It was during 2023 that Razer announces the Leviathan V2 Pro, the first sound bar with active follow-up of the head. This technology makes it possible to orient the sound bundles to the user in order to offer him, regardless of his position, the best possible sound restitution. On paper, it’s interesting, but in reality, does it work?
The Razer Leviathan v2 Pro
- is a powerful and high-quality device.
- The track-tracking system works well.
- the simulated helmet mode
- It is simple to utilize certain parasitic sounds on
- the bass box
- compatibility pc/Bluetooth only.
Razer Leviathan V2 Pro specifications
Performance
Frequency response
40Hz – 20000Hz
Technical characteristics
audio input
Headphone socket – 3.5mm jack
Dimensions of the speaker(s)
Wideband 130 mm
Speaker – Subwoofer
133mm
Connectivity
Bluetooth
Yes
Bluetooth version
5.0
Physical characteristics
Height
90.1mm
Width
600mm
Depth
113.7mm
Weight
2.27kg
Height – Subwoofer
260mm
Width – Subwoofer
260mm
Depth – Subwoofer
295mm
Weight – Subwoofer
5.08kg
During our visit to the Razer booth at CES 2023, we got the opportunity to test the Leviathan V2 pro in a tiny soundproof area away from the hustle and bustle of the event. Furthermore, the settings were not ideal either; there were at least five individuals present around us during the test. Never worries, we were blown away by the surround sound power of this soundbar with a decided gamer appearance. We can tell you all the excellent things we think about it now that we’ve been testing it privately for many weeks.
Installation and unpacking
The Leviathan V2 Pro and its subwoofer come in a very large package; sure, you will need space to use this equipment. The packing is straightforward, and the elements are nicely secured. Razer supplies power cords with plugs for all locations, leaving you with worthless, environmentally unfriendly wires…
The finishing is flawless, the material screams quality, and the plastics and cables are of high quality. Nevertheless, both the soundbar and the subwoofer are large and hefty. To install it properly, you will need a sufficiently clear working space. The desk lacked depth in our configuration, so we had to lift the monitor slightly to allow the soundbar to pass below.
The installation is simple: connect the subwoofer to the soundbar through a mini-jack, then the soundbar to the Computer using a USB-A connection. Lastly, the soundbar and subwoofer will be linked to the power supply through a separate wire, resulting in two monopolized electrical outlets.
Afterward, download Synapse 3, Razer’s management software, which will install the Leviathan V2 Pro drivers. Also, there is no need to install THX-specific software because it is supported by the hardware of the soundbar and does not require any adjustments in the Windows sound settings.
On the soundbar, there will be a button to switch between listening modes, another for equalization presets, a volume dial, and two buttons for changing the source and Bluetooth.
Straight-to-the-point software
Before we go into the sound experience, let’s take a brief look at the software, namely the Synapse settings. There’s nothing complex here; multiple panels enable you to customize the lights, audio equalization, listening modes, and power supply.
The RGB lighting, like other Razer hardware, will be customizable and synchronizable with compatible devices. We were able to synchronize it with the Goliathus Chroma mouse pad.
The audio equalization has four preset modes (music, gaming, movie, and flat) as well as a highly programmable option. A button on the soundbar lets you switch between modes without using the program.
What exactly does head tracking and beam shaping imply?
Razer’s new feature of special note is beam creation or the generation of beams in excellent French. The goal is to detect the user’s position and send sound wave beams in the direction of his ears, even if he moves (within the limits of the workstation/game). The soundbar is fitted with an infrared camera to recognize the face even in low-light conditions. The photos are evaluated (locally, without transmission to the Computer) by an “AI” that generates Audioscenics beams to precisely find our beloved ears.
If there are two of us in front of the PC, the one who is closest to the sound bar will be targeted. To achieve excellent surround rendering, Razer collaborated with immersive sound pioneer THX and 3D sound specialist Audioscenics to build the Leviathan V2 Pro. The video below demonstrates how these technologies function.
In fact, when no user is identified, a sequence of green Lights on the soundbar flash to show that head tracking is not active; when a user is discovered, the LEDs switch off.
That’s OK, but what’s the aim of this technology? Razer proposes a compromise between the immersion of a 5.1 (or 7.1) system, which necessitates complicated logistics, and the convenience of installation of a traditional soundbar. Here, we place the subwoofer beneath the desk, and the soundbar in front of the PC screen, and the magic of beam formation takes care of the rest, sending sound waves toward our ears to imitate a surround effect.
An exciting audio experience
The Razer Leviathan V2 Pro comes with four different listening modes, two of which utilize beam forming for THX sound spatialization. For material with a stereo or binaural audio source, the “virtual headset” mode is advised, while the “virtual surround” option is recommended for content in 5.1 or 7.1. Then there are two more traditional modes: “stereo” and “room-filling,” both of which do not employ spatialization.
The “virtual helmet” option provided the finest depiction in all scenarios. It’s pretty enjoyable to listen to music on Spotify as the infrared camera locks on our faces and directs the beams toward our ears. Instantly, the sound takes on an entirely new, more encompassing character. dimension.
It’s also entertaining to test it out, moving swiftly enough to get the tracking to catch up and witnessing the substantial difference in rendering quality between the two. If two of us are seated in front of the PC, the user who is targeted by the beam forming will have a lot better rendering than the person who is not. It’s a selfish experience, but there are rarely two of us in front of a computer.
We played many videos delivering immersive sensations to evaluate the effectiveness of spatialization, and we must admit that the impact is amazing for a soundbar. The noises from behind, on the other hand, are poorly rendered and convoluted given the absence of a back speaker.
Bluetooth connection and audio quality
In terms of overall audio quality, it is extremely excellent. The sound is loud and crisp whether listening to music, gaming, or watching a movie. The sound of an enemy’s footfall can be used to identify instruments or determine his location. The mids and highs are nicely recovered, and the bass is robust, almost too loud with the default setting, as is typical of “gaming” equipment. You’re done with a simple setup trick. We utilized the “Music” setting for all of our situations, decreasing the bass somewhat, and the representation was excellent.
The Razer Leviathan V2 Pro and its subwoofer are strong, so you’ll need a well-soundproofed area, a tolerant family, or no neighbors if you want to make the most of them. Also, when utilized at near-zero level, the subwoofer creates a faint, annoying hum.
Lastly, the Leviathan V2 Pro is Bluetooth-compatible, allowing you to connect it to a smartphone, tablet, or laptop. Razer also provides an app for configuring it without the need for a Computer. As a result, the source, audio mode, equalization, and RGB may all be adjusted remotely. It is also possible to equalize the sound in order to minimize large changes in loudness. As previously said, a key allows you to effortlessly move from the Computer to the Bluetooth source.
