I’m a sim racer and amateur racer with a passion for Motorsport, good racecraft and the technical and setup aspect of sim racing.
Featured Image: my Logitech Z407 gaming speakers
With so many parts and components (read: money) that go into building your first simulator setup, it’s often easy to overlook the sound aspect.
One item that’s often forgotten by sim racers is the speakers. However, just like any other constituent that adds to the realism factor of sim racing, a good set of speakers can increase your immersion level in simulation games and, therefore, your performance when playing.
First thing’s first – what gaming speakers do I use?
I’ve got two setups – one is on the racing simulator. It’s a Logitech Z407 system (a simple subwoofer and two tidy looking speakers)
The main reason I bought these Z407’s are that they’re Bluetooth, so you’ve got one less cable to worry about. But, the volume control (which I mount on my keyboard tray) is also wireless – which is just such a nice touch.
Soundwise, we’re talking mid range gear here. They’re not going to blow you away but they won’t disappoint you either – they’re good and loud and the highly configurable. I compensate a little with my Buttkicker:
The Z407 with a Buttkicker (and, if you’re lucky, some pedal rumble motors) , is genuinely all you need for an “immersive” audio experience in teh simulator. It goes loud, it feels powerful – it’s enough.
Naturally I’ve listed a bunch of alternatives below (all of which I rather like – some get a little pricey, so do be warned).
My Gaming Setup
I also have a desktop gaming setup for Minecraft, Fall Guys (my 7 year old loves it). As it happens, I had an old (but great) Tannoy HTS sub unit from an old AV system. This particular sub is extremely powerful, but needed a mono (RCA) input to run. Without a standalone amplifier that is was not ideal.
Then I found these:
They look nice enough, with rather tiny 4″ rivers and a tweeter, you don’ expect much. But – check out the back:
Right at the botton you’ll see a phono (RCA) out – that my friends is a Mono subwoofer output. And, here’s that old Tannoy sub unit I mentioned:
With the little speakers combined (great mid and high range) and the sub unit (monster levels of bass performance) my gaming speaker setup is exceptional. If you’re thinking of setting up the same kind of thing, you need an active subwoofer with a mono input RCA port. All in, you can build this setup for about £200. And it sounds like £1000’s worth of gaming speaker setup.
Gaming Speakers for Sim Racers
In the rest of my article, let’s take a look at some alternative gaming speaker options. For each of the products I’ve listed, I’ve looked at quality, durability, price, and highlighted a few bonus features.
I’ve gone to the effort of putting the products in order of price (you’re welcome :-), so if you’re looking for the crème de la crème in terms of sound, you can scroll straight to the bottom (or just copy my gaming setup which rocks).
Otherwise, check out each of my recommendations to see which one will fit your needs best.
Creative Pebble Plus 2.0
If you’re out for a (very) budget-friendly set of speakers that won’t overwhelm you with features and choices, the Creative Pebble Plus 2.0 speakers stand apart from the competition with their big sound.
Despite their compact size, with a total power output of 8 watts, these speakers can pump out crisper audio than some of their competitors using two or three times the amount of power.
I’d also highly recommend these speakers for their space-saving qualities as they’re small enough to fit on almost any desk surface and they’re easily the most portable system on my list.
Redragon GS500 Stentor
My second recommendation is the compact Redragon GS500 Stentor speaker system featuring a 2.0 channel stereo and a red backlight. These speakers come with an advanced sound drive that will boost sound quality without causing distortion.
Redragon makes its GS500 in a compact size to fit in tight desktop spaces and delivers plug-and-play features by providing one USB port, a 3.5-millimetre jack, and mic cables so that you can connect to online races with ease.
Logitech Z313 2.1
Next up is the Logitech Z313 2.1, one of Logitech’s entry-level models.
Though they are slightly smaller in features than the Z906 5.1 I’ve covered below, they’re still a fantastic choice for any sim racer and come bundled with a dedicated subwoofer to effectively handle low-end noises and prevent distortion for a pristine sound experience. As an importan tnote – I replaced this very set with the Z407 setup I mentioned at the top of the article. Thee though, are great and should be pretty cheap by now on eBay if you take a look.
Cyber Acoustics CA-3810 2.1
This 2.1 sound solution from Cyber Acoustics will undoubtedly meet the demands of any sim racing game. The speakers feature 2-inch satellite speakers and a 5.25-inch subwoofer and deliver phenomenal sound quality for a fraction of the price you’d pay for other brands that use the same level of tech as these speakers.
You can even plug in multiple devices and control volume or bass levels with the handy control pod. For this setup to work to its optimal performance, you should place the subwoofer on your desk, or at least raise from the floor level to get the best sound.
Creative T100 2.0
My second choice from Creative, the T100 2.0 might not be much to look at, but don’t let that deceive you. Their restrained and straightforward design keeps their physical presence and footprint to a minimum, and they let the quality of their sound do all the talking.
