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The Razer Mako 2.1 bi-amplified multimedia speaker system is co-developed by the audio scientists of gaming audio leader Razer and audio industry pioneer THX. It is the first desktop speaker system to incorporate the THX Ground Plane and THX Slot Speaker technologies, as well as ClassHD Digital Amplifier Technology, which enable rich, omnidirectional audio effects that will redefine the desktop sound experience.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.The high-end ClassHD digital amplifier technology intelligently manages the amplifier power to achieve greater power efficiency, lower distortion levels, and markedly better sound quality.The bi-amplified 50W satellites with DSP control deliver exceptional audio quality comparable to recording studio standards.
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Technical Details
- Omni-Directional Expanded Soundstage with THX Technologies- ClassHD Digital Amplifier Technology
- Exceptional Audio Quality with Bi-Amplified Satellites
- Higher efficiency curves, improved SNR and EMI, and lowered distortion levels
- Downward-firing design with optimized acoustic enclosure
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By Midwest Guy (Chicago, IL United States)
My review is broken into three parts. Quick Take, A Bit More, and a Detailed Rant. I just want those who are considering this computer speaker system to get the level of detail that meets their needs.
Quick Take
This computer speaker system is very good. One of the best, if not the best, in its price range. It is very comparable to the Bose Companion 5 yet much less expensive. The control pad works very well. The Razer Mako is a very stylish system. I highly recommend this system. I've owned it a week and always update my reviews when products break so look at the date of my review and if I've not added any new information, then it is still working fine.
A Bit More
I mentioned the control pad works well, but it takes a day or two of use to get used to how to use it. I find it best to put my finger where I want to have the sound level and the bars will move to my finger. The bars start out blue but once the dial gets to, say, about 10 o'clock the bars turn red up to about 12 o'clock. Say the bars are at 9 o'clock and you want to turn the volume down to 7 o'clock. I just put my finger at 7 o'clock and the blue bars quickly move down to that point on the dial. This actually works really well and once you get it down, the dial is fantastic. There are more features than other comparable systems. Control pad also controls bass output, other systems have bass output controlled on the sub-woofer, which means getting down on the floor. The Mako system has two inputs that are user selectable from the control pad. This means you can set up the system to work off your computer and a second sound source. One input is a standard computer 3.5mm jack, the other input is RCA jacks which are standard jacks for many audio systems. Switching between the two inputs is done from the control pad. The control pad has an input as well so you can easily plug an MP3 player into the input there and the system will automatically to that input. You need a male-to-male cable though which is something you'll need to buy. The control pad has a headphone jack as well. This is similar to a few of the better computers speaker, including the Bose Companion 5.
Detailed Rant
I must get on a soapbox for a minute. This is one of the best COMPUTER speaker systems I've heard. However reviewers here and speaker manufacturers, including Razer, throw out terms like audiophile quality or high-end speakers for computer speakers. For those who own true audiophile quality equipment, you'll know little speakers on desk tops aren't going to compete with real audiophile equipment. Added to that fact, is the fact that an audiophile system is running a CD player and some sort of integrated amp or amp-preamp combo that will be close to $1,000 and often a fair amount more. Your computer, on the other hand, will have a CD-RW worth about $100 and an audio card that is probably $10-50. If that is not enough, people who know better realize that even CD technology which was invented in 1982 and uses a 16 bit rate does not do the best job of playing back music. That is why vinyl records are still going strong. But lets make it worse; iTunes or other MP3 music, has a lot of data removed so that a song can fit on a little iPod like device and be downloaded over the Internet without taking a lot of time. So what we are all doing is listening most of the time to a badly watered down MP3 version of a song, playing through a dirt cheap sound card, and coming out of little desktop speakers. Computer systems are not really set up to deliver high quality audio, period. Why people try to make that comparison is beyond me but it is like trying to convince someone that a $18,000 Honda Civic is every bit as great as a BMW 5 Series. Just about everyone would laugh at a comparison like that, so the comparisons of computer speakers with audiophile equipment are just as laughable. As an aside, I recommend still buying CD's and then recording them into your iTunes so you get the benefit of both worlds and having the higher quality CD for home and the ability to play music on a pocket sized device as well.
