NZXTis mostly known for sellingPC components, pre-built gaming rigs, monitors, and other peripherals. You likely know them from theirsleek, stylish cases, or their handy customisable computer orders. But they’re breaking into new territory this year with audio equipment, and the results are pretty solid.
I was sent the Boom Arm Mini, compatible Cardioid Mini microphone, and Relay Headset, all of which arrived in minimalist blue and white packaging. Given how intuitive and approachable NZXT has made getting into PC gaming, it’s only fitting that its audio equipment would follow suit.
The Boom Arm Mini
The boom arm is ready to go out of the box without any hassle. You simply attach it to your work surface, twist the microphone to the end, and turn each hinge until it locks into place just the way you want. It’s incredibly easy to adjust, hides the cable well, and is the perfect size for a medium-range desk.
Due to a lack of springs, it doesn’t squeak, keeping it practically silent even when knocked.
It feels a little flimsy, and it’s a hassle to get the microphone to face the right way. But it’s a solid, affordable alternative that NZXT claims is compatible with “the majority of microphones”.
Cardioid Mini Microphone
The microphone itself likewise feels a bit cheap, but as a $70 alternative to pricier kit like the $95HyperX QuadCast, that’s to be expected. The sound, thankfully, is much more impressive than the physical feel.
Audio is crisp and clear, coming through in superb high quality even without a proper studio setup — I record from an open sitting room, and the built-in pop filter did an adequate job at keeping my voice sharp. I was a little apprehensive after putting together my new setup given how light and hollow it all felt, but hearing my voice played back completely changed my tune.
Even sitting a bit further away from the mic, my vocals were loud and clear, which you’re able to hear for yourself in this video I recorded using the Cardioid Mini.
NZXT also has its own software called CAM which allows you to more easily adjust the microphone’s volume. It’s hard to tell where the volume maxes out on the physical dial given that it just turns and turns and turns without stopping, and Windows 11 has made it a headache to navigate sound settings, so this is another welcome feature.
But the settings don’t go much further than that. The most you can do is adjust how loud you are and how loud the volume is when listening back. Downloading an entire third-party app just for those two basic settings is a little underwhelming, even if the standard Windows 11 controls are obnoxiously obtuse these days.
Overall, however, it’s a solid mic for the price, perfectly viable for professional recording, never mind gaming.
The Relay Headset
The headset is the most disappointing of the three items. It feels closer to a cheaper, budget gaming pair than other $99.99 models, with tinny audio, uncomfortable padding, and a lacklustre panel with a ramshackle mute switch and volume dial.
It’s sturdier than the mic and boom stand at least, with more solid material, but as someone with big ears, cramming mine into the tougher padding made them ache. The saving grace is the microphone, which is clear, crisp, and high quality, expectedly not up to standard with the dedicated Cardioid Mini, but brilliant for gaming sessions nonetheless.
You can pick up much more comfortable headsets with better audio for the same price, so it’s hard to recommend the Relay, but NZXT is at leastbreaking into recording with far more success.
As far as first steps go, NZXT’s microphone equipment is a strong start. The quality is sound, the kit takes no time at all to set up, and I’ve already found the mic to be compatible with third-party attachments like mufflers and metal meshes to take the sound just that little bit further. It’s an impressive, if surprising, foray for a company best known for gaming rigs, but it’s exciting to see new, quality budget alternatives break into the market.
NZXT Capsule Mini
Make epic callouts with best in class sound and plug and play simplicity to make streaming seamless in a compact form factor.- Compact, high-resolution USB microphone designed for gaming, streaming, and content creation.- Studio-quality 24-bit depth and 48kHz sampling rate capture your voice with optimal clarity.- Compact form factor frees up valuable space on a desk or end of a boom arm.- The cardioid polar pattern with a built-in pop filter blocks unwanted background and popping noises.- Use directly out of the box or configure settings like volume mixing and mic monitoring with NZXT CAM software.- Tiltable stand accommodates different angles. Built-in thread and adapt
NZXT Boom Arm Mini
The Boom Arm Mini fits into any setup seamlessly. Smooth moving arms make adjusting simple while hidden cable management neatly organizes USB or XLR cables. Play games uninterrupted with hidden springs providing quiet operation.- Compact, studio-quality boom arm with concealed cable management.- Free up room in your setup with a foldable design and unique horizontal orientation.- Enclosed aluminum construction hides springs and eliminates movement noise.- Strong enough to hold a majority of microphones. Comes with a built-in 3/8” thread and a 5/8” thread adapter.
NZXT Relay Headset
The Relay Headset offers heightened audio detail, an expanded frequency range, and a neutral sound profile—all in a comfy, lightweight frame.- Hi-Res Audio delivers higher frequencies and enhanced detail- Sonically accurate drivers provide a neutral sound profile- Lightweight, adjustable frame evenly distributes weight- DTS Headphone:X delivers precise 3D spatial audio- Memory foam cushions with leatherette covers- Detachable, unidirectional mic with built-in pop filter- Customize sound settings in NZXT CAM software
