It was only relatively recently that I reviewed Trust’s Tytan Speaker Set, but now that it’s in the books, I’ve turned my attention to another product from the hardware maker. It is the GXT 619 Thorne soundbar, which is a device designed to sit on your desk without taking up too much space, while still being a capable and loud speaker system.
But does it do exactly this? Simply put, yes. The Thorne soundbar is not a device that presents itself as a premium product, and it doesn’t do anything to trick you into thinking it is either, but when it comes to the most basic requirements of being a working, reliable, easy-to-use, aesthetically pleasing soundbar, There isn’t much to complain about here at all.
The installation process is as simple as taking it out of the box and then connecting it to your PC via a USB and a 3.5mm audio jack cable. Once this is done, there is nothing left to do but select the correct audio output on your system. There’s no additional software to customize sound profiles or the RGB package, and on the one hand that’s a bit of a disappointment as more options are always useful, but on the other hand there’s a beauty in the true plug-and-play the design here.
The actual size is also a highlight, as being 400mm wide and 75mm deep means it won’t take up space on your desk, and the lack of wires also gives it a clutter-free design to boot. It really is a friendly option for someone looking for a more interesting yet affordable audio solution – as it clocks in at around £30.
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But what about the audio and sound profile itself? Well, for starters, the Thorne has no issues whatsoever with volume, as the device, which is realistically meant to be placed a few feet in front of you since this is a PC soundbar, easily kicks out high-volume stereo sound. It struggles a little at times with musical clarity as the volume gets louder, and sometimes the sound comes across a little washed out because of that. But generally speaking, for movies and TV, where dialogue is usually king, Thorne excels.
Would I suggest using this as a device to play PC games with? Not really, but then again, I wouldn’t recommend many audio solutions other than headphones for PC gaming, as few others manage to both overcome the overwhelming array of PC fan noise while capturing the tiniest of audio details.
As this is a straight stereo unit, it also lacks the immersive qualities of a surround or 3D sound system, but for £30 there isn’t much to disappoint when it comes to a speaker that offers clear and loud sound. As I’ve said before, Thorne does exactly what it needs to do, and I can’t help but appreciate that.
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As a final point, it’s worth mentioning the appearance of the Thorne, which is subtle in shape and form, but is emphasized with an RGB band across the bottom and around the volume wheel to give it some flair. It’s not oppressive RGB at all, and you can customize it to one of six different styles by pressing a touch button on the Thorne’s top, but it’s worth saying that some software to more creatively tinker with this would be welcome .
Still, for a truly affordable audio solution that’s incredibly easy to set up and use, there really isn’t much Thorne doesn’t do well. It won’t give you the sound quality of a more expensive premium system, but for a PC soundbar that sits pretty much right in front of you, it’s not really a big deal anyway. This is a great option for a starter soundbar and something to look into if you’re looking for an affordable and accessible device.
