an arm to mount your mic - while the DuoCast is much lighter, weighing just 243 grams. 

Now, onto the main stats of the microphones for all of the audio and music nerds out there, the audio interface frequency rate is a big factor for many. You'll be glad to know that the QuadCast comes in at 48kHz and the DuoCast comes in at double that at 96kHz. The audio interface bit rate is 16bit on the DuoCast and 24bit on the QuadCast. 

Performance

When using these microphones, I will admit, I felt a little bit like a music producer - but that's more to do with the design rather than anything else. Trust me, anyone I know will tell you that birds fall out of the sky when I sing. 

When first plugging these in there was such a significant difference in quality when compared to my Fifine Gaming microphone that my friends on call with me literally all gasped. When listening back to the audio, you can barely tell that it is being transmitted through a microphone, it literally sounds like I'm in the room talking to myself. This is the case for both models, too.

It was such a giant peace of mind being able to tell when my mic was muted at a glance, and being able to adjust the sensitivity right on the device itself rather than having to open up any settings. 

Overall... should you buy these mics?

If you're looking for a new microphone for streaming, music production, or podcasting then these are both great choices. They come in at very decent prices considering the features, and provide massive bang for your buck. 

Alongside being functional, they are also beautiful - something which many other brands don't really consider when designing microphones. I love these so much and find it so hard to pick between the two when choosing my main microphone - I did settle for the QuadCast as it comes in white so matches my setup more. 

Although the DuoCast is a full $60 / £60 cheaper, it's worth noting that the QuadCast is typically on sale, down to around $110 / £110. 

How we tested the HyperX QuadCast S and HyperX DuoCast

I tested these microphones by replacing my current microphone and using them for everything from video calls for work, discord calls when gaming, and, of course, streaming. I was sure to test all the features which HyperX claimed these mics would present. I tried them on a mount arm and on their stands to see if there was a difference. 

I was sure to also record audio and listen to it back and compare this to my previous microphone to see if I could hear the difference myself rather than just rely on the opinion of others to who I was speaking. 

If you're trying to get into streaming but don't know where to start then be sure to check out our best webcam for streaming and our best ring lights. You can also take a peek at our best green screens if you'd like to pick one up. 

The Panasonic SoundSlayer sound bar is aimed squarely at being a solid and gaming-focused, one-speaker solution - and, for the large part, it delivers.

Doing away with a dedicated, separate subwoofer, and streamlining connectivity, it's aiming to muscle in on the best computer speakers by nailing the USPs of a single-unit setup and providing great audio at the same time. We all might not have thought of Panasonic delivering such dedicated gaming audio, but here we are - and, on the whole, it sounds great.

Design & Features

But, first of all, it doesn't really look great... It's very blocky, and plain, and, well, a bit boring. Whereas the soundbar market, particularly those meant for TVs and living spaces, has grown to offer a whole host of different units, but generally good-looking audio units, the SoundSlayer seems to have missed that memo. Still, the silver lining of the rectangular box design, is that it doesn't take up much deskspace at all, and that's very neat.

You could negate the plain aesthetic by aiming to bag the special edition Final Fantasy XIV edition though; that's got some extra design and aesthetic flourishes that could appeal to some. It would still be its blocky, oblong self though.

This small design also does highlight the fact that the SoundSlayer is very much aimed at PC and desktop use - rather than for under a TV - but its connectivity offering does almost counter that, and has left me ab it confused.

Because in terms of connections there are only two means to do so, and only one true means to get the best out of it if you really area using it as a main speaker for all your games - and at $300/£300, you would be wanting to, I'd wager. There is only an HDMI (ARC) connection available physically, and while it does have Bluetooth, this is only 2.0 or 2.1. In terms of the latter, we wouldn't recommend it for gaming anyway but Bluetooth has moved on so far now, that I feel it should be offering Bluetooth 5.0 like others do.

So as it's aimed at living on a desk and under a monitor, thus used on PC< a USB connection would have been ideal and perfect. Heck, I'd even take an analog audio jack connection too! That's because the HDMI connection, I found, on PC was a bit of a pain, and not quite as seamless as, well, any other kind of audio connections I've used - more on this later, anyway.

As a result, this connectivity setup means the SoundSlayer, in a way, is kind of caught between an 'under TV' soundbar, and a desktop gaming soundbar: the HDMI ARC connection would be ideal for a TV, but this is clearly designed to be used on a desk for gaming on PC, so why isn't there another, PC-friendly connection - like a USB port? It's a little baffling; I'm not sure how adding that connection would have ruined the inside working of the soundbar (caveat: I am not an AV engineer).

The last feature, physically, is the remote: it's small, plasticky, and quite disappointing. Especially for the price tag of the soundbar. You'll probably use the on-unit controls most of the time anyway (located on the right-hand side of the box - I know I did during my time with it - but if you're going to offer a remote, you could make it a bit more classy, tactile, and nice to use.

Performance

Overall, I was and am impressed by the audio quality the little SoundSlayer box can put out. Given its diminutive size, it's still punchy, pretty rich, and varied. Of course, there are limitations in terms of directional audio, so it didn't prove great for knowing where enemies were in shooters, but for games like Red Dead 2, it presented the soundscape pretty impressively. It was also equally adept with strategy games, not known audio demanders, but still, it was pleasant audio, and details were presented well. It was also good for everyday use with music and podcasts as well. It might not look pretty but its sound quality and range genuinely pack a bit of a punch.

The built-in audio modes (Game, Standard, Music, Cinema) are good too, with each offering differences and nuances to the audio that are likely to fit many scenarios. I found myself using the game setting pretty much all the time, and - this is crucial - keeping the 3D/Surround sound setting on. Of course, it's not truly surround sound in a 'it literally surround your person or ears' way that the best gaming headsets, or massive surround sound speaker systems do, but it genuinely is good. It made everything, games, music, podcasts, you name it, sound richer and more rounded than the default setting. It's also got all the Dolby audios and DTS's too, which is great.

The sound quality is called into question when it's side by a side with a competitor,. however. I had a brief window where I could test the SoundSlyaer against the Yamaha SR-C20A soundbar, and, despite costing less, I should say, the limits of the SoundSlayer's audio are immediately apparent. This is not to say it's 'bad' in any way, but the difference is notable when compared directly.

What it does perform well at is being a solid single-unit solution for those of us with standing desks. I am constantly up and down on my standing desk, and soundbars I've recently reviewed that had dedicated sound bars, like the Razer Leviathan V2 and the Creative Soundblaster Katana V2, have made it difficult to get a good bass balance right. And especially difficult to get bass, and thus rounded audio, settings right at both sitting and standing positions.

As mentioned earlier, the HDMI-only connection (Bluetooth aside) was quite irksome - though some of this is down to Windows. Of course, as it's an HDMI, windows immediately recognised the input (great) but then only and always recognised it as an extra monitor (bad). This means, for my setup, I had to rejig my display settings and screen layout and also experienced times when the HDMI connection just wasn't reliable, or wouldn't output the audio. I did get into a rhythm and groove with it eventually, but a USB or audio jack would have made life so much easier. Though granted, the ability to deploy the HDMI connection with a monitor and use it as a pass-through is a bonus - though would incur more cables and bits to manage.

Should you buy the Panasonic SoundSlayer soundbar?

The Panasonic SoundSlayer is a pretty solid stab at being a one-and-done solution to gaming audio. If you're looking at single-unit setups then the SoundSlayer with its tidy 2.1 offering will be on your shortlist, for sure.

However, coming in at the $300 mark is going to be a bit much for some. Especially in the face of the likes of the much cheaper Yamaha SR-C20A (my review of which is incoming, but has already greatly impressed me). These two elements combined, as well as the connection issues I had, do make it hard to be a nailed-on recommendation, but it's certainly a great package. Those HDMI connection grips I had may not be so irksome for some folks too, and the passthrough will help with that, but the remote and aesthetic of the unit are disappointing.

However, those are swallowable should you be looking for a solid, gaming-focused single speaker solution: there's a lot of sound in this small box, and the range, depth, and richness are quite surprising and the 3D audio setting really brings this to life.

How we tested the Panasonic SoundSlayer

I used the Panasonic SoundSlayer as my daily driver for all audio for a period of several weeks. It sat under my monitor and on my sit-stand desk providing audio for calls, music, games, and movies so I could give it a thorough evaluation. The soundbar was used across a whole host of different games from open-worlds to strategies to shooters, and with music of multiple genres to get a good feel of its capabilities.

I was able to A-B test it against the Yamaha SR-C20A to compare the SoundSlayer directly against a competing unit to give more context and reference too. 

You can read more about our hardware approach to all the gear we get our hands on in our full GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

Tested on PC with a Razer Blade 15 laptop supplied by Razer and with an Acer Predator X38 monitor from Acer.

If you're looking to up your display game as well as your audio game, then check out our best gaming monitor, best ultrawide monitor, and best curved gaming monitor guides.

The Edifier Hecate G5000 are fantastic sounding speakers with great features. In a nutshell, they are easy to recommend if you have the space on your desk or the budget in your bank balance when considering options in your search for the best computer speakers. However, the only problem is they have to be within arms reach or they can become rather useless, and the price tag might be a hurdle too high for some folks. Let's dig into them further.

Design & Features

Getting them out of the box I was immediately impressed with the build quality and the fine line they walk on the design front. When I turned on the various great RGB lighting effects (that emanate from the Aluminium side panels) the speakers helped to transform my boring office desk into a real gaming destination. However without the RGB lights on they blend in more than you would expect. Moving the speakers around my house for testing, the slightly understated futuristic look seemed to work everywhere. If you want speakers that don’t scream 'GAMER' every time you look at them, be assured the G5000s can blend into any room - once you turn the RGB off.

However, getting them to fit onto your work or gaming desk might be more of a challenge. When I set the G5000s up on my desk there was no room for anything else - so make sure you have lots of space. But, on the other hand, there's no extra subwoofer or amp or power brick to contend with either which helps to alleviate the space demands and keep the setup nice and simple when teaming them with a gaming PC or gaming laptop setup.

The G5000’s connectivity options are solid too: they offer Bluetooth 5.0, audio aux, USB, Optical, and Coaxial so I was able to set up my work computer, PS5, Nintendo Switch, and mobile to switch between them throughout the day depending on what I was doing. This made a bunch of inferior speakers throughout my house immediately obsolete. For the right person with the right set up these could be the only set of speakers you need. That person however needs to have a studio apartment (and can afford $500 for speakers) or arms like Stretch Armstrong.

That's because the buttons  - which are the only means to control the speakers - are located on the top of the speakers. However, these do cater to most needs and cover volume, input selection, audio preset selection, and lighting - these are all well finished and feel premium and intuitive. 

However, as the only means of control, even if you have these set as close to you as possible, naturally they have to sit on either side of your monitor. So each button press means you potentially have to stand up and reach over. If you’ve just finished working and want to get in a quick bit of gaming you’ll want to switch over to the gaming audio preset as it really does make a difference. However, this does change the volume which will then, in turn, need adjusting. Oh, and if you also need to change the input to switch from work to play then you’ll need to press that button too. I’m aware that I'm complaining about having to push a button (oh, what a hard life I lead) but it's important to highlight that even simple changes will have you shackled to your speakers, physically.