What the best computer speaker systems can to is sound fairly natural, with good definition, and sound smooth and clean from the lowest lows to the highest highs. They can also have a good dynamic range meaning that quiet sections of music are really quiet and loud sections are good and loud. The subwoofer should have good punch and be tight, but never boomy. The subwoofer should almost never bring attention to itself. That means the sound between the desktop speakers and that big one on the floor integrates well and sounds as one. If you get all these things out of a computer speaker system, you've gotten everything you should expect. Nothing more.
The Razer Mako is a great system for its intended use. But if there is a short coming, it is a slight lack of crispness in the high end where cymbals lack a little bit of zing. The Ground Plane technology does help give a surround sound feeling. Watching an episode of Glee, a scene on the football field had sounds placed well to the left and right of my seat making fans in the stands sound way over to the side. However, that large scale did not seem real for a small jazz ensemble. The spread of sound in this case seemed slightly out of place. At times, the sound seems ever so slightly processed. For music that is heavily synthesized the sound seems very good. However, on orchestral music, the sound seemed slightly unnatural. I am being overly critical. Even after saying these things, I can, with confidence, say this is about the best sounding computer system speaker I've heard and I've listened to a lot of them. Considering the great price, the Razer Mako sounds better than it has any right to sound. I have no regrets with my purchase.
One other item that was important to me was to have a speaker system that would not take up any more room on my desk. Most speaker need to be put to the left and to the right of the monitor so that the speakers are not covered. The Razer Mako speaker grills are along the bottom of the speaker. As you can see from the pictures, I've added. I've placed the speakers behind my iMac. Placed here, they are out of the way and sound great.
Razer is a company best know for their gaming accessories. With an image that appeals to teenagers, it is possible to see the Mako as something better suited to gaming or teenagers. In truth the Razer Mako should be considered by discerning adults too and can go up easily against the more button-up appeal of the Bose system. The initial list price of the Mako was about $400. I think the goal was to compete directly with the Bose Companion 5 and that comparison is a good one. But at its current price, the Mako is truly a great deal. If you enjoy good quality sound, the Mako delivers in spades.
By Michael Nenashev (Portland, OR USA)
The claim of 300 watt output may be a bit too enthusiastic but the quality and volume of sound is more than adequate for a desktop system. Easy to setup, contemporary looks and, an important consideration, completely cat-proof, for feline owners. Volume control works just fine. Completely satisfied with the product.
By Kalyan S. Tirumala (Syracuse,NY)
Hello everyone and I am techie. So one cannot say I do not know things. Way back when I was in India I used to have Just Ordinary Speakers. To make them more bass, I brought a pot made of mud placed the speakers inside it and drilled holes on the top of it. The sound Quality used to be amazing and if anyone is from India and reads my review they will surely Understand that. Anyways , for me the best part was Bass Isolation. Its just that Tweeters got to do their job and woofer got to do its job. The moment I turned on these speakers, i was really blown off by sheer sound Quality. I have seen speaker designs with vertical sweep which is just those normal speakers, caged in those boxes. But I don't know as how many of you have realized that to produce a 3-d sound effect we need 2 -axis .vertical and horizontal. The sheer design of these speakers would infarct deliver that. And best of all, i hear sound for 270 degrees given 90 for the setup of the output and stuff. I was very very very happy with the way the speakers delivered the sound. I seriously dont understand when people write that the control was funky. It could either be that they have not paid close attention to the manual or their could be faulty ones or they did not plug in properly. But for me personally, the control was awesome. Well I have no complaints. I simply like it since I tend to choose always the best based on design rather than price.
Even on carper this system produced excellent sound and I guess few of my friends are more inclined to buy this system now.
Qudos to Mako
By C. Adams (Philidelphia, PA USA)
I spent some time researching 2.1 systems with good bass output. I knew that Razor has a reputation for good quality which led me to this product. I am quite happy with this product. It its simple to set up and use.
By Leoncio A. Mendez (Chicago, IL)
I was looking for a good set of 2.1 speakers which would complement my thinkpad and truly give me great sound. I owned the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 and Creative 4.1 4100 before and decided to replace them with the Razer's Mako.
I am not disappointed at all. Though they are 2.1 speakers the technology that THX incorporated into them truly makes them well worth the price. It's not only loud at 300 Watts but increadibly clear. The idea of down firing satelites with their own amplifier was a stroke of genius. They sound crisp and I can guarantee that you may forget it's not a 5.1 speaker system level. Besides they look gorgeous on a desk.
However, I would also suggest a good pcmia soundcard (ex. Creative). With such a crisp, clear speaker system it does make a differece in bass.
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