To kick off Gamescom 2026, OXS is introducing an unusual 4.0-channel system for the desktop. The Thunder Mini X combines a compact gaming soundbar with a wireless speaker at the back of the neck that directs the two rear channels directly to the listener’s position.
With the OXS Thunder Mini X, the term “Mini” refers primarily to its compact size, rather than its price. For 299.99 euros, buyers get a complete 4.0 system designed to deliver spatial multichannel sound without the need for traditional rear speakers behind the desk.
OXS has deliberately scheduled the unveiling for the start of Gamescom 2026. Following Opening Night Live on August 25, the gaming expo will open its doors in Cologne from August 26 through 30. However, the manufacturer does not mention a booth or a specific demonstration area at the expo grounds in its announcement.
Return channels located directly on the gaming chair
The Thunder Mini X consists of a slim desktop soundbar and a wireless neck-worn satellite speaker. The satellite speaker is positioned very close to the head or in the neck area of the gaming chair and handles the rear audio channels.
In this way, OXS circumvents a common problem with compact gaming setups: there is often not enough space behind the desk or chair to position two separate rear speakers effectively. The satellite speaker, which operates close to the listening position, takes up less space while still allowing sounds coming from behind the player to be clearly localized.
The signal is transmitted between the soundbar and the neck speakers via a low-latency 5.8-GHz wireless connection. This ensures that the video and audio remain in sync, even during fast-paced games. For spatial audio processing, OXS relies on its own Xspace Spatial Audio technology.
Whether it’s footsteps behind your character, distant gunshots, or ambient sounds from an open-world game: The 4.0 system is designed not only to reproduce what’s happening, but also to indicate the direction from which a sound is coming. Just how precisely this unusual near-field rear speaker performs in practice is likely to depend heavily on its position relative to the gaming chair.
Multi-channel audio via a USB cable
The Thunder Mini X was designed primarily for use with a PC. A single USB data cable is sufficient for transmitting multi-channel digital audio and keeps the amount of cabling on the desk to a minimum.
The OXS Audio app lets you customize sound effects and the built-in RGB lighting. This allows you to match the soundbar’s color scheme to the rest of your gaming setup. OXS has not yet provided specific details about the available sound profiles or the individual lighting zones.
The manufacturer is also keeping details under wraps when it comes to the actual audio technology. The announcement mentions studio-quality drivers but does not specify their size or configuration, nor does it mention the amplifier power or the frequency response.
From the 4.0 System to the 4.1 System
If you want deeper bass, you can add an optional wireless subwoofer to the Thunder Mini X. The combination of the soundbar, neck speakers, and bass module creates a 4.1-channel system.
The announcement does not yet specify how much the subwoofer will cost or when it will be available. Also still unclear are the power requirements and battery life of the wireless neckband speaker, as well as the exact support for various multichannel formats on a PC.
Price and availability
The OXS Thunder Mini X is now available at a suggested retail price of 299.99 euros. In addition to the desktop soundbar, the package also includes the wireless neckband satellite speaker. The subwoofer is sold separately.
