Genius GX Gaming SW-G2.1 2000 Speaker System Review

By Greg Schepers

Manufacturer: KYE Systems Corporation
Product Name: Genius GX Gaming SW-G2.1 2000 Gaming Speaker System
Model Number: SW-G2.1 2000
UPC: 091163247296
Price As Tested: $99.99 (Amazon)

Full Disclosure: The product sample used in this article has been provided by Genius.

GX Gaming, which is the gaming peripheral division of Genius, continues to make a serious push to be more than merely relevant in the industry. They have developed some great gaming mice, keyboards, headsets and speaker systems and they clearly have no plans of slowing down. Benchmark Reviews recently had a chance to take a closer look at one of the latest products to come from Genius, the GX Gaming SW-G2.1 2000 Gaming Speaker System. Considering the long-term success of the Genius brand and from what we’ve seen from GX Gaming so far, it is a safe bet to say that this system, at the very least, will not be a disappointment.

Genius has been developing home theater systems and speakers for the PC for years, so my expectations for the SW-G2.1 2000 is that it will be a solid, rich-sounding system. Having said that, the plan is to not only find out how the Genius GX Gaming SW-G2.1 2000 Gaming Speaker System performs as a gaming speaker system, but also how well it performs when it is paired with other devices. Take a look at the following features & specifications of this system:

Part NO.	EU Plug:31731055100;US Plug:31731055101
Subwoofer (Watts)	29 watts (RMS) (into 4 ohms, @100Hz, @4% THD)
Frequency Response	25 Hz-20K Hz
Color	Black
Channel volume Control	YES
Volume Control	YES
Line in jack	YES
Headphone Jack	YES
Power ON/OFF	YES

• Output Power: 45 watts (RMS)
• Frequency response: 25 Hz-20K Hz
• Subwoofer: 29 watts (RMS) (into 4 ohms, @100Hz, @4% THD)
• Satellites: 2 x 8 watts (RMS) (into 4 ohms, @1kHz, @10% THD)
• Drivers:
  Satellites: 3-inch high-excursion metallic drivers
  Subwoofer: Backlight 6.5-inch pressure driver
• Connections:
  Inputs: Stereo RCA, 3.5 mm primary input, 3.5 mm auxiliary input
  Outputs: 3.5 mm headphone jack, 3.5 mm primary microphone jack , 3.5 mm auxiliary microphone jack
• External amplifier: Power, Volume, Bass, Input selector with LED indicator, Standby
• Power supply: 100~240V Switch power
• Dimensions (W x H x D):
  Satellites: 4.9 inches x 6.1 inches x 3.6 inches (12.5 cm x 15.5 cm x 9.1 cm)
  Subwoofer: 9.9 inches x 9.2 inches x 9.25 inches (25.2 cm x 23.3 cm x 23.5 cm)
  Amplifier: 2.2 inches x 6.9 inches x 6.1 inches (5.5 cm x 17.7 cm x 15.5 cm)

First impressions are not detrimental when purchasing a gaming peripheral, but it certainly doesn’t hurt when you are pleased with the appearance of the new product that you just pulled out of the box and unwrapped. Whether or not you’ve previously owned a gaming speaker system, I have no doubt that the Genius GX Gaming SW-G2.1 2000 will put a smile on your face when you see if for the first time in person. We’ll look at the construction and design in further detail as we move forward, but let me say that one of the first things that popped into my mind when I first unwrapped the SW-G2.1 2000 was Darth Vader’s chamber, which isn’t a bad thing in my book.

The box fills it’s roll nicely; it keeps the Genius GX Gaming SW-G2.1 2000 Gaming Speaker System well protected on the inside and, on the outside, outlines the multitude of features that it possesses. Besides the system, the contents of the box include the necessary cabling to make all required connections, a cable to connect a smartphone or tablet, and the product manual.

The control box/external amplifier is obviously the junction for all of the wiring and the part of the Genius GX Gaming SW-G2.1 2000 that allows you to manipulate the entire system. It also maintains connections for additional devices, so you can plug in and listen to music from your smartphone, tablet, and/or other compatible device.

