Gaming audio is a crucial part of any setup, and if you’re someone who likes to switch between a regular set of speakers for casual usage and a headset for more competitive endeavors, NZXT has got you covered. Their Relay line of audio gear contains a headset, speakers, subwoofer, and even a headset stand that automatically switches the output device. We are taking a look at the headset and the stand to see if these are valid options in today’s market. Read our full NZXT Relay review to find out everything you need to know!
At A Glance
NZXT Relay
NZXT has crafted a compelling set of audio equipment. The headset itself is just a decent gaming headset with sleek aesthetics, but the SwitchMix is a very capable DAC with an extremely handy auto output switch function tied to it. When combined, the two really shine. As a bonus, the SwitchMix is agnostic, so it doesn’t need to be used with NZXT gear.
Pros
- Clean, sleek aesthetics
- Lightweight and rather comfortable
- Good microphone
- SwitchMix is amazingly convenient, but needs to be purchased separately
Cons
- Bass response is lacking
- Ear cushions aren’t very breathable and can get hot
- Sounds better via jack than via USB
Specs
Type | Closed-Back |
---|---|
Connection | Wired |
Noise Cancelling | No |
Microphone | Detachable |
First Impressions
NZXT products are known for their sleek lines and straightforward design. This Relay headset is no exception to that. I got the white version for testing (there’s also a black version) and it looks extremely clean if you ask me. The SwitchMix that I got with it follows the same design idea: no frills, sleek surfaces and an overall ‘grown up’ aesthetic. These peripherals would not look out of place in a fancy office or in a neutral environment.
Note that the Relay audio system also has speakers in the range of available products. I did not review these, as speakers aren’t as useful for competitive gaming, but if you want to get fully decked out in NZXT gear in the audio department that’s definitely an option.
Packaging
Inside the box of the NZXT Relay headset, you’ll find:
- Detachable microphone
- 3.5mm jack cable with controls
- USB adapter
- Jack splitter
- The headset itself
Inside the box of the SwitchMix, you’ll find:
- A USB cable
- The DAC
- The headset stand
Build and Comfort
The NZXT Relay headset is a rather lightweight product that’s made out of mostly plastic. The actual headband section is made out of aluminum, and the whole thing feels well-made to me. Comfort is provided in the form of memory foam leatherette covers for both the headband and the ear cushions.
I personally don’t mind leatherette on headbands, but I am not a huge fan of the material when it’s used on ear cups. On hot days, leatherette often gets sticky quite quickly, and that’s also the case here. There’s not a lot of breathability in these ear cups, which leads to toasty feeling ears on hot days. Sadly, there’ve been a number of those where I live so I had ample opportunity to test the performance of these pads on hotter days. Despite the pads being plenty thick and soft, I would’ve loved to see a mesh option included in the package for people who like a little more breathability.
Aside from this (personal) gripe I have to say that the Relay headset is a comfortable piece of kit. It’s light enough to wear all day long and the clamping force is just about right for me personally. The headband is also luxuriously padded, so I didn’t have any problems using this headset for marathon sessions.
One quirky thing that I noticed is that the cable comes out of the right ear cup. On 99% of the headphones I’ve used throughout my life, the cable comes out of the left cup, so this took some getting used to. It’s not a dealbreaker, but as a right-handed person I prefer the cable to be on the left.
Sound and Mic
Microphone
The microphone on the NZXT Relay headset is definitely one of its stronger features. It sounds clear and consistent and, for a gaming headset, pretty natural. It doesn’t have a ton of fancy bells and whistles that you can deploy to tweak the sound output, but the mic doesn’t really need that either.
If you’re going to be streaming full-time or making lots of long audio calls I’d consider getting an external mic, but for everything else the microphone on the Relay headset is great and definitely a level above what most headsets at this price range offer.
Sound Quality
A ton of gaming headsets in the mid-tier bracket favor bombastic bass over anything else. That’s great for cinematic experiences, but not so great for competitive gaming, as the mids and highs are more important there. In order to be more viable for competitive people, NZXT has dialed down the bass significantly on their Relay headset, but if you ask me they took it a bit too far.
When plugged in through the USB extender, the headset sounds very thin and there’s not a lot of bass at all. This is nice for competitive gaming because it lets you hear sounds like footsteps and reloads clearly, but it’s not ideal for other uses.
