Review: NZXT’s Relay Speakers and Subwoofer
When it comes to their first attempt at desktop speakers, NZXT has hit a home run. While the Relay Speakers may be smaller than traditional bookshelf speakers, they still pack a punch and deliver room-shaking sound. Unlike the weak bass and muddy mids found in their Relay Headset, these speakers offer a balanced sound profile without sacrificing clarity.
Design and Build
Upon unboxing the Relay Speakers, I was impressed by their compact size. They are slightly larger than the Razer Nommo V2 speakers, but their traditional shape allows them to blend seamlessly into any environment. This minimalist design is a relief compared to the visually bold Nommo speakers.
The audio quality of the Relay Speakers is thanks to their 20mm silk dome tweeters and three-inch glass fiber woofers. These components produce smooth highs, full-bodied lows, and reproduce details and clarity in sound. However, connecting the speakers to each other using speaker wire may be intimidating for some users who are used to simpler plug-and-play setups. Overall, the Relay Speakers are visually appealing and provide an immersive audio experience.
Performance
I had been using cheap bookshelf speakers as my baseline for audio quality, and the Relay Speakers exceeded my expectations. However, due to their smaller size, they lack the ability to produce deep bass without an accompanying subwoofer. For this reason, I highly recommend pairing the Relay Speakers with a subwoofer.
With the addition of the compatible Relay Subwoofer, the bass becomes satisfyingly robust. While a larger subwoofer could amplify the bass further, the current setup is sufficient for everyday gaming and listening. For those seeking even more intense bass, NZXT supports the use of standard subwoofers as long as they connect with a standard subwoofer cable.
In a gaming environment, the Relay Speakers excel, providing clear and detailed audio with good directionality. Although headphones may offer a more immersive experience, the Relay Speakers enhance the gameplay of first-person adventure games. It should be noted that NZXT does not offer any software enhancements for these speakers, but the audio quality is impressive on its own.
Purchasing Guide
The NZXT Relay Speakers are priced at $249.99, while the Relay Subwoofer is sold separately for $149.99.