What makes it special, however, is its feature set, all of which is adjustable through the Razer Synapse app. It sounds detailed and clear, with just a tiny bit of sizzle on the high end. The mic is another reason to consider the Kraken Ultimate. This might prove to be a major inconvenience for anyone trying to use it in the middle of an online multiplayer game. During our testing, we’ve had to restart the Razer Synapse App often, as the Spatial Audio option wouldn’t engage when toggled on.
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Sadly, the THX Spatial Audio doesn’t always work.
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It feels like a full 360-degree soundstage, a level of immersion almost makes up for its sound quality issues. While this feature does a good approximation of surround sound on other Kraken headsets we’ve tried, its implementation on the Kraken Ultimate is top-notch. Plus, the sound imaging feels precise, with no issues locating enemies or game elements around us.Įngaging the THX Spatial Audio will immediately put the soundstage on overdrive. It’s a good, wide soundstage that feels accurate when running around games like Cyberpunk 2077, Red Dead Redemption 2 and Shadow of the Tomb Raider. The sound quality is somewhat redeemed by its soundstage. So, we know Razer could have improved on that sound quality. While we’ve tried other Kraken headsets that have had similar sound issues, we’ve also tested the Razer Opus and the Razer Blackshark V2, both of which didn’t have issues with their frequency response. To the headset’s credit, it does get a little better after it’s broken in. The mids, however, are muddy and hollow at the same time, which becomes even more pronounced when the virtual surround sound is enabled. There’s plenty of volume on tap, the high end is present, if not incredibly detailed, and the bass is even more pronounced than other Kraken headsets we’ve tried (and can thankfully be EQ’ed down in the software). (Image credit: Michelle Rae Uy) Razer Kraken Ultimate review: Performance and softwareĪs feature-rich as the Razer Kraken Ultimate is, the sound is a little disappointing.
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However, it looks good when it lights up – not to mention it's easy to adjust in the software and a welcome addition to the already feature-heavy Kraken lineup. It’s not reactive streaming, which is only available in the more expensive Kraken Kitty Edition headset, and it only has one RGB region, which means that both earcups will only follow one setting at a time. Probably the most noticeable difference between the Ultimate and most other Kraken headsets is the inclusion of RGB lighting. You’ll want to make sure it’s pointed directly at your mouth when using it, however, particularly if you need to use its active noise cancellation or ANC feature. Not only is the mic retractable, but it’s also very malleable so you can move it wherever you want. When pressed, a ring around the tip also lights up to helpfully remind you that your teammates can’t hear your angry outbursts or private conversation with a housemate. If you’re wondering where the mic mute button is, you’ll find it on the mic itself, which is frankly a smart design decision as it makes it a whole lot easier to mute mid-game. The retractable mic also sits on the same earcup, just in front of that cable.
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The volume wheel and button to toggle the THX Spatial Audio are located on the left earcup behind the cable. The Kraken Ultimate is minimal when it comes to external controls. Luckily, that limitation is offset by the fact that you’re getting a digital signal with that USB connection, which means uncompressed audio. As such, its connectivity is limited to just USB.
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Unlike the Kraken Tournament Edition, the Razer Kraken Ultimate is meant specifically for PC. The padding on these is very soft to touch, with cooling gel inside to keep your ears from overheating and a plush breathable pleather wrapping. The earpads, however, have more than their fair share. The padding on the headband itself is somewhat minimal, but the Ultimate is light enough that you’ll barely feel it. What makes the Kraken Ultimate an especially comfortable headset has to do with the padding. There’s almost no clamping force to speak of, which is fine by me since headsets with some clamping force can put unnecessary pressure on your head in the middle of long gaming sessions. Like most headsets, this can be extended on either side. The earcups don’t swivel or tilt much, but the headband is bendable enough to easily adjust to users’ heads.