There’s nothing extra immersive than enjoying your favourite video games or watching movies in surround sound, although it may be exhausting to search out the house for all these additional audio system, particularly at your desk.
Usually in this state of affairs, most individuals flip to a pair of headphones or among the finest gaming headsets to realize one thing related. Whereas handy, you’re normally getting digital surround sound as a substitute of the hardware-based surround sound {that a} true multi-speaker setup delivers.
Likewise, carrying headphones or a headset might be too isolating since you possibly can’t hear what’s occurring round you.
That’s until you decide up a pair with an open-back design just like the Turtle Seashore Atlas Air headset I tried out final yr.
Alternatively, you would get among the greatest pc audio system just like the Logitech Z906 5.1 Surround Sound Speaker System. That one served me reliably for years earlier than I determined to downsize to one thing easier to keep away from having cables from its 5 separate audio system operating throughout my room.
Simply when I thought I’d by no means have surround sound at my gaming desk setup once more, Razer has provide you with a singular resolution to all of those issues.
Not solely is it wire-free, however you don’t have to cope with the discomfort that comes from carrying headphones or a headset for hours at a time. And at these instances once you don’t need surround sound, the Razer Clio doubles as a major speaker.
Right here’s how I gave among the finest gaming chairs a serious improve with a brand new head cushion that pumps out immersive sound right to my ears.
Consolation meets wireless connectivity
At first look, the Razer Clio seems to be prefer it’s a lacking piece to the Razer Iskur V2 or one of many firm’s different gaming chairs. Nevertheless, it’s designed in such a means that it could actually slip onto the again of most gaming chairs, not simply these from Razer.
The entrance of the Clio options plush reminiscence foam within the center and on the perimeters so as to add some additional consolation to your gaming chair. Then, beneath this on the perimeters of the head cushion, there are built-in near-field twin audio system powered by a 5,400 mAH battery.
In fact you get the inexperienced Razer brand within the center however on the one aspect, there’s additionally a THX brand because the Clio comes geared up with spatial audio powered by THX. It’s solely obtainable in black in the mean time however I wouldn’t be stunned if Razer releases a white model afterward.
The entire controls are on prime of the head cushion and I discovered them simple sufficient to succeed in even when sitting in a gaming chair with it connected. Within the center, there’s an influence button with quantity controls on the left.
On the right, there’s an EQ button to modify between three completely different modes (Sport, Films, Music) and a supply button that permits you to connect with your PC or recreation consoles utilizing Razer’s 2.4 GHz HyperSpeed USB-C dongle or by way of Bluetooth.
On the sting of the head cushion’s left aspect, you’ll discover a USB-C port which is used for charging the machine.
In response to Razer, the Clio can last as long as 14 hours on a single cost and when the battery runs out, it takes roughly six hours to totally recharge it.
This didn’t cease me from utilizing it although, as I put among the finest energy banks on my gaming chair’s backrest and ran a protracted USB-C cable to the Clio in order that I may cost up the head cushion. Alternatively, you possibly can plug it immediately into your PC or right into a wall outlet with a USB charger.
Round again, you possibly can see the 2 adjustable straps that let you connect the Clio to all of Razer’s chairs and most different gaming chairs. You additionally get a pleasant view of the again of its built-in audio system which positively offers your gaming chair a futuristic look when seen from behind.
Strapped on and powered up
As I don’t have a Razer gaming chair readily available, I determined to check out the Clio utilizing the Fractal Refine gaming chair from Fractal Design. Happily, it has a removable headrest pillow that pops off which left me with loads of room to connect the Clio.
I have to confess, I was considerably frightened that it wouldn’t match at first on condition that the Refine isn’t one in every of Razer’s gaming chairs and its headrest is 12 inches throughout at its base within the again.
As its straps are adjustable, the Clio can accommodate any gaming chair with a headrest circumference between 18.5 to 25.6 inches. The Refine has a circumference of 23.5 inches, so it’s on the bigger aspect. Nevertheless, by adjusting the straps such as you would on a backpack, I obtained the Clio to suit snuggly on the chair.
I do want the underside strap was a bit wider on the Clio however with a little bit of again and forth, I obtained it connected to my gaming chair and it held firmly in place as soon as I was finished.
Though the Clio will work with any soundbar or 2.0/2.1 speaker system, Razer additionally despatched over a pair of its Nommo V2 Professional audio system for me to check it out with.
They labored simply as properly with my gaming PC utilizing a USB cable as they did with my Nintendo Change 2 related by way of Bluetooth. The Nommo V2 Professional sound nice for films and particularly for gaming. Plus, I actually just like the sprint of RGB backlighting they add to my desk setup.
With the Razer Clio connected to my gaming chair and totally charged up, it was time to see how properly they may ship a surround sound expertise when paired with the Nommo V2 Professional together with what this wireless speaker head cushion seemed like by itself as a major speaker.
Excellent on PC however console suitable too
Right from the get go, I may instantly see the enchantment of getting a pair of audio system strapped to both aspect of my gaming chair. The sound coming from the Clio went straight to my ears because the audio system constructed into the head cushion are angled simply right.
Whilst a major speaker and not as a part of a hybrid surround sound system, I was impressed. Likewise, because of the included HyperSpeed USB-C dongle within the field, I simply plugged it into my pc, powered on the Clio and I was able to go.