As you may have noticed in the Features & Specifications section, the subwoofer’s dimensions are 9.9 inches x 9.2 inches x 9.25 inches (25.2 cm x 23.3 cm x 23.5 cm) with a 6.5″ driver. That may seem to be a bit on the diminutive side, but for what it lacks in stature, it makes up for in performance. Plus, the scorpion turns blue as the bass thumps.

The two satellite speakers measure in at 4.9 inches x 6.1 inches x 3.6 inches (12.5 cm x 15.5 cm x 9.1 cm) and have 3″ metallic drivers. When I mentioned that the Genius GX Gaming SW-G2.1 2000 Gaming Speaker System looked like it belonged in Darth Vader’s chamber, this is the part of the system to which I was referring.

There are many more features on the Genius GX Gaming SW-G2.1 2000 that need to be mentioned. Keep reading as we move to the Detailed Features page.

I am confident you would agree that, considering what you have read so far, there is plenty to appreciate when it comes to the Genius GX Gaming SW-G2.1 2000 Gaming Speaker System. We will discuss the audio performance in the Testing & Results section coming up, so all I will say at this point is that the Genius GX Gaming SW-G2.1 2000 is more than just a pretty face. Now, let us take a look at this system in more detail.

The front of the control box/external amplifier provides a user with plenty of options to manipulate the Genius GX Gaming SW-G2.1 2000 Gaming Speaker System. In descending order, we have the volume dial, the bass dial, the standby button, the source button, the headphone jack, the microphone jack, and the line in jack. Around the perimeter of the volume dial, you will find an LED light that changes color depending upon which source is active. Obviously, this light and the source that is active is controlled by the source button.

The reverse side of the control box/external amplifier has plenty going on as well. From top to bottom, we have the mic output, the input for another external device, and then all of the ports to connect the speakers for the Genius GX Gaming SW-G2.1 2000. Finally, there’s the power cord and power switch at the bottom.

I failed to mention this earlier, but the satellite speakers are wall-mountable, which is evidenced by the reverse side of each speaker. The Genius GX Gaming SW-G2.1 2000 satellite speakers don’t have any type of slip-resistant rubber pads on the bottom, but they probably should.

Speaking of slip-resistant rubber feet, both the control box/external amplifier (pictured above) and the subwoofer (not pictured) have this feature. The subwoofer will stay in place when positioned on a hardwood floor and the control box will stand fast when sitting on your desk. We can’t say the same for the satellite speakers.

So far, we know that the Genius GX Gaming SW-G2.1 2000 Gaming Speaker System is full of features and it looks good. Now we need to find out how good it sounds. I’ve made a few hints throughout the previous pages, but it’s time to lay it out there for all to see on the Testing & Results page.

The Genius GX Gaming SW-G2.1 2000 Gaming Speaker System was used for over two weeks on a variety of different devices. The primary use was on a PC, the specifications of which can be found below. On the PC, the system was utilized to listen to both on-board and streaming music, to watch on-board and streaming video, and to play a variety of games. The other devices utilized included a Motorola Razr Maxx smartphone and an Asus MeMO Pad HD 7. Basically, similar applications to the PC were run on the aforementioned devices while affixed to the Genius GX Gaming SW-G2.1 2000.

Keep in mind that the results of the testing phase when it comes to audio devices is subjective. There is no real data to collect; it comes down to the opinion of the data. However, I will try to convey the output of the Genius GX Gaming SW-G2.1 2000 as accurately as I can.

• Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3
• System Memory: 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3 1333 G.Skill Ripjaws X Series
• Processor: AMD FX-6100 Zambezi 3.3 GHz Six-Core Processor
• Audio: ASUS XONAR DG PCI 5.1 Audio Card
• Video: HIS Radeon HD 7950 IceQ Boost Clock 3GB GDDR5 PCI-E Graphics Card
• Optical Drive: Pioneer Black Internal BD/DVD/CD Writer BDR-207DBKS
• PSU: Corsair HX Series HX750 750W GOLD Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
• Monitor: AOC e2752Vh (27″) & Samsung SyncMaster PX2370 (24″)
• Operating System: Windows 7 Ultimate

