NZXT Relay review: Comfortable fit and clear comms but too expensive

The NZXT Relay does not get numerous threats.

About the NZXT Relay

• Rate: $100
• Motorists: 40mm motorists
• Shades: Black, white
• Products: Metallic yokes, plastic earcups, fake leather earcups and headband padding
• Excess weight: 9.25 ounces (262 grams)
• Connectivity: 3.5mm to USB-A, 3.5mm combo jack, 3.5mm combo to headphone/audio
• Compatibility: Laptop, Mac, Xbox Sequence X|S, PlayStation 5 and 4, Nintendo Change
• Sounds cancellation: None
• Microphone: Detachable growth microphone
• Other unique characteristics: Removable and customizable aspect plates

The NZXT Relay does not choose a lot of risks with its style. Available in black or white, it carries on the company’s legendary minimalism with a basic aesthetic that could easily double as a pair of new music headphones.

It capabilities plastic earcups with shiny NZXT branding on every aspect and faux leather-based on the ear cups and headband. Each the cable and adaptable increase microphone are removable for simple storage, even though I desire the cable were being a little bit lengthier than six ft to wrap close to to the back of my Pc.

Virtually just about every main brand name has a competing wired headset at this value and, on its possess, the Relay does not control to stand out in most strategies. The build excellent feels much less expensive and more “plasticky” than the Razer Blackshark V2 or HyperX Cloud Alpha, and nevertheless it uses metallic for the yokes, the plastic earcups and headband are concerning for prolonged-expression toughness.

Their light-weight bodyweight pays off in comfort and ease, nevertheless. I typically desire the suspension band structure of the SteelSeries Arctis 5 or Nova 4 Wi-fi, but the thickly padded headband distributes its 9.25 ounces very well. The ear cushions are plush and comfortable, and do a great position of blocking exterior noise, though the tend to develop up heat around time.

The place the Relay actually impresses is seem top quality. The headset boasts 40mm dynamic motorists with extremely lower distortion and large dynamic vary. That is enhanced with DTS encompass seem if related by means of the bundled 3.5mm to USB Sort-A adapter. Compared with most gaming headsets, it does not lean into bloated bass that crowds out the other frequencies. It is even now punchy and whole, but the more well balanced tuning makes it less difficult to listen to smaller details in new music and online games, like enemy footsteps in the center of intensive gunfights. The microphone is also really crystal clear and has an extraordinary amount of physique. It picks up a compact sum of history noise but seems excellent in general.

The Relay is only one piece of a complete ecosystem of audio merchandise that NZXT is releasing. That contains a blend headphone stand and audio mixer referred to as the SwitchMix, and a pair of desktop speakers and subwoofer, also called the Relay.

The SwitchMix adds a substantial-quality DAC, quantity wheel, video game-chat balance fader, and even a pressure-sensitive lever to routinely change to the speakers when you hang the headset. It is a neat and effectively-integrated assortment that together would make this headset truly feel substantially more exciting and “complete,” but is also quite high-priced at $630 for the overall established. Even buying up the Relay headset and SwitchMix with each other will operate you $230 to unlock the complete functionality of a wired gaming headset.

Need to you get the NZXT Relay?

Probably, if you prepare to acquire more than just the headset

The NZXT Relay appears amazingly fantastic. For the dollars, it is a person of the extra balanced gaming headsets we have heard, generating it a excellent match for new music as very well as gaming. And, with its minimalist design, detachable microphone arm, and exceptional comfort, you could reasonably use these as daily headphones (as extensive as you do not intellect the NZXT branding on the earcups).

But though they audio good, it’s tricky to shake the emotion that they’re a little bit way too simple and plasticky to justify devoid of also purchasing into the expensive extras. The SteelSeries Arctis 5, Razer Blackshark V2, and Logitech G Pro are all a lot more sturdy picks for the income, and every single sound good in their individual appropriate. The Blackshark V2 even adds THX Spatial Audio for much more immersive sound. For an additional $20, you can update to the comfier (and wireless) SteelSeries Arctis Nova 4 Wireless.

The NZXT Relay receives the fundamental principles correct, and in sheer audio high quality, could be a powerful invest in at its present-day value but it does not definitely start to really feel comprehensive with out purchasing the highly-priced extras like the SwitchMix. That alone will expense a different $130 and with no it, the Relay feels much too barebones to compete. If you have an NZXT gaming Computer or keep an eye on and are fascinated in perfectly matching your peripherals, or if you strategy to invest in the speakers and headset stand, it’s significantly additional worthwhile, but or else, it’s best to appear in other places.

NZXT Relay Gaming Headset

An analog headset (or electronic with the USB dongle) designed to contend with the SteelSeries Arctis 5 and Razer Blackshark V2.

Obtain at Amazon

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Satisfy the tester

Christopher Coke

Contributor

@gamebynight

Chris has been specializing in Pc and audio-associated tech considering the fact that 2015. Obtain him at IGN, Tom’s Components, Laptop Viewpoint, Mmo.com, and extra.

See all of Christopher Coke’s reviews