The headset itself shouldn’t be price taking note of. It is a dependable gaming headset with respectable sound high quality, comfy headphones and a discreet design. However NZXT swung for the fences with its foray into the world of audio. Mixed with NZXT’s SwitchMix accent, the relay headset turns into rather more attention-grabbing.
The NZXT Relay Headset ($100) and NZXT SwitchMix ($130) are offered individually, however are designed for use collectively (together with the NZXT Relay Audio system and Subwoofer). The headset connects to the SwitchMix, which connects to your PC, and you should utilize the SwitchMix to regulate the amount with a large, fashionable knob, or steadiness between sport audio and voice chat with a easy slider.
However the suite hangar is the principle star. It has a built-in stress plate swap that tells the SwitchMix to change gadgets between the headset and exterior audio system. No extra fidgeting with system settings in Home windows, forgetting to change outputs and unintentionally waking up your companion together with your sport. Simply decide up the headset from the hangar and your PC will swap to it. Put the headset again on and the sound will come from the audio system. It is a dream when it really works.
One easy swap
The SwitchMix accent would not include the relay headset and prices a bit greater than the headset itself, however it feels about proper. It’s fairly distinctive. It consists of two elements: a mixer and a stand for headphones.
The tap is a sturdy but modern brick with a big, fashionable deal with and a slider alongside the fitting aspect. The underside of the tap has 4 spherical rubber pegs that match neatly right into a grid of holes within the base of the stand. It is a good little design contact that lets you rotate the mixer to finest suit your desktop. The knob and slider are giant and clear, making them simple to regulate with out wanting, which might be essential whenever you’re attempting to regulate sound in a sport.
The stand swap is essentially the most enticing a part of this setup, and it does this celebration trick in a low-tech means that is each a blessing and a curse. A small 3.5mm jack runs from the bottom of the stand to a port on the again of the mixer. A USB-C port on the again of the mixer connects to your pc, whereas two extra 3.5mm ports hook up with a speaker and a (wired) headset.
This setup sadly means the Hangar Swap solely works with wired headsets and might solely hook up with exterior audio system through the one 3.5mm port. This limits the quantity of {hardware} that this setup will work with. But when this does work, it is fantastic. I favor to look at movies on my desktop with audio system, however I put on headphones whereas gaming Supervision 2 with my associates. After taking the headset off the stand, the sound switched even earlier than I put the headphones on my head. The phrase “seamless” was coined for such experiences.
The SwitchMix additionally capabilities as a stand-alone digital-to-analog converter (DAC), though in my expertise it isn’t a very noteworthy profit. The SwitchMix helps 24-bit/96kHz audio output, however I did not discover a lot of a distinction in sound in comparison with connecting the headset on to the PC.
One stable headset
Relay is a stable first entry from NZXT. Ear pads have a clean matte floor in black or white. I examined the white model and it regarded significantly fashionable. The froth contained in the cups is gentle and cozy, and the headset is mild sufficient to put on for hours with out discomfort.