The headline news from the unveiling of the Leviathan V2 Pro soundbar at CES 2023 was undoubtedly its “beamforming” surround sound capability. There is an IR camera built into the soundbar, which tracks the shape of your head and therefore the position of your ears. This is how it is able to build the 3D soundstage around the user. The technology is aimed primarily at gamers for now, but it could also be a solution for many users looking for a reasonably-priced soundbar with 3D capabilities.
That said, don’t expect this soundbar to work well if you are watching or listening to music with a friend: it can only track one user at a time. Any images captured by the device are instantly discarded, so there are no privacy issues.
Presumably based upon feedback towards the Leviathan V2, Razer has implemented a number of design changes to the pro model. The control panel now has five buttons, plus a very large and distinct power button. The buttons allow you to quickly switch between audio profiles without having to use the built-in app. There are also separate controls for Bluetooth and Chroma lighting effects. This is showy and cool from a gamer’s perspective, but not an audiophile’s priority.
The Leviathan V2 Pro uses THX Spatial Audio and comes with a license to use the application. This means you’ll have access to different sound profiles and a 10-band EQ to customize the sound. The audio source is not limited to a computer either, you can also use Bluetooth to connect more devices with extremely low latency.
The THX Spatial Audio can’t really compete with a true Dolby Atmos multi-speaker environment, but it does provide a more engaging immersive experience than most binaural processes utilized by soundbars and headphones today.
The sound itself is provided by five full-range 2” drivers and a down-firing subwoofer. A compact device like the Leviathan V2 Pro is not going to provide audiophile-grade sound, but it does give an elegant solution in a limited space.
For gamers, this product is very clever and enhances the experience without being overly expensive. You get a built-in subwoofer, 3D audio, and lots of control over the sound. For solo users, the V2 Pro can also be used for music and movies, However, more than one person watching renders the 3D effect completely useless.
All-in-all, for $400, the Leviathan V2 Pro is a logical next step for gamers who want a 3D soundstage. It does a brilliant job of providing an immersive experience in a tiny package.
