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0 It’s another week, and it feels like a regular occurrence when a Razer review comes to town. This time we are looking at the Razer Barracuda X Chroma headset. The Barracuda line has been around for quite a while, but back in 2022 the whole range got a revamp. Numerous other Barracuda headsets were released, but back in October, the Barracuda X Chroma dropped. Being touted as a headset resulting from feedback from the community, it had high hopes. Bringing wireless audio and dynamic illumination into one seemingly cohesive entity. Has Razer hit another highlight in the headset market?
Lightweight Comfort and Durability
Razer products are both loved and hated in the industry. I have always loved the Razer lineup, especially their headsets. Whilst for audio purists they may not have the widest Frequency response as some pure audiophile units. However, for the gamers they pack an almighty punch, and the Barracuda X Chroma is no slouch in that respect. Lets find out how it lines up against other gaming headsets, and find out whether the X marks the spot.
Design
As with the majority of Razer’s products, this one comes in a nice neat design. Available in either a Black or White colourway. However if you opt for the white version you still get black earcups and cushions.
With minimal buttons on the earcups, giving ease of use to all who may want to listen to them. With 6-zone lighting powered by Razer Chroma RGB, giving you access to 16.8 million colours as well as a suite of effects.
Weighing a modest 285g, the headset boasts that it can handle gaming marathons and even the daily commute. With breathable memory foam ear cushions allowing a plush fit all while keeping your ears cool. A thick headband cushion ensures that the weight is distributed evenly to prevent the dreaded headset dent.
A headset can be made on its microphone and this is maybe the one slightly negative. Connecting the Razer Barracuda to the PC I entered a chat party with friends. I was told that it just wasn’t as clear as my usual headset, which is surprising especially as my other headset is the Razer Kraken V4.
Features
With all the pieces of hardware, it’s all down to the features that come in the package. The Razer Barracuda is no slouch in that respect. It has a whole host of great features to talk about, but let’s start with the drivers helping pump that audio into your ears. The Razer Triforce 40mm drivers are found in plenty of other Razer headsets and they do the job really really well. They have a frequency response of 20 Hz – 20 kHz so while they are not the widest range like something like the Arctis Pro Wireless, they have great clarity.
I’ve used the headset to listen to music, watch films, play games, and even just watch YouTube videos. With seemingly no loss of experience in comparison to older headsets that I’ve had over the years was a great experience. I’m sure I’m missing some information concerning the audio experience, but it wasn’t apparent.
With a monster battery tucked up into the headset, giving the user up to 70 hours of life if you were to turn off the RGB effects. Leaving those on reduces that down to less than half at 30 hours. For me though, 30 hours with all the bright lights on is ample enough, The headset is never far away from a USB-C cable to ensure it’s fully charged.
The Razer Barracuda X Chroma says it’s up to 40% faster. This refers to the latency response of the headset and the Type C Razer HyperSpeed wireless dongle giving a speed of 20ms response. You are surely in good hands when it comes to hearing what you are seeing, just quicker.
Connectivity
As with most Razer headsets, you can either connect using the HyperSpeed dongle or via Bluetooth. Included in the Razer Barracuda is Bluetooth 5.3, giving improved reliability, and security and increasing the audio capability via that method of connection. Personally I would be using the 2.4 GHz dongle to connect where I could. Being USB you can pretty much connect to anything with a USB port.
Don’t forget the Synapse App as well. Being able to change settings through the app just gives ease to the Razer Barracuda. If you’ve paired the headset to your phone you can also use the Razer Audio App. Check your essential settings like how much battery there is left, or adjust the sound EQ. You can do so much on the mobile app it makes heading out on a nice walk even better to be accompanied by the headset.
Final Thoughts
Now comes the tough bit, where does the Razer Barracuda X Chroma sit in one of the busiest markets out there? Retailing at £129.99 RRP it is up against some other heavy hitters out there. Thankfully the Razer offering holds its own. With the Razer ecosystem to connect with, ensuring that you can control each device separately but all together. This means if you are a fan of Razer products then this may be just for you. Be warned that the microphone may need some tweaking to get the most out of it.
When all is said and done, however, it’s a simple award. The Razer Barracuda X Chroma receives the Thumb Culture Gold Award.
Disclaimer: A sample was received to write this review.
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