The Panasonic GN01 SoundSlayer is a gaming speaker with an unconventional design, wrapping round your shoulders as an alternative of your head or TV stand. Providing underwhelming audio and only a few real-life use instances, we’re reluctant to suggest this over any equally priced gaming headset.
Professionals
- Gained’t press into your head like a headset
- Respectable audio high quality
Cons
- Can’t compete with audio high quality of gaming headsets
- Everybody can hear what you’re listening to
- Lengthy hair will change into caught
- Costly
Availability
- UKRRP: £159.99
- USARRP: $197.98
Key Options
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Trade-first designThis is the business’s first neck-type, four-channel speaker
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Comes with USB-A and three.5mm audio jack supportYou can use the Panasonic GN01 SoundSlayer on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Sequence X and S and Nintendo Swap
Introduction
The Panasonic GN01 SoundSlayer is an attention-grabbing system. Technically, it isn’t a headset, because it’s designed to relaxation in your shoulders as an alternative of your head. It’s marketed as a wearable gaming speaker system – and it’s the primary of its variety, in keeping with Panasonic.
With a reputation corresponding to SoundSlayer, you’d count on this speaker system to be laden with options, however when you get previous the weird design, you’ll discover that there isn’t a lot to say right here.
I’ve spent about three weeks listening to music, watching TV and taking part in video games with the Panasonic GN01 SoundSlayer, so listed here are my ideas.
Design
- Designed to put on round your neck
- Gained’t press into your head like a headset
- Can hook up with gadgets
The SoundSlayer’s design is unquestionably attention-grabbing, because it sits round your neck (very paying homage to these neck pillows on lengthy flights) whereas pumping out music and in-game sound results.
But personally, I stay considerably confused over Panasonic’s pondering, as a result of I can’t consider many eventualities during which such a design would show useful over a gaming headset or soundbar.
Nonetheless, ignoring the truth that it does transfer round somewhat as you recreation, the SoundSlayer is snug to put on for lengthy durations of time, which is one thing that may be a problem with headsets. I’d say that the the SoundSlayer could possibly be a terrific answer for anybody who struggles with sensory points – feeling like they will’t put on something on or over their head for lengthy durations of time.
And as somebody with minor listening to points, I did take pleasure in with the ability to hear the audio clearly with out it taking pictures straight into my ears, so could possibly be a strong alternative for those who’re involved about damaging your eardrums with all of the bass that larger headsets can emit.
However the SoundSlayer isn’t a perfect alternative for anybody with lengthy hair; my shoulder-length hair often turned caught, impeding the audio. Now, my hair is a bit shorter and the expertise is improved, so I’d both make sure you’re rocking a brief lower, or maintain lengthy hair tied again in a ponytail.
There are a couple of buttons on both sides of the SoundSlayer which are simple to make use of and entry. On the left, you’ll discover the mute mic and sound button, in addition to the three.5mm audio jack port. On the fitting sit quantity buttons and the mute button.
By way of connectivity, the SoundSlayer has an undetachable USB-A cable, whereas you may also connect it to the likes of your recreation controller with the an AUX cable. This implies you should utilize the SoundSlayer with virtually any recreation console, handheld system or PC, though there’s sadly no choice for wi-fi connectivity.
Options
- Three gaming sound modes onboard
- Voice mode makes it simpler to listen to buddies
- No high-end options corresponding to Dolby Atmos
The Panasonic GN01 SoundSlayer has three completely different audio gaming modes: FPS, RPG and Voice, with the latter helpful for chatting with buddies.
I used all three modes whereas reviewing the SoundSlayer, and I’m remiss to say that they didn’t sound all too completely different. I performed Name of Responsibility: Vanguard utilizing the FPS mode, however I didn’t really feel it actually elevated the sport. The audio was barely extra centered on gunfire and explosions in comparison with the Voice and RPG modes, however the expertise was just about the identical.
The expertise in RPG mode wasn’t a lot completely different, both. I performed Animal Crossing: New Horizons, in addition to Deathloop on PS5, and each sounded good; nevertheless it didn’t really feel like tailor-made audio.
Voice mode made the largest impression out of the trio, because it higher distinguished my voice from the video games audio when it was on, making it simpler to talk with buddies.
There are a few different modes: Music, Cinema and Stereo. Nonetheless, simply as was the case with the gaming modes, it’s a battle to find out the distinction – to the purpose the place I finished biking by every time I watched TV or listened to a brand new album, as I felt that my expertise was precisely the identical.
Sound and Microphone High quality
- Bass high quality sounds somewhat flat
- 3D sound is poor in comparison with most headsets
- Built-in microphone performs fairly effectively
The Panasonic GN01 SoundSlayer presents respectable audio high quality, however I can’t assist however assume you’ll get higher high quality by spending the identical sum of money on a gaming headset.
The bottom sound is ok, albeit somewhat flat. Attempting to find my enemies by sound proved virtually fruitless when taking part in Name of Responsibility: Vanguard and Deathloop by the SoundSlayer. That is particularly irritating when headsets such because the Razer Kraken V3 HyperSense are glorious on this regard, whereas nonetheless being cheaper.
Panasonic has performed up the SoundSlayer’s 4-channel encompass speaker in advertising and marketing, nevertheless it sadly doesn’t provide the identical immersive sound expertise you’ll discover with equally priced headsets.
General, it was even, with nobody speaker overpowering the remaining. You’ll have to ensure that your head is going through straight-on, although, as at any time when I leant to the aspect or stretched my neck backwards, I’d get an earful of 1 speaker.
By way of music, the SoundSlayer doesn’t provide punchy bass, not any separation of vocals, nevertheless it delivers a fairly pure and gratifying expertise. The identical will be stated for watching TV – it didn’t add something particular, however neither did it sound terrible.
The SoundSlayer’s microphone works pretty effectively once you’re wanting straight forward, but when I moved my head and spoke whereas trying to the aspect, the microphone both lower out or my voice turned too tinny to be recognisable. The echo-cancelling microphones also needs to stop that horrible noise from occurring when two gadgets are positioned too carefully throughout a name.
This will sound apparent, nevertheless it’s additionally price remembering that the SoundSlayer doesn’t provide a non-public listening expertise. You may hear the audio from my video games and music as much as 20ft away, which is one thing to remember for those who don’t wish to disturb others. Clearly, this guidelines out the SoundSlayer once you’re in public – which is somewhat annoying for those who’re trying to recreation on the commute.
Newest offers
Must you purchase it?
In case you can’t put on a normal headset:
The SoundSlayer permits you to have audio up-close with out it going straight into your ears, which may be extra snug for some individuals.
You need high quality audio with out breaking the financial institution:
There are a number of headsets and audio system that provide immensely higher audio and options for lower than the SoundSlayer.
Last Ideas
The Panasonic GN01 SoundSlayer wearable gaming speaker has some potential, because it could possibly be a terrific answer for individuals who undergo consolation points with customary headsets. Nonetheless, at this worth and the standard of audio on provide, I’d suggest investing in a gaming headset, or perhaps a speaker, forward of the SoundSlayer.
Trusted Rating
How we take a look at
We use each system we take a look at for not less than per week. Throughout that point, we’ll examine it for ease of use and put it by its paces by utilizing it in a wide range of video games, in addition to taking part in music to be able to get the complete expertise.
We additionally examine every headset’s software program (if relevant) to see how simple it’s to customize and arrange.
Used as fundamental gaming headset for not less than per week.
Use with a number of video games to check audio.
Additionally take a look at the audio with music playback.
