Razer Leviathan V2 arrives to revolutionize the sound of gaming PCs with a compact design, spatial audio with the signature of THX (which the company bought in 2016), great customization, the classic RGB hallmark of the brand and, like the previous version, with a fairly restrained price, compared to the accessories premium of this segment.
More than seven years have passed since Razer launched its first sound bar for PCs. During this time, this market – that of gaming accessories – has grown enormously, both in opportunities and in products focused on a niche market that has passed from being something particular to tremendously broad.
However, the surround sound section for this type of user has focused during these years on headphones, and something has been left aside. devices dedicated to sound for the most gamers.
Razer wants to bring back to the table the possibilities offered by sound bars for gamers, and it does so, how could it be otherwise, with the characteristic hallmarks of the brand and the market to which they are intended: a modest price, lots of RGB and specifications that will convince most PC gamers.
The first thing that jumps out at you is that the Razer Leviathan v2 keeps many elements of the previous design, but renews part of its technical characteristics. It does, however, maintain one of its hallmarks: a compact design to rest under any monitor. And this is an especially important section, since it does not take up much space but in return it offers a more than interesting sound. It is complemented by a subwoofer, also to place on the desk, but the whole set, as we say, is quite restrained in its size.
The Razer Soundbar offers surround sound and boasts THX Spatial Audiothe set is made up of two full-range diaphragms, the aforementioned lower projection subwoofer and like the rest of the brand’s great accessories, it is compatible with Razer Chroma RGB, with 18 visible lighting zones and dynamic settings during the game.
Connectivity, yes, is somewhat more limited. We can connect it to the PC through a cable USB-C to USB-A included in the box, which can be replaced by a USB-C to USB-C if we have a computer whose board comes with the new standard connector. Beyond that, it offers connection Bluetooth 5.2 low latency to connect it to the mobile or consoles like the Switch, but nothing more.
Taking into account that it is a sound bar focused on PC and games, it is more than enough, yes, but an entry would not have been more HDMI ARC to give the set more flexibility or to connect it to a console and a monitor without speakers, for example.
One thing to keep in mind regarding connectivity is that most of the great functionality comes from PCs and their auxiliary apps, so those outside of the Windows ecosystem should keep that in mind. Yes, there are apps for iOS and Android to control RGB or equalization, but they are somewhat limited.
Taking all this into account, how does the Razer Leviathan V2 sound? Pretty good considering its price and size. However hay to go through a prior equalization process to get the most out of the bar. The standard sound, especially for music, is somewhat poor with the standard presets, with somewhat muffled bass and midrange sounds that are lost at high volume. In a short time, yes, we can have it to our liking.
The sound, once configured, is clear and pleasant, with a quite interesting bass for games or movies. Something that surprises is the enormous volume of sound for a bar of this size. I would dare to say that, sitting at the desk, with 30% of the total volume, it will be enough to enjoy all the nuances that the Razer Leviathan V2 offers. The rest may be fine for listening to music and filling the room, but certainly not for sitting in front of the PC. This increases the audio possibilities of the bar, beyond enjoying a movie or a game session in front of the computer.
One of the great advantages of V2 compared to the previous version is the inclusion of THX Spatial Audiowhich can be a great ally for video games, but it is a function to enjoy more of a solo game session or a movie than for the competitive approach, for which surround sound headphones remain unrivaled.
Razer Leviathan V2, is it worth it?
Taking into account its price and features, coupled with the compact design and the possibilities it offers in the Razer ecosystem, few options available on the market can compete with the new Razer Leviathan V2. Maybe is the most interesting model to provide our PC with surround sound without the need to place monitors, all in a compact design and with Razer’s hallmarks: lots of RGB and customization through its apps.
We would have liked the possibility of the subwoofer being connected wirelessly, now that it is a standard that is the order of the day, and that it would have kept the connectivity options of the previous model (digital and optical output) but, again, given its price and its benefits you can not ask for much more.
A sound bar for PC, with great possibilities for gaming and capable of filling a room with music without too much effort. A crisp and clear sound (once it has gone through an equalization process), an ecosystem of apps that offer great customization and, without a doubt, a fairly restrained design in size, make Razer Leviathan V2 the best option available for the PC market, closely followed by the previous version, which with 7 years behind it, says a lot about the good work of the brand in terms of gaming accessories. And with the Leviathan V2 it’s no different.