Razer’s Clio: A Bald Head’s Gaming Audio Savior?
For those of us with bare scalps, the quest for a comfortable gaming headset can feel like an endless and expensive pursuit. Many promising, high-quality headsets from brands like SteelSeries and Corsair fall short simply because their headbands relentlessly chafe against our sensitive skin. Razer, with its new Clio audio-blasting head cushion, offers a potential solution: high-quality, headset-level audio without the headband.
The $230 Clio embodies Razer’s continuing fascination with immersive audio and gaming chair accessories. This device aims to create a personalized audio experience for solitary gamers perched in their favorite chairs, featuring near-field dual speakers designed to beam sound directly into your ears. The Clio is expected to become available on May 16th.
Beneath its plush exterior, the Clio houses twin 43mm drivers with support for THX Spatial Audio and three distinct EQ modes optimized for gaming, movies, or music. The device can also function as either the primary speaker or the rear speaker in a 7.1 surround sound setup. Razer suggests pairing the Clio with other surround sound speaker systems, such as their Nommo line, to create a truly enveloping audio experience.
The Clio attaches to your gaming chair’s headrest with a single strap and connects via Razer’s 2.4 GHz Hyperspeed Wireless or Bluetooth. The wireless connection unfortunately necessitates using Razer’s often criticized Synapse 4 software. The cushion itself is made from memory foam, designed to comfortably fit most high-back gaming chairs.
Battery life is advertised at up to 14 hours, but the Clio can also be continuously powered via USB-C. I previously suggested to Razer at CES 2025 that they incorporate power passthrough into their gaming chairs, as they are doing with the Arielle concept cooling and heating gaming chair. This would allow players to connect all their accessories through a single cable running from the chair, streamlining the setup and eliminating the need to constantly plug and unplug multiple devices. With accessories like the Razer Freyja haptic cushion already requiring separate power, and now the Clio, simplifying power management would be a significant improvement.
Razer isn’t new to the headset-less 3D audio arena. The company touted the 2023 Leviathan V2 Pro soundbar with built-in headtracking as the superior method for achieving spatial sound. Even further back, the original Mako speakers aimed to surround listeners with powerful audio. The Clio’s ultimate success hinges on its audio performance when the user’s head is not perfectly aligned with the headrest. Standard, high-quality headphones, such as Razer’s own $180 Kraken V4, avoid this issue, and remain a compelling alternative for gamers without scalp sensitivity issues. I personally find other headsets like the Alienware Pro Wireless to be adequately comfortable for extended gaming sessions.
Beyond the technical specifications, there is the issue of the gaming chair itself. I have found that gaming chairs, for me, is a lonely place. Despite playing online with friends, I struggle to remain stationary in one for any length of time. I often end up contorting my body into uncomfortable positions, with my legs tangled beneath me and my head far from the intended support of the neck rest. Perhaps Razer’s audio cushion can restore my enjoyment of gaming chairs as a comfortable place for relaxation and immersion. It could transform the chair into a personal audio cocoon, enhancing the solitary gaming experience.
The Clio represents an innovative approach to gaming audio, specifically catering to individuals with comfort concerns regarding traditional headsets. Its integration with gaming chairs, coupled with THX Spatial Audio and customizable EQ settings, promises a rich and immersive soundscape. However, the Clio’s dependence on Razer’s software, potential limitations in audio performance when the head is not positioned directly against the headrest, and the fundamental question of whether the gaming chair itself is a comfortable and engaging platform for gaming must be considered.
Ultimately, the Razer Clio is a niche product with a specific target audience. Gamers with sensitive scalps or those who simply prefer a headset-free audio solution will find it particularly appealing. The Clio’s success will depend on its ability to deliver on its promise of high-quality, immersive audio while overcoming the inherent limitations of its design. It will need to prove that it can provide a consistent and engaging audio experience, even when the user is not perfectly positioned within the confines of their gaming chair. Only then can the Clio truly establish itself as a worthwhile alternative to traditional gaming headsets. The product also will appeal to a gamer who does not wish to be isolated from the surrounding noises, while being able to easily enjoy the gaming sounds. It will be a good option for some one in a family environment.
