Razer Nommo Pro 2.1

Razer gets serious about desktop sound

- Phil Iwaniuk

WOW! WE WEREN’T expecting that. Just as we were Googling studio monitor deals to find out exactly how much professional-grade audio you can get for $500—the answer’s “a lot”—the Nommo blasted us into submission. This is, if you can believe it, a wonderfully articulated 2.1 speaker system, which—despite the subwoofer looking like a 1:1 scale trashcan—doesn’t overdo the low end. It sounds.... Well, it sounds like a high-end speaker system.

A similar revolution has taken place in the headset market. Where once there were tinny sounds and apologetic tribal designs on each earcup, there’s now audiophile-friendly, sonorous audio from SteelSeries, HyperX, et al. “Gaming headset” is no longer shorthand for “They’ve botched the sound, but it comes with a detachable mic.” Gaming speaker systems, though....

That’s a different story. Actual speakers aren’t usually part of a traditional gaming setup. You’re either a dedicated gamer with your preferred headset, or you dabble in music production, too, and cram a pair of massive studio monitors on your desk. Manufacturers don’t often appeal to us directly as gamers with 2.1 systems.