Our Verdict
With loads of options, highly effective general sound, and unbelievable digital encompass spatial audio, the Razer Nommo V2 Professional audio system ship an inexpensive quantity for his or her value. The comfort of Bluetooth and a wi-fi sub, together with a wi-fi distant management, are all plus factors, and the RGB lighting seems to be good too. Sound high quality is respectable general, with plenty of bass and cheap high-end element. Nonetheless, the default sound profile is terrible, so ensure you obtain the software program to mess around with the settings.
- Highly effective sound with huge bass
- Helpful distant management
- Handy wi-fi sub
- Bluetooth connection
- Horrible preliminary sound high quality
- Very costly
- RGB a bit pointless
The Razer Nommo V2 Professional is the corporate’s newest premium 2.1 laptop speaker set, which presents plenty of extras, together with a wi-fi subwoofer, a distant management, a Bluetooth connection, and naturally RGB lighting. These audio system promise high-end sound high quality too, with loads of bass.
There’s sufficient right here to earn these Razer audio system a spot on our greatest laptop speaker information as a premium 2.1 speaker choice, however there are some caveats to notice as nicely.
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Specs
Razer Nommo V2 Professional specs | |
Energy | Not said |
Frequency response | 40-20,000Hz |
Audio channels | 2.1 |
Connections | USB, Bluetooth |
Options
The Razer Nommo V2 Professional presents an attention-grabbing combine, with fairly a number of further options however a primary set of core bodily options. Particularly, you solely get Bluetooth and USB inputs, with no analog inputs or older-style digital inputs. In apply, that’s ample for many PC customers, however on the very least we all the time prefer to have the flexibility to fall again on an analog enter if the necessity arises.
Bodily controls are additionally restricted. Neither of the audio system, nor the sub, have any quantity/bass/treble dials, energy buttons, or enter switches. As an alternative, the Nommo V2 Professional depends on its celebration piece, which is a wi-fi management pod, to regulate the whole lot. That is used to show the audio system on and off, alter quantity, mute/unmute, play/pause playback, and change inputs. The Nommo V2 Professional additionally has a wi-fi subwoofer, so it simply must be plugged into the mains and that’s it.
RGB is the opposite huge addition right here, with the backs of the desktop audio system sporting a translucent plastic dome by way of which the lighting shines, splashing mild throughout the desk and wall behind them. Mentioned audio system home a single 3.2-inch driver every, whereas the subwoofer incorporates a 5.5-inch down-firing driver and a rear-facing bass port.
A 2m (6.5ft) energy cable is included within the field, which makes use of a wall-wart energy adapter with interchangeable regional plugs. This powers the suitable speaker, with the left speaker powered through the cable that connects it to the suitable speaker. In the meantime, the sub will get a alternative of two 2m region-specific energy cords, and the remainder of the field contents encompass a 2m USB-C to USB-A cable, the wi-fi management pod, and two AAA batteries to energy the latter.
Design
The Nommo V2 Professional continues the core look of Razer’s earlier Nommo audio system, with the principle desktop audio system being cylindrical items sitting on stalks. Nonetheless, the stalks are a lot shorter than earlier than, with the audio system angled up. This makes for a barely much less attention-grabbing design, however on steadiness, it’s extra sensible for desk setups.
The look of the audio system general can even divide opinion. For our tastes, the likes of the Audio Engine A1 or A2+ or the Edifier S350DB have a extra interesting, clear look however it’s finally down to private choice. The subwoofer is principally a generic black dice, however contemplating it’s imagined to be hidden below your desk, that’s no dangerous factor.
Nonetheless, the construct high quality of those audio system may very well be higher. It’s not that they’re poorly put collectively, however they don’t feel and look significantly premium for a $450 set of audio system. The desktop audio system are almost all plastic and, whereas there’s a good weight to them, this all seems to come back from the motive force’s magnet somewhat than there being a lot in the way in which of heft to the speaker cupboard.
You additionally solely get one driver per speaker, which once more is a bit stunning for a speaker set of this value. We’d anticipate a tweeter and foremost driver association with bigger audio system for this type of cash.
This sense of middling construct high quality runs over to the subwoofer too. In comparison with the subwoofer within the Edifier S350DB, as an illustration, it’s an absolute light-weight, and there’s no finesse to the design. It’s a plain MDF field with a black vinyl cowl and notably sharp edges and corners – not ultimate for a field hidden below your desk the place you set your ft/shins. The down-firing driver is a wiser design alternative for under-desk use than the front-firing Edifier S350DB’s sub, although.