This makes the G5000 speakers even more frustrating for watching movies or a bit of Netflix. Due to the size and capability of the speakers I was really looking forward to hearing them fill my living room with an explosive action movie or the clarity with the volume low while watching some Netflix in bed without waking anyone else up (both of which they did admirably, by the way). However, when I wanted to tweak the volume slightly between shows or change the audio preset it involved a trip from the sofa / bed that slightly dented the experience. It made me feel like a kid again, before remotes were commonplace.

This helped to cement the fact that these speakers were best left on my desk, which is probably what Edifier had intended in the first place. I can't shake the feeling that these speakers would be great as multifunction bookshelf speakers that are overkill for desktop gaming - but also, at this price point, you could at least get a remote.

Performance

Anyway, slight design caveats aside, the important thing to report is that these speakers sound amazing. When I tested them against my professional sound mixing studio monitors the sound out of them was pretty honest and true to the correct frequency. The great sound comes from a 3/4-inch tweeter and a 4-inch mid-bass driver (but no subwoofer) with an audio chip enabling 24bit playback at 192Khz. This means they can play Hi-Res audio files for all you gamers who are also audiophiles. For music, the preset is a little bass-heavy, as with most speakers, but it still sounds good and Edifier hasn't pushed the balance as far as some do to make the bass messy. 

For gaming, the Edifier G5000 speakers do a great job with a wide range of games. From the frenetic gunfights of Warzone - where you can hear explosions and pinging from teammates at the same time - to the haunting subtleties of Elden Ring's background score and diverse voiceovers, these speakers handled most of what I threw at them and made me forget there was no subwoofer too. The directional sound was pretty good for what two speakers could manage but at $500 not being able to tell where someone was when I could feel they were sneaking up on me was frustrating. I found myself switching to my surround sound gaming headset after a few deaths (that were definitely not my fault). I mean, I still died with the headset on but at least I knew from where I got killed.

The audio presets do a decent job which is handy as there is no way to play with the frequencies yourself in an app or remote - if you personally like a little more bass or want to play around with the sound then you’re out of luck. Edifier has a great app I have used for other audio products that is really well thought out and comprehensive but not having the speakers integrated into it too is rather confusing.

Should you buy the Edifier Hecate G5000?

With a budget of $500, there is a lot of competition for the G5000s, and many have more features and functions at far less money. Just take a look at the rest of what we consider the top computer speakers. You can get whole speaker systems with 5.1 Surround Sound, easier-to-fit soundbars with a subwoofer, or great little RGB desk speakers. 

I feel that Edifier has added these to their lineup so they have some real clout at the top of their gaming speaker range. However, will the average gamer buy the G5000s? Probably not - they’d be better off buying Edifier’s own G7000 with a soundbar and Sub-Woofer at half the price. Or, at the other end of the spectrum, the cheaper Edifier Hecate G2000 speakers remain worthy of consideration too.

However, if you want the best two-speaker system you can buy and you have space in both your bank balance and desk then the Edifier G5000 is a fine set of speakers and could trump a lot of the competition.

How we tested the Edifier Hecate G5000 speakers

I used the Edifier G5000 speakers in a variety of situations around my house. Primarily for gaming speakers on PC, PS5, and Nintendo Switch across a variety of games to test out their flexibility. In my office, they were used while working from home for meetings and listening to music. I then set them up as my dedicated gaming TV speakers in my living room to see how they fared in the dedicated ‘movie mode’ preset. Finally, I installed the speakers under my bed while linked up to our bedroom TV to test the sound quality while at low volume. I tested the speakers for three weeks, intensely testing them every day with all inputs, modes, and volumes.

You can read more about our hardware approach to all kinds of gear that we get our hands on in our full GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

If you're looking for a visual upgrade to go with your audio upgrade that these can offer, then check out our best gaming monitor, best ultrawide monitor, and best curved gaming monitor guides.

If you're thinking about picking up some streaming gear on a budget but you're not sure whether to prioritize your audio quality or video quality then fear not, we've summarised some benefits of investing more in each so you can decide what's best for you. 

You might not be able to afford to pick up the best webcam and the best microphone meaning you may have to opt for a more budget stand-in for one or the other, but which do you sacrifice? It's all down to what type of streams you're hoping to do and what you consider more important. 

Why should you invest in a better webcam for streaming?

When live streaming it can make you feel much more connected with your audience if they can see your face clearly rather than just hear a voice and see a pixelated figure. This is both because you become recognizable from just your face, making it a part of your brand, and also because your viewers will be able to see your facial expressions more clearly when you speak. 

This also means that your streams could come across as more entertaining with a better-quality webcam. This is because people can see your reactions more clearly, being the case for particularly expressive streamers. If you're someone who angers quickly or pulls faces then having a high quality video feed can help convey your personality to your viewers. 

Another thing to consider when deciding between a better quality webcam or microphone is what type of streams you intend to do. If you're planning to do 'just chatting' streams, where you just speak to your viewers with no gameplay, then having a better webcam might be more important to you. This is because your video feed will likely be front and centre of your stream. 

It's also worth noting that if you already have one of the best gaming headsets then you likely already have a good-quality microphone without even realizing it, meaning you don't need to splash out on a new one. Be sure to test the quality of your headset mic and see if it interferes with the audio output as this is sometimes the case with 2-in-1 headsets.

You can take a look below at out top picks for dedicated streaming webcams. 

Why should you invest in a better microphone for streaming?

It's also worth noting that people often leave livestreams on in the background rather than actively watching them. This means that they are listening more than watching, a reason to consider making your audio quality much more important. 

Again, the content of your stream plays a major role here. If you are planning to stream gameplay then your video feed will likely be smaller, which makes it less important compared to your audio quality. People will be paying more attention to the gameplay and your commentary rather than your webcam specifically. 

Plus, many find low quality audio to be a far quicker turn off than low quality video.  If all your audience can hear is robotic sounds and all the cars driving past outside your house they're much more likely to tune out than if you don't have a webcam on during your stream. 

Just below are our top picks for the best microphone for streaming. 

So what's the verdict?

Overall, whether or not you choose to pick up a better webcam or better microphone can depend on what you choose to stream and what is more important to you. However, as a general rule of thumb audio is more important to viewers of gaming livestreams than video just due to the fact that must viewers watch passively rather than actively. 

If you're looking for other bits and pieces to start streaming then be sure to check out our best green screens and best ring lights. You can also take a peek at our best gaming PCs so your rig is streaming ready. 

The Rode Procaster aligns itself somewhere between entry-level and enthusiast from a pricing point of view but no compromises are made. Armed with premium sound quality, premium construction, and a wide array of mounting options, this is easily one of the best microphones for streaming for those wanting dynamic options.

If you're serious about forging a high-end streaming for gamers setup then this mic has you covered for a wide variety of situations. 

Design and Features

The Rode Procaster certainly lives up to its 'pro' mantle when the physical design is taken into consideration. Unlike the smaller Rode PodMic XLR microphone, this model forgoes the compact approach and instead opts for a full-size broadcaster length unit. The visual language may make this model admittedly a little less distinct to the eye than its smaller sister, however, there's no denying that the size and weight (1.64 lbs / 744g) of the thing adds a premium touch overall. 

Aside from the microphone head itself, you've got a thick barrel body with scored ridges machine carved into the all-metal casing. It's a very pleasing build despite not being the most exciting-looking mic. The way the Rode Procaster connects to swing arms and desk stands, such as the company's PSA1+ or DS1, is wonderfully intuitive though which is a nice feature. 

I opted for the former in my testing, which was simple to install thanks to the included mount in the box which screws into the top of the arm. If you're already immersed in the Rode ecosystem then you'll be right at home here, thanks to the included accessory - though this microphone should fit a wide range of different boom arms and microphone stands. 

Included in the box is a leather pouch to store the Rode Procaster when not in use which comes with a gel pouch to protect your microphone from the elements. If you're someone who plans on touring around with this bit of kit then it's a handy inclusion to keep the unit clean, too. 

Performance

One thing that instantly struck me as quite surprising is that the Rode Procaster doesn't necessarily require 48V Phantom Power as it's a dynamic mic and not a condenser one. In my testing, I did experiment with my audio interface of choice between these two different settings and found both setups to produce a warm, rich, and balanced audio profile with either configuration. This means that whether you've got your hands on the almighty Rodecaster Pro II interface, the more humble out Rode AI-1, or a basic interface from another brand you've got a wide array of options open to you. 

Generally, a dynamic microphone is better at picking up louder sounds, such as vocals and guitar playing for example than a standard condenser and this is arguably the greatest strength that the Rode Procaster benefits from. As a metal musician, I put both the PodMic and this model to the test and found that the Procaster did sound the most accurate of the two; if you're someone who wants a microphone for singing, harsh vocals, and louder sounds then you'll find it here. 

Unlike some cheaper dynamic XLR microphones that I've had in the past, which have typically suffered from background noise issues, the Rode Procaster has no such ailment. This is due to the 75Hz - 18kHz frequency range and -56.0dB sensitivity, which meant that quieter speaking voices came in crystal clear just the same as louder ones, meaning you should be fully covered when live streaming through in various animated states. 

While the internal shock mount does a good job of filtering out any rumbles or vibrations, I would argue that a dedicated shock mount, such as the brand's PSM1 (priced at $39) should be considered if you are going to use a boom arm. Due to the weight of the Rode Procaster, it does hang a little lower than the PodMic in operation, and some unwanted noise, however minor, can come through when the unit is moved. The company's promotional material featuring this microphone does feature the PSM1 and the PSA1+ together in tandem, so the extra expense here would mitigate this small issue. I should reiterate that there is the smallest amount of noise in movement unlikely to be picked up in operation, but it's definitely something to be aware of.

One thing is for sure above all else, though, and that's that the sound profile of the Rode Procaster stands head and shoulders above USB microphones that I had for comparison including the Rode NT-USB, Blue Snowball, and Joby Wavo Pod, too. This model may not be as convenient to set up as you'll need a dedicated audio interface with at least one XLR input, but the benefits of which really are night and day for those wanting to stand out in the online content creation sphere.

Should you buy the Rode Procaster? 

The Rode Procaster offers incredible performance, outstanding quality, and functionality all for a competitive $170 / £170 asking price. Considering that the closest possible direct competitor, the Shure SM7B, costs nearly double this rate while offering similar functionality, then the Rode Procaster stands out as a fantastic value proposition all told. 

You are going to need an interface as with any XLR mount, and I would recommend a dedicated shock mount here as well which will be an additional investment. However, all things considered, there's very little that this fully-featured dynamic microphone cannot achieve. Whether you're a podcaster, aspiring live streamer, or a musician wanting a little more out of their setup, you'll be in good hands with this model. 

How we tested the Rode Procaster

I used the Rode Procaster for just over a week as my main XLR microphone of choice hooked up to my Behringer U-PHORIA UMC202HD attached to the Rode PSA1+ boom arm. With this setup, I tested the microphone in audio programs such as Audacity and Reaper for tracking vocals, as well as using it in conversations with friends and family. Testing was also conducted inside of OBS and Streamlabs. 

You can find out more about our approach to testing tech in the full GamesRadar Hardware Policy. 

Make the most out of your Rode Procaster with the best ring lights, best green screens, and best webcams to create a top-tier streaming setup. 

If you're thinking about showcasing your gameplay then you'll need some dedicated streaming for gamers gear. Included in the Streamplify complete streaming bundle is a dedicated streaming webcam, microphone, microphone arm mount, two ring lights of different sizes and a foldable green screen. You can pick up the entire bundle for a MRSP of $699, however, it's worth noting that you can find it cheaper from other retailers.