The two speakers have simple but effective on-board controls, and the handy remote comes with enough presets and options for you to find the right settings for your preferences. The Creative T100 will connect via Bluetooth, optical cable, and regular audio jack, so while their plain looks may not impress, their connectivity and performance more than compensate for that, let’s face it, are you really going to be looking at your speakers while you’re racing?
Bose Companion 2 Series III
When it comes to the most trusted names in audio, Bose has proven to be one of the strongest contenders for decades. The Bose Companion 2 Series III is a minimalist speaker system that is just what you need to elevate your sound experience.
They bring out earth-shattering bass and sound great even at high volumes. These speakers are also easy to connect with any console or PC and feature an easy-to-access aux port when it’s time to switch to headphones.
Razer Nommo Chroma 2.0
For those of you who are looking for something a bit more eye-catching, the Razer Nommo Chroma 2.0 come with RGB lighting effects, a modern yet retro design, and of course great sound.
These speakers are another great choice if your biggest concern is physical space. While they may be small, the sound is still mighty, and they come with integrated mounting stands so you can place them alongside your monitor or hook them up to your rig in the most compact gaming setups.
Razer Leviathan Dolby 5.1
The Razer Leviathan Dolby 5.1 comes with a powerful surround sound bar and a bundled subwoofer that’s hard to beat at this price. If you’re a console or PC gamer who likes bass-heavy sounds, and you would like the option of wireless connectivity, this will be an excellent choice for you.
At just 20 inches long, the Leviathan is much smaller than your average sound bar, making it great for use on desks and in front of monitors. There’s the option to connect with a standard 3.5-millimetre audio jack, plus there’s a Bluetooth component, making it more versatile and means one less cable to deal with.
AudioEngine HD3 Wireless Speakers 2.0
While there are other more affordable wireless options on my list, none of them can boast the lightning speed of wireless sound delivery offered by the AudioEngine HD3 speakers.
With only 30 milliseconds of latency when using the wireless connection, the delay of sound transfer is practically negligible, which makes these an ideal choice for sim racers when split seconds can make all the difference to your results and performance.
When you combine this ultra-quick sound transfer with top-notch sound quality, plus a timeless design that will look the part for years to come, investing in these speakers is a wise choice in my opinion.
Logitech Z906 5.1
If you’re looking for the best immersion, then Logitech’s Z906 5.1 surround audio system is a monster of a setup with powerful yet crystal clear sound that’ll give you the impression you’re genuinely involved in the game.
As well as being a delight for all you audiophiles out there, the system also features multitudes of inputs letting you connect up to six different devices at the same time.
Its attractive and intuitive control box, and remote, give you the power to choose what’s playing and control settings quickly, and this speaker system has even been THX certified, so you know it’s the real deal.
Razer Leviathan V2
The Leviathan V2 X is a powerful PC soundbar designed to deliver an immersive audio experience. Equipped with two full-range drivers and two passive radiators, it provides powerful and rich audio across all your entertainment. The compact desktop form factor of this soundbar allows it to fit perfectly beneath your monitors or even under the pedal board of your sim rig:
The Leviathan V2 is powered by a single USB Type-C cable, which delivers dynamic audio with a volume output of up to 90Db. The Bluetooth 5.0 capability allows for smooth and stutter-free sound with a low-latency connection, making it easy to switch seamlessly between your PC and your mobile device if you use your sim racing PC setup for work too.
Additionally, you get Razer Chroma RGB with 14 lighting zones, making for countless programmable patterns and dynamic in-game lighting effects. The Razer Audio App and Razer Synapse provide even more control, allowing you to customize RGB lighting and toggle between audio devices to suit your needs.
Optional Extras: Buttkickers
Just before you run off and buy a new set of speakers, it’s worth mentioning that many sim racers also choose to include something called a tactile transducer to their rig. Also known as a ‘bass shaker,’ this is a device that is made on the principle that low bass frequencies can be felt as well as heard.
They can be compared with an ordinary loudspeaker, just that the diaphragm is missing. Instead, another object is used as a diaphragm. It’s a coil, wrapped around a tube that is mounted to the internal casing. This limits the frequency range that the “bass shaker” is capable of; roughly 10 – 80 Hz.
One benefit of tactile transducers is they produce little or no noise if properly installed Tightly mounted, usually with the brackets provided), as compared with a subwoofer speaker enclosure.
They’ll need a separate audio amplifier to run – so something like 4x Dayton or Aurasound bass shakers (diagram above) should provide quite an experience! Try the links on this Amazon page for a speaker wire, an amplifier, and a sound card recommendation.
AuraSound AST-2B-4 Pro
If you would like to add a bass shaker to your rig, the AuraSound AST-2B-4 Pro will give the added feelings and vibrations to your rig that will help to add an extra layer of realism.
Depending on your rig setup, you can bolt the bass shaker directly under your seat, or you can connect it with a dedicated bass shaker plate that is guaranteed to hold it in place and reduce any rattle. Bass shaker plates can usually be picked up for around $40-$60, although some higher-end parts made from premium metals may cost over $100.