The Razer Kraken V2 is an upgrade done right. Razer went and fixed some of the Razer Krakens biggest issues and finally made it a headset worth looking at.
Kraken Pro V2 Review Summary
Looking for a great wired gaming headset? Then you are looking for the Kraken Pro V2, an inexpensive option that will rock your world!
It’s very comfortable – therefore a good pick for long gaming sessions – and is coupled with an excellent sound performance, especially in the bass response. You will really like it once you test it.
What sets it apart from other options in a similar price range? In the fact that it is comfortable and light-weight which makes it excellent for long sessions, which are typical in eSports. And yes, also an excellent sound quality.
The ear cups are quite easy to adjust and they are made of a textured plastic and metallic flesh. They tend to get a bit hotter in comparison to other headsets, but it is not much of a problem.
One of the things I love about this headset is the 50mm drivers because they make the sound sharper and crisper, so you get plenty of detail in games like Doom and CS:GO, where it is essential for a good performance. The explosions, footsteps and everything is very clear, so you can be aware of your surroundings at all times.
But is the Sound Surround?
By default, it is not, but you can easily fix it by installing this cool add-on known as Razer Surround Pro, which will allow you to adjust the sound in order to achieve a virtual 7.1 experience. This small improvement will make things even better. If real surround sound is a big deal to you, I do recommend upgrading to the 7.1 version, which does provide excellent surround sound but will set you back a few extra bucks.
The microphone is another excellent asset that makes this headset a good buy. You can communicate with your teammates without problems with clear sound. Just take into account that you might have to speak a bit louder, that’s the unique flaw I’ve found.
The standard black design could be better, but that’s what you get for the price. But if you don’t care much about the appearance, then there’s nothing to worry about. Al though, if you do decide to opt for the 7.1 version you can get the mercury edition which does look pretty incredible.
Final verdict: if you are looking for a solid headset for a fair price, then it is an excellent choice for you. While it is not the best of the best headsets, it is definitely up there. It’d be wrong to compare it against more expensive options like the Asus ROG Centurion 7.1 or the SteelSeries Siberia 840, but for its price, it is an excellent option I can recommend to almost any type of gamer.
Where Comfort and Sturdiness Meet: A Fabulous Combination
One of the biggest flaws of many headsets is that they are comfortable, yet not sturdy enough. It is like they feel good, but you also feel they are going to fall off at any moment. Feeling that way during long gaming sessions will shift your focus from the game to worrying about your headset, and that’s not good. But this is something that the Razer Kraken Pro V2 fixes.
It is very lightweight, just 322 grams, yet strong and sturdy like a Kraken (maybe the reason for the name?). It allows you to feel comfortable and secure, so you can focus on your game.
Very Adjustable
Another excellent feature is how easy it is to adjust. Taking into account that every one of us is unique, it comes with a very generous height adjustment range, so you can adapt it to your head and hit the sweet spot.
In terms of aesthetics, it is not the prettiest, but it looks decent. You won’t get fancy RGB lighting like the Corsair Void Headset, but for the price, it is reasonable. I do like that Razer for once chose to cut corners with the design rather with the performance. Then again, the 7.1 chroma versions do look pretty amazing, so if you care about the appearance, as well as surround sound, it might be a good idea to upgrade.
Oval or Round version?
This headset offers to versions in terms of design, round and oval. Which makes a surprisingly large difference and can really make or break the headset for some people. The round version is just fine for people with smaller ears and might fit them better. However, most people will get a lot more enjoyment out of the oval version, as it simply fits most people’s ear size better and will make long gaming sessions much more comfortable.
Excellent Sound Quality: Enjoy of Better Gaming Sessions
Gaming without excellent sound quality is just asking for trouble. If you play every now and then, it could be okay to use a regular headset you can buy at Walmart, but if you take this seriously then you need a headset like the Razer Kraken Pro V2, which can bring you an amazing sound quality for a low price.
In order to convert it into surround sound, you only have to install the Razer Surround Pro add-on and problem solved. It was important to mention this point again because this software puts at your disposal powerful options for customization:
- You can boost the bass
- You get a nice graphic equalizer you can easily manipulate
- Sound normalization
- Voice clarity
The sounds are very clear and detailed, which allows you to hear footsteps clearly, something that is critical in FPS games.
One of the things that are very nice to see is that it has an excellent bass response, something that adds, even more, value to the overall sound quality of the Kraken.
Some of you, the pretty picky gamers (with a justification) would find that this headset is not enough, but you have to remember that it is an inexpensive headset. It is not intended to be used by advanced or professional gamers.
On a final note, the microphone is pretty good and without major flaws. The unique thing to worry about is that you will need to speak a bit louder, but other than that, it works very well.
On my opinion, if you cannot afford a high-end headset like the Astro A50, then you should get it. It won’t disappoint you because its performance is truly top of the line for its price!
7.1 Version – Worth it?
This is obviously subjective. However, if real surround sound is an absolute must for you, then it is definitely worth it. The quality of the 7.1 surround system is great and it does justify the extra cost. That being said, the Razer Surround Pro application does offer a nice replacement for real surround sound and will likely be more than enough for the regular gamer.
Let’s finish with some frequently asked questions and answers.
F.A.Q: All Your Questions Answered
“Is this really the best option for its price (~$70 USD)?”
A bit hard to answer, it all depends on you. I truly believe the Razer Kraken Pro V2 is an excellent option, but you also have others like the Logitech G430 and the HyperX Cloud Stinger.
If you’re looking for a true budget headset, then the previous two options would be better suited for you, because the first costs ~$40 and the latter ~$50. But if you can afford a bit more, then the Kraken is the better choice because it’s inexpensive yet a very solid buy that you won’t regret.
“Should I go wired or wireless?”
Well, it is kind of hard to find an excellent wireless headset if you are on a budget. If that’s your case, then, by all means, go wired, because you won’t experience connectivity problems and overall get a better experience. You can find pretty good options like the Kraken for less than $100 USD.
Wireless headsets are cool because you don’t have to mess around with cables, but other than that, the wired ones will do just fine and wired headphones usually have better performance and will last you longer. As a rule, you probably shouldn’t go for wireless gaming gear unless you have a large budget to buy the best of the best or if wireless is an absolute must for you.
Conclusion:
My final verdict: an excellent gaming headset for those of you who are looking for great value for money. It fills all the voids despite its low price, that’s why I can recommend it to you with total confidence!
