With the Thunder Duo Max, OXS is launching a modular surround sound system that promises real surround sound including Dolby Atmos without cluttering up the living room with speaker cables. The system is aimed at gaming and home cinema setups at the desk or in the living room and combines desktop speakers, subwoofers and neck speakers to create a 5.1.2 setup that can be flexibly expanded. The launch is currently running via Kickstarter, which gives backers a significant discount compared to the eventual retail price – while the typical formal crowdfunding risks remain.
- 5.1.2 surround sound with Dolby Atmos support in full configuration, including up-firing speakers.
- Wireless concept with wirelessly connected neck speaker and subwoofer, less cable clutter in the setup.
- Wide range of connections: HDMI 2.1 with eARC, USB-C, optical input and Bluetooth 5.3, also suitable for consoles.
- Currently discounted price via Kickstarter, around 491 euros in the Max configuration, other, cheaper variants available.
Compact 5.1.2 setup with neck speaker and subwoofer
OXS officially launched on the German market in 2025 and is positioning itself as a gaming audio specialist that focuses in particular on immersive surround sound solutions. The Thunder Duo Max is the most ambitious solution to date: When fully equipped, the system consists of two desktop speakers, a wirelessly integrated neck speaker and a subwoofer that is also wirelessly controlled.
Although the subwoofer still physically requires a power cable, the signal is transmitted wirelessly, while the neck speaker can operate for up to around 12 hours on a rechargeable battery and can therefore be used flexibly on a chair or sofa. The result is a 5.1.2 system with a total of five drivers, including up-firing speakers that use ceiling reflections for the Dolby Atmos effect, adding a vertical sound layer.
On the power side, OXS specifies a peak output of up to 110 watts each for the two front speakers, while the subwoofer is specified at 80 watts, which means that the system should also offer sufficient reserves for action films or games with powerful explosions. The modular concept of the Thunder Duo series allows for different expansion stages: While the basic set starts as a 3.1.2 system, the Max version can be expanded to a fully-fledged 5.1.2 setup by adding a subwoofer and neck speakers.
OXS aims to achieve the balancing act of reducing the space requirements of classic multi-channel systems without noticeably diluting the spatial sound impression – the combination of front speakers, up-firing drivers and neck speakers is therefore clearly aimed at creating a spatially dense sound bubble around the listening position.
Connection diversity and use on console, PC and TV
A key selling point of the Thunder Duo Max is its flexible connectivity, which ranges from gaming PCs and current consoles to classic TV setups. HDMI 2.1 with eARC is supported, which means that a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X, for example, as well as a modern TV with 4K@120 Hz can be integrated without additional AV receiver electronics. Alternatively, an optical digital input, USB type C and Bluetooth 5.3 are available, which means that notebooks, mobile devices or handheld consoles can also be connected relatively easily. You can switch between sources directly on the system, which should simplify practical use in everyday life – for example, when quickly switching from a console game to a PC session or a streaming service on the TV.
To enhance the gaming and entertainment look, configurable RGB lighting is integrated, which has several zones and effects. Depending on the variant, OXS speaks of six illuminated rings and various presets such as Flame, Lightning or Flow, which can be customized via an app and visually align the system with the rest of the setup.
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On the audio tuning side, there are several presets and at least one freely configurable mode in which equalizer settings and surround sound parameters can be adjusted manually. Particularly in conjunction with Dolby Atmos and the special role of the up-firing speakers, this kind of fine-tuning is crucial for achieving a coherent sound in different rooms – from the desk to the living room.
Discount, crowdfunding and availability
The Thunder Duo Max is currently being offered as part of a Kickstarter campaign, which in some cases offers significant discounts compared to the subsequent RRP. In German-speaking countries, a price of around 491 euros is quoted for the Max configuration, while there are staggered early-bird prices in other regions, for example in the region of around 499 US dollars with a regular RRP of around 849 US dollars.
There are also slimmed-down versions such as the basic Thunder Duo set or intermediate stages with only subwoofers or only neck speakers, which are priced lower and can be expanded later in a modular fashion. Although OXS guarantees delivery according to the description, the typical risks of crowdfunding campaigns still apply in formal terms, where schedule delays or changes to details cannot be ruled out.
