UNLEASHING SOUND MAGIC: THE SYMPHONY OF NZXT RELAY AND SWITCHMIX

The synergy between two game accessories changes an ordinary experience into an extraordinary experience. Today, we take a close look at a set whose name has already become a legend in the audio world because of its radical design and intuitive operation – the headset NZXT Relay and the switch NZXT SwitchMix System. This set might be the climax that every gamer needs.

THE SOLOIST: NZXT RELAY HEADSET

Before we start to build the orchestra, let’s focus on the star of our show, the soloist in our symphony, the NZXT Relay Headset ($100). It’s not an exceptional-sounding gaming headset before you put it on. It’s just a game headset, a good one at that, with decent audio and audio-isolating, generously cushioned earcups, and a quiet, understated style to boot. You’ll need it to hear the sounds of your crumbling through a dungeon, or a gym, or an arena. But then, you put it on.

THE CONDUCTOR: NZXT SWITCHMIX ACCESSORY

And last, but not least, the NZXT SwitchMix, our conductor, an accessory that sells for $130, pairs with the Relay Headset to take your audio to the next level. The mixer accessory connects from your PC to the Relay and brings a whole new world where only a slider needs to be moved to alter game audio and voice chat together. The pressure plate switch on the headset hangar allows easy transitions from headset to external speakers to manage your audio.

A HARMONIC DUO

The Relay Headset with SwitchMix accessory is a delightful metaphor for high-tech convenience. This pair hums a tune of high-tech sonic control. Actually, it performs a ballet for the ears, dance moves particularly enticing if you like toggling back and forth between speakers for video watching and headphones for gaming.

ONE SIMPLE SWITCH, ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES

NZXT isn’t satisfied with audio quality, or comfortable design, but specifically the tactile feel of the SwitchMix setup, with its large, beautiful knob and slider. It’s actually quite surprising how much this tangibility affects the ability to control your audio settings. Until you’ve tried it, you won’t understand how much of these things are actually underrated; when you’re in the thick of a gaming moment, losing that focus long enough to adjust is impossible.

ONE SOLID HEADSET, MULTIPLE OVERTURES

As for the sound quality, it performs exceptionally. With solid bass and clear mids and highs, the Relay also offers DTS:X surround sound support meaning it is more than capable of delivering an immersive gaming experience. The detachable boom mic is an added bonus, making the Relay fit for casual voice chats or even streaming.

ONE SMALL CAVEAT

And while the pairing works smoothly – with fuller audio control over playlists – the total cost of the Relay and SwitchMix bundle at $230 could turn off those who don’t want to tether themselves to wires in an increasingly wireless landscape. But for the discerning audiophile who desires pure audio control without messing around with software, this pairing just might be a symphony worth hearing.

UNDERSTANDING HEADPHONES

Headphones are the most visible equipment in the audio arsenal. Their skeleton of sound delivered right into the ears, with moving bowls for noise cancellation – these are the essentials of the gamer, the fan and serious professional. The NZTT Relay with SwitchMix shows that wired headphones might just have a place to stay in the inevitable transition to a wireless world – that quality and control doesn’t need to be sacrificed in the name of convenience after all.

ENCORE

And while it’s not without its problems, the duo of NZXT Relay and SwitchMix makes a strong case for the viability of wired audio in an increasingly wireless world. When the convenience, flexibility and quality align, there’s a certain allure to doing it yourself. Whether it’s to your taste or not, it’s an interesting new chapter in the audio history of the gamescape – and the tech landscape, too.