One premium-feeling half is the wi-fi distant. Its high piece is made out of aluminum with a knurled edge and a brushed swirly sample on the highest. It might do with being a bit heavier so it doesn’t transfer round – the quantity adjustment management is kind of stiff so it doesn’t take a lot to finish up transferring the entire unit – however it in any other case feels pleasingly premium.
As for the RGB on the again of the desktop audio system, it’s nicely subtle to create a spread-out glow, but it’s decently highly effective so it’s seen in a brightly lit room. You’ll be able to after all alter the brightness too. You solely get 4 “fast” results, although, consisting of spectrum cycle, respiratory, audio meter, and static. For every other results, it’s a must to set up Razer’s separate Chroma Studio module.
Software program
The Nommo V2 Professional will work with out software program, however you lose lots of options and there are a number of settings that you just’ll most likely wish to change from their defaults too. You’ll want to put in Razer Synapse to make these changes, which supplies you 4 foremost tabs of settings for the audio system.
The primary part controls sound, with choices for quantity alter, subwoofer degree, switching between PC and Bluetooth, assigning app/game-specific audio settings (the software program mechanically detects most video games and different key apps so that you can assign totally different EQ, sub ranges, encompass and so forth), and the choice to change between stereo and THX Spatial Audio.
The subsequent tab is the EQ part, which helps you to select from 4 presets (flat/default, sport, film, music) or set a customized EQ. Usefully, the software program notes the overall time period/use for every of the bands of the 10-band EQ. The 31Hz band is famous as sub bass, the 63Hz to 250Hz is bass, 4kHz is higher mids, and so forth.
In the meantime, the lighting part allows you to change the brightness of the RGB lighting, flip it off, choose a setting the place the lighting turns off when your show turns off, and you’ll select the RGB results right here as nicely.
Lastly, there’s the Energy part, which helps you to select whether or not to have the audio system mechanically flip off after 15, 30, or 45 minutes of inactivity, or whether or not to maintain them on always. I discovered it fairly annoying that they saved on turning off – it takes some time for them to show again on and it messes with all of your audio machine settings after they flip off – so I saved them on on a regular basis.
Efficiency and sound high quality
My first impressions of the Nommo V2 Professional weren’t good when it got here to sound high quality. Out of the field, the bass/sub degree is cranked up and I consider the audio system could have additionally been set to the Sport EQ mode – there’s not a method for me to set the audio system again to manufacturing unit settings to verify if that is the default or not. Regardless, the impact was one in every of massively unbalanced sound, with irritatingly thudding bass and thin-sounding mids and high-end.
Nonetheless, turning the sub degree down to 2 or three out of seven evens out the sound, whereas deciding on the flat default EQ choice additionally removes the thin-sounding remainder of the vary. For this reason putting in the software program is essential, because it allows you to mess around with these settings.
Switching again to the Sport EQ resulted in the worst EQ general, with all bass sucked out of the sound except you crank up the sub degree to 7/7. It additionally boosts the mid-range so much, whereas dropping the very top-end frequencies, making for a very nasal sound. It’s horrible for something aside from gaming.
For gaming, although, the dearth of booming bass to smother subtler noises, and the high-end tailing off, means most core in-game cues are extra discernible. Dialogue, footsteps, gunfire, and the like all minimize by way of with extra readability.
It’s not an EQ we advocate for any type of non-competitive sport, as the general sound isn’t nice, however technically it’s higher for aggressive eventualities. Nonetheless, in these eventualities, we’d overwhelmingly advocate utilizing a headset as a substitute.
In the meantime, the Film profile flips the sound round with a giant leap in bass, a drop within the mids, and a lift within the highs. This mode definitely enhances the bash and crash of explosions in films, however the lack of mid-range and the amped-up high-end can imply dialog is barely misplaced within the combine.
Lastly, the Music EQ is a little bit of a mixture of the opposite two EQs, with it upping bass and a few high finish, but additionally placing a bit of increase in some mid-range frequencies. Certain sufficient, this makes for the very best EQ preset for music listening normally, though you discover a scarcity of element in classical and acoustic music, in addition to rock. We’d nonetheless be inclined to stay to the default flat EQ or fine-tune the EQ ourselves for music listening – it’s all too heavy handed utilizing the presets.