All of the components that make up this bundle can be bought separately so if you're only interested in one or two bits then you don't have to commit to the entire range of products. 

Features

The Streamplify webcam presents some very useful features given the price point. First of all you get full HD - 1080p/60FPS. Packed into this little camera you'll also find a 90 degree view and full 360 degree swivel so you can angle this exactly how you'd like. Included with the webcam is also an anti-spy sliding webcam cover and a foldable tripod. The device itself features auto-focus, automatic light enhancement and a stereo microphone.  

I've found that the ring lights included in the bundle are pretty much just standard ring lights. One is 36cm and the other comes in at 26cm. Included in both boxes are tripods - which also double as selfie sticks - and carrying case, you also get a smartphone holder and a camera mount.  They both feature four temperature settings and 10 brightness levels and can be controlled via a front tact-switch or an IR remote control. In comparison to other ring lights, the features offered by the Streamplify versions aren't much different. 

The microphone and mic arm are pretty standard, they're don't really provide any special features and the quality of the audio which is picked up by the microphone is relatively normal. You can find a quick mute button and it presents some RGB aspects, but again you can find this in microphones at lower price points. The mic arm isn't anything special, you can find mic arms these days with integrated cable management or other snazzy bits, but this one was just a regular arm that clamps to your desk and can be moved around. 

Now onto the bread and butter of the bundle, the green screen. It's great for people who might not have a dedicated streaming room as it folds away and can be stored much easier than a regular version. As someone who has their set up in the corner of my bedroom, I thought I'd never be able to have any chroma screens so this was amazing. The material of the green screen was quite tough which gives me the impression it will be much more heavy duty. These were the only two features which were presented.

Design

The webcam features a relatively standard webcam design, a small rectangle which sits atop your monitor. It comes with a mounting clip that allows for easy and seamless mounting when attaching it to your screen. This ensures that it stays stable but can also be moved and adjusted quickly and easily. It will blend in easily with most set ups due its small size and the fact that it is all black in color. 

There's not much to speak about in reference with the design of a ring light. Both are just the normal 'ring' shape that you'd expect. They come attached to plain black tripods which make them easy to blend in with your streaming set up.

The microphone is designed quite nicely with a plain black design, RGB features and the mic arm being a matching black, it fits cleanly into most set ups. The arm which comes with it is also just plain black, not really much to add. 

As stated, the only design element I can comment on regarding the green screen is the fact that it is made from a relatively heavy duty fabric. It folds away into a small black tube like base, which is on wheels making it easy to roll around. 

Performance

Personally, I didn't find that the webcam fulfilled my expectations for a dedicated streaming camera. It didn't output the best quality image although it claimed to be 1080p, at first I assumed this was because of my light level as I have a low light level set up as many streamers do. I adjusted this by using the ring lights to ensure my face was well lit and still found that it didn't beat out the quality of my $50 / £50 webcam (which I picked up on sale for £20). Given the $139 asking price, you should be expecting some amazing performance - comparable to our best webcam, the Razer Kiyo Pro - which retails at around $200 but is usually priced at $130. 

On the left hand side is my Trust USB webcam and the right is the Streamplify cam. Both are set to default settings meaning I haven't adjusted anything, just plugged them in and used them straight out of the box. Both of these images were taken side by side, at the same time. I, by far, prefer the right hand side but you can make your own judgement with the side by side. The color appears much more accurate to real life with the Trust USB camera where as the Streamplify camera seems to have a haze or filter over the top. I also find that my camera appears higher quality - you can see marks on my face which you can't see on the right hand side. 

The ring lights worked as intended, they lit up my entire bedroom when at the highest brightness setting. This was something I found quite handy as I have a relatively small desk so even if I placed the ring lights elsewhere I was still able benefit from the light omitted from them. However, nothing really stands out or makes them worth their $139 (36cm) and $59 (26cm) asking prices. You're just getting a bright ring light. 

When using the microphone there is no static or reverb and the sensitivity is great but I get the same quality from my Fifine Ampligame which is less than half of the price. The buttons on the mic worked as intended but again, these are buttons which are present on my much cheaper alternative. Overall, a good quality microphone, but not something I would pick up at MRSP. 

As this is the first green screen I have used I don't have a personal point of comparison. This green screen was simple to use and worked as intended. I loved the ability to tuck it away when I'm not streaming, I usually keep it under my desk and I don't even notice it's there. 

Should you buy the Streamplify bundle?

Personally, I would not buy the Streamplify bundle at its MRSP of $699 but if you can find it at another retailer for a lower price point (which you often can) then this makes it much better value for money. For example, you're able to pick up the bundle at ebuyer for £314.99. Being able to get your hands on a microphone, mic arm, webcam, tripod for the webcam, two ring lights and a green screen for less than £350 is a great deal. You can check out the Streamplify where to buy section to find out what retailer you can purchase from in your country. 

All of the products included are great quality and work amazingly well, they just feel slightly overpriced. Taking into account you can get them all at a lower price point does make it feel much more worth it.

If you're thinking about streaming but not sure where to begin then grabbing this bundle at a discount would be an amazing choice.

If you're on the lookout for a new rig to stream from then you can check out our best gaming laptops or best gaming PCs. And if you're thinking about picking up a snazzy chair to feature in your streams then take a look at our best gaming chairs. 

Meet the SteelSeries Arena 7, the brand’s first stab at taking what it does with headsets and trying to create something to give the very best computer speakers a run for their money. Building on that strong reputation for producing some of the best gaming headsets we’ve tested, the Arena range should have all the right DNA to be a market leader here too.

Debuting three models with a view to suiting every setup and budget, the Arena 3, Arena 7, and Arena 9 look ready to shake up an area that’s not seen a brand new player in some time. Starting at $129.99 for the modest Arena 3 right up to the $549.99 for the 5.1 Surround Sound Arena 9, SteelSeries hasn’t held back in an attempt to impress in their first outing.

I’ve taken a look at the middle option in the range, the $299.99 SteelSeries Arena 7 to see if it’s got what it takes to compete.

Design & Features

SteelSeries have landed on a really pleasant balance of subtle but styled with the Arena 7 speaker set. Everywhere you look you’ll find an elegant curve on the speakers both across the drivers on the front and the housing itself. Every angle seems to nicely relate to everything else and there’s a certain sci-fi spaceship vibe to them overall but in a way that doesn’t feel cheap or toylike. Despite being pretty chunky, they’re a compact unit with a rock-solid stand under each that’s perfectly balanced. No matter how hard I wobbled, banged, or shook my desk the Arena 7 speakers never flinched. 

At around 7.8in/20cm high and just over 3.9in/10cm wide and deep they’re big enough to deliver punchy sound but small enough to fit into most desktop setups. The stand is fixed but does allow around 30 degrees of tilt up to help zone in on the perfect listening spot. In terms of driver size and specifics, the two satellites have a 3" driver and 3/4" tweeter, while the subwoofer is 6.5" down-firing speaker.

Design-wise, if the speakers take their cues from baroque, the subwoofer is definitely brutalist. It’s a black box that’s going to live on the floor under your desk, there’s not much more we need to dwell on really. The connections on the back are plentiful and nicely laid out though, and with USB-C, Aux, Optical, and Bluetooth connectivity there’s just about every option you could need. SteelSeries has been generous with the cable length from each speaker to the subwoofer too, so you’ll have no issues with cable management and tucking it away out of sight in your setup.

After you’ve plugged in the SteelSeries Arena 7 they transform from a very understated, all-black affair to an all-singing, all-dancing disco deal. It wouldn’t be a modern gaming peripheral without RGB right? Thankfully the colourful execution here is both subtle, controllable, and excellent. Each speaker features independent lighting zones both around the rim of the base and via a panel on the back. If I had one criticism it’s that for an otherwise beautifully designed unit, the RGB window on the back feels a little like an afterthought, it doesn’t blend into the design like everything else and just feels a little tacked on. It’s on the back though and once you’ve placed your speakers for the first time you’ll never see it again so it’s a minor grumble.

Each speaker manages to throw an impressive amount of coloured light and did a great job of making the wall behind my monitors radiate. The base rim has minimal throw but is impactful enough to be a worthwhile addition. If you’re not a fan of RGB, a double tap of the multi-function button on the right speaker will shut them off entirely - that’s a nice touch, SteelSeries.

Performance

SteelSeries headsets have been a go-to for gamers for some time now and I’m pleased to say that audio experience has well and truly made its way into the Arena 7 speakers. They sound great, really impressively great. My previous speakers were a $30 set of Logitech Z200s and before plugging the Arena 7 speakers in I wasn’t expecting to hear a huge difference. They’re both stereo, two speaker systems so how much better could they realistically sound? Turns out the answer is much better.

I connected to my PC using the included USB Type C cable and even without dialing in my audio using SteelSeries’ GG and Sonar software the Arena 7s delivered an excellent, full sound. Compared to previous, cheap PC speakers I’ve used there’s a distinct improvement in the richness of sound, particularly when listening to music and the subwoofer can take a lot of the credit here. Even when dialed down to avoid upsetting the neighbours (which it would certainly have the ability to do if you ramp it all the way up) it helped beef up the entire soundscape.

Testing with a few hours in GTA V, the Arena 7s did a great job of presenting the wide range of sounds thrown at you at once. In-game music was pleasant and balanced, vehicles had a deep rumble without overpowering dialogue and each gunshot had a proper punch to it when backed up by the subwoofer. 

It was a similar story when watching Netflix: the SteelSeries Arena 7 speakers were clear throughout and offered a surprisingly absorbing wall of sound for just a 2.1 set. To push my luck I even pulled up a few spatial audio tests on YouTube and when closing my eyes was genuinely impressed at how well the Arena 7’s two speakers managed to convey a sense of direction. I wouldn’t go as far as to say they mimic surround sound, but they certainly sound like more than just two sources.

SteelSeries’ GG software throws up full EQ control to tweak the sound to your liking. I left the fine-tuning to the experts and stuck with one of the bundled profiles but there’s a comprehensive feature set on offer if you want to get stuck in. GG is also where you’ll control your RGB features with a modest selection of different modes covering the usual rainbow displays. If you’re already in the SteelSeries ecosystem these will be familiar and there’s PrismSync integration available too. 

One RGB theme did jump out though: hidden in the Engine menu is ‘Reflect’ which attempts to extend your screen beyond its frame by mimicking what’s on show with RGB. While the Arena 7 speakers did a pretty admirable job of this and do throw enough light to be effective, I found the split-second delay before the lighting would update to match the screen more of a distraction than anything else, particularly while gaming.

Should you buy the SteelSeries Arena 7 speakers?

At $299.99 the Arena 7 speakers aren’t exactly a cheap option but the gaming tech behemoth has again delivered a product that's excellent and worthy of SteelSeries' gaming audio reputation. For reference, the price is in between the Razer Leviathan V2 and Creative Sound Blaster Katana V2 soundbars we've also tested recently and so does represent something that's an investment, but that will give you exceptional performance.

Overall, there’s little to complain about here and all but the most committed audiophiles will likely be impressed with the sound they produce. With excellent audio quality coupled with pleasing design and build quality, plus an RGB party trick to boot, the SteelSeries Arena 7 are a great choice for those looking to upgrade their desktop audio.