The Genius GX Gaming SW-G2.1 2000 is billed as being a gaming system, so that is where I will start in terms of sharing the results of the testing. Clarity is one of the most important aspects of the audio device that you deploy for gaming purposes, at least in my book. Whether it is a headset or a speaker system, it is important to be able to hear and identify the direction from which the more subtle noises, such as footsteps, are originating. Also, clear,concise, and timely communication with teammates is detrimental. It is easy to overlook the significance of the choices we make when it comes to the audio device we use while gaming; thankfully, Genius has not. The Genius GX Gaming SW-G2.1 2000 Gaming Speaker System was made to focus on gaming-related audio, and for the most part, it succeeded in this attempt.

While playing Battlefield 4 (BF4) on the aforementioned test system armed with the ASUS XONAR DG PCI 5.1 Audio Card, I was pleasantly surprised as to how well the Genius GX Gaming SW-G2.1 2000 performed. I am an avid fan of using headphones for PC gaming for a reason; I have never had a speaker system that performed well enough to use for that purpose. I can share with you that my attitude has changed due to the performance of the Genius GX Gaming SW-G2.1 2000. Am I going to completely ditch headphones? Well, no. But using a speaker system is now a plausible alternative, especially when my head starts to get sweaty from a big set of headphones.

Early on in the testing phase and while playing BF4, the high-pitched report of a DMR startled me and I was thankful no one was able to see my reaction. However, it was also evident that a 2.1 system is going to fall a bit short in terms of pinpointing from where that shot originated. The overall experience playing Battlefield 4 was a great one; all the effects that required a deep thump certainly got one, and all of the high-pitched effects were also obvious, if not startlingly so! Clear communication with teammates was flawless. Once again, directional awareness is lacking, but that should be anticipated from a 2.1 system.

In order to test the audio quality of movie watching on the PC, I decided to pull up Band of Brothers Part II: Day of Days. With my system’s volume set at 25%, I prepared for the Brécourt Manor Assault. The sound quality produced by the Genius GX Gaming SW-G2.1 2000 was exceptional. The percussion of the German 88’s was deep and rich, and gunfire from the Thompson submachine gun, the MG-42, the Browning M1919, the M1 Garand, and other firearms used in that scene sounded as they should. I pulled up the exact same scene on an ASUS MeMO Pad HD 7, plugged it into the Line In port on the front of the Genius GX Gaming SW-G2.1 2000’s control box, switched the source, and pressed play. The audio quality was equally satisfying and the differences between the two were negligible. As a final audio quality from video test, I streamed Star Trek: Into Darkness from Netflix on both the PC and ASUS tablet. Again, there were no noticeable differences between the two and the audio quality, whether it was a laser blast, an explosion, or theme music, was outstanding.

At this point in the testing and considering how exceptional the audio was during the previous test (movie phase), I was confident that the music phase would go off without a hitch… and I was correct. I pulled up a variety of genres on both the PC and on the Motorola RAZR MAXX, and employed both Pandora and iHeartRadio to help me stream some music for the test. I also pulled up some of my own music from both devices. Whether it was Dean Martin, Ziggy Marley, Guns N’ Roses, Pink, Imagine Dragons, or ScHoolboy Q, the sound quality was outstanding. On a side note: considering that I was listening to music and had nothing else to look at, I found myself staring at the pulsating scorpion on the subwoofer. It is surprisingly mesmerizing!

Overall, the Genius GX Gaming SW-G2.1 2000 Gaming Speaker System produced outstanding audio quality in all phases of testing. The highs and mids seemed to be spot on and the bass can certainly bring the thump. It is possible to get some distortion from the bass when the volume and bass are pushed towards the maximum dial setting. However, I am confident that anyone who decides to own this system will be, at the very least, pleased with it.

Let’s face it; more often than not, PC gamers are going to be using headphones while gaming. However, does that mean that we do not have a need for a good speaker system? Absolutely not! Sometimes it’s nice to put the headphones down for awhile and let the head breathe. And, maybe we want to play our console games on a system with great audio quality. Streaming movies and music from all of your devices while benefiting from exceptional audio quality is big bonus. The Genius GX Gaming SW-G2.1 2000 Gaming Speaker System is going to satisfy these needs, and look good doing it.