NZXT’s CAM software does have an EQ built in where you can tweak the sound, but no matter how hard you tweak, you’re not going to get that satisfying ‘oomph’ from this headset. In addition to that, there’s not a ton of definition, making sounds kind of ‘cross over’ into each other when there are multiple instruments of audio tracks playing at once. Listening to music or otherwise consuming content thus feels subpar with the Relay.
If you plug the headset in via the 3.5mm jack (through the DAC that comes with the SwitchMix) it all sounds a little bit more balanced and clearer, but it never gets to the point where I’d consider this an option for people who are into content consumption first and foremost.
Gaming Performance
Obviously, the NZXT Relay headset is not a content consumption headset, but rather a gaming headset. And the gaming performance of this product is decent. Directional audio is okay, and the lack of bass actually helps with pinpointing important sounds when there’s a flurry of grenades exploding all around you.
The problem here is that there are a lot of decent headsets in this price range, so there’s a lot of competition. The gaming audio is passable, but I never felt like I had an advantage over other players due to the audio or anything of the sorts; the headset isn’t markedly better than its peers. As such, other factors such as aesthetics, price, and availability can determine whether or not this headset is worth it to you.
Features and Everyday Usage
Controls and Software
The Relay headset doesn’t have any controls on the headset itself, but it does have a small section with a volume wheel and a mute switch on the cord. This also has a clip which you can use to attach the controls to your shirt. I like this rather minimal setup, as I rarely use any on-board controls other than the volume and mute wheel.
If you want to further tweak your headset, you can use NZXT’s CAM software. Here, you can tweak the EQ, change the mic and headset volumes, add sidetone, and activate virtual surround sound. It’s not the most expansive piece of kit, but I do always appreciate it when there’s sidetone and an EQ present in these optional programs.
All in all, the Relay is easy to use, and the CAM software is straightforward and easy to understand.
NZXT SwitchMix Review
The Relay headset is part of a collection of audio products under the Relay umbrella. The SwitchMix stand/DAC is also part of this lineup of products. This DAC (Digital Audio Converter) enhances the quality of the sound that’s coming out of your PC, but it also has a really neat separate function.
Output Switcher
The headset stand isn’t strictly for looks; there’s a pressure-sensitive pad underneath the stand, which toggles between the different audio outputs. If your headset is on the stand, the DAC tells your PC to use speakers. Once you take it off, the audio instantly switches to the headset.
As someone who switches between headphones/speakers multiple times a day, this is an absolutely fantastic concept. Having my PC switch to speakers the moment I put down a headset is awfully convenient, and I love this product for that.
Agnostic Product
What’s even nicer is that the SwitchMix is agnostic. You don’t need to use NZXT-branded peripherals. You do, however, need to use products that use a 3.5mm jack. A USB headset, for example, cannot connect to the DAC. This does limit the amount of available options, but if you’re someone who has a nice set of speakers and a 3.5mm headset, it’s a great little desk companion to have.
Finally, the DAC can also be freely placed along the base of the stand. This allows you to choose the orientation of the DAC, and can be handy when you’ve got short speaker cables or something like that. On the DAC itself you’ll find a volume knob and a game/chat balance slider. These controls feel good to use.
DAC
As I mentioned, the SwitchMix also boosts the quality of the overall sound. When using the Relay, I noticed an obvious increase in sound quality, but I also tested some other 3.5mm audio products and the SwitchMix seems to be a capable DAC. I am not an expert on the topic, but it’s definitely an upgrade over most headsets with integrated sound cards.
NZXT Relay Review – Conclusion
NZXT has crafted a compelling set of audio equipment. The headset itself is just a decent gaming headset with sleek aesthetics, but the SwitchMix is a very capable DAC with an extremely handy automatic output switch function tied to it. When combined, the two really shine When separated, it’s a different story.
The NZXT Relay Headset on its own is a decent gaming headset that’s rather comfortable, but it’s nothing more than that. There are a lot of other options to consider at this price point, so if you’re looking for a mid-tier gaming headset you should definitely look at some other products as well before making a purchase.
The SwitchMix is a much more unique product that won’t be useful for everyone, but if you’re the type to switch between speakers and headphones often it’s worth every single penny. The audio quality is also very decent, so I would recommend the SwitchMix to anyone who uses a 3.5mm audio solution for gaming.
You can check out the NZXT Relay products on their website.
This product was received for free from the manufacturer and given to our reviewer to test and review. Brands and manufacturers have no editorial control over our reviews. For more information, check out our review FAQ.