How we tested the SteelSeries Arena 7 speakers

The SteelSeries Arena 7 found a home on my desk and was used for a mixture of different computer work over the course of a few weeks. It was my primary audio device and used for general audio, music and video watching, Discord calls, and gaming. It was also used for all audio output while live streaming using SteelSeries GG software.

You can read more about our hardware approach to all kinds of gear that we get our hands on in our full GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

If you're looking for something more headset-shaped from SteelSeries for your setup, then you may find it in our best PC headset for gaming, best PS5 headset, or best Xbox Series X headset guides.

If you're thinking about streaming but it feels impossible to start because everything is just too expensive then fear not, as we have produced this, our guide to building a streaming setup for less than $100. This is a collection of some great budget products that'll have you able to broadcast yourself and your gameplay for less than that magical three-figure mark. However, if the products below don't really tickle your fancy then we have also provided some guidance on what to look for when buying your gear on a budget. 

Before continuing, we are assuming that you already have a capable gaming setup and you're now just looking to start live streaming. This means we have found all of the best gear for streaming for gamers, but we haven't included things like headsets, actual machines and monitors. 

When referring to streaming gear, the bits we specifically mean are a webcam, microphone, a ring light, and even a green screen. Although a green screen is not needed to stream, you can still pick one up alongside everything else for less than $100 combined - which is pretty cool. And if you have a bit more budget to work with and want some further guidance then check out our thoughts on where to save and spend on a streaming setup.

Webcam

When looking for a webcam for streaming on a budget, you want to ensure that you look at two key factors: the quality, and the frame rate that the webcam is able to capture. Before investing in a higher-cost webcam make sure you know what quality and frame rate you will be streaming in based on your internet speed and PC's power and capability.

Most streaming platforms support HD, meaning you'll want to go for a camera that captures in at least 720p. You could also opt for 1080p - however, these will obviously come at a higher price point. 

You'll also find that you'll typically be streaming in either 30fps or 60fps depending on your internet and PC. You can pick up webcams that capture in either of these framerates. 60fps will come at a higher price point but will ensure a smoother picture. 

For a budget webcam, we recommend the Logitech C270. 

Microphone

You'll likely find that a good quality microphone for streaming is harder to find on a budget. There are many great options close to the $50 mark making it one of the more expensive items on our list. When looking for a budget microphone it's always worth listening to test videos before purchasing to ensure you know what the input sounds like.

A feature you may want to stay on the lookout is built-in noise suppression - which means background noises will be filtered out. Another feature that may be important to you is an onboard mic-mute button, especially if you live with other people. Being able to mute at the touch of a button is extremely useful when you're live. 

The microphone we recommend you pick up is the Razer Seiren Mini.

Ring Light

It can be hard to find lighting that works for you as it depends quite highly on your surroundings. When first starting out it can be easier to use natural light because low and behold - it's free! Well, I mean it doesn't require any further investment. But not everyone is able to stream while the sun is still up or have their set up near a window. 

A ring light can help you make your budget webcam appear much higher quality so they're worth investing in if you cannot use natural light. Things to look out for are space you might need, as some of them come on tripods whereas others are clip-on. 

You also want to look out for light settings, depending on whether or not you want warm or cool light and what brightness level you might need. 

Green Screen

A green screen is by no means essential for streaming - I broadcasted for years without one at all. But they really elevate your setup, allowing you to hide your background and add cool effects to your stream. 

When looking for a green screen, the main things you want to look out for are whether or not it needs a stand, what the material the actual screen is made from, and the size of the screen. 

Budget options usually mean picking up something pop-up - which is very small, or avoiding a stand altogether and just mounting it to the wall. Personally, we think the best option is to mount the larger screen to the wall so that way you have a smaller chance of your screen failing on you or malfunctioning during a stream. 

Our recommendation is the MOHOO 6x9ft green screen. 

Capture Card

Aiming for one of the best capture cards will be tempting, but they are by no means essential as most people are able to stream straight from their PC or consoles. However, capture cards allow you to remove some of the pressure from your graphics card so if you have a lower-end machine then using one can really help. 

The best capture card for those on a budget is Nvidia ShadowPlay, which is free.

In total, all of these products come to a grand total of $99.98 showing that you are able to pick up some great options and build yourself a great streaming set up for under $100. This doesn't even consider any discounts on these products, meaning if you come across a price cut you'll spend even less. 

Latest streaming gear deals

You can take a look at today's best deals for some of the budget streaming products above and also alternatives if none of them suit your needs.

If you're after gear from a reliable brand, then you can check our best Razer streaming gear page. You can also check out our cheap gaming PC deals if you think it's time for an upgrade but still want to grab a bargain. If budget isn't something you're too worried about then you can take a look at our best gaming PCs. 

Representing an evolution from another solid gaming soundbar, the Creative Sound Blaster Katana V2 takes everything that made the original so reliable and enjoyable, refining it and ramping up the quality.

Coming in at the $330/£300 mark, it's a sizeable investment, but it largely meets all the demands and requirements of a soundbar that costs as much, from sound quality to inputs and versatility. I recently spent weeks with the Katana V2 and can safely say that it is absolutely worthy of inclusion in 2022's best computer speakers conversation. In fact, it's a belter.

Design & Features

The Katana V2 is a pretty simple soundbar and woofer combo that is compact, sleek, and with some nice angles on it. At just 23.6in/600mm wide (or 'long' if you like) the bar is so compact that it seems like magic that sound so good (more on that below) can be pumped out of it. Its compact nature also means that it looks right at home under any monitor - arguably more at home than under a TV, which might dwarf it somewhat - regardless of size.

The woofer itself, though it'll be likely hidden away under a desk, is a taller woofer than that of other soundbar systems - more cuboid rather than cube - and has a bit of heft to it to give you some confidence too.

The Katana V2 is very solid and sturdy in its position. Shallow feet spread its weight and mean it can survive all but the largest of desk thumps and chair bashes. I originally thought that these shorter feet that could point the soundbar more toward my face was a misstep, but the Katana V2 does angle itself slightly upward and that extra stability is comforting too.

In terms of connections, you are very well catered for indeed. You think of the connection you need, and the Katana V2 has probably got it. It keeps the old faithful, fail-safe connection of an audio jack/aux in and an optical port, while also adding more 'modern' audio connections in the form of USB-C, and HDMI ARC. And then to top it off there's Bluetooth 5.0 and you can even then use the soundbar to Creative's SXFI sound through a headset output on the bar too. The latter is a bonus but means you could take a more basic gaming headset to a new level if the Katana V2 also took the budget for that. Overall though, this amount of connections is most welcome. It allows us, the shopper, to choose how to deploy it, be that under a PC monitor or under a TV - or as both - rather than just have to choose within the limitations of the connections on offer.

Navigating these inputs is as easy as pie too: the buttons on the top are easy to press, have a firm actuation, and are elevated off the chassis so each is clear and pronounced. There are buttons for power, volume down, volume up, source, mode, and SXFI functionality. I was disappointed with the display, though, which still seems a bit old-fashioned to me with those old-school alarm clock-style means of showing words and numbers through different chunks of light. It's almost not befitting of an otherwise very forward-looking bit of kit.

The only chink in the armour from a design point of view is that, like with my time with the Razer Leviathan V2, I am left still yearning for gaming soundbars to introduce wireless subwoofers. This is widespread among TV sound bars and systems, and would really help tidy up the wires needed going across my desk. Also, the advancements in wireless audio now also should mean that latency wouldn't be an issue. Although I am not a headset or soundbar builder, of course.

Performance

How does it sound? It sounds terrific, I tell you.

The range of audio quality, the lovely detail across the mids, highs, and lows, and even overall volume levels (i.e. not distorting or sounding messy when you turn it up to 11). On top of that, the modes offer something different to help you hone in on your best setting no matter the media or game.

It was that latter point that stuck with me a lot, as the Katana V2 was just excellent-sounding across the board no matter what I was playing or what I was listening to. From Red Dead Redemption 2's landscapeS to Hans Zimmer soundtracks; from booming gun sounds to the flutey tones of Ori; and from crisp spoken voice media like podcasts to metal music, country music and everything else in between, the audio was a joy to listen to.

I was fortunate enough to get the Katana in for review around the same time I had the Razer Leviathan V2 to compare the two. Now, while I think the Leviathan V2 has slightly better game audio, the Katana V2 has the better all-round audio. And that's not a small claim given the Leviathan V2 is no slouch. However, I genuinely had more smiles on my face when listening to anything or playing anything with the Katana V2. It really can do everything brilliantly well, audio-wise and you won't look back.

I still suffered from the slightly-niche complaint about the woofer not being quite up to scratch out of the box when I was standing or sitting at my desk - some tinkering is needed to try and get a nice balance. For folks using one of the best standing desks, as I do, something like the Panasonic SoundSlayer or Yamaha SR-C20A (reviews of both coming in the near future hopefully) might be better fits as it removes the need for a subwoofer entirely.

Should you buy the Creative Sound Blaster Katana V2?

The Creative Sound Blaster Katana V2 is very close to the full desktop audio package.

Coming in north of $300, however, is a big ask for a one-hit solution - and some might not even like the fact you haven't got separate speakers to move and place as you wish. Something that has that ability, and is cheaper like the perennially-popular Logitech G560s, might win folks over there.

I personally, with a standing desk, might still be swayed by the Yamaha SR-C20A and  Panasonic SoundSlayer that truly offer a one-and-done solution with not even a woofer to contend with too, but - but - given the flexibility, compatibility, build quality, awesome sound range, and quality, and pedigree that the Katana V2 offers, it really is worth every penny of its asking price. And even more so if it's ever on sale.

The caveats of it having an old-fashioned display, and being a bit more expensive than the competition do feel a little nitpicky given the overall quality. Because it's that quality that constantly shines through.

How we tested the Creative Sound Blaster Katana V2

The Katana V2 was brought into my PC gaming and work set up for several weeks where I lived with it every day and used it for hours and hours at a time. 

It was the primary source of my background music while I worked, as well as the occasional voice call for work, and it totally replaced my headset for gaming, too. I tested it with games like Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Red Dead Redemption 2, Red Alert Remastered, and also remote playing my PS5 on my PC too.

You can read more about our hardware approach to all kinds of gear that we get our hands on in our full GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

Tested on PC with a Razer Blade 15 laptop supplied by Razer and with an Acer Predator X38 monitor from Acer.

If you're looking to refresh your display and get something new to slip your Katana V2 under then check out our best gaming monitor, best ultrawide monitor, and best curved gaming monitor guides.

Razer Leviathan V2 comes eight years or so after its predecessor, and looks to reinstate the Leviathan name as a go-to when it comes to desktop audio.

The original leviathan was quite the fan favourite for gamers both on PC and console, but the V2 version changes quite a bit. So, is it also worthy of its place among the best computer speakers when you're looking at desk-bound audio to team with a gaming PC or gaming laptop? Absolutely.

Design & Features

The Leviathan V2 is a chunky, blocky thing in terms of both its desktop soundbar and subwoofer. The latter is a simple black cube which is nice and compact, while the sound bar is a solid rectangle. Cramming some of that sweet, sweet Razer audio goodness into a soundbar that's only 50cm long is quite a feat.