As good as the Genius GX Gaming SW-G2.1 2000 Gaming Speaker System tested for me, there is no such thing as a perfect product. Here is where I start nit-picking a solid device. First, I would like to have my headphones be a source on the control box instead of having to plug and unplug them all the time. Each line-in port has a source, why not the headphone/mic ports? Second, there should be rubber anti-slip feet on the satellite speakers. I know that they can be hung up on the wall, but not everyone has a configuration that would call for that setup. The satellite speakers are as prone to slippage as the control box/external amplifier and subwoofer.

The target demographic for the Genius GX Gaming SW-G2.1 2000 Gaming Speaker System was, obviously, the gamer, but anyone who decides to purchase this unit will be more than happy with it. While playing games, the audio quality was exceptional. Explosions boomed, planes roared, machine guns thumped, and sniper rifles snapped. The only complaint was that it was difficult to determine exactly where the noises were coming from, but that is to be expected from a 2.1 system. However, everything was very clear, which is great for communication with teammates. Listening to music and watching movies, regardless of the device, was a pleasure. The bass is deep and rich, yet it can start to distort as the volume and bass dials move towards the final 10% of their range.

As I mentioned earlier in the article, my first impression of the Genius GX Gaming SW-G2.1 2000 Gaming Speaker System from an appearance standpoint was that it belongs in Darth Vader’s chamber, which I personally don’t think is a bad thing. The speakers are black plastic, having a mixture of both glossy and matte finishes. Try to handle the components of the system by the matte finish, that is, unless you like very visible fingerprints on your devices. There are some chrome accent pieces that look good on the satellite speakers and the subwoofer, and the GX Gaming scorpion logo looks sharp. Oh, how could I forget the blue LED pulsating scorpion on the subwoofer? The bottom line is that the Genius GX Gaming SW-G2.1 2000 looks like a gaming speaker system and should accompany that full tower with the LED case fans.

The Genius GX Gaming SW-G2.1 2000 Gaming Speaker System is constructed mainly of plastic. I did not see, feel, or hear anything out of place, like a rattle or shake. It is a solidly built system. I also liked the fact that Genius provided the control box/external amplifier with plenty of ventilation.

In terms of functionality, the Genius GX Gaming SW-G2.1 2000 Gaming Speaker System provides more than the average gamer bargained for when opting for this speaker system. Providing the control box/external amplifier was a good choice. Personally, I would rather have a separate component for controlling everything rather than adjusting the volume on a satellite speaker or a subwoofer. The control box allows you to manipulate the volume, the bass, the source, and a button to put the unit in standby mode.

There are plenty of attributes that the Genius GX Gaming SW-G2.1 2000 Gaming Speaker System possesses to make it a compelling offer and a great addition to your gaming setup. It looks the part, sounds outstanding regardless of what is being played, and is very versatile. Even though it is a 2.1 system and might not help you pinpoint the enemy, it is still a substantial upgrade to what many of us are using.

As of June 1, 2014, the sticker price for the Genius GX Gaming SW-G2.1 2000 Gaming Speaker System was available for $99.99 (Amazon). You would be hard-pressed to find a 2.1 gaming speaker system that would outperform this one. It exceeded my expectations and I recommend it to anyone wanting a great speaker system for their gaming setup.

+ Audio quality
+ Versatility
+ Aesthetically appealing from a gamer’s perspective
+ Pulsating blue LED logo on the subwoofer
+ Deep, rich bass
+ Separate component for controlling the system

– No anti-slip feet on the satellite speakers
– 2.1 system (can’t locate enemy)
– headphones/mic port should be source for switching

• Performance: 8.75
• Appearance: 9.25
• Construction: 8.75
• Functionality: 9.25
• Value: 9.00

Excellence Achievement: Benchmark Reviews Golden Tachometer Award.

COMMENT QUESTION: Do you prefer wearing a headset or would you rather employ gaming speakers?