The Razer Kraken V4 Pro headset is the brand’s most advanced model, featuring RGB lighting and vibration motors for enhanced gaming immersion. It includes a wired control box and supports multiple connection modes, including simultaneous 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth audio. With 40 mm biocellulose transducers and a retractable microphone, this headset excels in audio quality but comes at a steep price of 450 euros, making it the most expensive gaming headset tested to date.
The Razer Kraken V4 Pro gaming headset represents the pinnacle of the brand’s offerings. With a strong focus on RGB lighting, this model goes beyond traditional sound delivery by featuring integrated vibration motors that enhance gaming immersion. This technology, already introduced in the Kraken V3 HyperSense, aims to elevate the overall experience.
Equipped with a wired control box similar to the high-end offerings from competitors like SteelSeries, the Kraken V4 Pro supports four different connection methods and allows for simultaneous audio through both 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth. It also boasts 40 mm biocellulose drivers and an impressive retractable microphone.
This advanced gaming headset comes at a premium price of 450 euros, making it the most expensive model we’ve evaluated to date. Clearly, it has a significant task ahead to validate such a steep cost!
Technical Specifications
This review is based on a product provided by the brand.
A Familiar Kraken Design
Headset Features
The Kraken V4 Pro’s design is not particularly groundbreaking, but it is undeniably attractive. Razer has consistently delivered quality products, and this model is no exception. It has a sturdy build, weighing just under 400 grams.
The headset features a traditional design with a fabric-covered headband complemented by leatherette embossed with the brand’s logo. The headband is designed for comfort, featuring flexible metal forks for easy adjustments.
The earcups, which pivot 90°, make it easy to wear the headset comfortably around your neck. They come adorned with perforated plastic covers that feature striking RGB lighting, adding a visual appeal that many users will appreciate.
Comfort-wise, the earcups are filled with generous memory foam, topped with a synthetic cover for sound isolation—though they may lead to mild overheating during extended use. While the Kraken V4 Pro isn’t the absolute leader in comfort, it compensates with an array of buttons, especially with the addition of the control box. The right earpiece includes buttons for equalization and vibration control, while the left houses a power button, a thumbwheel, and a microphone mute button.
The retractable microphone is seamlessly integrated and features a shape-memory boom, complemented by an LED indicator that signals when it’s muted. Users also receive audible notifications for various functions activated on the headset.
Control Unit Overview
While the Kraken V4 Pro remains similar to its predecessors in some respects, the dedicated control unit sets it apart. Although it might seem bulky compared to models like SteelSeries’ GameDAC, it consolidates multiple connections and provides quick access to critical headset settings.
Operating the control unit is straightforward; simply press the secondary button to cycle through settings and use the thumbwheel to make adjustments. The screen displays animations and operational information, although the functionality remains somewhat limited, and a constant display isn’t possible.
Connection Versatility and Battery Life
While not the longest-lasting headset on the market, the Kraken V4 Pro boasts up to 50 hours of battery life when using 2.4 GHz and RGB lighting off, dropping to 13 hours with RGB activated. After a week of use with lights on, the Synapse software indicated a remaining battery life of 45%.
Razer ensures ample connection options for the Kraken V4 Pro. The control box includes two USB-C ports for connecting to a PC and console, an auxiliary input (3.5 mm), and Bluetooth functionality that operates simultaneously with the 2.4 GHz connection. Additionally, the headset can function as a wired option via its USB port.
Immersive Audio Experience
Equipped with 40 mm TriForce drivers, the Kraken V4 Pro delivers a balanced sound profile without prominent flaws. The sound performance is neither overly bass-heavy nor excessively bright, enabling accurate transcriptions of your favorite music.
In gaming applications, the audio experience is immersive without reliance on THX spatialization, which can sometimes distort soundtracks. The headset provides impressive stereo sound and a broad soundstage for accurate audio localization.
The standout feature of the Kraken V4 Pro is its vibration module integrated into each earcup, which syncs with low frequencies to enhance immersion. While this feature may seem gimmicky to some, it indeed adds a unique layer of engagement during gaming and movie watching, reminiscent of experiencing a high-quality home theater system.
Users can adjust the intensity and behavior of the vibrations to suit individual preferences, and the haptic technology proves to be an enjoyable addition rather than a necessity.
The microphone quality is commendable, capturing voice clearly, although a