What enhances the design of the sound bar is the interchangeable feet that come with the Leviathan V2. These slot in and out of the base easily and can either keep the soundbar parallel with your desk or, as I used them, point the soundbar up toward you and your, well, face. I found this a great bonus and it definitely made a difference in how I received audio - I'm not sure why other desktop speakers don't do this too really, regardless of overall sound quality. The subwoofer is a very simple one-and-done affair, and you'll not think about it again after placing it under your desk - apart from maybe to manage the cable. (A wireless subwoofer for computer speakers can't be far away, can it?)

The controls adorn the top of the soundbar and come in the form of simple, easy-to-press buttons that cover you for audio source, Bluetooth, power, and volume up and down. Nice.

The RGB I do actually find welcome in the Leviathan V2, but that is because I have a few other Razer elements in my setup, so added neatness to lighting is a boon for me. But generally, it is tastefully done. The only real problem is that (while you can adjust in Synapse, as usual) you really only get the most out of it either in the dark or dim light -it feels like it lacks a bit of flash.

Then we get to something where the design and feature set is a bit questionable but also a bit disappointing, And that is the trimming down of the ports compared to the first Leviathan. Let me describe the situation in full. First, the only physical input available on the V2 is a USB-C port. Secondly, the only other input is Bluetooth 5.2. That's it. No optical, no HDMI, no audio jack. And, in reality, even with the Bluetooth being 5.2 and more stable than ever, we wouldn't really recommend gaming over it due to the latency issues that the connection is known for. So that would leave you only the USB connection. Not nice.

It's not only a disappointment from a choice perspective, but also from a failsafe perspective; having a simple audio jack connection to fall back on if things were to go wrong elsewhere would be a nice touch. I haven't done a teardown, of course, but it's hard to see how adding an audio jack connection, in particular, would have broken the Leviathan V2. 

Meanwhile, the lack of optical connection may be explained by the new-gen consoles both ditching the connection, but it doesn't make up for it really given the other means of deploying said connection.

As a result, and away from the disappointments, this means the Leviathan V2 is clearly, and almost solely, in the realm of being PC first - perhaps even PC-only - whereas its predecessor could sit happily under a TV and utilise the old-gen consoles' optical ports.

Performance

Once I was over the disappointment of the ports, broadly speaking, the audio is great. It has that same Razer pedigree that all previous Razer headsets and Razer speakers have. In terms of raw audio quality out of the box, it's good.

However, after a bit of time with it, you may, like me, notice that it sounds a bit less rounded in some scenarios. For music, podcasts, and other 'spoken voice' media, it's great and no tinkering is needed. But I did need to alter the settings through Synapse to get it right for games particularly - there was just something 'missing' otherwise. 

With that out of the way though, across all my gaming it proved reliable and gave me pretty rich sound, and is boosted by that THX Spatial sound too. It worked well no matter whether I was directing units on Dawn of War III, trying to soak in the atmosphere of the Big Country in Red Dead Redemption, or trying to pinpoint enemies in frantic encounters in Apex Legends. I think for the latter in particular we'd always direct you to one of the best gaming headsets instead, but as a desktop audio solution, it will still serve you well.

As I briefly mentioned above, it was great for music which is a large part of my day's background noise so you can have confidence in its multiuse capacity.

However, the subwoofer was a bit disappointing - particularly straight out of the box - as I genuinely had to check it was functioning correctly once or twice by getting on my hands and knees. Naturally, it wouldn't have the bass capability of the Razer Nommo Pros I used previously (that has an enormous cylindrical woofer) but it would have been nice to have the Leviathan V2's woofer really clearly let me know it was there and pumping out the bottom end right after plugging it in and setting it up.

A slightly niche point about that sub-par subwoofer is that for anyone who uses a standing desk rather than a stationary gaming desk, it's really difficult to optimise. I really couldn't find a good, balanced setting for the bass that would work when both sitting and standing.

I've also recently been using the Panasonic SoundSlayer (another imminent review incoming) and this removes that problem altogether, being a fine one-and-done speaker solution with no subwoofer needed. Although it's a bit more of an investment (around $299 / £249), it has proved ideal for me and ticked that extra box - and means one fewer cables too.

Should you buy the Razer Leviathan V2?

The Leviathan V2 is a good soundbar, and certainly a great contender for a PC speaker setup solution in 2022.

It sounds great with plenty of speakers offering a rounded and fulsome audio experience across pretty much all media and all genres of games. That general Razer-level audio quality and the tinkering you can do means it is a successful evolution of the first Leviathan - but not without caveats. The lack of connectivity might be seen as streamlining, but to remove all failsafes and offer not even an audio jack connection is a negative whichever way you cut it. And while the aforementioned tinkering can help optimise your sound, I consistently found that subwoofer to be a bit underwhelming.

If you can look past those, the great news is that it's also actually not bad value at all - in both the soundbar market and the speakers market. As mentioned above, though the Creative Katana V2 does sound a bit better and offers more connectivity, that is still $80 / £80 more which is the cost of a half-decent peripheral that you could reinvest. And in terms of speakers, the Razer Nommo Pro speakers might give more power and have bigger speakers and so on, but that set will still cost you double (at least) the price of the Leviathan V2.

All in, a worthy successor from the original but not without some small missteps.

How we tested the Razer Leviathan V2

The Leviathan lived on my desk for a period of a few weeks and was used for multiple hours every day for music and podcasts, and then as the primary source of my game audio for hours too.

As a result, it totally replaced my headset and became my go-to noise maker. As well as for music and work, I tested it with games like Red Dead Redemption 2, Apex Legends, Red Alert Remastered, and even when remote playing my PS5 on my PC too.

You can read more about our hardware approach to all kinds of gear that we get our hands on in our full GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

Tested on PC with a Razer Blade 15 laptop supplied by Razer and with an Acer Predator X38 monitor from Acer.

If you're looking for something to place the Leviathan V2 under then check out our best gaming monitor, best ultrawide monitor, and best curved gaming monitor guides.

RØDE audio hardware has been commonplace in professional studios across the world for more than 50 years and now the Australian brand is looking for a place in your home studio too. 

Setting you back around $100/£100, the RØDE AI-1 audio mixer sits at a mid-range price point but promises top-level performance in a streaming for gamers setup. A perfect partner for their excellent Podmic dynamic microphone, if you’re looking to make the switch from a USB microphone to an XLR setup the AI-1 is definitely one to consider.

Design & features

Much like the rest of RØDE’s range, everything about the AI-1 feels premium. It’s a little stealth bomber of a unit with an all-metal matte black case set off with RØDE’s signature gold dot inlay. 

It’s the little details that make all the difference here and leave you feeling like you’ve got your hands on a professional piece of equipment. The RØDE logo is engraved on the top, the base is rubberised to stop it sliding around your desk and there’s a single subtle LED to indicate levels and peaking.

The I/O layout is logical with a single XLR input on the front alongside a ¼” headphone jack and the USB Type-C and speaker outputs on the back. You’ll find two control knobs on the front too and while it feels strange to highlight such a basic component, they’re just lovely to use. There’s a really pleasing amount of resistance to both which only adds to the premium feel, it serves a function too in helping prevent accidental level changes.

The interface’s small footprint is both a blessing and a curse. It’s such a compact block that everything feels pretty tightly squeezed together. The level knobs are side by side in the middle and are so close together that when grabbing either knob from the side my finger was constantly touching both at once. Sure, the issue is easily avoided by only grabbing from the top, but mid livestream it’s another thing to have to think about. I can’t help but feel the knobs would have been better placed to the outside with the connections in the middle.

Performance

When it comes to performance, I’ve got nothing to complain about with the RØDE AI-1, but there’s not much to get excited about either. It’s your set-and-forget, hands-off solution that wants to hide at the back of your desk. 

As opposed to competitors like the Razer Audio Mixer or Go XLR Mini, the RØDE AI-1 doesn’t want you to play with it. There are no interactive mute or censor buttons, there are no dynamic volume faders, and there’s no customisable RGB. It’s a bridge between your microphone for streaming and your PC and it’s happy being just that.

That’s not a bad thing though and there’s certainly a case for sticking to doing the basics well. Once you’ve plugged a mic in the RØDE AI-1 is capable of delivering studio-quality audio at up to 96kHz which is more than enough for most streamers. Twitch only supports 44.1kHz or 48kHz sample rates anyway, so the AI-1 isn’t going to break a sweat keeping up with your content.

There’s no real software offering from RØDE to complement the AI-1 either. While you can download the ‘RØDE Central’ app, it offers little more than checking for firmware updates so it’s not something you need to race to install. It’s actually a welcome relief to have a plug-and-play device that’s truly plug-and-play. The Razer Audio Mixer needs their Synapse offering to get you started but the RØDE AI-1 was ready to go seconds after I first plugged it in.

In testing, I found no noticeable difference in sound quality when switching my RØDE Podmic back and forth between the AI-1 and Razer Audio Mixer, including with Razer Synapse’s gentle post-processing offering turned on. Audio from the AI-1 was clear and crisp with no distortion even when ramping up the gain levels and needed no EQ work to deliver pleasant results.

Overall - Should you buy it?

The step from USB-driven audio to an XLR setup can be an expensive move, but thankfully the RØDE AI-1 provides creators with a studio experience without the hefty price tag. As audio mixers go it’s as near to plug and play as you can get, a one-time setup should leave you happy for a long time to come.

Yes, there are more feature-packed offerings in the market like the Razer Audio Mixer but they come with a price tag to match. Purely as a connection from an XLR microphone to your PC the RØDE AI-1 is a great choice with few faults.

Complete your streaming setup with one of the best capture cards, and the best webcams.

The original Bumblebee USB mic from Neat really set its stall out with a unique and very distinctive visual design. One we quite liked, as it happens. But the thing about going bold with the visuals of any streaming component is that you’re likely to turn off as many people as you draw in. Streamers have specific aesthetics to stick to, and the first-gen Bumblebee wasn’t about to shrink into the background and fit in with just anything.

Now with parent company Turtle Beach steering the ship, the Bumblebee II is a much more conformist proposition for the best microphone for streaming market. Gone is the black and yellow colour scheme, the 1950s retrofuturism, the strange stand/mixer combo. In their place is a subtle, compact all-black USB condenser mic that keeps the price under £100/$100, and promises big things with a spec sheet full of impressive numbers.

Design & features

The second coming of Bumblebee throws out all but two physical controls, this version featuring a multifunction button below the cage which cycles between mic gain, monitoring volume, and mic/monitoring mix each denoted by a different colour on the outer ring when you select it. Below that is a mic mute switch, and that’s all the fiddling your fingers will be doing with this mic.

Although the overall look falls much more in line with the rest of the market and resembles Kingston and the smaller models in the Razer streaming lineup, there’s still some of that unusual Neat design evident on the stand. It’s heavy, wide, and keeps the mic capsule floating freely above it, with an optional boom arm connection available at the capsule base.

To compound the noisiness, the mic mute switch gives off a very audible click when you use it, which is sure to draw the ire of Discord buddies and Twitch viewers. 

The former two issues can be remedied entirely by using a boom arm, and one gets the sense these days that many manufacturers simply assume that’s how we’ll use their mics. But they should only assume that if they supply one with their products. Otherwise, this isn’t a £100/ £100 mic, but rather one with a hidden cost attached. 