By itself, the Clio will work as a major speaker in both 2.4 GHz or Bluetooth mode. To make use of it as a part of a surround sound setup although, you first have to put in Razer’s Synapse software program. In the event you have among the finest gaming mice or one other peripheral from the corporate, chances are high, you’ve already put in Synapse.
Since I overview the very best mini PCs together with extra highly effective ones you possibly can truly recreation on, I’m at all times switching between computer systems. For that motive, I needed to obtain and set up Synapse on the Acemagic Tank 03 gaming PC I determined to make use of in my revamped desk setup.
After logging into my Razer account, the Clio appeared in a brand new tab on the prime of this system with an replace for it prepared for me to obtain.
As soon as I up to date its firmware, I then had full management over the wireless speaker head cushion in Synapse. In Razer’s software program, I may modify the Clio’s quantity, EQ settings and extra however this can also be the place you possibly can mix it and one other pair of audio system or a soundbar in surround sound mode.
After you do this, you possibly can then tweak the amount for each your audio system on the entrance and for the Clio on the again which acts like a pair of rear surround sound audio system.
I have to confess, I had some hassle getting it to work in this means at first. The whole lot was wonderful when listening to music or watching movies on YouTube. Nevertheless, I couldn’t get the Clio to work in surround sound mode whereas enjoying video games.
After poking round Synapse for a bit, I realized that I needed to manually set which speaker or audio system I needed to make use of on a per recreation foundation. After checking the containers subsequent to the Clio and the Nommo V2 Professional audio system in Synapse, I fired up Rocket League and was met with a real surround sound expertise.
Enjoying one in every of my favourite pick-up-and-go video games with the Clio in surround sound mode was superb — from the stadium’s ambient noise to the push of the ball flying previous me, all of it felt extremely immersive.
Actually, doing so introduced me again to the way it felt to play Rocket League with my Logitech Z906 5.1 system when the sport first launched a decade in the past.
With my preliminary PC testing out of the best way, it was time to check the Razer Clio with the opposite machine on my desk: the Nintendo Change 2.
Due to the second USB-C port on the prime of Nintendo’s new hybrid console, all I needed to do was plug in Razer’s HyperSpeed USB dongle there and every little thing labored identical to it did on my gaming PC.
From there, I undocked my Change 2 and examined out the Clio whereas enjoying in handheld mode. This too labored like a allure and I may see the way it is perhaps enjoyable to play this means whereas totally reclined in my gaming chair. Since you possibly can’t run third-party apps like Razer Synapse on the Change 2 or different consoles for that matter, you’re restricted to utilizing the Clio as a twin speaker setup as a substitute of as a surround one.
Nonetheless, I preferred having the sounds and catchy music from Mario Kart World inches from my ears and even with the Clio’s quantity turned up excessive, my members of the family in the identical room with me couldn’t actually discover. Actually, the entire expertise jogged my memory lots of enjoying video games with the Viture Professional XR glasses which additionally have built-in audio system.
With one console examined, I determined to head to my not too long ago completed black-and-white desk setup in my workplace and give the Clio a attempt with the PS5 Professional.
As Sony swapped out the PS5’s entrance USB-A ports for USB-C ones on the PS5 Professional, as soon as once more, I simply plugged within the HyperSpeed dongle, powered on the Clio and was able to go. The console acknowledged the Clio as a USB headset which is definitely fairly becoming as that’s the precise machine Razer has positioned it as an alternative choice to.
Enjoying Astro Bot with the Clio was an entire lot of enjoyable and with the Twin Sense controllers’ superior haptics, the entire expertise was additional immersive. It’s value noting that because of Microsoft short-changing the Xbox Sequence X, you gained’t be capable of use the Clio with it since that console doesn’t assist audio over USB or by way of Bluetooth.
On the finish of the day although, the Clio was designed with PC gaming in thoughts. The truth that you should utilize Razer’s wireless speaker head cushion with consoles and even your telephone or pill is simply icing on the cake.
Nonetheless, I had a ton of enjoyable enjoying Change 2 and PS5 Professional with it as a major speaker and I can’t wait to provide some extra immersive video games like Loss of life Stranding 2 a attempt with the Clio to see if it additional provides to the expertise.
An costly but immersive improve
At $229, the Razer Clio definitely prices greater than gaming headset or a pair of headphones with digital surround sound.
Nevertheless, for the worth, you’re additionally including some additional consolation to your gaming chair and the power to make use of its built-in audio system on their very own or as a part of a surround sound system. On the identical time, all you have to do is loosen its straps to maneuver the wireless speaker head cushion from your outdated gaming chair to a brand new one down the road.
The Razer Clio definitely gained’t be for everybody given its worth and the truth that you want a suitable gaming chair to make use of it. Nevertheless, in order for you an open surround sound expertise and are quick on house or simply don’t wish to have wires operating throughout your flooring, then it might be a pleasant improve for your gaming setup.
Whereas I want it may provide the identical surround sound expertise on consoles that it does on PC, Razer is a PC gaming firm in spite of everything. Whilst a major speaker, I nonetheless discovered its twin audio system to supply a extra immersive expertise total as they had been rather a lot nearer and angled simply right to succeed in my ears.
Now that Razer has made a removable head cushion with wireless audio system inside, who is aware of, possibly we may at some point see the corporate make a gaming chair with built-in surround sound or not less than simply built-in audio system.
After attempting out the corporate’s Venture Arielle, which added built-in heating and cooling to its mesh Fujin Professional gaming chair. at CES 2025 this yr, something’s attainable.
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