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Introduction

For all the things Razer are known for, one thing that’s always present in their products is style. While they’ve had some big hits, and some unfortunate misses over the past couple of years, it’s always there. Unsurprisingly then, their latest release, developed with THX, is not devoid of flare either. The Razer Mako is it’s name, and though it might be an impressive looking setup, how does it sound? Well, I’m about to find out.

About Razer

“Razer is the world’s leading brand in high-end computer gaming peripherals. We reinvented the computer gaming industry by bringing the competitive edge to gamers when professional computer gaming was in its infancy. In the mid 90s, with the advent of networked gaming and competitive first-person-shooter (FPS) games, gamers found that their legacy peripherals were inhibiting rather than enhancing their game play.

In the late 90s, after years of research and development, the Razer Boomslang™ gaming mouse, the stuff of gaming legends, was launched. Featuring an unprecedented precision of up to 2000 dpi when other mice maxed out at 400 dpi, the Razer Boomslang™ offered up to five times the accuracy of other gaming mice of its time. The Razer Boomslang’s™ precision technology was powered by proprietary opto-mechanical technology developed by the Razer engineering team and its sleek design and profile sculpted by ergonomics experts of its day.”

NB. Taken from the Razer website.

Specifications and Features

OmniDirectional Expanded Soundstage with THX Technologies
The innovative downward-firing design of the THX Ground Plane™ and THX Slot Speaker™ technologies eliminates distortion caused by the ‘desk-bounce’ phenomenon encountered with normal speaker systems, to create a rich, omnidirectional soundstage. Do check out the techical comparison chart here.

ClassHD™ Digital Amplifier Technology
The high-end ClassHD™ digital amplifier technologies intelligently manages the amplifier power to achieve greater power efficiency, lower distortion levels, and markedly better sound quality.

Exceptional Audio Quality with Bi-Amplified Satellites
The bi-amplified 50W satellites with DSP control deliver exceptional audio quality comparable to recording studio standards.

• THX-certified quality and performance
• ClassHD™ digital amplifier technology with digital DSP control
• Higher efficiency curves, improved SNR and EMI, and lowered distortion levels
• Patented THX® Ground Plane and THX Slot Speaker™ technologies
• Downward-firing design with optimized acoustic enclosure
• All-in-one remote control pod with touch-sensitive LED dial
• 3.5mm auxiliary input minijack
• 3.5mm headphone minijack
• RCA audio input
• Frequency Range:25-20,000Hz (+/-2.5dB 40-18,000Hz)
• Total system power: 300W RMS

Technology

The Mako 2.1 speaker set from Razer has some rather unique technology under it’s domed hood that is worth mentioning before taking a look at the product itself. One of these features is the design of the satellite “2” part of the 2.1. These “speakers” in fact have two cones within their shell; a mid driver and a tweeter. Both of these face downwards – IE. towards the surface they are sat on – and this is designed to work with the desktop surface itself to create an omnidirectional sound. This is different from the standard forward facing speaker setups, as it means that technically, you should be able to walk around the bins and the sound range, quality and volume shouldn’t change much at all.

The other technology used in the Mako system is the ClassHD amplifier. This differs from a standard amplifier by providing a varied power input through the “tracking power supply”. This means that the amp. provides the power needed and nothing more. Standard amplifiers give a constant voltage rating which leads to wasted power causing audio distortion.

For a full run down of these technologies, check out the Razer website here.