All advised, then, you will get these audio system to sound respectable, however some work is required to get the very best from them. Furthermore, in the case of music listening, these are nonetheless not essentially the most sophisticated-sounding 2.1 audio system obtainable. The likes of the Edifier S350DB supply a far smoother general sound for a 2.1 system.
Nonetheless, in case you’re simply after plenty of quantity and bass, the Nommo V2 Professional completely delivers. And, to be clear, we’re being choosy right here as a result of these audio system price $450. They completely sound highly effective and fairly respectable general, they’re simply in need of the anticipated high quality for that value.
Nonetheless, it’s once we change on these audio system’ secret weapon that they actually come to life. Allow the THX Spatial Audio mode and these audio system sound nice in the case of films and gaming. The sound stage opens up massively, creating plenty of ambiance and, not like the Film EQ preset, the impact doesn’t bury film dialog. All the things simply sounds wider, fuller, and in some way extra targeted too.
In the case of extra aggressive gaming, a headset is a significantly better wager, however for taking part in atmospheric video games the place you may want a break from a headset, the spatial sound works fantastically. It may possibly’t compete with true encompass sound audio system, however the directionality for sound cues in entrance of you is great. Nonetheless, Spatial Audio doesn’t sound good for music, so ensure you solely flip it on when it’s wanted.
To this finish, in the case of gaming and common use, the flexibility for Razer’s software program to mechanically change between sound profiles for various apps is actually sport altering. For example, this implies you can have Spotify and your browser set to make use of commonplace stereo with a flat EQ, whereas Valorant or Apex Legends use the Sport EQ with THX Spatial Audio, and Elden Ring will change to a flat EQ and hold THX Spatial Audio engaged, all with out you lifting a finger.
Value
The Razer Nommo V2 Professional value is $450, which when it comes to these audio system’ uncooked efficiency and construct makes them a troublesome promote. As an alternative, you’re actually paying for 3 foremost options: the wi-fi sub, the wi-fi distant, and the THX Spatial Audio. As such, in case you’re not super-fussed about a number of further wires, the non-Professional Nommo V2 makes much more sense at simply $250 for a similar uncooked efficiency.
Verdict
The Razer Nommo V2 Professional is a set of audio system that lives and dies on its gaming efficiency, and whether or not you discover a handful of its options significantly helpful. On the gaming aspect, its THX Spatial Audio works very well, making a sound that’s extra directional and enveloping than plain stereo, drawing you into the sport and making it simpler to choose up directional cues. It’s not full encompass sound, however it’s a notable step up from stereo, and ultimate in case you’re quick on house.
As for the opposite further options, the addition of Bluetooth could be helpful for simply listening to music out of your telephone by way of the audio system, although you’ll be able to’t pay attention/connect with each your Bluetooth machine and PC on the identical time.
The opposite extras are the wi-fi subwoofer and wi-fi distant management, each of which offer you a little bit of flexibility together with your setup, however aren’t precisely necessities. As an alternative, we’d be inclined to save lots of $200 (not less than that’s the distinction at MSRP) and get the Nommo V2 (non-Professional) as a substitute. These lack the wi-fi distant and sub, however carry out the identical and have the THX audio as nicely.
In any other case, when it comes to general sound, the Nommo V2 Professional audio system are highly effective with an enormous bass presence if desired. They’ll additionally flip their hand to a variety of musical genres, and work nice for films and video games, although they don’t supply essentially the most subtle sound for sure forms of music.
Total, although, for a premium gaming speaker, the Razer Nommo V2 Professional presents nice sound with a small footprint in case you put the subwoofer on the ground, together with the comfort of wi-fi connections. Notably, these audio system are additionally at the moment often discounted to between $350 and $400. They provide higher worth at that value, though the wired Nommo V2 continues to be a greater deal.
Options
Razer Nommo V2
Get all of the audio efficiency and RGB enjoyable of the Nommo V2 Professional however for almost half the worth. Your solely loss is the transfer to a wired somewhat than wi-fi subwoofer, and the change to on-speaker controls somewhat than a wi-fi distant.
Edifier S350DB
For significantly better general sound and construct high quality with a number of extra connection choices, the Edifier S350DB is a unbelievable alternative. These audio system additionally look nice and embrace a wi-fi distant all for $400. You miss out on RGB lighting, digital encompass sound, and software program game-specific profiles, although, in order that they’re extra for common use than the height of gaming audio.