The Panasonic GN01 SoundSlayer is a gaming speaker with an unconventional design, wrapping round your shoulders as a substitute of your head or TV stand. Offering underwhelming audio and only a few real-life use circumstances, we’re reluctant to suggest this over any equally priced gaming headset.
Pros
Won’t press into your head like a headsetDecent audio high quality
Cons
Can’t compete with audio high quality of gaming headsetsEveryone can hear what you’re listening toLong hair will develop into caught Expensive
Availability
UKRRP: £159.99
USARRP: $197.98
Industry-first designThis is the trade’s first neck-type, four-channel speaker
Comes with USB-A and 3.5mm audio jack helpYou can use the Panasonic GN01 SoundSlayer on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S and Nintendo Switch
Introduction
The Panasonic GN01 SoundSlayer is an fascinating system. Technically, it isn’t a headset, because it’s designed to relaxation in your shoulders as a substitute of your head. It’s marketed as a wearable gaming speaker system – and it’s the primary of its type, in line with Panasonic.
With a reputation akin to SoundSlayer, you’d anticipate 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 enjoying video games with the Panasonic GN01 SoundSlayer, so listed below are my ideas.
Design
Designed to put on round your neck Won’t press into your head like a headsetCan hook up with units The SoundSlayer’s design is certainly fascinating, because it sits round your neck (very harking back to these neck pillows on lengthy flights) whereas pumping out music and in-game sound results.
Yet personally, I stay considerably confused over Panasonic’s pondering, as a result of I can’t consider many situations through which such a design would show useful over a gaming headset or soundbar.
However, ignoring the truth that it does transfer round somewhat as you sport, the SoundSlayer is snug to put on for lengthy durations of time, which is one thing that may be a difficulty with headsets. I’d say that the the SoundSlayer might be an incredible answer for anybody who struggles with sensory points – feeling like they’ll’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 having the ability to hear the audio clearly with out it capturing instantly into my ears, so might be a stable alternative should you’re involved about damaging your eardrums with all of the bass that larger headsets can emit.
But the SoundSlayer isn’t an excellent alternative for anybody with lengthy hair; my shoulder-length hair incessantly 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 minimize, or hold lengthy hair tied again in a ponytail.
There are a number 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 3.5mm audio jack port. On the appropriate sit quantity buttons and the mute button.
In phrases of connectivity, the SoundSlayer has an undetachable USB-A cable, whereas you can even connect it to the likes of your sport controller with the an AUX cable. This means you should utilize thee SoundSlayer with virtually any sport console, handheld system or PC, though there’s sadly no possibility for wi-fi connectivity.
Features
Three gaming sound modes onboardVoice mode makes it simpler to listen to matesNo high-end options akin to Dolby AtmosThe Panasonic GN01 SoundSlayer has three completely different audio gaming modes: FPS, RPG and Voice, with the latter helpful for chatting with mates.
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 Call of Duty: Vanguard utilizing the FPS mode, however I didn’t really feel it actually elevated the sport. The audio was barely extra targeted 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 speak with mates.
There are a few different modes: Music, Cinema and Stereo. However, simply as was the case with the gaming modes, it’s a wrestle to find out the distinction – to the purpose the place I ended biking by way of 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 Quality
Bass high quality sounds somewhat flat3D sound is poor in comparison with most headsetsIntegrated microphone performs moderately effectivelyThe Panasonic GN01 SoundSlayer provides respectable audio high quality, however I can’t assist however suppose you’ll get higher high quality by spending the identical amount of cash on a gaming headset.
The base sound is ok, albeit somewhat flat. Trying to find my enemies by way of sound proved nearly fruitless when enjoying Call of Duty: Vanguard and Deathloop by way of the SoundSlayer. This is particularly irritating when headsets such because the Razer Kraken V3 HyperSense are wonderful on this regard, whereas nonetheless being cheaper.
Panasonic has performed up the SoundSlayer’s 4-channel encompass speaker in advertising, nevertheless it sadly doesn’t provide the identical immersive sound expertise you’ll discover with equally priced headsets.
Overall, it was even, with nobody speaker overpowering the remainder. You should be certain your head is dealing with straight-on, although, as each time I leant to the aspect or stretched my neck backwards, I’d get an earful of 1 speaker.
In phrases of music, the SoundSlayer doesn’t provide punchy bass, not any separation of vocals, nevertheless it delivers a reasonably pure and satisfying expertise. The similar will be mentioned for watching TV – it didn’t add something particular, however neither did it sound terrible.
The SoundSlayer’s microphone works pretty effectively while you’re wanting instantly forward, but when I moved my head and spoke whereas seeking to the aspect, the microphone both minimize out or my voice turned too tinny to be recognisable. The echo-cancelling microphones also needs to forestall that horrible noise from occurring when two units are positioned too carefully throughout a name.
This might sound apparent, nevertheless it’s additionally price remembering that the SoundSlayer doesn’t provide a personal listening expertise. You may hear the audio from my video games and music as much as 20ft away, which is one thing to bear in mind should you don’t wish to disturb others. Obviously, this guidelines out the SoundSlayer while you’re in public – which is somewhat annoying should you’re seeking to sport on the commute.
Latest offers
Should you purchase it?
If you may’t put on a typical headset:The SoundSlayer means that you can have audio up-close with out it going instantly into your ears, which is perhaps extra snug for some folks.
You need high quality audio with out breaking the financial institution:There are a number of headsets and audio system that supply immensely higher audio and options for lower than the SoundSlayer.
Final Thoughts
The Panasonic GN01 SoundSlayer wearable gaming speaker has some potential, because it might be an incredible answer for individuals who undergo consolation points with normal headsets. However, at this value and the standard of audio on provide, I’d suggest investing in a gaming headset, or perhaps a speaker, forward of the SoundSlayer.
How we take a look at
We use each system we take a look at for not less than per week. During that point, we’ll test it for ease of use and put it by way of its paces through the use of it in quite a lot of video games, in addition to enjoying music with the intention to get the complete expertise.
We additionally test every headset’s software program (if relevant) to see how simple it’s to customize and arrange.
Used as essential gaming headset for not less than per week.
Use with a number of video games to check audio.
Also take a look at the audio with music playback.
FAQs
Can you employ the Panasonic GN01 SoundSlayer with a Nintendo Switch? Yes, the Panasonic GN01 SoundSlayer is suitable with the Nintendo Switch. Does the Panasonic GN01 SoundSlayer provide encompass sound? Pansonic quotes a ‘surround sound experience’, though it isn’t the identical encompass sound you’d get from audio system or a headset.
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UK RRP
USA RRP
Manufacturer
IP ranking
Size (Dimensions)
Weight
Release Date
First Reviewed Date
Connectivity
Colours
Frequency Range
Headphone Type
Voice Assistant
Panasonic GN01 SoundSlayer
£159.99
$197.98
Panasonic
No
209 x 46 x 239 MM
244 G
2021
22/10/2021
USB-A, 3.5mm port
Black
– Hz
Neckband
N/A
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