Panasonic SoundSlayer GWN10 Wearable Gaming Speaker review: Unlocking a new level of comfort

As a seasoned gamer with a penchant for quality sound and a touch of quirkiness, let me weigh in on the Panasonic SoundSlayer GWN10.

Many gamers have a love-hate relationship with headsets. They’re nice for privacy if you’re playing in a shared space, both in terms of isolating you from distracting outside noises and delivering closer, more realistic audio. If you’re prone to head and ear pain from headsets, though, you’re not alone. Even the products claiming to be the most comfortable gaming headset still carry the risk of creating tension aches in the ear and temple area, especially if you’re a marathon player who puts in multiple-hour sessions.

Fortunately, you have several options to choose from. If you’re looking for a premium setup, a desktop sound system including satellite speakers and a soundbar is an option, though it can be pricey and somewhat intrusive. For a more moderate choice, consider the Panasonic SoundSlayer GWN10, a wearable gaming speaker that offers comfort over earphones.

Price and availability

You can purchase the SoundSlayer from Amazon, Panasonic, B&H Photo, and Video, all priced at $300. As of now, you can find a sale for this speaker on Amazon.

What’s in the box?

Panasonic SoundSlayer GWN10 Wearable Gaming Speaker review: Unlocking a new level of comfort

Upon opening the SoundSlayer package, you’ll discover the speaker as expected. Additionally, you’ll find its instruction manual, a wireless transmitter, and two cables for connectivity. One cable is a shorter USB-C to USB-A, while the other is a longer version of the same type.

The longer cord is designed to link your wireless transmitter with your console, while the shorter one serves for charging purposes. However, you can switch them around according to your specific setup requirements.

Design and features

The SoundSlayer GWN10 model is constructed to sit comfortably at the back of your neck, positioning its speakers roughly around your collarbone area. Speaker fabric covers a robust plastic casing, while underside rubber pads ensure a comfortable fit. There are two LED indicator lights positioned at each end: one glows red for battery status checks and the other illuminates blue to show when it’s connected to a device.

On the left speaker’s front side, you’ll find three buttons labeled power, function, and mute. At the back end of the same speaker, there’s a volume control knob. Additionally, on the speaker’s outer rim, there’s a USB-C charging port. The wireless receiver is made of plastic, slightly larger than the size of a hand, and it has a small blue light that matches its appearance.

Connectivity

As a devoted enthusiast, one of the initial aspects that struck me about this headset is the scarcity of physical connectivity ports. To be frank, the Soundslayer GWN10’s sole method of connection – a 2.4 GHz wireless transmitter – might leave some users yearning for more options. Unlike the compact dongles you’re accustomed to using with wireless headsets, gaming mice, and other devices, this transmitter is not your typical thumb-drive size.

In the image provided, you can see that the transmitter is approximately the size of a mobile phone, which means it’s not very compact, so the Soundslayer doesn’t gain any points for being portable. It would have been beneficial to have multiple connectivity options available to enhance its adaptability in various scenarios. For example, when using the Soundslayer with a portable console like the Nintendo Switch, having the bulky transmitter hanging from the console isn’t ideal.

One factor that can make the Soundslayer less versatile is its absence of Bluetooth or traditional 3.5mm wired connections.

Nevertheless, the wearable speaker from Panasonic balances its moderate portability with exceptional connectivity through a wireless transmitter. According to Panasonic, the GWN10 delivers latency speeds under 20 milliseconds, making any lags, stutters, or delay times undetectable during use. During testing, issues related to lag, stuttering, or latency were never encountered.

Comfort and fit

So comfortable you might forget you’re wearing it

As a music enthusiast, I can attest that devices like the GWN10 boast an impressive adaptability. Regardless of one’s stature or physique, it comfortably sits at the base of the neck, ensuring a snug fit for all.

One might choose a wearable speaker like the GWN10 over a traditional gaming headset, such as the Beyerdynamic MMX 330 Pro, for reasons of comfort. Despite their superior quality, gaming headsets can sometimes lead to tension and discomfort after extended use due to the pressure they apply. The unique design of the GWN10 distributes its weight across your lower neck and clavicles, eliminating strain on your head, ears, and temples, making it a more comfortable option for long gaming sessions.

During testing, the Soundslayer was worn for up to four hours without any discomfort or pain whatsoever. Unlike traditional headsets, which often cause headaches and ear pain after prolonged use, the Soundslayer GWN10 provides an immediate solution to this common issue faced by many gamers.

