Key Takeaways
- The NZXT SwitchMix gives straightforward switching between a headset and audio system, and its built-in mixer permits for quantity adjustment and mixing of in-game audio with voice chat.
- The SwitchMix could also be neglected, however it’s the strongest facet of NZXT’s Relay audio line. Its sturdy design and adaptable mixer placement make it versatile for various speaker setups.
- Setup is easy, and the SwitchMix can be utilized with any headphones and audio system, not simply NZXT’s audio {hardware}. It includes a stable DAC and headphone amp, and the NZXT Cam software program offers extra management and customization choices.
Switching between a gaming headset and the built-in audio system on a laptop computer is straightforward, however it may be trickier in case you’re operating a desktop PC. Simply switching between a headset and audio system is a key function of NZXT’s Relay line of audio merchandise, and the NZXT SwitchMix lies on the coronary heart of the system.
At first look, it is simple to have a look at the SwitchMix and see a easy headphone stand, nevertheless it’s way more. A swap on high detects when your headphones or headset are on the stand and switches audio to your audio system. The stand additionally includes a built-in mixer to simply alter the quantity and mix in-game audio with voice chat.
As a result of it is not as instantly recognizable as a gaming headset or speaker system, the SwitchMix is perhaps probably the most neglected a part of NZXT’s lately launched Relay audio line. That might be a disgrace, because the SwitchMix is arguably the strongest facet of your entire system.
NZXT SwitchMix
$100 $130 Save $30
Swap between headset and audio system, steadiness in-game sound and chat with the studio-grade slider, and expertise high-resolution audio.
- Frequency Vary
- 20Hz – 20kHz
- Analogue Audio Enter Connectivity
- 3.5mm
- Analogue Audio Output Connectivity
- 3.5mm
- USB Interface 1
- USB-C
- Bit Depth
- 24-bit
- Pattern Price
- 96kHz
- Dimensions
- 6.25 x 5.25x 12.25in (158.75 x 133.35 x 311.15mm)
- Encompass sound
- DTS 7.1
- Suitable with any headphones and audio system
- DTS Headphone:X and seven.1-channel encompass sound
- Versatile modular setup
- NZXT Cam software program gives glorious management
- Expensive for a distinct segment product
- Digital output could be good
A Sturdy, Surprisingly Adaptable Design
Take a fast have a look at the SwitchMix, and it appears to be like like a easy headstand, and in case you by no means plug within the included mixer, it’s. The stand has a sturdy base, with a metallic arm that reaches up towards the highest, the place you place your headphones. That is the place you will discover the swap to detect whether or not you’ve got positioned headphones on the stand.
In an uncommon however welcome contact, the mixer is not connected to the bottom of the stand. As a substitute, a 3.5mm cable on the underside of the stand plugs into the mixer to allow headset detection. You possibly can place the mixer anyplace you need on the bottom, because the ft on the mixer match completely into the circles dotting the bottom of the stand.
For most individuals, the power to take away or reorient the mixer is not going to be an enormous deal. Nonetheless, in case you’ve acquired an uncommon speaker setup, otherwise you simply desire to orient the slider that blends between recreation audio and voice horizontally as a substitute of vertically, the added versatility is helpful.
Connectivity: Easy However Efficient
Apart from the only quick cable talked about above that connects the stand to the mixer, all of the ports are positioned on the mixer itself. The entrance of the gadget holds a single 3.5mm jack to your headphones or gaming headset, whereas the again holds three connections.
One of many two 3.5mm jacks on the again of the SwitchMix mixer permits the headphone sensor, whereas the opposite sends audio to your audio system. There aren’t any RCA outputs, which many PC audio system use, however usually, all you will have to make these work is a 3.5mm to RCA cable.
You additionally will not discover any digital outputs on the SwitchMix. Whereas these would have been helpful, additionally they possible would have elevated the worth considerably, and that is already considerably on the costly aspect for what it’s.
Straightforward Setup and Broad Compatibility
Setup is comparatively straightforward, as you may think. Merely make sure that the cable between the stand and mixer is related to the correct jack, then plug the included USB cable into your laptop. Join your headset and audio system, and also you’re all able to go.
Whereas the SwitchMix is a part of the NZXT Relay line, which is meant to work greatest as an built-in system, it is not really tied to these merchandise. Plug in any headphones or audio system you need, and you should use the SwitchMix to simply and shortly swap between them.
Relating to the precise switching, it is practically instantaneous, because the sensor itself is a straightforward mechanical swap. Whereas the mixer firmware handles quantity ranges between your headset and audio system, there is not a lot computing energy wanted, so the swap between the 2 occurs as quick as you may hear it.
The onboard controls are virtually ridiculously easy: you get a big quantity knob and a slider to mix recreation audio with voice chat. The quantity knob will management whichever gadget is at the moment taking part in audio, so you do not even want to consider which quantity management to make use of.
All the things else is dealt with within the Home windows-only NZXT Cam software program. Right here you may select between varied EQ modes or set a customized EQ curve. You can too allow DTS Headphone:X and varied gaming-centric profiles, assuming you are utilizing a gaming headset.
You even have full management over the LEDs on the SwitchMix mixer whereas related to headphones, related to audio system, or muted. Whereas the LEDs are set to sure colours while you first run the software program, you may change any of the colours to something you need.
Stable DAC and a Succesful Headphone Amp
With a lot consideration on the mixer and stand facet of the SwitchMix, it is simple to overlook that it additionally includes a built-in 24-bit / 96 kHz DAC. Not solely does this imply which you can plug in any headphones and begin listening to hi-res music, however you additionally get some attention-grabbing processing on the gaming entrance.
This is not precisely an audiophile-quality DAC, nevertheless it’s definitely higher than you will discover on many built-in sound playing cards. It is also comparatively highly effective, because it was capable of sufficiently energy my Sennheiser HD650s. They did not sound at their greatest, however once more, the sound was significantly better than you’d usually discover in an built-in sound card.
As talked about above, the NZXT Cam software program permits loads of extra management over the SwitchMix. No matter the kind of headphones you are utilizing, you may alter the EQ utilizing the app to tailor the sound to your liking. That mentioned, in case you’re utilizing suitable headphones, the SwitchMix gives much more.
Plug in a suitable gaming headset just like the NZXT Relay Headset, and you’ll make the most of 7.1-channel digital encompass sound and DTS Headphone:X. How effectively these sound will rely in your headphones, nevertheless it’s good to have the ability to add this potential to your current headset with out having to purchase an entire new set.
Ought to You Purchase the NZXT SwitchMix?
You would be hard-pressed to discover a headphone stand available on the market as filled with options because the NZXT SwitchMix. The convenience of switching might not sound like a key function, however when you get used to it, the thought of going again to another means of doing issues appears awkward. It might even be a comparatively inexpensive solution to improve the DAC you employ along with your headphones, relying on what you have already got.
The foremost promoting level of the SwitchMix is that you just need not personal another NZXT audio {hardware} with the intention to use it. Sure, the Relay Headset and Relay Audio system are supposed to work with it, however you should use any headphones and audio system you need, so long as they use a 3.5mm jack or can use one with an adapter.
The NZXT SwitchMix is a distinct segment product, and whether or not it is a good worth comes all the way down to how typically you’ll use it. That is positively a problem-solver sort of product, and if it solves any explicit issues for you, it is completely value a purchase.
NZXT SwitchMix
$100 $130 Save $30
Swap between headset and audio system, steadiness in-game sound and chat with the studio-grade slider, and expertise high-resolution audio.