There are, unfortunately, some problems with all these elements. First is the dimensions of the stand itself, which sit the mic low on your desk and thus quite far away from the audio source. During our testing, we found the sweet spot for recording vocals was about 4-5 inches away from the mic, and it’s just not possible to get that close using the stand without contorting into an outlandish - and uncomfortable - posture. To cap it off, the USB-C connection is really pinched in there under the stand. We’ve lost several mics to broken USB ports, and the placement of this one is an accident waiting to happen.

That’s not the only reason a boom arm is all but mandatory with this mic. It’s really sensitive to desk taps and stand knocks, picking up huge amounts of handling noise. If you somehow manage to position it near your face and in an area you’ll never accidentally brush against, play on. Those of us yet to master levitation have pause for thought, however. 

Performance

If you take some time with the Bumblebee II to position it just right, at the aforementioned 4-5 inch range, it actually sounds pretty competitive with HyperX and Razer’s smaller, budget-end models. It’s crisp, boosts the high mids, and cuts through a mix that might typically be full of grumbling gunfire or engine sounds.

Where you hear the concession to its price is in the way it captures the low end, however. There’s not much of it reproduced during vocal recordings, and that robs it of the richness of pricier mics like the Shure MV7. Still, for the price, it’s an impressive performer and care has obviously been taken in its engineering. It’s certainly a step up in fidelity from even the best gaming headset mics.

It’s worth pointing out that the mic capsule is front-facing, not for top-down operation like a typical Shure SM58-style handheld condenser. That’s de rigueur for USB streamer mics, but the shape of this mic invites you to speak into its top plane if you didn’t explicitly know better.

Should you buy the Neat Bumblebee II?

Despite some frustrating design missteps like the USB port placement and stand dimensions, Neat’s second Bumblebee retains both audio quality and value. A boom arm is all but required, though.

How we tested the Neat Bumblebee II

Just like every mic that comes through our doors, the Bumblebee II was hooked up to Ableton Live and set to record some voiceover. We compared those uncompressed, unprocessed WAV files against similar mics in the market. Most of the time though, we’re not listening to the sound of our own voice while we use a gaming mic, so we recruited some extra pairs of ears on Discord and asked our friends how we sound during a game of Vermintide II using the Bumblebee II. (All mics that feature bespoke software suites have our scrutiny extend as far as that, too.) 

Research how to create a full streaming for gamers setup with our guide, and also don't forget about one of the best webcams and best capture cards too.

MSI is renowned for its plethora of PC components and accessories and with its first-ever microphone, the Immerse GV60 Streaming Microphone, the company is looking to continue its domination and move into the best microphones for streaming space. The GV60 is a USB condenser microphone aimed squarely at streamers and content creators who want a high quality, no fuss, plug-and-play experience.

Retailing at the $130/£100 mark, the GV60 competes directly with some of the best streaming microphones like the Blue Yeti X and Razer Seiren V2 Pro. Now those are big acts to follow. But with multiple condensers, 24bit/96kHz lossless audio, and no need for any special software, the MSI offering can certainly hold its own.

After two weeks of using the GV60 as my primary microphone for all my work Zoom calls and other voice work, I'm extremely pleased with it and I'm here to tell you all about it.

Design & features

The Immerse GV60 Streaming Mic reminds me a lot of the Blue Yeti X microphone in terms of design. This is an elegant, sturdy microphone that feels as much as soon as you take it out of the box - in no small part due to its hefty 1.1kg weight. You’ll need to keep that in mind if you plan to mount it on a boom arm - though this is easy thanks to the 5/8” threading in the base. That’s also where you’ll find the USB Type-C port for connecting the mic and a 3.5mm headphone jack for real-time monitoring.

The microphone itself is rather typical in appearance: a thick, black, metallic cylinder with a mesh top. The mesh hides multiple condensers that allow for four different pickup patterns. For those prone to splattering their mics, MSI includes a removable pop filter to help reduce plosives but in my experience, it wasn’t necessary. The mic captures audio up to 24bit/96kHz sample rate which makes for very rich, crisp audio.

One of the best things about the GV60 is that it doesn't need any drivers or fancy software. All the controls live on the mic itself with solid dials and a chunky mic mute button. An LED status light indicates whether the mic is active or muted. The dials switch pickup patterns and adjust headphone volume and microphone gain. The dials are fairly stiff to turn and lack grip due to their smooth finish; a textured finish would have served them much better.

The microphone is held up by a sturdy desk stand which can tilt it back or forward 90 degrees with knobs to secure the microphone in the desired position. The stand has a rubber base that prevents it from sliding about and reduces feedback from desk noise like typing or mouse movements. Overall, a handsome but not distracting design that I am happy with.

Performance

The first day I used the GV60 on a team Zoom call, everyone immediately noted the difference and asked if I was using a new microphone. I sounded so much clearer and richer to them than ever before. In jest, I moved the microphone closer to my mouth to show off my bassy voice to which they exploded in laughter.

The GV60 sounds fantastic, beating my Razer Seiren V2 Pro and Thronmax MDrill One. Voice pickup and tonality are excellent and true to life with a warmth that makes you sound much more professional. I didn't even have to fiddle with the mic gain which is a first. Unlike those, I did not experience any background noise or distortion.

I especially love that I didn’t need to fiddle with some complex software like the Seiren V2 Pro that I also have. It's as simple as just plugging in the GV60 and then you can start making quality content. Some people might prefer finer control but I appreciate the simplicity of what's on offer here.

For most things, you'll be using the cardioid pattern but you can switch to Stereo, Omnidirectional, and Bidirectional on the fly. Podcasters will enjoy the stereo or bidirectional pattern when hosting multiple guests at a time. And YouTubers will love the quality of voiceovers this microphone produces. Check out the sample below and judge for yourself. No matter what kind of content you are creating, the GV60 captures it beautifully.

Should you buy the MSI Immerse GV60?

The MSI Immerse GV60 Streaming mic is a fantastic first try from the company and a worthy addition to our top picks for streaming microphones. At $130/£100, it's slightly cheaper than its main rivals but matches them in performance.

If you're a budding or professional streamer or content creator or maybe just a gamer who wants a high-quality microphone for work and play, then this should be high on your list of targets.

How we tested the MSI Immerse GV60

Since I work fully remote from home, I put the GV60 to good use for my numerous daily Zoom calls on my MacBook as well as some private video voiceovers on my Windows PC. While I don’t stream, I’ve certainly spent on average 3 hours daily for the last two weeks streaming myself to my work colleagues over Zoom, Google Meet both in-app and web browser. The microphone was used in its desk stand to test its stability and durability.

Research how to create a full streaming for gamers setup with our guide, and also don't forget about one of the best webcams and best capture cards too.

Continuing its expansion beyond gaming hardware, the Razer Audio Mixer is the brand’s latest move in the streaming for gamers space. It already makes some of the best gear for creators and now they’re looking beyond beginner setups. The Audio Mixer is a step-up for those looking to give a more professional edge to their content.

With four audio channel faders and an XLR input, the Audio Mixer is Razer’s answer to the popular GoXLR Mini. In fact, bar two missing corners and a different logo at the top, they’re practically the same device. So with an established leader already in the game, should you be taking the Razer route?

Design & features

Straight out of the box the Audio Mixer looks right at home in the Razer streaming line-up. It’s black, it’s shiny, and it’s got RGB lighting. What more could you want? But generally, it really is a smart-looking unit and the build quality feels premium across the board.

Across the front face are four faders, each tied to a customisable audio channel. The sliders are smooth with a pleasant amount of resistance and even after a couple of weeks, I'm still getting an unnecessary amount of enjoyment from changing volume. There’s just something so joyful about physical volume controls, I don’t know why, but I love it.

They aren’t motorised though, so the faders won’t react to changes you make on the software side and won’t dive to the bottom when you hit the mute button. That’s a shame and feels like a bit of an oversight for a device with such a premium price point, particularly when it’s a feature of the far cheaper GoXLR Mini. The result is second-guessing whether my levels were accurate half the time, or big jumps when the physical faders overrode the software. It’s a minor thing, perhaps, but it does start to defeat the purpose of a physical mixer.

The rubber buttons underneath are tactile and silent with LED status lights built-in. There is a bit of a wobble to the two larger beep and mute buttons though, which meant it was possible to feel like you’d pressed it without actually firing off an action. 

Of course, it wouldn’t be a Razer product without a good chunk of customisable RGB lighting and there’s a range of options on offer with the Audio Mixer. Synapse provides control of everything from the Razer logo to animating the fader level lights. It all works neatly within the ecosystem so those with a Razer-heavy setup already will appreciate the harmony.

Performance

As an XLR audio interface, it performs well and does it without a fuss. Pairing it with the RØDE PodMic was simple and there was no noticeable difference in sound quality compared to RØDE’s own AI-1 mixer.

On top of managing your audio channels, Razer Synapse offers a handful of preset EQ and voice-changing options. They’re a nice extra to have, though the voice changers are rather basic and you’ll likely find better options with a dedicated app.

Customising which audio channel each fader represents is intuitive and easy to manage, but if this is your first time dividing your output you’ll need to set aside a bit of time to get everything lined up. The Razer Audio Mixer uses Windows’ sound mixer to handle which program sends audio to which channel. It’s a functional if not slightly clunky system, but once you’ve set it up once it shouldn’t need much management moving forward.

You’re out of luck without an XLR microphone though. While you can theoretically use a USB microphone with a 3.5mm auxiliary out, there’s just no value in it (let alone $250 / £250 worth of value). If you’re ready to upgrade to an audio mixer, you’re ready to upgrade to an XLR microphone for streaming.

Overall - Should you buy it?

At the $250 / £250 mark, the Razer Audio Mixer is a pricey option, almost double the comparable and popular GoXLR Mini. In isolation, it holds its own with no glaring flaws and a lot to like. It delivers on everything it promises and has a good software solution to back it up.

Sat in the wider market however it probably isn’t the best value for money option, particularly if you’re shopping for a new microphone at the same time. For those already aligned with the Razer world, however, it’s a quality, professional addition to take your stream up a level.

How we tested the Razer Audio Mixer

I added the Razer Audio Mixer to my stream setup and ran it as my primary audio device for a number of live streams and general productivity work. I connected a RØDE PodMic via XLR and tested the audio quality through both OBS and Discord calls.

Complete your streaming setup with one of the best capture cards, and the best webcams.

Studio-based streamers are spoiled for choice when it comes to microphone options, we’ve already put together a list of their best options, but for those breaking away from their desk things get more limited. 

The Seiren BT is Razer’s first attempt at plugging that gap. Taking audio on the move with a tiny Bluetooth mic designed to give mobile streamers a quality, flexible option. On paper it’s ticking a lot of boxes, but does it stack up in the real world, or could it be used in a streaming for gamers set up?

Design & features

Officially the smallest microphone in Razer’s best microphones for streaming lineup (and possibly any streamer microphone lineup for that matter) the Seiren BT measures in at just over six centimetres. It’s an incredibly portable little unit weighing just 16 grams, and I even actually forgot that it was clipped to my collar after a couple of minutes. A largely metal casing is a surprising and welcome touch too, it keeps the Seiren BT from feeling like a toy and adds a premium finish.

It’s an impressive form factor that’s noticeably smaller and lighter than its main rival, RØDE’s excellent Wireless GO, and it makes all the difference when it comes to actually using it. Like RØDE’s offering, the Razer Seiren BT features an inbuilt clip on the back for attaching to your collar and, on the whole, it’s a good solution that makes it simple to get on the move. 