A primary issue with the GWN10 was its audio potentially bothering those nearby. In a home where an office/gaming area is accessible from both the kitchen and living room, and with the GWN10 operating at around half to three-quarters volume, it was barely audible in other rooms. In an open environment filled with chatter, music, or television noise, the sound of the GWN10 tends to blend inconspicuously into the overall noise level.

When I’m tucked away in tranquil spots or close enough to fellow gamers for a comfortable handshake, my voice carries louder and clearer, potentially disrupting our gaming session’s peaceful atmosphere.

If you’re a parent or simply prefer to keep an ear on your environment instead of blocking out sounds with a typical headset, the GWN10 allows you to do just that.

Sound and performance

In summary, the sound quality produced by the Panasonic Soundslayer GWN10 is excellent, although it may not produce the intense, thundering basses found in larger speaker systems that incorporate a soundbar or subwoofer. However, its surround-sound capabilities more than compensate for this lack.

The Soundslayer offers exceptional positional audio across various genres of games, such as action-packed first-person shooters like “Call of Duty,” immersive role-playing games with captivating narratives like “Baldur’s Gate 3,” and relaxing indie games that may feature more sound effects than a minimalistic soundtrack.

As I tread along, the echo of my own footsteps feels more authentic, distant gunshots sound more lifelike, an approaching NPC seems closer, and even a whispered warning behind me carries a sense of urgency – all thanks to the exceptional speaker design of the GWN10.

Many sound profiles to choose from

The SoundSlayer GWN10 provides multiple sound settings, making it adaptable to numerous applications. If you’re seeking a versatile sound experience for activities like watching films, sports, listening to music, or gaming, the standard stereo mode is an excellent starting point as it delivers well-rounded audio quality across these activities.

In the game mode, the focus is on positionally accurate sound for a more realistic experience. On the other hand, the music mode emphasizes high-quality audio resolution to ensure intricate details in the music aren’t missed.

Cinema mode sounds almost identical to gaming mode. Both seem to emphasize surround sound for the best immersion possible.

A quick note on mic and battery

A few more quick hardware notes to round out the GWN10’s performance. The GWN10’s battery capacity and charging efficiency probably won’t impress if you’re used to wireless headsets, but they aren’t really comparable products. At just 9 hours, the battery life isn’t all that competitive with most quality gaming headsets. I wish the speaker had a fast charging boost, as many wireless peripherals now do, but there’s no fast charging in the first hour of plugging the device in. And all in all, it takes the device about four hours to reach a full tank.

As a gamer, I gotta say, the sound quality on this wearable speaker is solid for everyday use. While it might not rival a dedicated desktop microphone in terms of clarity and crispness, it’s still more than adequate for chatting with my buddies during online gaming sessions. But let’s be real, if I were a streamer, I’d probably want something better to ensure top-notch audio quality.

A challenge I faced with the microphone was my hair frequently touching the input and producing noisy scratching sounds. Be aware of this issue if you have lengthy hair or a beard.

Related products and competition

In the field of wearable speakers, there isn’t much rivalry since many people view such devices as peculiar novelties reminiscent of Sharper Image gadgets.

If you want to shop around, though, consider the Sony Bravia Theater U. It’s comparatively priced with the GWN10 at $300.

As a gamer, I appreciate the convenience of the Theater U headset. Unlike other models that require a separate transmitter, this one can link up either through Bluetooth or a 3.5mm cable, keeping things simple and clutter-free.

Closing thoughts: Should you buy the Panasonic SoundSlayer GWN10?

It fits very specific needs

When evaluating the Panasonic SoundSlayer GWN10, two primary concerns arise: its restricted application range and its minimal connectivity features. For avid handheld gamers such as Switch or Steam Deck users, the cumbersome wireless transmitter might become too inconvenient to handle frequently.

Additionally, if you seek a portable audio device for regular use in common areas such as trains and libraries, where people might find game sounds disruptive, then this particular item may not be suitable for your needs.

As a dedicated gamer, I can’t help but recommend the GWN10 to my fellow console gamers who primarily play their games with their consoles docked. If you often find regular headsets uncomfortable or if bulky speaker systems are out of reach for you, this device could be a game-changer. It offers an excellent balance between sound quality and portability that’s perfect for console gaming sessions!

Among our aspirations for future iterations of the GWN10, we’re keen on a collapsible design and a more portable dongle or Bluetooth connectivity to facilitate transporting the wearable speaker more conveniently. Despite these features not being present, the SoundSlayer GWN10 remains an outstanding personal gaming audio substitute for those in need.

2024-10-03 04:04