Razer has lengthy been synonymous with prime quality gaming peripherals, and their headsets have led the way in which in innovation and sound high quality. I used to be just lately invited to a pre-RazerCon get-together with the event staff behind a number of upcoming or just-released merchandise. Amongst them was the Razer Kraken V4 Professional headset, which comes with haptics and an OLED Management Hub.
Consolation with High quality Sound
At the beginning, earlier than we even focus on the brand new bells and whistles of the headset, we’ve got to speak concerning the consolation in use and the standard of the sound. The headset is light-weight and comfy to put on, with easy-to-use controls and a retractable mic constructed into it. The ear pads have a leatherette overlaying and reminiscence foam padding, which makes them comfy sufficient for lengthy gaming classes. The retractable mic labored properly sufficient retracted, that you simply don’t actually need to increase it. It additionally did a terrific job of filtering outdoors noise.
The headset is plug-and-play appropriate with the PS4 and the PS5, and the 7.1 THX spatial audio additionally permits for personalised 3D audio settings, that are adjustable on the consoles. The spatial audio was fine-tuned so properly that you would be able to hear footsteps and know precisely the place they’re coming from. The standard of the sound actually showcases how properly the proprietary design of the Razer Tri-force 40mm drivers features. The smaller driver additionally allowed for a barely smaller and extra comfy ear cup, plus a lighter headset general.
Helpful OLED Management Hub
The OLED Management Hub is the one means the headset will hook up with the consoles by way of USB, however its features are a little bit extra restricted than if you’re utilizing it with a laptop computer or desktop PC. The hub will be adjusted VIA the PC to show issues like CPU%, CPU temp, GPU%, GPU temp, and/or laptop computer and headset battery percentages, however these solely show whereas plugged right into a PC. It could have been superior to see these percentages and temps from the console, however sadly, that’s not data that’s obtainable to third-party peripherals.
Establishing your hub to make modifications does require Razer’s Synapse software program and the software program is fairly easy to make use of. There’s additionally software program known as Razer Chroma to regulate the built-in lighting of the headset. That is additionally simple to make use of, and the settings you modify on the PC will carry over to your console utilization. I discovered that whereas the RGB lighting on the surface of the ear cups is cool for others to take a look at, they’ll drain the battery and lower your battery life down from round 45 hours of gaming to perhaps 12 hours. In the event you’re a streamer and need to look cool, modify the lights to suit your fashion, however if you’re simply gaming in your sofa, flip them off and save your battery for gaming.
Haptics Is usually a Recreation Changer
Razer has been engaged on a few merchandise that may improve your gaming expertise via haptics, and the Kraken V4 Professional is certainly one of them. The opposite is the Razer Freyja however it solely works for the PC presently. The Kraken’s haptics will be adjusted for its depth, however I discovered that it really works a lot better on the PC than it does on the console.
Razer despatched me a PC code for Remaining Fantasy XVI, which makes use of the haptics perform properly, however the haptics aren’t almost as nice on the console. Whereas I used to be on the pre-RazerCon assembly, I did get to expertise the Kraken and the Freyja collectively whereas enjoying Hogwarts Legacy, and it was a powerful, immersive PC expertise. I used to be informed that if the demand was excessive sufficient, Razer may make the system totally console-compatible.
A number of Streams at As soon as
Fairly just a few players now use Discord for voice communications, and whereas it’s a good way to speak, you may’t at all times hear what’s happening in a recreation whereas chatting. With the Kraken V4 Professional, now you can do it. I linked my Kraken V4 Professional to my telephone by way of Bluetooth and linked it to my PS5 by way of the management hub. I might then use Discord and even make telephone calls whereas additionally listening to the sport content material. I used to be blasting away in Future 2 whereas chatting with my spouse, and he or she didn’t even know.
Conclusion
Razer has lengthy been recognized to create high-quality merchandise, and the Kraken V4 Professional continues this legacy. They’re a little bit dear, coming in at $399, however in the case of headsets, you get what you pay for. With THX Spatial 7.1 audio, an extended battery life, and a number of streams directly, coupled with haptic suggestions and fancy lights (in order for you them), the Kraken V4 Professional can cowl all your gaming audio wants. Additionally they work with the Nintendo Swap and Xbox.
