Razer Barracuda X Chroma: two-minute evaluate
The Razer Barracuda X Chroma is a wi-fi gaming headset that sits in the direction of the funds finish of the model’s lineup, providing loads of options in a extra reasonably priced bundle.
It adopts a moderately conservative design, with its gaming stylings confined to the RGB lighting on the perimeters of every driver. The matte end and stylish type assist make this a smart-looking headset.
The match and luxury ranges are up there with the best wireless gaming headsets round. Even glasses wearers ought to discover there’s sufficient clearance and cushioning to accommodate the arms of their frames comfortably.
The scarf is splendidly plush too, and the relative lightness of the general headset means it stays comfy over lengthy classes. The earpads aren’t probably the most cushioned, nevertheless, which did consequence within the insides of the drivers making contact with my ears, however not sufficient to trigger a difficulty like different gaming headsets.
Along with some helpful on-board performance courtesy of the buttons on the left driver, you can also make additional tweaks utilizing Synapse, Razer’s peripheral software program. These embody altering EQ profiles through quite a few draggable factors throughout the frequency spectrum, in addition to superior customization choices for the lighting through the Razer Chroma add-on. Nevertheless, it’s inconvenient that this latter function opens in a separate app window, moderately than being contained inside Synapse.
You’ll additionally get entry to the Encompass Sound 7.1 function together with your buy of the Barracuda X Chroma, however this additionally requires a separate app, moderately than being a Synapse module.
The Barracuda X Chroma presents a balanced and clear sound. The assorted preset sound profiles might be hit or miss, with music mode being one of the best in my view, because it rounds out the bass properly. Oddly sufficient, whereas the Encompass Sound 7.1 functionality does impart a delicate sense of directionality, the overriding impression I bought from it was an elevated fullness and punchiness – however on the expense of including an undesirable airiness to the upper frequencies.
The assorted connectivity modes on the Barracuda X Chroma work properly, with Bluetooth and the HyperSpeed dongle functioning as supposed. Utilizing the SmartSwitch button to hot-swap between the 2 modes is fast and straightforward too, though there have been some events when it wasn’t fairly so sharp.
The battery life can be good, with the 70-hour declare showing to carry water throughout my assessments, because it didn’t even deplete midway after a number of days of assorted use. Charging it from about half to full took slightly below two and a half hours, which is a middling efficiency.
All issues thought-about, nevertheless, the Barracuda X Chroma represents higher worth than a few of Razer’s costlier gaming headsets, such because the Kraken V4, providing a lot the identical options and efficiency however for much less. I additionally discovered it extra comfy than the Kraken.
In the event you’re after a headset with superior sound, although, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Professional is a better option, and if you wish to keep on with the funds finish of the market – and don’t thoughts lacking out on wi-fi connectivity – you’ll be able to’t do significantly better than the Epos H3.
Razer Barracuda X Chroma evaluate: worth and availability
- $129.99 / £129.99 / AU$229.95
- Out there now in black and white
- Nicely-priced and good worth
The Razer Barracuda X Chroma prices $129.99 / £129.99 / AU$229.95 and is on the market now in two colorways: black and white. With a purchase order of the headset, you’ll additionally get entry to the Encompass Sound 7.1 app, which is normally a paid-for addition.
At this worth, it sits properly throughout the gaming headset market. It’s cheaper than the Razer Kraken V4, and but it performs simply as properly in accordance with my assessments, with comparable sound high quality – but the Barracuda X Chroma has higher consolation ranges. It additionally has a claimed battery lifetime of as much as 70 hours, whereas the Kraken can solely handle 50 hours. Nevertheless, the Kraken does function a retractable mic, whereas the mic on the Barracuda X Chroma is simply detachable.
In the event you’re after a headset with higher sound high quality, then the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro, the best PC gaming headset round in our view, could also be a greater possibility. It additionally has some helpful options, resembling ANC. Nevertheless, it’s significantly costlier than the Barracuda X Chroma. If you’d like one thing loads cheaper however nonetheless worthy, the Epos H3 is one of the best gaming headset on this regard, though you’ll should make do with a wired connection.
