Like me, sports bald people know that finding truly comfortable gaming headsets can be an expensive struggle. I had to avoid using high-quality headphones from companies like Steelseries and Corsair because they blended with the exposed skin of my scalp. As a possible remedy, Razer promises that its Clio Audio-Blasting Head Cushion will leave my Noggin without a headband and still give me access to high-quality headphone-level audio.
Razer is fascinated by immersive audio and gaming chair accessories. When you sit in a lonely situation with your favorite gaming chair, combining the two into the $230 Clio should create a personalized audio experience. The device includes near-field dual speakers that should direct audio directly to your ears. It should start on May 16th.
The device has dual 43mm drivers and supports THX spatial audio, and supports three EQ modes for games, movies or music. You can also set it as the main speaker or the rear speaker for 7.1 settings. Razer recommends combining Clio with other surround speaker systems like Razer’s own Nommo series to make you feel like you’re blasted in every aspect of the game’s audio.
Clio surrounds the headrest of the gaming chair and connects via Razer's 2.4 GHz Hyperspeed Wireless, which means handling the brand's blunt and invasive synapse 4 software, or connecting on Bluetooth. The cushion itself is made of memory foam and it should fit most high-back gaming chairs with a single belt.
Battery life is rated up to 14 hours, although you can plug in the battery continuously via USB-C. At CES 2025, I recommend that for Razer it should consider adding power passes to its gaming chairs, such as using the Arielle Concept Conconting and Heating Gaming Cair chairs. This way, the player can extend a cable from the seat and be able to insert all accessories the Razer wants to stick to the player behind. There is a Razer Freyja Haptic Cushion that requires its own separate plug, and now, with Clio, players don't need to remember to plug in the seat side by side with all the other expensive peripherals.
This is not the first time Razer has positioned himself as the king of 3D audio without headphones. Razer promotes the 2023 Leviathan V2 Pro Soundbar and with built-in headwear is the best way to get space sound from the front. There are even those ancient magic speakers trying to impress you with strong sounds in every way. The decisive factor for Clio will be the sound when you dare to reposition your head on the headrest. A pair of high-quality headphones, like the Razer's own $180 Kraken V4, doesn't have this problem, and after some use, they seem to be a better option for most people without sensitive scalp. I found other headphones (such as the Alienware Pro Wireless) are still comfortable enough for long games.
I found the gaming chair to be a very lonely place. Even if my friends and I were playing online online, I couldn’t sit alone. My legs curled under me like dying spiders, my head stretched far from my neck. Maybe Razer's audio mats can make my gaming chair a place I like to hang out again.
