There’s one aspect of gaming that’s often overlooked, and that’s audio. It’s true that most gamers prefer to use headphones for better immersion, and above all so as not to disturb those around them when they’re blowing up buildings on Battlefield. However, having a headset on all the time could damage your hearing.

The solution is to have speakers, and there are many models to suit your preferences. In sim-racing, it’s the same thing, as drivers often take the audio immersion aspect lightly. Let’s not forget that sounds are part of cars, and recognizing what’s going on in your vehicle through audio alone pushes immersion to the max.

In sim-racing, numerous methods are used to enhance the realism of racing. Direct Drive bases, sim-racing steering wheels, Load Cell pedals, dynamic chassis or bass shakers– it’s a vast playing field, with numerous products and countless configurations.

In this article, we’re going to look at the sound aspect of sim-racing, i.e. the speakers you can have on your setups. In the interests of fairness, I’m going to divide this list into 3 categories: high-end, mid-range and budget-friendly.

The best high-end speakers

Razer Leviathan V2

Razer is a well-established brand in the gaming world, with a range that spans input devices, audio, laptops and even smartphones at one point. The peripherals are of high quality, and the asking price is often high.

For our list I’ve chosen the Leviathan V2, which is a sound bar with a subwoofer to back it up. The design doesn’t look like much, unless you activate Chroma, which is Razer’s RGB. It’s simple and can be very flashy once the LEDs are switched on.

In a nutshell. Let’s get down to the driver side of things. Inside the soundbar are 7 drivers of different sizes, facing in different directions. With the woofer, you get 7.1 sound, of very good quality I must say, and THX-certified to boot.

Let’s move on to the invoice. Normally, the Leviathan V2 retails for around €240, but you can have it right now for €200.

Logitech Z906 5.1

Let’s continue with a Logitech product. The Z906 5.1 is a 5.1 sound setup, as the name suggests, with 5 speakers and a woofer. It delivers 1000 W of power, with THX and Dolby DTS certified quality.

The design is very sober, with all equipment in black. What’s more, Logitech has included an amplifier to enhance sound quality. The result: details are present, with total immersion, especially if you position each speaker strategically around you for spatial sound.

Let’s finish with the price, and hang on because it’s going to sting. The Logitech Z906 5.1 cost an average of €450 if you manage to order them. It’s expensive, I admit, but it’s 5.1 at the same time.

The best mid-range speakers

Creative GigaWorks T40 Series II

The Creative brand has been well established in the audio market for some time now. The manufacturer touches on everything in terms of sound equipment, including the GigaWorks T40 Series 2. This is the second generation of these loudspeakers, which should bring its share of improvements.

The configuration is stereo with a maximum output of 16 W. Volume and audio controls are located on the front panel. The front panel also features a 3.5 mm jack for audio input, i.e. microphone, and output to headphones or other devices.

Sound quality is very good for the footprint, if I may say so. The sound is clear, and the power is there. The design is a little flashy, with black dominating everything and gold on the speakers.

Let’s move on to the price. Expect to pay around €120 to install them on your setup, and you won’t be disappointed if your budget allows.

PreSonus Eris 3.5 Gen 2

PreSonus Eris are quality loudspeakers with a very minimalist, sober design. Each speaker is black, with a blue tint on the drivers. The front panel features volume control, 3.5 jacks and On/Off button.

These little gems can output 50 W max, or 25 per speaker. That’s powerful for the size of the speakers, with good sound quality. What’s more, PreSonus Eris can be configured to suit your needs. There’s a Bluetooth model, a 2.1 model (the standard version is stereo only), 4.5″ and 5.25″ drivers, and an 8″ subwoofer.

Obviously, every configuration has its price. Prices start at €80 and go up to €300. At this price, it clearly falls into the previous category of sim-racing loudspeakers, i.e. the top of the range.

The best budget-friendly speakers

Redragon GS500 Stentor

The Redragon GS500 Stentor are simple speakers in terms of design and features. You have a stereo sound system, so 2 speakers for sound coming from 2 sides. The design is simple, with black cabinets and red LEDs around the drivers.

These speakers can be used with any sim-racing setup, provided you have a 3.5 mm jack. The sound produced is decent, but the power isn’t enormous. It’s 5 W per speaker, so 10 W in total for both. Also, power is supplied via USB cable, which is not a problem for most runners, as almost all recent platforms have this connectivity.

Now let’s talk price. The Redgragon GS500 Stentor can be purchased for under €30 on most online retailers. It’s a small device that will be used primarily to add sound to your sim-racing setup. Don’t expect studio-quality sound, as the GS500s are clearly not aimed at that.

Logitech Z313 2.1

The Logitech brand has been present in the gaming industry for decades. Its catalog is vast, and we all know it for its sim-racing equipment. However, Logitech also makes gaming peripherals, such as keyboards, mice and speakers. The Z313 2.1 represents the manufacturer’s “entry-level” audio equipment.

Let’s move on to the design. It’s visually simple, with 2 loudspeakers and an imposing subwoofer. The color is black, with round gray inserts on the speakers. I think it’s beautiful, and don’t forget to have room on your setup, as you’ll have 3 peripherals to position.

The Z313 2.1 are 2.1 speakers, i.e. with 3 channels, including one for the subwoofer. You also have the volume control, which is separated from the speakers in the form of a circular device, which should help you conceal it on your setup for a clean finish.

As for power, we’re entitled to 25 W for the speakers and 15 W for the cabinet. Quite powerful for its size, and with a sound quality that’s not bad at all. You’ll hear the different frequencies produced by car engines, as well as ambient noise.

Let’s finish with the price. This varies from dealer to dealer, but you can expect to pay no more than €50 – €60 at the most. It’s not a huge investment, but well worth it, especially for those new to sim-racing.