Step aside, my collection of gaming headsets, there’s something new and even more immersive in town.
I was recently lucky enough to review the OXS Thunder Pro+ ‘gaming sound system’, an innovative piece of technology that fuses a phenomenal soundbar with the ‘world’s first wireless satellite neck speaker’ to promote the most immersive sound experience you can get in gaming.
Read on to check out my full OXS Thunder Pro+ review and find out if it’s worth the hefty investment.
Next-Generation Sound
I’ve always been a headset-focused kind of gamer, but in the last few weeks, I’ve been toying with the OXS Thunder Pro+, a multi-functional, multi-dimensional gaming sound system that works on so many levels. Presently, the soundbar is sitting under my main monitor, a placement that’s facilitated by the device’s relatively unassuming profile.
It might boast some of the most powerful sound output I’ve ever heard, but it’s just 24 inches wide and 3 inches high, which means it’ll fit nicely into almost any gaming space. It’s an attractive unit, too. It looks like something from the future, and it features customisable RGB lighting that is a must-have for many gamers out there.
In terms of the on-board audio, the OXS Thunder Pro+ soundbar has 7.1.2 Dolby Atmos built-in, with multi-directional speakers taking full advantage of eight precision-tuned drivers to ‘create a lifelike 3D soundscape’, as the manufacturer says. It does feel like that when you’ve got the thing switched on and pumping out anything from music to the cacophony of a game of Call of Duty.
Another huge win is the accessibility of the device. It can be connected to almost anything through a range of methods, including Bluetooth, optical, HDMI, and USB. There’s a handy control unit that handles power and volume, and there’s also a remote in the box.
It’s a one-touch operation that never ceases to amaze me, and the connectivity and responsiveness of the device are off the charts.
Here are some numbers to consider:
- 96dB output
- Bluetooth 5.0
- Peak power output – 160W
- DSP onboard
- HDMI eARC for better console connectivity
- 50% smaller than competing soundbars, and weighs barely 6.5 KG
Fully Tested
I put the OXS Thunder Pro+ through its paces, connecting it to a PlayStation 5, mobile devices, and of course, my PC. I found that my favourite ‘preset’ was RAC, which is designed for racing games but works so well across a variety of genres. From deep, booming bass to a depth of audio and clarity the likes of which I’ve never heard in a sound system, the OXS Thunder Pro+ constantly impressed me.
The 40W bass woofers and neodymium drivers are put to work regardless of what you’re playing, watching, or listening to.
Also, there’s a PC app in case you want to go a step further and fully customise the lighting and equalisation, too. I’m not a sound nerd so I haven’t played with this, but the app is intuitive and easy to use.
If I have one complaint, it’s that the ‘satellite neck speaker’ doesn’t seem to be at all worth the investment. If you only want to buy the soundbar, it’ll set you back $599.99, but adding the neck speaker bumps that up to $699.99.
As a neck cushion, it’s close to flawless. It has a unique silicone covering that feels wonderful to the touch and has a nice cooling effect, and it’s ergonomic and comfortable in all gaming conditions, but the onboard speakers just aren’t it. It’s supposed to promote ‘3D surround sound’, but you can barely hear the speakers and they’re very tinny and underpowered.
If I’m being brutally honest, I’d say that the OXS Thunder Pro soundbar is well worth the investment, but lumping on the extra $100 for the neck speaker probably isn’t a shrewd purchase. Unless you want a very comfortable and durable neck cushion, then you’re fine.
What really should be possible is controlling the volume of the neck speakers separately from that of the soundbar. Even with the soundbar blaring, the neck speakers are almost inaudible.
Switching Off
So, let’s sum up this OXS Thunder Pro+ review:
- The sound quality of the bar is nothing short of flawless, and even when it’s booming, the speakers can handle the throughput without crackling or vibrating too much.
- It looks phenomenal and futuristic, and with the RGB included, it’s so nicely at home in a gaming setup.
- The levels of accessibility and compatibility are unparalleled and the OXS Thunder Pro+ will become the beating, thumping heart of your audio ecosystem.
- It doesn’t necessarily provide the surround-sound audio of a headset, so it’s not ideal for competitive shooters, but for everything from casual multiplayer to single-player epics, it’s perfect.
- The neck speaker unit is a waste of time unless you want a $100 cushion that can play some tinny audio behind your ears.
My verdict? Buy.
If you’ve got $600 to burn and want a top-notch gaming soundbar that’ll blow your hair back with both audio quality and onboard features, the OXS Thunder Pro won’t let you down.
For more Insider Gaming tech reviews, check out our coverage of the Astro A50 Gen 5 wireless headset
