Razer Kraken V4 Wireless Initial Impressions and Review

Summary: In my opinion, the microphone quality, Bluetooth integration, and game/chat mixer implementation drag down what seems like an otherwise solid product. I have no problems with the audio quality, build quality, or comfort at the $180 price point; if it just had a better mic, or the same kinds of feature implementation that you can find on the Astro A50 X or SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7, this would be an easy recommendation from me. Complaints/Problems: - The microphone is below average (especially compared to the Blackshark V2) - Mic monitoring is nearly worthless because it’s not loud enough, clear enough, and produces non-stop static - You cannot use Bluetooth and in-game audio at the same time like you can with the A50 X and Arctis Nova 7; you can only use one at a time - The game/chat mixer was poorly implemented, and Razer could have made it easier to use, 100% Pros: - Audio quality is solid for 40 mm drivers. Size isn’t everything apparently. - Amazing level of adjustability. These should fit everyone’s head. - Cushion material is nice if you like the SteelSeries 'AirWeave' style Overall, I don’t think this warrants a “stay the hell away from it,” but I do advise caution for anybody expecting similar features to something like the A50 X. It's hard to justify keeping these as the mic quality and game/chat mixer issues basically prevent me from using them when gaming with friends. Notes I took while testing it out (basically the entire video TLDW): Mic monitoring is useless below 90% volume If mic monitoring is on, very annoying static in the background at all times Have to mute mic completely for it to go away or turn it off Quality not as good as the Blackshark V2. Definitely need to compare more. Microphone picks up sound of EVERYTHING. Omni-directional? Why? The game chat mixer is an interesting concept. Hold a button, use scroll wheel…. Why not just have an additional scroll wheel there like Nova? Or 2 buttons? RGB…. don’t think I will ever mess with this. Seems like a waste of battery life. Closed back AF, can’t hear myself one bit while using them. God help my family if they’re asleep while I use these. Defaults to Bluetooth when there’s no game audio Mimics Steelseries AirWeave cushions Tired of poor implementation of features. Game/Chat mixer, Bluetooth (only one or the other), retractable mic. Audio quality is solid for 40 mm drivers. Size isn’t everything though. Amazing level of adjustability. These should fit everyone’s head. Cushion material is nice if you like the AirWeave style Retractible mics aren’t too common. Kind of neat if you’re into them RBG allows for some extra customization 0:00 - Intro and Conclusion 0:50 - Microphone 3:30 - Bluetooth 5:30 - Game/Chat Mixer 8:35 - In the Box & Features 10:40 - Adjustability and Comfort 12:22 - Audio 13:07 - Software 15:12 - Microphone Comparison 17:33 - Wrap-Up