Unlike the extra bulk of the Wireless GO which meant it often pulled down my t-shirt collar and flipped over, there was no such drama with the Seiren BT which sat happily in place throughout. If I’m being picky, the clip on the Seiren BT is just a touch lower than I’d like though; it’s a minor thing but it would help keep the mic hidden away more on camera if it joined nearer the top.

Connecting to my phone was simple, even without Razer’s dedicated streaming app. My iPhone 13 Pro happily picked up the Seiren BT as a Bluetooth mic, but be aware: it will take over your audio output too so listening back to test recordings in the Voice Memo app is a chore. There is a 3.5mm aux jack which does get around the issue, but the input being on the top of the mic is somewhat awkward and prevents you from using either of the two included windsocks too.

Performance

Using the Seiren BT as intended and linking up with the Razer streaming app unlocks a handful of extra features including AI noise cancellation, live audio monitoring, and a low latency mode. You can track battery percentage here too, with Razer claiming up to six hours of battery life if you keep noise cancellation off or four if you leave it on. There are two levels of that noise cancellation, and while they do an impressive job of cutting out unwanted background sound this was a little aggressive at times and ate into the voice quality too.

That’s an issue because with the Razer Seiren BT you don’t have a lot of voice quality you can afford to lose. For everything this little device gets right across build quality, design and setup, it falls down at the most crucial junction, sound quality. Unfortunately, it just doesn’t sound good at all.

Given the tiny form factor and $99 / £99 price point of the Seiren BT this shouldn’t come as a major surprise and yet I am still left feeling let down by what it produced. It’s important to taper expectations when it comes to the performance of a microphone like this, it’s never going to be able to deliver perfect studio-quality vocals no matter how hard the AI tries. But what I was left with was a microphone that delivered somewhere in line with a headset microphone or Apple Airpods.

It just all sounds a bit rough. There is no depth to my voice and none of the ‘perfect vocal clarity’ that Razer promises. Running some test recordings and Discord calls with a friend, we both agreed my audio was considerably better using the iPhone's built-in microphone over the Razer Seiren BT. Comparing it to the RØDE Wireless GO the difference was night and day (though, admittedly, the Wireless GO is twice the price).

Overall - Should you buy it?

This all leaves the Razer Seiren BT in a slightly strange position. It’s an excellent device that’s just not good at what it’s meant to do. It’s a Formula 1 car with the engine from a Fiat Punto.

Purely as a microphone and based on audio quality alone it’s hard to recommend, but as a complete package it begins to form a more useful offering. It’s built well, it’s simple to set up and the wireless freedom it brings is valuable. For IRL creators where flexibility triumphs over sound it might just fit the bill, but for those looking to properly turn up the quality, there are likely stronger options elsewhere.

How we tested the Razer Seiren BT

I used the Razer Seiren BT connected to an iPhone 13 Pro via Bluetooth both with and without the official Razer Streaming App. I tested sound quality recording in a number of environments, inside and outside, and while using a mixture of different gain and AI Sound levels.

Audio was recorded using the native Apple Voice Memos app and tested via Discord calls.

Complete your streaming setup with one of the best capture cards, and the best webcams, or go all out with your setup and hoover up all the Razer streaming going right now.

When Elgato introduced the Stream Deck in 2017, you’d have been forgiven for asking the same question a lot of us did: 'OK, but why do I need it?' It was a fair thought, but nearly five years on the Stream Deck (and its family members the Mk2, Mini, XL, and most recently the Pedal) have become essential tools for streaming for gamers.

As a concept, a programmable keypad isn’t unique. But with customisable buttons and user-friendly software, Elgato has made a device for creators that’s actually a game-changer for everyone.

Design & features

Out of the box, the Stream Deck is a pretty unassuming-looking bit of kit. Its black plastic body is simple but feels reassuringly sturdy and carries Elgato’s usual high-quality finish. Despite the gamer focus, there’s also no outlandish styling to be found and the Stream Deck will look right at home on a work desk too. The stand offers a choice of four different viewing angles (though the difference between each is very subtle) or you can do away with the stand entirely and lay it flat thanks to rubber feet on the back.

The 15 keys do have some wobble to them, but they’re pleasantly tactile with about 5mm of travel and a satisfyingly soft and quiet click. It’s enough to feel responsive without worrying about accidental presses. The Stream Deck’s party piece though is the individual LCD screen under each key allowing for custom digital keycaps. Elgato provides a pretty extensive range of free designs to cover the most common use cases or you can get creative and import your own. Admittedly the 72x72px resolution isn’t the sharpest, but it’s more than enough for most icon designs even if text does become a bit crunchy.

Performance

The Stream Deck software does everything you need it to and does it without a fuss. The drag and drop interface makes it simple to manage keys and the ability to jump between multiple profiles is a nice touch.

Native controls for Twitch, OBS, Windows, and Elgato’s wider product range are waiting from the first install and should cover most people’s needs. For those looking to dive in deeper, Elgato’s plugin store includes more than 100 free apps covering everything from Spotify to lighting control and even tracking your crypto portfolio - if you're into that.

I’ve been using the Stream Deck for a few years now and it’s comfortably kept up with every action I throw at it. I was pleasantly surprised at how well it handles simultaneous button presses and you can fire off actions in quick succession without any noticeable delay. If you’re consistently launching the same set or sequence of commands, multi-action buttons let you string them together on a single keypress. 

There is one area the Stream Deck software could improve but it’s one that’s ultimately out of Elgato’s hands. Five years after the device launched it’s surprising to see the likes of Adobe not offer official plugins. Yes, you can use custom hotkeys and macros to achieve the same result, but some official support would be a welcome addition.

Overall - Should you buy it?

Offering complete control of your production, the Stream Deck is near enough a must-have for streamers in 2022, and as essential as having one of the best microphones for streaming and one of the best webcams. Adding it to an existing Razer streaming setup, for example, would be just as great as building one around it itself.

There’s plenty of value to be had outside of the creative space too and most people will find a nice quality of life bump from using it. Simply put, it’s a piece of tech you’re probably not sure you need, but pick one up and you’ll quickly realise it’s one you can’t live without.

As the ‘V2’ denotes, this is an update to Razer’s existing Seiren mic. Priced to go toe-to-toe with some of the best microphones for streaming, like the Blue Yeti X, the last iteration impressed with the brand’s typically smart looks and spot-on presentation, but couldn’t meet Blue’s outright sound quality. 

The new version has a score to settle then. Transmogrifying from ‘blacked out coke can’ to ‘sinister obsidian pill’ in aesthetics and featuring a USB-C connection at the back that’s shaped cleverly so as not to disturb the clean, minimalist lines, the new model is definitely a success in visual design. But then you’d expect that from Razer, whose very packaging is enjoyable to behold and claw at. Some might lament the absence of RGB here, but we think it’s unnecessary on a mic and its omission makes the Seiren V2 Pro all the more attractive.

Design & features

The mic’s placed on a swivel arm which mounts to a reassuringly heavy metal stand. Physical controls are minimal: mic gain, volume for monitoring (with a 3.5mm input at the back), and a backlit mute button. At the base is a thread for direct boom arm attachment, covered with a rubberised guard. Again, typical visual attention to detail. For those not using a boom arm and pop shield, a foam cover is provided which slips over the capsule grille. However, we found this extremely detrimental to the recording quality - definitely go down the pop shield route with this one. 

Whereas many USB mics prefer to be aimed at the front, the Seiren VR Pro’s mic membrane is positioned differently and gets the best audio reproduction from pointing the top at the audio source. Just as well, because the USB-C input prevents you from angling the mic upwards. Instead, you need to aim the top of that pill at your mouth, instrument, or avant-garde spoken-word poetry troupe.

Performance

With a single cardioid polar pattern here, the Seiren V2 Pro works best with the audio source nice and close to the mic. Even a foot away, there’s an unpleasant roominess to recordings that you’d want to eradicate after the fact with plugins (unless you’re going for the Steve Albini Pixies vocal sound, of course). However, once you do have the mic positioned just right, it’s capable of articulating some really clear and clean recordings. 

Razer does have a software suite that it’d like you to tinker with, but it’s not necessary. Stream-quality sound is doable out of the box. You just need to spend a bit of time refining the position and gain level. 

On that, though: Razer follows a time-honoured and perplexing industry tradition of on-mic physical controls that don’t offer very much control. It’s certainly not the only culprit here but should have its knuckles rapped for volume and gain dials with no visual markers and infinite rotation. Once you set gain and monitoring volumes to taste, it’s time to either bust out the Tippex or make damn sure you never touch them again. 

Still, it’s not so inconvenient as to render the new model Seiren out of the conversation with big-name rivals from Blue, Shure, HyperX et al. Despite a relatively lofty pricing at £150, this one has a lot going for it. 

Overall

We love the looks, the minimalist design, the ease of setup, and - eventually, after some experimenting with mic placement - the clarity of its sound reproduction. It's a worthy member of the Razer streaming family, for sure. Unfortunately, it still can’t topple the Blue Yeti X’s creamy, natural recordings, but the fidelity’s high enough for most streamers or amateur podcasters without recruiting software plugins. 

We do think its natural habitat is attached to the end of a boom arm though, so do factor the additional outlay into your purchase if you don’t already have one. This mic sounds so much better placed close to the input source, and you’d have to spend extended periods stooping or leaning to get that placement on its supplied stand. 

Razer can be pleased with this product refresh. The look is understated and attractive, and it has great sound quality that has definitely taken a step forwards. The whole market needs to revise its approach to on-mic controls, though. 

Had the Roccat Torch emerged from the hardware brand's labs five years ago, we’d all have been reduced to incredulity by such sound quality and functionality for under £100/$100. Today, though, we’re spoiled. We’re finicky. We wonder whether quite this many cables and dials are required to achieve the aforementioned great sound.

Off in other corners of the gaming peripheral arms race, the pace of progress is comparatively slow. Manufacturers of the best gaming keyboard are still dining out on the move to mechanical switches circa 2011, the best gaming mouse contenders still look and behave like mice, but for the best microphones for streaming - well, for them it’s different.

Design, features, & performance

Let’s start by inspecting what’s actually on offer with the Torch. We’ve got a dual-capsule condenser mic connected to a mini-mixer, on which sit physical controls for three selectable polar patterns, mic volume, gain, and a mic mute. 

There’s also a non-touch mic mute sensor at the top of the mic itself, and a sensitivity control for that sensor at the rear of the mixer, next to a lighting intensity button. There’s a mini-jack for headphone monitoring, and two USB-C connections - one connecting the mic to the mixer, and another for the USB-C to USB cable that connects to PC. 

The benefits of these mixer-style control setups are real and very welcome. You don’t need to install a full suite of software in order to simply mute the mic, for example, and need only glance down at the mixer to remind yourself of your settings. There are, inevitably, some disadvantages to this, or any, design in which controls are mounted on the mix’s base. Chiefly, that the operation of those controls might be picked up by the nearby mic, looming over your fingers like Big Brother. That’s not an issue with the gain slider (which is also deeply satisfying to play with) but the other controls do pick up when you fiddle with them. 

