I'll not bury the lede: the Razer Nommo V2 Pro are the best gaming speakers I've ever used - full stop.
Now let me explain why.
Specifications
- Price: $449.99 on Razer Website
- Frequency Response: 40Hz - 20kHz
- Drivers:
- 2 x 3.2 inch Full Range Drivers for speakers
- 1 x 5.5 inch bass driver in subwoofer
- Input: USB-C; Bluetooth compatible
- Subwoofer: Included, wireless connectivity (on Pro model only)
- Cables: 1 x USB-C to USB-A; 2 x Power Cords (for speakers and subwoofer)
- Control: Wireless control pod (controls via Razer Synapse)
- RGB: Rear-projection RGB with Chroma compatibility
- Size:
- Speaker: 130 mm (W) x 184 mm (H) x 181 mm (D) / 5.1” x 7.2” x 7.1”
- Subwoofer: 265 mm (W) x 300.5 mm (H) x 265 mm (D) / 10.4” x 11.8” x 10.4”
- EQ: Custom 10-band EQ (adjustable in Synapse)
- THX Spatial Audio compatible
- Works with: PC, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch (via Bluetooth), phone (via Bluetooth)
First Thoughts
The Razer Nommo V2 Pro speakers come in a rather smaller package than I was expecting when I first saw pictures of the set. I'm also very happy to see the packaging is effectively fully recyclable, as Razer has started to move away from plastics in its packaging as of late.
The instructions to set the speakers up were actually on the box itself, so if you're someone who unpacks and throws that away, save it till you're done (or at least snap a photo with your phone). It's not that hard to figure out setting up the speakers themselves though, as the entire kit is just three parts (four if you include the control puck).
With two satellite speakers for a left and right driver, as well as the down-firing subwoofer, getting the Razer Nommo V2 Pro hooked up was just a matter of making room for it on my desk. While I've got an Autonomous AI standing desk that isn't small, much of the desk real estate is taken up by my monitors and various peripherals themselves. However, the speakers themselves aren't so big that I couldn't find a home for them flanking my Gigabyte 32" 4K display, which is where I do all my PC gaming anyways.
I was never a real fan of the stacked look of the previous Nommo speakers, so I was happy to see a change in aesthetics this time around. Large cylindrical speakers sit atop fairly short stands, angled upwards towards where your ears will naturally be when sitting or standing in front of the speakers themselves. While I would have wished the ability to make these speakers taller - or even take them off the stand to mount them on the wall nearby, it's not a deal breaker by any means. For many people, it's simply going to be a matter of finding that perfect spot on the desk and then simply forgetting about it.
As you'll note in the picture showing my setup, I'm not the best at cable management (if you can call what I have going on there cable management). Since I am constantly plugging in and unplugging devices as part of our tech review rotation, it's more of a hassle to undo everything each time rather than plug and go. So I was incredibly excited to find out that the Subwoofer and control puck were both wireless solutions here.
With my previous, but also fantastic, speaker set-up, the Steelseries Arena 9 5.1 speakers, everything was wired. From the four speakers set around my office set up to the control pod and subwoofer. This isn't a bad solution by any stretch, but I'm stoked Razer took a more minimalistic approach to cables here with their top-tier speaker solution. It's decluttered the desk around my keyboard especially as I no longer have a wire coming across just to control the speakers themselves.
The left and right speakers themselves are 3.2" drivers, each equipped with an aluminum phase plug that aims to minimize reflections of sound within the speaker itself. The down-firing subwoofer is a powerful 5.5-inch driver that delivers meaty bass, made even meatier by the concrete floor I set it on (seriously, I have this thing turned to 2 on the dial and it's still insanely resonant).
On the back of each of the speakers is a diffused RGB light that, like all major Razer products nowadays, works with their Chroma functionality. The effect splashes RGB behind the speakers themselves, which really comes into its own when set up against a wall to really take advantage of the lighting. With Chrome support, if you're embedded in the Razer ecosystem, these speakers will just be one part of your RGB dominance. Game profiles that are Chrome enabled will also react, making the speakers part of the whole package. Healing in Overwatch 2 as Mercy sees them pulse a glowing gold, while playing Cyberpunk 2077 highlights the gorgeous cityscape around V in a way that makes it hard to play without the RGB support now.
Performance
I said at the top that these are the best gaming speakers I've ever used at my desk. I don't say that lightly. As someone who has been using high-quality headphones, as well as a 5.1 setup for the past few months, I can't imagine going back after trying out the Razer Nommo V2 Pros.
For games, the Razer Nommo V2 Pro shines. These are clearly aimed at gaming, like everything Razer releases in its lineup, and it shows. Diablo 4 is atmospheric, with great lows underpinning the audio experience. The crackle of lightning with a Sorcerer is particularly a highlight, especially when equipped with THX Spatial audio (which you really should use with this setup).
EVE Online brought out details I'd never heard in the game before, such as an ambient pulse when waiting to dock in a station that just wasn't there in any other audio setup I've used before. The cry of engines prepping to warp in my Machariel was so impactful, the bass was felt in my chest, even when the subwoofer was set low. The bass and low frequencies are a highlight with these speakers across the board, and EVE Online's audio presentation will never be the same when the power of these speakers is too much for my house to deal with in the future.
