Redragon GS560 / Trust GXT 1619 gaming soundbar review

The Belief GXT 1619 (additionally offered because the Redragon GS560) is a extremely easy audio improve choice on your gaming desktop PC. Its compact, gaming soundbar type gives you with a single stereo analog enter, a handy USB energy connection, and it even has a quantity knob! Sure, it’s that straightforward, however when you’re after probably the most fundamental improve from gaming monitor audio system, it’s value a glance.

One of the best pc audio system can present room-shaking bass and crystal-like readability, together with a bunch of simple connection choices, none of which you get right here. Nevertheless, for a super-cheap choice, this Belief soundbar delivers the fundamentals.

Specs

Options

For such an ultra-budget choice, the Belief GXT 1619 (the title of the model we examined) is a fairly smart-looking soundbar. Its lozenge form is straightforward and clear, as is its alternative of black plastic for many of its construct, together with the black steel speaker grille over the entrance. The RGB lighting strip that runs across the backside entrance edge is even fairly neatly built-in.

Extra lighting might be discovered across the central energy/quantity knob, and there’s even a line on the dial to point out the quantity degree as you flip the knob. In truth, the quantity knob is mostly one thing of a triumph. It clicks off with a satisfying surety when turned absolutely left, and there’s no wobble or grinding really feel to the dial rotation. For such an inexpensive unit, these aren’t small issues.

With the quantity/energy knob absolutely off, all of the lighting is turned off however is in any other case illuminated to the identical brightness always. We discovered it supplied a great stability of brightness that isn’t too distracting, or so dim as to be pointless (it seems slightly brighter in actual life than our photographs counsel).

A touch-sensitive button on the highest of the unit enables you to alter the decrease lighting ring. It may well present both a continually altering rainbow of coloration, a blue mild that then turns ever redder, then yellower (from left to proper), in accordance with audio quantity, or a hard and fast crimson, inexperienced, or blue coloration. The ultimate faucet additionally simply turns off this decrease mild, however not the quantity dial lighting.

The unit’s connections encompass a non-removable conjoined cable that sprouts from the again of the unit and splits right into a USB plug and a 3.5mm jack plug. In concept, this setup is straightforward to plug into your motherboard’s neighboring onboard sound card and USB sockets. Nevertheless, in case you have any type of various setup with an exterior audio supply or USB hub – otherwise you wish to plug in one other system – the cables being joined is a bit inconvenient. We ended up pulling the cables aside to a size of about 1ft to get extra freedom of motion.

The unit measures 400 x 75 x 70mm (W x D x H) so it’s decently compact, and it’s additionally simple to suit on most desks and underneath most displays. The froth foot that runs your complete base of the speaker, mixed with its 714g weight, means it stays moderately safe, not like some actually low cost 2.0 desktop audio system that are likely to topple over with the slightest breeze or knock of their cables.

Sound high quality

It ought to come as no shock that the Belief GXT 1619 / Redragon GS560 isn’t setting new requirements in total sound high quality. Nevertheless, it’s a welcome improve on most monitor audio system and outperforms loads of low cost separate USB-powered audio system.

The primary improve is a deeper total sound, with the soundbar in a position to fill out extra of the mid-range and bass finish of the sound spectrum than monitor or laptop computer audio system. You don’t get true sub-bass replica that you simply really feel in your chest, however you get a bit extra energy total.

Because of this musical genres akin to heavy steel truly sound okay on this soundbar, because the distorted wall of sound isn’t was an ear-splitting, shrill mess. EDM, hip hop, and different genres that emphasize thumping bass drums and rumbling basslines are likewise listenable right here, not like on typical monitor audio system.

Total quantity is simply sufficient to fill a small room with out resorting to the tinny horribleness that outcomes from cranking up your cellphone’s speaker, as an illustration. You gained’t be planning a home get together round this soundbar, however you and your greatest pal can have slightly boogie.

As the quantity of no matter you’re listening to ebbs and flows, although, you may clearly detect the speaker lowering the height quantity to keep away from distorting when the sound will get loud. Oddly, it does this even at low volumes. It does imply the speaker virtually by no means truly distorts, however it may well suck a few of the influence when the louder components of a monitor (or an explosion in a recreation) kick in.

The stereo picture you get from this soundbar is poor, too. The 2 40mm drivers clearly aren’t balanced effectively sufficient to supply a transparent sense of stereo picture when mixed. This makes music sound a bit flat, and virtually prefer it’s only a mono sign coming from the speaker – you don’t really feel that immersion within the sound that you simply get from a top quality stereo setup.

As you may anticipate, this considerably impacts this soundbar’s gaming credentials. There’s no digital encompass sound anyway, and the pure directional impact you get from a great stereo setup isn’t significantly sturdy right here. You positively do get some directional cues, nevertheless it’s not significantly correct.

Worth

Priced at simply $35, the Redragon GS560 (£30 for the Belief GXT 1619) is about as low cost as you may go for a soundbar. There are after all compromises for that low value however total it gives respectable worth.

Options

Artistic Pebble V3

When you’re in search of a really low cost set of audio system that you simply wish to place on both facet of your monitor – getting you a greater stereo picture than this soundbar – the Artistic Pebble V3 is an honest little speaker set. Additionally USB-powered with a 16W energy ranking, these audio system are fundamental, however they’re a stable step up from most monitor audio system for $30.

Artistic Sound Blaster Katana V2X

When you’re in search of a soundbar with a extra complete audio improve, the Artistic Sound Blaster Katana V2X is an efficient shout. Due to a separate subwoofer, it delivers much more quantity, bass vary, and readability, with 180W of sound output. It’s much more costly, although, at round $200.

Verdict

For $35, the Redragon GS560 (Belief GXT 1619) is a wonderfully okay purchase when you’re simply seeking to get some type of desktop loudspeaker setup that’s a step up from typical monitor audio system. You get a deeper audio sign that’s sufficient to make music listenable at low volumes, and it means you may play video games with out headphones.

There aren’t any particular options right here, although, and the poor stereo picture means you don’t get an awesome sense of directionality in video games. Nevertheless, on the plus facet, the unit is compact, neatly designed, and naturally very low cost. That mentioned, when you can seize certainly one of these items at even a slight low cost, it makes all of the distinction to its worth. You solely need to spend round $70 to get a a lot better-sounding, extra succesful unit.

When you’re additionally in search of extra PC audio gear, be sure to learn our information to the very best gaming headset, the place we take you thru all our favourite choices to go well with each funds.