Razer Barracuda Pro: Review

The sound quality and active noise cancellation of the Razer Barracuda Pro make it an excellent gaming headset. It’s a terrific headset provided you can overlook the subpar microphone and limited connection choices. The Razer Barracuda Pro is an intriguing offering from Razer. Is a gaming headset still a game headset if it lacks a boom microphone? The Barracuda Pro has great ergonomics, effective active noise cancellation (ANC), and a two-way wireless system that works in tandem.

But do these contemporary features compensate for the game’s diminished importance?

The product is pocket friendly, while the Pro is a bit costly at £249 (about AU$350). The Barracuda Pro is not a dedicated gaming headset so it won’t outperform many of the popular PC gaming headsets. But at this pocket-friendly price, Barracuda Pro performs incredibly well.

Razer Barracuda Pro Specifications

PROS

• Good construction quality
• Sound Quality
• Active noise cancellation
• Dual connections is provided
• Battery life is good.

CONS

• There is no boom microphone.
• Consoles have little support.
• No 3.5mm headphone jack

• DESIGN

The Razer Barracuda Pro boasts a durable build and a number of great features, many of which are included on all of Razer’s headsets. A stainless steel headband provides stiffness and cushioning inside the design, which is primarily comprised of plastic. The memory foam ear cushions greatly increase comfort for the design of the headphones.

Even though they aren’t the most breathable, the leatherette ear pad coverings still let some air in and keep things from becoming too hot. For a custom fit, each headphone may be adjusted up or down. The headphones may even be rotated to lay flat on a surface. The size is easy to alter, and unlike other headsets, the mechanism doesn’t seem to get hair trapped. It keeps its shape without becoming uncomfortable for extended periods of time. The headset also includes a high-quality, but rather cumbersome, carrying case.

• CONTROLS

The Razer Barracuda Pro has a number of buttons on the rear of the ear cups that allow you to make instantaneous adjustments. This has a volume dial, power button, microphone mute button, and ANC adjustment button on the right ear cup. These buttons are easy to operate because of where they are and how they feel. Yet the headset is a little perplexing because the button you push to modify the ANC setting also turns on Bluetooth when you hold it down.

• SOFTWARE

The software package Razer Synapse, which is used to manage practically all Razer peripherals, is bundled with the Razer Barracuda Pro. While utilizing the headset is unnecessary, it provides several beneficial functions. The main purpose of the program is to modify audio parameters such as equalization and microphone volume. The software provides a number of optimized equalizer settings for the Razer and comes with an app for Android and iOS named Razer Audio. This app provides access to equalization and proper noise cancellation.

• CONNECTIONS

The headset is compiled for use with a 2.4GHz USB-C adapter, making it perfect for competitive online play. The headset is built with a USB-C to USB-A converter. Razer has done something rather unusual by excluding a connector for headphones, so you won’t be able to listen to music over a wire. The USB-C dongle and another device (usually a phone) may both be connected to the Razer Barracuda Pro through Bluetooth thanks to Razer’s SmartSwitch Dual Wireless technology. During normal operation, there is some audible distortion, most likely due to electrical interference.

• MICROPHONES

Although the clicks and shocks from my mechanical keyboard and its Holy Panda X switches were somewhat muted yet still slightly discernible at the default settings, the mics also made some very loud construction sounds going on across the street behind my desk essentially disappear in my test recording. I believe I could tolerate some keyboard noise in exchange for improved mic quality overall, but it’s nice to have options.

Conclusion

The Razer Barracuda Pro can be regarded as one of the best headsets, especially for its $250 price. It comes with perfect integrated mics and active noise cancellation. If you compare Sony and Bose, Razer Barracuda Pro is a better option than both. Also, it has a fantastic battery life and is very comfortable to wear for extended periods of time (although this can vary depending on the wearer’s particular head size). It’s possible that the 40-hour rating provided by Razer is overstated. In addition, the robust carrying case that comes with the headphones is superior to those that come with headphones that cost hundreds more.