These speakers are tuned for gaming, and with the Razer software, there are individual game profiles that players can take advantage of as well. Cyberpunk 2077's is particularly impactful, with Night City coming alive. Grand Theft Auto V, a game I've racked up thousands of hours across three generations of consoles (though primarily on PC now) has never sounded better, especially with THX Spatial Audio.
Music, however, like many setups can be hit or miss. I was specific to say these are the best gaming speakers I've used. So much is dependent on the audio mixing of the individual track, as well as whatever program you're using. But again, here the bass and lows shine. Mid frequencies get lost and muddled some, but it really does depend on what you're listening to in the end. Tracks, like Think About Things by Dadi Freyr, are impactful, but they are incredibly bass-heavy by default. Love Murder One by Coheed and Cambria (AKA the best band of all time), which has an incredible bass line also standouts as a great display of the speakers.
Some things, though, just don't shine as much as I'd like on the Razer Nommo V2 Pro speakers, namely pieces that are tuned more toward the mids of the speaker's range. Gotta Get You In My Life's cover by Dave Koz and the Summer Horns loses some of its vibrancy with Mindi Abair and Gerald Albright's bright Alto Saxophone play. However, it's still a far cry better than anything I've used before - and if you're looking for that rock-solid audiophile experience for music, you're likely going to want to use a high-quality set of cans anyways. However, I'm not going to sit here and say any of these songs sounded bad, and both the THX Spatial EQ settings and the speakers can be tuned to give the best performance possible for your setup. I do wish, though, that you could have more than one custom EQ, but that can be ironed out in a future software patch.
Synapse Control
Speaking of software, this is where I feel the Razer Nommo V2 Pro is at its weakest. While the Synapse software has come a long, long way in years, it's still not my favorite piece of kit to work with.
However, things are laid out quite well, with separate volume sliders for the bass power and overall volume, as well as the ability to set your source button on the control puck to swap to a different onboard audio device if you need to take a call or stream, or something.
In fact, I think the control pod is the best way to control everything once you have Synapse set up with your perfect custom EQ. The control pod can change volume by simply rotating the dial, mute audio with a press, and even swapping EQ presets by double-clicking the source button. It's a cool little device that should also work with Razer's other products once it hits the broader market in August.
One thing you cannot control with the puck is the lighting. I think Razer has the best RGB support in the industry, which makes sense given it's been basically leading the charge of slamming RGB lights into everything from mice to coffee mugs a few years back at CES. You can fit the speakers into your own existing Chroma profile, or use them as a separate piece of an overall lighting puzzle.
Custom lighting profiles only work if it's hooked up to your PC and playing from there. On PS5, the speakers simply cycle colors, which is still a nice touch but it's reactive to anything on your screen like it could be on PC. Also, THX Spatial audio is only available on the PC, and while I appreciate that it's a toggle on the actual app now, I wish the THX Spatial controls were in Synapse instead of its own standalone.
Final Thoughts and Conclusion
The price is the one thing I think many might have been a bit shocked to see, but considering the quality of the speaker set up here, I think it's rather reasonable. A wireless, powerful subwoofer paired with two expansive speakers that perform admirably under pressure is definitely worth the money.
However, knowing this, Razer has other models of their new Nommo V2 line for those who might not want to spend as much. The standard Nommo V2 comes with two speakers and a subwoofer, albeit wired this time around for $299.99, while the standalone speakers of the V2 X drop the RGB and subwoofer for $149.99.
However, I honestly appreciate the convenience of not having to wire up the subwoofer, and the control pod addition makes using the speakers so much easier at a touch. However, the control pod itself will be available in August for $49.99, so it makes for an easy upgrade, especially if you have a ton of Razer kit already.
The speakers themselves are incredibly directional, which is great to provide the best listening experience. Unlike the wizardry of the Leviathan V2 Pro where it was using head tracking to simulate spatial audio, having two physical speakers shooting sound towards my face really goes a long way towards convincing me that I'm being surrounded by sound.
My setup is in a rather open room, where the wall is farther back than a traditional home office, so I can imagine too just how much more impactful it might be to have the sound bouncing off the wall and back at me more clearly. However, even in a larger, more open space the THX Spatial audio works like a charm. You can use these speakers in Stereo mode, which makes the sound more centered like it was a soundbar, and it sounds fine as well. But the Spatial Audio addition here really helps the Razer Nommo V2 Pro sing.
At $449.99 it's understandably not cheap, but it's the best setup I've used at my desk, ever, even beating out more expensive gaming speakers. The Razer Nommo V2 Pro is worth a look if you want the ultimate gaming speakers to fully immerse you in your games. I honestly find myself missing them when I have to put headphones on, despite having a high-quality set of cans.
The Razer Nommo V2 line of speakers, Pro or otherwise, should definitely be on your list if you're looking to upgrade your sound setup. If you love booming bass, these are definitely the speakers for you, and while I wish the mids were a bit clearer in some music applications, they have provided some of the best soundstages in games I've played the last few weeks of testing, from EVE Online, Final Fantasy XVI and more. Couple that with the simple, yet powerful, control pod to quickly adjust the performance and volume at your fingertips, and the full package is something I don't see myself looking to upgrade from anytime soon.
Full disclosure: A sample of the product discussed was provided by PR for the purposes of this review
