PC gaming hardware review: Razer Mako 2.1 speaker system

January 22, 3:57 PMPC Game ExaminerBryan Edge-Salois

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Razer Mako: Is it just me or does it look a bit like a
Star Wars droid?

The Razer Mako 2.1 is a stylish, sleek, and powerful 300-watt speaker system that is surprisingly capable of  'enveloping' you in crystal clear sound. If you're in the market for a high-end (and space-saving) 2.1 speaker system, look no further than the Mako -- but with premium sound comes a premium price.

To achieve its audio wizardry, the Razer Mako uses a number of THX technologies to accomplish its impressive sound quality. The first is called THX Groundplane, which pushes the sound out the bottom of the speakers omni-directionally and essentially deflects it to your ears to create a sort of virtual surround sound.

The other technology is called Class HD Technology, which basically ensures the speaker never uses more power than necessary to reproduce clear sound and reduces or eliminates potential distortion

In addition to the speakers and subwoofer, you get a slick, touch-sensitive control module for adjusting volume and bass levels, as well as changing inputs or muting the system. The control module also has a headphone and line-in jack, which was extra useful for reviewing the Razer Moray headphones that Razer sent to me. I think the touch-sensitive control module sacrifices better ergonomics for the 'bling factor', but it was never a big issue.

Let me be up front and state that, while I definitely prefer and enjoy good quality sound systems, I am not an audiophile who generally spends thousands of dollars on his sound system(s).

I put the speakers through their paces in a few PC games, and also fired up some DVDs on my PC just to crank up the volume and see how everything faired. Bottom line? The sound in the Star Wars movies I watched was clear enough to hear Yoda break wind. Sound was crystal clear in all games and movies, with good, solid bass and a pretty neat 'virtual' surround effect as well.

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the Razer Mako's for someone that wanted the best possible 2.1 setup they could find. The only problem I see is that the Razer Mako system retails for around $350-$400, which puts them well within the price range of systems like Logitech's 505 Watt, 5.1 THX-certified Z5500 system and other high end 4.1, 5.1, and even 7.1 systems. In addition, I found the lack of any digital inputs a bit odd, but I doubt most folks in the market for premium 2.1 speakers for their desktop PC would be overly concerned with this. 
 

Razer Mako's control pod is as sleek and cool as the
rest of the system, and it has a handy line-in and
headphone jack.

Technical Specifications

• THX-certified quality and performance
• ClassHD™ digital amplifier technology with digital DSP control
• Higher efficiency curves, improved SNR and EMI, and lowered distortion levels
• Patented THX® Ground Plane and THX Slot Speaker™ technologies
• Downward-firing design with optimized acoustic enclosure
• All-in-one remote control pod with touch-sensitive LED dial
• 3.5mm auxiliary input minijack
• 3.5mm headphone minijack
• RCA audio input
• Frequency Range: 25-20,000Hz (+/-2.5dB 40-18,000Hz)
• Total system power: 300W RMS

Learn more about the Razer Mako