Then there’s the cable situation at the back. There’s nothing inherently wrong with that USB-C to USB-C cable connecting the mic to the base station, it’s just a very different design to competitors. Less elegant, certainly, than incorporating an internal connection, but it comes with benefits. Firstly you can unscrew the mic from the base station and affix it to a mic stand, then use that USB-C out from the mic’s rear to connect directly to PC. Secondly, USB-C cables are easily replaceable, whereas internal connections are basically a mystery should something go wrong over time. And while it conjures images of a Sega 32X invading its Megadrive host with a miasma of cables, that’s not really the Torch’s fault. Including an adapter for different mic stand threads would have been a nice touch though, and we’d have omitted the 32X comparison if this was the case.

A quick word on the equally unusual mute situation: this might be the most comprehensive mic muting system on the market. Not only do you have two different methods - three, if you include software-level - but you even have granular control over the sensitivity of the light sensor mute. All methods work well - like the cabling, it’s just another curious bit of design to the Torch.

And such curiosities are worth befriending. Because the sound quality is clear, precise, and cuts through game audio very effectively in a streaming situation. Given its sub-£100 pricing, it’s not a surprise that it can’t look the Blue Yeti X or Shure MV7 in the eye for full-bodied, studio-style sound reproduction. But for a streamer’s needs, it’s just right and represents good company to the Seiren X and co that are found in the suite of Razer streaming gear that many might look to.

Overall

What an eccentric addition this is to the mic market - hats off for furrowing your own path, Roccat. It may not look the sleekest, or feel the most elegant to operate, but its lighting and controls make it absolutely clear at all times what the Torch is doing. A true, pretty successful, example of function over form.

The Shure MV7 microphone is built upon a rich history in the audio industry and now aims to become one of the best microphones for streaming.

If you’ve been to see live music, listened to a public speech, or endured an open mic poetry night, you’ve heard a Shure microphone. The SM58 dynamic condenser has been an industry standard for live vocals since the sixties, while its studio mic cousin the SM57 has been sliding up against guitar speakers for just as long.

Its SM7B podcast mic has proved just as dependable in modern media recording situations - streaming, shouting at people on Discord, and of course podcasting, but this market is extremely competitive and Blue’s still the dominant name here.

Time for the smaller, lighter, more affordable MV7 to step up and steal the limelight, then.

Design & features

Visually the MV7 takes its cues from the world of pro audio rather than gaming peripherals, much to its benefit. Shorter and stubbier than the SM7B, it’s built around a totally differently shaped capsule, itself shorter and protected by a heavyweight cap similar to a squared-off SM58, rather than the more delicate studio-style SM7B’s capsule cage. If you’d rather place a separate pop shield in front of it and lose the foam cover, it’s still a very presentable mic.

Its mounting system is just the same as the previous model, screwing into a boom arm and then hanging down from it for easy positioning. 

However, the standout features on this one are a touchscreen display which, while slightly at odds with the pro audio aesthetic, does prove useful in quick signal gain changes and the like, and dual XLR and USB outputs. Not only does this give you a choice of interfaces - it also lets you record in both formats at once.

Performance

And those recordings sound full-bodied and natural, with none of the EQ valleys of boosted lows and highs that the likes of Razer streaming mic tend to favor. That’s whether you opt for XLR into an audio interface or with the slightly higher latency USB option. This mic really does flatter spoken word vocals, and when gain levels and mic position are set correctly, it can capture some superb musical vocal performances too. There’s a richness here that speaks to the high price point - though admittedly a fair whack cheaper than the SM7B. We still prefer the Blue Blackout Spark SL’s creamy studio tones and high pass filter for outright audiophile porn, but these two are definitely in the same league, and it’s a rather exclusive one. 

As for the benefits of recording both analog and digital outputs at once - most obviously, you’ve got a backup track if your audio interface driver crashes or you dislodge a cable. Some users might like to use separate wet/dry tracks too.

The touchscreen interface responds well to inputs, allowing fast adjustment of mic gain and headphone monitoring, along with a mic mute button. Physical toggle switches probably would have been easier to operate here, but it’s not too fiddly to make adjustments on the fly and there’s no mechanical ‘pop’ noise when muting and unmuting. Holding the gain/monitoring button also lets you control the blend of monitoring/gain, which is slightly less intuitive to dial in, but an added bonus feature nonetheless.

Headphone monitoring sounds crisp and reliable, avoiding the common pitfall of running a bit too hot and veering into distortion at higher gain.

Overall

Most streamers don’t need to spend this much money to get great, out-of-the-box audio. That’s not a knock on Shure’s formidable MV7, but rather a testament to the quality on offer right through the streamer mic market. But this, this one in particular might be the streamer mic to rule them all.

What those who do drop some extra coin get is truly professional audio reproduction, flexibility of setup thanks to that dual output system, and even an effortless means of recording backups. All in a mic that looks like it could survive small arms fire if that podcast recording session of yours really got out of hand.

With game sound being so detailed, nuanced and advanced nowadays, a full-on cinema surround system might be tempting. On paper, a big old sound system like Q Acoustics’ 3010i cinema pack will ramp up your games’ audio to blockbuster levels due to its excellence in providing the best for all other media. From which one would hope the pedigree - particularly in films - seamlessly transitions over to games. But the 3010i Cinema Pack is not an inconsiderable bit of kit (well, multiple bits) and will also set you back nearly £1000. Therefore, is it worth the investment, and what is the system like?

Design and features

The speakers themselves are good-looking units. Good-looking, but chunky units: the four bookshelf speakers come in at 150 x 253 x 252 mm; the centre speaker at 430 x 152 x 216 mm; and the woofer at 480 x 300 x 150 mm. This doesn’t put me off them though and they are still able to fit in and around regular living room furniture. They’re available in a few colours such as white, wood effect, and black. I tested the graphite set and they are sharp looking things; the dark finish makes them agreeable for any living room. They have thin covers that can be attached via magnets to the front of every speaker, or left off if you prefer. Elsewhere - and this is important - the speakers can only be connected via specialist speaker cables (I used QED cables to hook mine up). This may not come as a surprise to those already familiar with home cinema systems, but it's pertinent to remember, particularly for those new to cinema sound systems who are interested in taking this big step up. This then means, by inescapable extension, that you require an amp or AV receiver, which itself must be able to take those cables too. Another hoop to jump through, if you will. The connections for these wires are the only features on each speaker, apart from a few settings on the back of the subwoofer to offer some customisation.

Assembly

The speakers are complete and ready to go out of the box, but you will have to spend time placing and positioning the four satellite speakers, the woofer and the central front speaker. With them in place, the cables do become the main, and quite a particular, task here as you’ll inevitably have to guide a very long cable from the speakers to the receiver from all over the room. If you have a system ready for this, then I envy you. If not, you’ll have to get creative with hiding them strategically or start to really like looking at cables. Fair warning, but that’s what you get for that sound quality and removal of latency or audio drop out. And before you start pumping out the games, movies or tunes though, it’s worth bearing in mind that, to get the very best out of the system, you’ll need to spend that time positioning them well, but also might need to deploy the use of extra stands or mounts to help position the speakers best. There are wall-mounted or glass shelf options as well as more standard stands, all of which are equally elegant in their design too. And that will set you back some further pounds, particularly for the free-standing stands at about £100 a pair. 

Performance

With the speakers in place, and as soon as you turn the audio on, you can tell why the extra time spent arranging, sorting and chasing cables was worth it. The richness, clarity and depth of the audio is immediately excellent and ramping up the volume is quite the experience - even on the PS4’s loading and background music.

In terms of games, the results are mixed, but simultaneously what you’d expect. First up, the system won’t give you an edge in multiplayer or attention-holding online games. You’ll want to get back to a trusty headset for those extra details you might miss out on with the system. That’s not to say it doesn’t perform at all well in multiplayer games, but in faster ones like Apex Legends, I did feel some of the audio subtleties and moments in high-tension scenarios were lost and not as helpfully audible compared to a headset. However, in Ghost Recon Wildlands, what with the slower pace of the game and the landscape setting, the 3010i system provided a much more enjoyable and rounded audio experience. The whispy-but-crisp sounds of the wind rushing across the landscape and the directional sound of enemies, traffic and gunfire was pretty spot on.

However, I find the audio enjoyment is at its very best when cranking it up in single player games. This is where a full-fledged, quality home cinema sound system like the Q Acoustic pack benefits home gamers. And it sort of makes sense really - the more cinematic and story-driven a game is, the closer it is to big-screen movies - broad brush strokes, but the venn diagrams do overlap.

For example, Doom was a bracing and amazing experience. The louder it went the more hair-raising a time I had. Every sound of the station, from whirrs of a machine to the crackle of electronics and clunk of heavy-duty machinery, travels around the sound system exquisitely. The weapon noises are so fun and noisy, even in the chaotic and frantic encounters. The resulting maelstrom of sound was intense. One slight downside that Doom brings to the fore is that the bass from the woofer was a bit thin at times and I had to really crank it up to get the best out of it. Which isn’t ideal. 

Next up is Assassin’s Creed Odyssey and again, I had a memorable experience: particularly in populated areas, I feel really immersed through the 3010i system’s audio. Every bit of chatter, creak of timber and flap of market stall material makes those places, in particular, feel alive. But the wider world’s audio details and cues were a joy to have on such a system, too. The dialogue is also crisp and clear, and the hand-to-hand combat sounds are particularly satisfying and cinematic. 

Resident Evil 2 Remake is scarily good. The audio cues for items and doors cut through well but didn’t pierce, and the atmospheric sounds of Raccoon City’s police station created a thick, perma-tense atmosphere that prevailed throughout my living room.

While playing games, I did find myself having to ensure I was in the right position all the time. It was easy to sit a fraction too close to one side of the speakers and then only be able to hear those particular speakers. This will be influenced by the specific dimensions, layout and composition of the room you’re setting it up within, and how you optimise and calibrate the speakers with an amp (assuming you get that option) but it's good to keep in mind.

Away from games, and somewhat unsurprisingly, the 3010i series cinema pack is great for films. Smashing through some top action movies like John Wick and a marvel film or two really brought to life the room-shakingly good audio available to you with this system. Dialogue was never lost on any film or TV show, and the surround sound was gorgeous, heightening and redeploying that immersive audio I had experienced in games. It also excelled with music too, with each speaker being a quality sound-giver of all music from a long metal playlist to country and pop music.

Overall - should you buy it?

I really like the design and the sound from the speakers but - and I know it’ll go for all systems of a similar setup - it just requires an awful lot of work and preparation beforehand. Which isn’t necessarily the fault of this one system, but it's very much a factor nonetheless. Its sound quality comes latency free and probably edges out wireless systems, but am I going to be disappointed to be going back to my Samsung wireless system (even with the occasional spot of audio drop out)? Not really. But. It is great at what it does. From a gaming perspective it provided a great time, transforming the audio experience of playing games in my living room to that of playing in a cinema. To have this sound quality as one’s default audio system for the living or TV room would be a dream setup.

However, it is worth remembering that it is still going for around the £700-800 mark - and that is without the designated AV receiver or amp (if you haven’t got one already) and all the cables you’ll need. Therefore it’s not inconceivable that you’re looking at more than £1000, depending on your starting point. And that’ll have to be an all-at-once investment. Something like a Sonos or Samsung wireless system can be built up over time with smaller, incremental purchases (plus they don’t need a receiver or amp), as opposed to a single big splash like the 3010i demands. If you’re coming at this from a purely gaming perspective, eyeing up an exciting sound system, then it might not be for you. But if you’re a devourer of all entertainment media with volumes turned up to 11 then you’d be in for a treat (despite the necessary faffing and preparation).