Razer Barracuda X Chroma evaluate: specs
| Worth | $129.99 / £129.99 / AU$229.95 |
| Weight | 10oz / 285 g |
| Compatibility | PC, Mac, PlayStation, Nintendo Change, Steam Deck, Android, iOS |
| Connection sort | Wi-fi (2.4 GHz / Bluetooth) |
| Battery life | As much as 70 hours |
| Options | 6-Zone Earcup Lighting, removable Razer HyperClear Cardioid Mic |
| Software program | Razer Audio App, Razer Synapse |
Razer Barracuda X Chroma evaluate: design and options
- Restrained appears to be like
- Comfy
- Quantity wheel a bit of vulnerable to misscrolls
The Barracuda X Chroma appears to be like good and moderately understated for a gaming headset, with the RGB lighting on the perimeters of every driver being the one indicator on this regard. The sleek, matt end provides a touch of magnificence too. The entire headset is sort of extensive, however I wouldn’t describe it as cumbersome.
It’s additionally one of the vital comfy gaming headsets I’ve tried. The sunshine weight means it’s hardly felt on the top, and the match is cosy however not too tight. The earcup padding isn’t probably the most plush, nevertheless, and I did really feel the within of the drivers making slight contact with my ears, however fortunately the stress wasn’t nice sufficient to trigger aches, as I’ve skilled with different headsets. I additionally desire their oval form over round designs, as they match my ears fully with out protruding behind me an excessive amount of.
Nevertheless, it has the identical design flaw that I famous with the Kraken V4: specifically that the amount wheel on the left driver tends to spin unintentionally when leaning again in a chair or couch, such is the convenience with which it scrolls. It’s a small gripe, however one that will change into irritating for individuals who prefer to lounge away when gaming.
The scarf is extra cushioned than the earcups, and I hardly felt it throughout my head. The scarf changes are additionally simple to make whereas remaining safe. In truth, the complete headset is engineered to the excessive requirements typical of Razer’s peripherals.
The mic on the Barracuda X Chroma is removable, however because it employs a gooseneck design, it may be moved out and in of place with ease. It additionally feels sturdy, and the material tip is fairly thick, so I don’t have many considerations about it deteriorating shortly.
There are numerous buttons adorning the left driver, together with an influence button that will also be used to carry out varied name and media-related capabilities, which is sort of helpful. There’s additionally a mic mute button and a SmartSwitch button, which shortly switches between Bluetooth and HyperSpeed Wi-fi modes, offered each are already related to your gadgets.
The Barracuda X Chroma might be tweaked utilizing Synapse, Razer’s peripheral software program. Right here you’ll discover varied settings for the sound, together with an EQ graph the place you’ll be able to enhance and reduce quite a few frequency bands, permitting for lots extra management than many different headsets provide. You may alter the present sound profiles, or create a customized one. Synapse itself is properly laid out and comparatively steady, and I had hardly any subject with it, other than the occasional slow-down.
Because the Barracuda X Chroma title suggests, you may also customise the RGB lighting utilizing the Razer Chroma add-on. This presents loads of choices to sink your tooth into, together with audio-responsive results and synchronization with different appropriate peripherals. There’s additionally a Studio part the place you’ll be able to create layers of results and section the sunshine bars with completely different colours, which is much extra detailed than most.
It’s inconvenient, nevertheless, that Chroma isn’t built-in inside Synapse; as an alternative, it’s a separate app, which could be a trouble when hot-switching between home windows.
Razer Barracuda X Chroma evaluate: Efficiency
- Good audio high quality for gaming
- Encompass sound provides fullness
- Lengthy battery life
The sound of the Barracuda X Chroma is well-balanced, though the low-end lacks the identical degree of depth as a few of the finest headphones on the market. As I discovered with Razer’s different headsets, one of the best preset profile for many conditions is Music, because it presents one of the best all-round frequency response, whereas the others have a tendency to chop the lows and mids an excessive amount of.
