Videogames peripheral maker Razer has revived an old and seemingly retired line of speakers with the announcement of the Mako and Mako X speakers. Unlike other new additions to an existing product line, though, the company has opted to not tack on the usual V2 suffix to the name. Probably for good reason, as it’s been nearly two decades since the original Mako was first introduced. And while these new ones maintain the relatively distinctive round-ish form factor of the line, the ways in which they work are as different as can be.
The original Mako was unique in that even the speakers were downward-firing. These new entries, on the other hand, are much more conventional, in that they are front-firing with a slight tilt upwards. The speakers pack what the company claims to be custom-tuned 2.75-inch full-range drivers that deliver up to 30W RMS and 45W peak output, with a frequency response floor of 60Hz. The base model, with the 3.5-inch subwoofer, outputs 40W RMS and 60W peak instead, with a frequency floor of 45Hz.
Another difference between the new Razer Mako and its X model is where the Chroma RGB lighting is. The base model projects its RGB lighting backwards so that it bounces off the walls, while the X model has it as an underglow instead. Either way, both support virtual 7.1 surround sound.
Connectivity options include Bluetooth 5.3 and USB-C as well as the good old 3.5mm audio jack, but power is where things get a bit weird. Neither model comes with a conventional power adapter, so that USB-C connectivity to a PC becomes mandatory. Alternatively, you can also plug the speakers into a dedicated charger, such as those for phones, rated at 45W or higher.
Neither the Razer Mako nor Mako X are available just yet. But between the two, the X variant will be available earlier, starting 6 October, and for a price of RM449. The base model will be available in December instead, and thus has not shared the price for that one yet.
