NZXT Relay Audio Series Review

NZXT's recently released Relay series of audio equipment aims to be a total solution for all PC audio needs, whether you're a gamer or a music enthusiast…or both. The lineup features speakers, a headset, a subwoofer and a headset stand called SwitchMix which also doubles as a hi-res audio DAC. Can this setup bring your music and games to life?

Timestamps:

Headset specifications:

DIMENSIONS

• Height:6.6 in (168.85 mm)
• Width:7.7 in (196.44 mm)
• Depth:3.7 in (93.65 mm)
• Weight:9.52 oz (269.5 g)
• Weight (w/o mic):9.28 oz (263 g)
• Cable Length:6.56 ft (2 m)

HEADPHONES

• Driver Size:40 mm
• Driver Type:Neodymium
• Frequency Response:20 Hz – 40 kHz
• THD (Total Harmonic Distortion):<1% @ 1 kHz
• Sensitivity:113 dB @ 1kHz
• Impedance:32 ohm
• Hi-Res Audio Certified:Yes
• Spatial Audio:DTS Headphone:X
• Sound Profile:Neutral

MICROPHONE

• Frequency Response:100 Hz – 10 kHz
• THD (Total Harmonic Distortion):<1% @ 1 kHz
• Sensitivity:1 kHz (0 dB = 1 V/Pa)
• Polar Pattern:Cardioid (Unidrectional)
• Detachable:Yes
• Size:0.24 in (6 mm)

MATERIALS

• Fork:Aluminum
• Frame:Plastic
• Headband & Ear Pads:Memory foam with leatherette covers

OTHER

• Audio Controls:On-cable volume and mute

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

• DTS Headphone:X:Enabled only on PC with NZXT CAM software (requires Windows 10 or Windows 11)
• USB Adapter:PC (Windows 10 or Windows 11)
• 3.5 mm Audio Jack / Dual-Jack Adapter:PC, Mac, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, or any mobile device with 3.5 mm audio jack

WARRANTY

• Warranty:2 years

Speaker specifications:

DIMENSIONS

• Height:7.32 in (186 mm)
• Width:4.53 in (115 mm)
• Depth:6.26 in (159 mm)
• Weight (Active / Left):3.5 lb (1.6 kg)
• Weight (Passive / Right):3.4 lb (1.5 kg)

GENERAL

• Speaker Type:Active (Powered)
• Enclosure Type:Rear Ported
• Enclosure Material:Medium-Density Fiberboard (MDF)

AUDIO

• Amplifier:Class D
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR):110 dB
• Total Harmonic Distortion (THD):<1% @ 1 kHz
• Crossover Frequency:1,600 Hz
• Frequency Response:70 Hz – 20 kHz
• Nominal Impedance (Tweeter):12 ohm ± 15%
• Nominal Impedance (Woofer):8 ohm ± 15%
• Input Sensitvity:20 W = 0.5 VRMS

DRIVERS

• Tweeter Size:0.79 in (20 mm)
• Tweeter Material:Silk dome
• Woofer Size:3 in (76.2 mm)
• Woofer Material:Glass fiber

I/O

• Inputs:RCA, TRS
• Outputs:Subwoofer, speaker terminals

POWER

• Power Output:80 W peak (40 W per speaker)
• Standby Consumption:0.3 W
• Input Voltages:20W = 0.5VRMS

WARRANTY

• Warranty:2 years

Subwoofer specifications

DIMENSIONS

• Height:10 in (254 mm)
• Width:8.31 in (211 mm)
• Depth:12.3 in (312.5 mm)
• Weight:10.8 lb (4.9 kg)

GENERAL

• Speaker Type:Active (Powered)
• Enclosure Type:Front Ported
• Enclosure Material:Medium-Density Fiberboard (MDF)

AUDIO

• Amplifier:Class D
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR):100 dB
• Total Harmonic Distortion (THD):<5% @ 250 Hz
• Crossover Frequency:50 – 150 Hz (adjustable)
• Frequency Response:45 Hz – 150 kHz
• Nominal Impedance:3 ohm ± 15%
• Input Sensitvity:70 W = 0.275 VRMS

DRIVERS

• Size:6.5 in (165.1 mm)
• Material:Paper / Foam

I/O

• Inputs:RCA

POWER

• Power Output:140 W (peak)
• Standby Consumption:0.38 W
• Input Voltages:70 W = 266 VRMS

WARRANTY

• Warranty:2 years

Specifications SWITCHMIX:

DIMENSIONS

• Length:6.25 in (158.75 mm)
• Width:5.25 in (133.35 mm)
• Height:12.25 in (311.15 mm)
• Stand Weight:14.57 oz (413 g)
• Mixer Weight:9.88 oz (280 g)
• Total Weight:24.45 oz (693 g)

AUDIO

• Bit Depth / Sample Rate:24-bit / 96 kHz
• Frequency Response:20 Hz – 20 kHz
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR):90 dB @ 32 ohm
• Surround Sound:DTS 7.1

I/O

• PC Connectivity:USB-C
• Headphone Input:3.5 mm
• Speaker Input:3.5 mm

OTHER

• Headset Weight Required for Switching:1.76 oz (50 g)

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

• USB (PC):PC (Windows 10 or Windows 11)
• 3.5 mm Audio Jack (Headset):Any wired headset with 3.5 mm audio jack
• 3.5 mm Audio Jack (Speaker):Any speaker device with 3.5 mm audio jack
• NZXT CAM Software:Required for advanced software features (Windows 10 or Windows 11)

WARRANTY

• Warranty: 2 years

The whole range of Relay Audio equipment can be purchased directly from NZXT for £560 HERE.

Pros:

• Good sound quality on both the headset and speakers/sub
• Very clever way of changing audio output device with the SwitchMix stand
• Good build quality all around
• Nice design

Cons:

• Expensive
• Some small issues that need fixing like audio level jumping when switching sources
• EQ doesn’t make much of a noticeable difference
• Surround Sound and sound staging is only average on the Relay Headset

KitGuru says: Although the price for the whole Relay setup is quite high, it does deliver quality audio and adds convenience to the setup with the SwitchMix. Switching from headset to speakers is seamless and simple. The sub and speaker combo sound great at all volume levels, performing particularly well when listening to bass heavy music such as EDM or rock. There are a few issues for NZXT to iron out, such as the volume jumping when switching between headset and speakers but overall this is a great setup for anyone looking for a complete audio package.

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