Along with your buy of the Barracuda X Chroma you’ll additionally get entry to the Encompass Sound 7.1 function, which is normally paywalled. Like Chroma, this opens in one other app window, including to the inconvenience. The Encompass Sound 7.1 impact is fairly delicate however does give a greater sense of the place sound is coming from in-game. It additionally supplies a noticeably fuller sound, with higher presence and low-end, however at the price of making the higher mids and highs extra ethereal, with a faint drone in these registers. This could be a little off-putting however not egregious sufficient to wreck the expertise fully.
Each wi-fi modes work properly, with the HyperSpeed dongle – true to its title – providing barely higher response instances, though there isn’t a lot in it. The sound high quality seems a lot the identical too.
The SmartSwitch function additionally works properly sufficient, shifting shortly between gadgets related through Bluetooth and HyperSpeed Wi-fi. It additionally connects simply to varied gadgets moreover PC: it’s as handy because the best PS5 headsets to make use of with Sony’s console, whereas each Bluetooth and HyperSpeed modes work seamlessly with the Nintendo Change, with a slight enchancment in sound high quality and lag when utilizing the latter technique.
The HyperClear cardioid microphone on the Barracuda X Chroma supplies enough readability, however it’s not fairly as pristine as that on the Kraken V4, because it introduces extra sibilance and muffling. However for gaming, it’s nonetheless completely usable.
The claimed battery lifetime of the Barracuda X Chroma of as much as 70 hours appears to ring true in accordance with my assessments. After a number of days of assorted use between Bluetooth and HyperSpeed modes, it solely depleted to 54%. Charging the headset took slightly below two and a half hours from this level, which isn’t spectacular however not horrible.
Ought to I purchase the Razer Barracuda X Chroma?
Purchase it if…
Do not buy it if…
Razer Barracuda X Chroma evaluate: Additionally take into account
| Row 0 – Cell 0 | Razer Hammerhead Professional HyperSpeed | SteelSeries Arctis Nova Professional | Epos H3 |
| Worth | $129.99 / £129.99 / AU$229.95 | $349 / £329 / AU$649 | $59 / £22 / AU$127 |
| Weight | 10oz / 285 g | 11.9oz / 337g | 9.5oz / 270g |
| Compatibility | PC, Mac, PlayStation, Nintendo Change, Steam Deck, Android, iOS | Xbox, PlayStation, PC, Mac, Nintendo Change, handhelds, cell | Xbox, PlayStation, PC, Mac, Nintendo Change, handhelds, cell |
| Connection sort | Wi-fi (2.4 GHz / Bluetooth) | Wi-fi (USB-C dongle, Bluetooth 5.0), wired | 2 x 3.5mm jack / 1 x 3.5mm jack (GSA 30 PC Cable/GSA 30 Console Cable) |
| Battery life | As much as 70 hours | As much as 44 hours | N/A |
| Options | 6-Zone Earcup Lighting, removable Razer HyperClear Cardioid Mic | Wi-fi Base Station w/ extra ports, 2x detachable magnetic ear plates, ANC, ChatMix | Carry-to-mute mic, EPOS BrainAdapt Expertise |
| Software program | Razer Audio App, Razer Synapse | SteelSeries GG (Engine and Sonar) | None |
How I examined the Razer Barracuda X Chroma
- Examined for a number of days
- Used on a number of platforms
- Intensive gaming and headset expertise
I examined the Razer Barracuda X Chroma for a number of days, throughout which period I used it whereas enjoying gamines, listening to music, watching video content material, and attending digital conferences. I made use of as a lot of its options and capabilities as attainable, together with the Encompass Sound 7.1, Chroma, and Synapse apps.
I used the headset on quite a lot of gadgets, together with PC, PS5, and Nintendo Switch, and performed varied titles starting from Counter-Strike 2 to The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. I related to those platforms through Bluetooth and the HyperSpeed Wi-fi Dongle the place I may.
I’ve been gaming for over 25 years, and through that point I’ve skilled quite a lot of headsets and headphones, from over-ear to in-ear. I’ve additionally reviewed a myriad of gaming headsets, together with different choices from Razer: specifically the Kraken V4 and the Hammerhead Professional HyperSpeed.