How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-30 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
• Smalody Neckband TV Speaker — biggest strength: a neckband speaker with bass-enhanced vibrators for 3D surround sound, around 12 hours of playback, Bluetooth 5.3 and an included Bluetooth receiver for TVs that lack built-in Bluetooth.
• Smalody Neckband TV Speaker — biggest trade-off: it is not waterproof, and it only works with TVs that have Bluetooth or an audio OUT port (3.5mm AUX or RCA) — a TV with only HDMI ports and no audio output will not work with it.
• GAMER FANATIC Gaming Headset — biggest strength: wired over-ear 3D surround sound with 50mm dynamic drivers, a stainless steel skeleton headband, a 2.2M cable and an integrated HD microphone for clear callouts.
• GAMER FANATIC Gaming Headset — biggest trade-off: it is wired only, so you are tethered to your PC or console by the 3.5mm jack, and the passive noise cancellation is sealing, not silence-on-demand.
• Who each pick is for: Smalody is for TV watchers, late-night listeners and people who hate things in their ears; GAMER FANATIC is for gamers who want immersion, a mic and a sealed soundstage.
The Smalody Neckband TV Speaker is a portable surround speaker that sits on your neck, shoulders and collarbone instead of in your ears. That is the whole point of the design: the ergonomic neckband supports the weight (224 g total), so there is no ear fatigue and no ear pressure, and you stay hands-free. The left and right speakers use bass-enhanced vibrators to build a 3D, telepresence-style sound, and Smalody claims the sound delay that normally plagues wireless audio is kept to a minimum — which matters if you are watching TV and animation rather than just listening to music. In my opinion, this is the product for someone who wants to feel surrounded by TV audio without blocking out the room.
Who should skip it? Anyone whose TV has only HDMI ports and no AUX, RCA or optical audio output — that TV simply will not drive this speaker, and Smalody is refreshingly blunt about telling you to check the back panel before ordering. Also skip it if you want isolation, waterproofing or an in-ear fit; the neckband is splash-prone at best (waterproof: no) and by design lets outside sound in.
GAMER FANATIC Gaming Headset: Who It's For
The GAMER FANATIC Gaming Headset takes the opposite approach: it seals you in. This is a wired over-ear model built around 50mm dynamic drivers, tuned for 3D surround sound that sharpens footsteps and reloads so you can react faster. The spec sheet backs up the intent — 32 ohm impedance and 108 sensitivity make it easy to drive from a 3.5mm jack, and the 20 Hz frequency response reaches low enough for explosions and engine rumble. It connects by a 2.2M PVC cable, which is long enough to move around a desk setup without yanking the plug out.
Comfort over long sessions is clearly a design priority. The ear cushions are soft PU protein leather over foam, the earcups are over-ear rather than on-ear, and the headband uses a stainless steel skeleton to survive daily gaming. There is also an RGB seven-colour breathing light on the armour-style earcups — pure aesthetics, but a real part of why people buy this category of headset. The integrated HD microphone handles team callouts, and the controls sit on an in-line remote with push buttons, so you are not hunting through software menus mid-match. Passive noise cancellation means the cups physically block some outside sound rather than processing it away.
Who should skip it? Anyone who hates cables, wants to watch TV from the sofa, or needs to hear the room around them. The 3.5mm jack also means it is a plug-in-and-play headset rather than a wireless one — if you want to roam, this is not it.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for gaming immersion and voice chat → GAMER FANATIC Gaming Headset. 50mm drivers, 3D surround tuning and an integrated HD mic are exactly what ranked matches and squad nights need.
• Best for long-session comfort without ear fatigue → Smalody Neckband TV Speaker. The neckband rests on your neck and collarbone, so nothing is pressing into your ear canals.
• Best for sealing out distractions → GAMER FANATIC Gaming Headset. Over-ear PU leather cushions plus passive noise cancellation physically block room noise; the Smalody does the opposite and keeps you aware of your surroundings.
• Best for battery life and untethered movement → Smalody Neckband TV Speaker. Around 12 hours of playback, Bluetooth 5.3 and a 10-metre range; the GAMER FANATIC is wired and has no battery to worry about at all.
• Best for durability against daily wear → GAMER FANATIC Gaming Headset. A stainless steel skeleton headband and a 2.2M PVC cable are built for repeated plugging and tossing into a bag.
• Best for outdoor and portable listening → Smalody Neckband TV Speaker. It is designed for walking, cycling and camping; the wired headset is really a desk-and-console tool.
• Best for pure sound isolation and mic clarity in one device → GAMER FANATIC Gaming Headset. One cable, one headset, mic included — no receiver, no pairing, no TV port checklist.
If I had to pick one, I would buy the GAMER FANATIC Gaming Headset — but only because my priority is gaming and voice chat. For that job it is the more complete package: 3D surround sound from 50mm drivers, a sealed over-ear fit, a built-in mic and a steel headband that should survive years of use. In my opinion, though, the Smalody Neckband TV Speaker is the smarter buy for anyone whose actual problem is "I want to hear my TV without waking the house." They solve different problems, and neither one is a compromise for the person it was designed for.
FAQ
how to get surround sound headphones
how to test surround sound headphones
Put on the headset and play something with clear directional audio — a game with footsteps, or a film with movement across the screen. With the Smalody Neckband TV Speaker, walk a few steps away and confirm the sound still tracks left and right; with the GAMER FANATIC, check that you can place sounds behind and beside you, not just in front. Both rely on stereo imaging rather than a room full of speakers.
how to make surround sound headphones
You do not build surround sound into either product — you choose the format that fits. The GAMER FANATIC Gaming Headset is the "make it immersive and sealed" option with 50mm drivers and an over-ear cup. The Smalody Neckband TV Speaker is the "make it open and hands-free" option with a neckband and a 10-metre Bluetooth range.
how to fix surround sound headphones
Start with the connection, not the headset. On the Smalody Neckband TV Speaker, confirm the speaker is paired and switched on, that your TV has a working Bluetooth link or an AUX/RCA audio out, and that the volume is turned up — Smalody's own troubleshooting notes point at pairing and output volume first. On the GAMER FANATIC Gaming Headset, reseat the 3.5mm jack and check the in-line remote. If nothing changes, the issue is almost always the source device, not the headphones.
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