One of the biggest flaws with even thebest gaming headsetsis the fatigue you feel on your head and ears after extended use.Razerset out to solve that problem by coming up with an alternative option. One that would give gamers the sound immersion they’re looking for without having to isolate themselves with a cumbersome headset on their head.
What Razer came up with is inspired, to say the least. In May, the company debuted and thenrecently released the Razer Clio. It’s a cushioned headrest with built-in speakers, and it’s designed to fit upon your favorite Razer chair.
Unboxing the Razer Clio Gaming Chair Speaker
Like most Razer products, the Razer Clio arrives in the company’s sleek green and black packaging. The box explains what you’re getting, with a detailed breakdown of what’s included in the box and what the gaming chair speaker is capable of. There are even instructions on one of the Clio box’s lid flaps that give you a quick start guide.
Inside the box, the Razer Clio is safely tucked away within a black cloth bag to keep the speakers clean. There’s padding in the packaging that’s molded to the Clio’s design, ensuring that no matter how bumpy transit may be, the speaker won’t be dislodged or damaged.
The Razer Clio does not come with a USB-C charging cable.
Also inside the package are more formal instructions in a clean cardboard envelope. And the Clio comes with a USB-C dongle that will allow you can connect to devices via Razer’s HyperSpeed technology.
Connecting to the Razer Clio Gaming Chair Speaker
After you pull the Clio out of the box, there are a pair of buckle straps that will attach the speaker to your favorite gaming chair. The straps fit chairs with a headrest circumference of 47 to 65 cm. It’s not one size fits all, but it’s certainly one size fits most. Even if you have a gaming chair with a larger headrest, attaching just the top strap will be secure enough to suffice.
When you power on the Razer Clio, you’re given a couple of options for connecting to your device of choice. You can utilize the aforementioned USB-C dongle, allowing the Clio to sync with your PC andPlayStation 5with the speaker’s 2.4 GHz ultra-fast HyperSpeed wireless connection. Or, the device also gives users the option to connect via Bluetooth, which enables it to be compatible with your Nintendo Switch and various smart devices.
Because the Xbox Series X|S doesn’t feature a USB-C port or a Bluetooth connection, the Razer Clio cannot connect with the console out of the box.
If you opt to connect the Clio to your PC via HyperSpeed, you’ll need to download Razer’s proprietary Synapse 4 software. With it, you can create multiple EQ profiles and adjust the speaker’s various sound parameters to your liking. You’ll need to ensure it’s Synapse 4, as all older versions of the software are incompatible with the Clio.
Razer Clio Sound Quality
When I first connected the Clio to my PC, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Would the speaker impress with its sound quality? Or is it just a fancy-looking gimmick? I’m happy to relay thatthere’s no gimmick here - the Razer Clio sounds amazing.
The Razer Clio has tech built into its headrest speakers that would make even some of the most high-end headsets blush.
This really shouldn’t come as a surprise, as there’s nothing that Razer does that seems half-baked. In 2016, Razer went andacquired the audio certification company THX. Since then, Razer’s audio game has grown to be just as strong as everything else under its umbrella.
Getting down to specifics, the Razer Clio has tech built into its headrest speakers that would make even some of the most high-end headsets blush. The 30-degree angled dual speaker setup features near-field capabilities that shoot sound right at you. It will sound like you’re getting your audio right from a headset even when you’re not.
The credit for the Clio’s capabilities comes from several factors. The headrest speakers tout THX’s spatial-audio, giving users the most immersive and realistic audio regardless of which medium you’re enjoying. Because the speakers are built with aluminum cone 43 mm full-range drivers, you’re getting clean and crisp audio, complete with impressive treble and bass levels that you can actually feel bumping behind you.
Another cool feature of the Clio is its ability to pair with devices likethe impressive Razer Leviathan V2 Pro Soundbar. When configured together, the Soundbar handles front duties while the Clio takes on the role of rear surround sound speaker.It’s an impressive combination that provides you with full, high-quality immersion.
The Razer Clio can be set to three different EQ modes: Game,Movies, and Music.
Finally, it’s worth touching on the battery life of the Razer Clio, because that’s also an impressive feature of the device. After powering up the headrest speakers to full capacity,I was able to get roughly 14 hours of usage before it needed a recharge. When it did deplete, it was super simple to just remove the speakers from the chair and juice it back up via its USB-C port. It took about six hours to get the Clio back to full juice.
The Final Verdict
After utilizing the Razer Clio for a few weeks, I can confidently say thatit’s going to be my go-to audio experience for the foreseeable future. The headrest isn’t just comfortable, it supplies gamers with immersive audio without the need for earbuds or clunky headsets.
The Clio, at $230, isn’t priced any higher than the top-tier gaming headsets currently on the market. For many, the Clio will feel like a superior experience. If you’re not worried about isolating your sound while playing through some of your favorite games, the Razer Clio is clearly the way to go.
