14 DAY TRIAL // Razer Electra V2 is a headset that's is going to surprise gamers with the sound quality and the surround integration. It’s not an expensive piece of hardware, and the features it provides are well worth the price.
For the longest time, people have been choosing their audio headset based mostly on the sound quality, with everything else falling behind. And users had to endure some terrible designs and concepts just because the sound quality was excellent.
Companies such as Razer figured out pretty quickly that there is a market forming among gamers that want more than sound quality. They want things like comfort, longer cables, and dedicated features. Razer might not be the only company that’s making gaming headsets, but it’s one of the companies that put the quality of sound and gaming features on the same level.
When a gamer is looking for a new headset, he’s not going to settle with good sound. The headset needs to feel comfortable because it's are going to be worn for a long time, it needs to have proper microphone support, and if possible, a long cable. Very few things in life are more annoying than short cables. So, now we know what boxes have to be checked.
Design and comfort
One thing that Razer is known for is their ability to ensure that you know when someone is using their products. Their choice in colors, with that combination of black and bright green, can be recognized anywhere.
Combining recognizable design with functionally can be a tricky thing, but in the case of the Razer Electra V2, that’s not the case. Anyone would immediately know that it’s some kind of Razer headset, with the green accents and the green cable.
Unlike similar products from Razer and other companies, the headset uses a square shape. The shape of the ear pads is important for many people, with personal preferences being the determining factor. What works for some users might be impossible to wear by others, the main reason being the shape of the head.
Companies need to adjust the shape of the headset so that as many people as possible can wear them, for long periods. The square shape doesn’t affect the comfort, in this case, but it has to do with Razer Electra V2’s ear cushion thickness. The cushions are not too soft, and there is a lot of depth, which means that ears won’t be pressed against the head.
And since we’re talking about comfort, I also have to mention that the entire ear cushions (and drivers) can swivel and have a large degree of movement. The result is that it will most likely fit on any head, no matter the particular shape.
It’s also worth noting that there is no height adjustment, but there is no need because it comes with a flexible band. The metal headband on top is the same one used in the Tiamat and Thresher models, and it’s incredibly flexible and durable.
Functionality and usage
You might be tempted to think that having just good quality drivers is enough, but you would be wrong. Razer Electra V2 comes with custom-tuned 40 mm neodymium drivers, and most people will immediately realize just how good it sounds, not only in games but when listening to music, for example.
The headphones have the usual 20 Hz – 20 kHz response, 105 ± 3dB sensitivity, and 32 ± 15% Ω. Translated, this means really high volume and low interference from the cable and other sources. There is no active or passive noise cancelation, but the ear cushions fit so well that a lot of noise is filtered.
Razer also decided to add analog volume control and a microphone on/off switch. In fact, the mic itself is worth talking about because it’s detachable. This is the kind of feature that I would want on any headset.
Furthermore, it uses a malleable material that allows users to bend it every each way. And to make it even better, it’s a couple of centimeters longer than usual ones, which means that it reaches all the way to the front of the mouth. It’s also true that the microphone is unidirectional, so having it up front is important. When you’re not using the microphone, you can unplug it and cover the small port with a small piece of rubber.
The Good
The second aspect is the 7.1 Razer Surround certification. I know the 7.1 surround sound has been thrown around the headset industry with too much ease, and it doesn’t actually work, for the most part. But this headset works in conjunction with Razer Surround, which it’s a virtualization solution that makes a difference. It's simply amazing, especially in games.
It’s also possible to calibrate the software and the headset specifically for you and to unlock some features such as stereo enhancement, bass boost, voice clarity, and a few others.
I also must add that the Razer Electra V2 comes with an essential piece of hardware, that should be considered for integration with any headset. Razer added a small extension cable for the 3.5 jack and microphone. Not having enough cable for your favorite headset is annoying, so getting an extension in the box feels really good. Not to mention the fact that it’s green as well.
The Bad
If I really had to point out something, it would be the fact that the first time I put them on, they felt a little bit too tight. I can’t say if I got used to them or if they got loose after wearing them, but I’m sure that not everyone will be happy with this aspect.
On the other hand, having them so tight means that they won’t move around, under any circumstance. And this is useful if you’re wearing the headset outside, with your phone, for example.
Conclusion
If I add the analog sound control and the fact that the metal headband seems to be almost indestructible, I find that Razer Electra V2 is a perfect choice that’s right in the sweet spot between value and quality.
