Gamers seeking high-quality audio experiences may find themselves intrigued by the new Razer Kraken V4 Pro headset, priced at a premium $399.99. This headset aims to combine comfort, advanced audio features, and cutting-edge technology, but its performance raises questions about whether it justifies its hefty price tag.
The Kraken V4 Pro stands out for its comfortable design, featuring a soft headband and plush ear cups, making it suitable for prolonged gaming sessions. It boasts an array of impressive features, including customizable RGB lighting, a unique OLED screen for adjusting settings, and haptic feedback that vibrates the headset in response to sound. Despite these advantages, the device is not without its shortcomings, particularly regarding its microphone quality.
Audio Performance: Immersive Yet Flawed
When it comes to sound quality, the Razer Kraken V4 Pro delivers a rich auditory experience that many users will appreciate. While the reviewer does not claim to be an audiophile, they note a distinct difference between average and exceptional sound. Their testing included playing the film Top Gun: Maverick, where the combination of music, sound effects, and dialogue showcased the headset’s capabilities. The clarity and depth of sound created an immersive atmosphere reminiscent of an IMAX theater experience.
On PC, the headset supports THX Spatial Audio, allowing users to enjoy 3D audio in compatible games. The reviewer highlighted their experience with Battlefield 6, noting that sounds such as jet engines or explosions felt lifelike and engaging. The haptic feedback further enhanced immersion, providing vibrations that corresponded with in-game sounds. Despite this, the reviewer reported some discomfort during extended use, particularly at higher volumes, suggesting that users may need to adjust settings for comfort.
Customization and Connectivity
The Razer Kraken V4 Pro offers a high level of customization, allowing users to adjust the RGB lighting and select sound presets tailored for music, movies, or gaming. The Razer Synapse app facilitates these adjustments, automatically detecting the appropriate preset based on the activity.
Switching between devices is seamless; the headset can connect to multiple devices simultaneously. This feature allows users to take calls without interrupting their gaming experience. However, the practicality of this feature may be limited, given the widespread availability of native Discord support on consoles.
Despite these strengths, the microphone quality has drawn criticism. Users reported that it sounded inferior, even likening it to an outdated Xbox 360 microphone. Although the design allows for easy retraction and includes a mute indicator, the overall sound quality did not meet expectations for a headset at this price point.
Additionally, the Kraken V4 Pro experienced connection issues on several occasions, with the microphone failing to register sound. Users found that resetting the connection often resolved the issue, though it presented an inconvenience during gaming sessions. Battery life also posed a challenge, with the headset reportedly falling short of the advertised 50 hours under default settings. Users had to adjust haptic intensity and disable RGB lighting to extend battery life.
In conclusion, while the Razer Kraken V4 Pro headset offers a premium audio experience with advanced features, its performance inconsistencies make it difficult to fully endorse at its current price. Gamers may want to consider waiting for sales or discounts before investing in this accessory. The combination of impressive sound quality and customization options is compelling, but the subpar microphone and connection issues detract from the overall experience.
