14 DAY TRIAL // The Razer Kraken Pro v2 is easy to spot in a crowd, especially if the user has the green version. It’s a famous line of headsets, and this iteration only builds on the legacy of the previous generations.
Razer makes quite a few headsets, and they are usually aimed at the gaming market. The same can be said about the Kraken Pro v2, which is definitely aimed squarely at gamers. Sure, you can use it for anything else, since it has a 3.5mm audio jack, which fits everywhere, and that’s why the company says it works on PC, Mac, Xbox, and PlayStation.
Gaming headsets are not like the usual ones, and they have a different set of features. People who listen to music, for example, don’t want to walk around with a microphone, and most of them don’t need that bulkiness of a gaming headset.
Gamers will look for specific options that are not usually of interest to any other category of people. For example, the headset needs to be comfortable enough to be worn for extended periods. Gaming sessions can’t be interrupted because the headset becomes uncomfortable.
Durability and build quality are also a factor, and the implementation of the microphone needs to be very good. Any game played online offers in-game voice chat, and a dodgy microphone is not going to make anyone happy.
If you add all of these conditions, you will notice the high bar that Razer needs to clear with any gaming headset. The Razer Kraken Pro v2 is also used in professional settings, such as gaming tournaments, so the quality and features are a prerequisite.
Design
The Razer Kraken Pro v2 comes in many colors, but we’ve tested the Razer green version. If you don’t know what Razer green looks like, take a closer look at the pictures. It’s a bright green that stands out anywhere, and I think that's the idea. But you can also get them in white and black if you want a more toned-down approach.
Since it’s using a 3.5mm audio jack, they aren’t Chroma-powered, obviously. Despite the large size, which is accentuated by the massive cushions, it’s light enough so that it doesn’t bother people during long gaming sessions. Interestingly enough, the cushions have an oval shape, allowing for better coverage of the ears. They are also deep enough so that most ears won’t touch the inside of the headset.
Usage and specs
There are lots of exciting features, but the first one that I have to mention is the bauxite aluminum frame. I’ve owned many headsets over the years, and the frame is the most sensitive part. Remarkably few models have survived with the frame intact, which usually breaks or bends after prolonged usage.
With the Kraken Pro v2, the metal frame should be the last thing to worry people, as it’s extremely sturdy and designed to endure for a long time. In fact, Razer advises people to stretch the frame more than the natural extension that you get when it’s placed on the head. The reason is that it needs to remain flexible. Think of it like an exercise for your headset to keep it in shape.
Next up are the drivers, and the Kraken Pro v2 uses 50 mm ones, with Neodymium magnets, just like in most of their products. The company says that it’s custom-tuned for this headset, but it’s unclear how. Most likely, the headset is tuned for games and not on music, for example.
The cushions are also designed for prolonged use, and they use a gel-infused material, which is supposedly less inclined to heat up. And since they are big enough to cover the entire ear, it also acts as sound-dampening for the outside world. To make this experience complete, the headset has hidden indented eyewear channels so that users with glasses don’t experience discomfort.
The microphone folds into the left ear cup, but not completely. It uses a cardioid pickup pattern, and Razer says that it blocks outside sounds, so that only the voice is transmitted. I used it in several games, and it seems to be doing its job well.
Lastly, the cables are braided, which is a nice touch. The volume control is placed on the cable, along with the mute microphone button. The cable length is 1.3 m, but there is a 1.5m extension cable in the box. For some reason, only the extension cord has separate jacks for the headset and microphone.
The Good
The thick padding on the headband is a nice touch. I would always get mild pain when wearing headsets for many hours, but this doesn’t seem to be happening with this padding. I can only wonder how long is that extra layer is going to last.
While the quality of the sound can’t be disputed, I must say that the quality of the microphone is what impressed me the most. The other parties were hearing me correctly, and I have to say that it’s a relief to use something that’s this good.
The Bad
Let’s start with the obvious. The Razer Kraken Pro v2 can’t be used as a headset and microphone without the extension cord. In theory, you could use a simple splitter, but you’ll have to buy that one for yourself. Since it’s a really cheap piece of equipment, it’s peculiar that they didn’t include one, to begin with.
Secondly, Razer said that their 7.1 surround sound software is available for all new headsets, but you will need an activation code to make it work. There’s nothing in the box, nothing on the website, and the registration process for the Razer Kraken Pro v2 didn’t provide an activation code.
To make matters worse, the website is not up to date, and in some places, the Razer Kraken Pro v2 doesn’t seem to be covered by the 7.1 surround sound software. It’s confusing, and it shouldn’t be. I had to use a much older version of the Synapse to get access to the channel surround in Demo mode.
Conclusion
It’s tuned for gaming, so it sounds terrific in games, but people might object to it when listening to music, although it’s not that bad. In any case, Razer Kraken Pro v2 lives up to its promises, and the small issues that might occur don’t seem to be sufficient enough to no recommend the headset.
