3 hrs ago
Gaming Soundbars Tested for Better Audio Without Desk Clutter
Gaming soundbars are small speakers that sit under a computer monitor or television.
They can make games, music and videos sound clearer without requiring two large speakers.
The Razer Leviathan V2 X is a strong choice for a tidy computer desk.
The Creative GS5 is louder and can connect to both computers and TVs in several ways.
The Sonos Ray is good for clear voices and television sound, but it does not have very deep bass.
The Redragon GS560 is a cheaper option for basic listening.
The Redragon GS515 adds Bluetooth and more power while staying compact.
The CrossBeats Blaze B50 is powerful and portable, with a battery and many connection choices.
Buyers should compare desk space, bass, sound width and connectivity before choosing.
The Razer Leviathan V2 X is the compact overall pick, offering clear stereo sound, USB-C, Bluetooth 5.0 and Chroma RGB lighting.
Creative Sound Blaster GS5 provides up to 60W peak power, SuperWide sound and broad connectivity for both computers and TVs.
Sonos Ray emphasizes clear dialogue, compact design and streaming features, but lacks HDMI, deep bass and Dolby Atmos.
Budget models such as the Redragon GS560 offer simple 4W desktop audio, while the GS515 adds Bluetooth and more power.
CrossBeats Blaze B50 delivers 50W output, 3D surround sound, a 10-hour battery and extensive connectivity, but is larger than typical desktop bars.
- Who
- The article’s tester and people shopping for compact gaming audio systems.
- What
- A comparison of gaming and desktop soundbars, including their sound quality, features, connectivity and space requirements.
- Where
- On computer desks and, for some models, with TVs, laptops, smartphones and other devices.
- When
- During the testing described in the article.
- Why
- To determine whether compact soundbars can improve gaming audio while keeping desks less cluttered.
Compact and Simple Audio
Power and Versatility
Desk footprint
Compact and Simple Audio
The Razer Leviathan V2 X, Redragon GS560 and Redragon GS515 prioritize slim designs that fit beneath monitors and reduce clutter.
Power and Versatility
The Creative GS5 and CrossBeats Blaze B50 offer stronger output and broader capabilities, but the GS5 is relatively bulky and the Blaze B50 is larger than typical desktop bars.
Bass and immersion
Compact and Simple Audio
Compact stereo models provide clear everyday sound and can suit gaming, videos and music without taking much space.
Power and Versatility
Models with higher power or surround-focused features can provide a wider or more forceful presentation, although the article notes that several options still lack deep bass.
Connectivity
Compact and Simple Audio
USB, 3.5mm or Bluetooth connections can keep a computer setup straightforward and easy to operate.
Power and Versatility
The Creative GS5 and CrossBeats Blaze B50 provide more input choices, while the Sonos Ray relies on optical, Wi-Fi and Ethernet and does not offer HDMI or direct Bluetooth audio.
Key facts
- Overall compact pick
- Razer Leviathan V2 X
- Superior sound quality pick
- Sonos Ray
- Budget-friendly pick
- Redragon GS560 Adiemus
- Most powerful listed output
- Creative Sound Blaster GS5 offers up to 60W peak power; CrossBeats Blaze B50 offers 50W output.
- Most portable option
- CrossBeats Blaze B50, with a 4000mAh battery rated for up to 10 hours of playback.
- Connectivity range
- The CrossBeats Blaze B50 supports Bluetooth 5.4, AUX, USB, microSD and FM.
- Main limitation across models
- Several soundbars have limited deep bass, while some compact models also lack HDMI or optical inputs.
Sources
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