Razer unleashes the Kraken once again. Around three years after the third iteration, which was almost completely convincing in our test, a new wireless gaming headset, the Razer Kraken V4, is preparing to conquer the throne. Read our test to find out whether it can secure its place among the best gaming headsets.
Technical data
| The product | Kraken V4 |
| Design | over-ear |
| Driver | 40 mm Razer TriForce |
| Frequency range (headphones) | 20 – 28,000 Hz |
| Impedance | 32 Ohm @ 1kHz |
| Sensitivity (headphones) | 98 dBSPL / mW @ 1 KHz |
| Microphone type | Unidirectional |
| Frequency range (microphone) | 100Hz – 10kHz |
| Sensitivity (microphone) | -42 ± 3 dB |
| Connections | USB type C |
| Connectivity | 2.4 GHz wireless connection; Bluetooth 5.3; USB-A |
| Battery life | Up to 70 hours (without RGB); Up to 35 hours (with RGB) |
| Weight | 345 g |
| Compatibility | PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Mac, Nintendo Switch, Mobile |
| Price | € 177.99 * |
Razer Kraken V4 review: stylish heavyweight with RGB
- Customizable RGB lighting
- Simple but elegant design
- Very heavy weight (345 grams)
The basic design of the Razer Kraken V4 remains the same as the model series. In comparison to the other model series such as Barracuda or Blackshark, the Kraken series relies on round ear cups with generous, soft fabric padding.
One new feature of the fourth edition becomes immediately apparent after switching on for the first time, as Razer has given the Kraken V4 RGB lighting in a total of nine zones, which extends over the outside of the ear cups and can be freely adjusted using the Synapse software.
Well, I don’t know who cares about that – after all, you can’t see any of it when the headset is on anyway – but it’s certainly nice-to-have. Otherwise, the Razer Kraken V4 also has a simple, matt black casing, which is largely made of plastic, but still looks robust and high-quality.
The weight of the V4 is also robust. At a whopping 345 grams, the gaming headset is truly no lightweight. Even in the wireless segment. And you can tell that the Kraken V4 is comfortable to wear.
Although the headphones are actually quite comfortable, you can still feel the weight after a few hours of wearing them. Especially as the headset slips on your head when you move quickly. I also find the fabric ear pads a little too hard, at least for my taste.
The Razer Kraken V4 comes with a fabric-covered USB-A to USB-C charging cable and a USB-C to USB-A extension. The wireless dongle is based on the modern USB-C standard.
Features and operation
- Bluetooth 5.3 and 2.4 GHz radio,…
- … but cannot be used simultaneously
- THX Spatial Audio; but only on PC
In terms of features, the Razer Kraken V4 leaves almost nothing to be desired. The gaming headset not only communicates wirelessly via the 2.4 GHz wireless standard, but can also be paired with games consoles, smartphones and tablets via Bluetooth 5.3. Thanks to the integrated retractable microphone in the headset, it can also be used as over-ear headphones without any problems.
Switching between the two modes is done by double-tapping the mode button on the back of the right ear cup. However, wireless and Bluetooth cannot be used simultaneously. Only calls from the paired phone will come through if you use the headset wirelessly. If this is important to you, you will have to purchase the Kraken V4 Pro, which is more than twice as expensive.
Too bad: In terms of codecs, only SBC and AAC are available, unfortunately there are no high-resolution options. The Alienware Pro (our test), for example, offers these. The Kraken V4 also lags behind the top models in terms of frequency response, which ranges from 20 Hz to 28,000 Hz.
The Kraken V4 also lacks active noise cancellation (ANC), while the haptic feedback of the Kraken V3 HyperSense has also fallen victim to the red pencil. What it does have is virtual 7.1 surround sound via THX Spatial Audio, which you can benefit from when Razer Synapse is running in the background – so the surround sound is unfortunately only available on a PC or notebook.
Nevertheless, a THX Spatial Audio demo is available within Synpase. I think this is the first time I’ve seen this on a headset with virtual surround sound. This allows you to hear directly how the sound image expands into the room compared to stereo sound.
Operation of the Razer Kraken V4
- Sophisticated, flawless operation
- Four audio presets
- Synapse app with many settings
The Kraken V4 relies on classic controls that are distributed on both sides of the ear cups. On the left (from top to bottom) you will find a microphone mute button, the ribbed and pleasantly rasterized volume dial, the power button, as well as the USB-C port and the microphone.
There are two more controls on the right. One is the mode button: Pressing it once switches between different equalizer presets (Music, Custom, Game and Movie), while a double tap switches to Bluetooth mode. Below this is a chat mix button: if you hold this down for three seconds, you can use the volume wheel to adjust the balance between game sound and chat.
The controls are cleverly positioned and are easy to reach without having to look. On the PC, Razer Synpase is an extensive but somewhat overloaded companion app that allows you to further modify many settings.
For example, you can change the sound of all four equalizer settings using a 10-band equalizer. In the “Enhancement” section, you also have the option of adding audio normalization, a bass boost and a focus on voice quality – unfortunately, these three options can only be activated in combination.
The same applies to the microphone, whose sound can also be adjusted using an equalizer and optimized with various improvements such as normalization, focus on voice quality, noise suppression and voice gate.
Last but not least, the RGB lighting can be completely customized, while you can set when the headset should switch off automatically after inactivity.
Battery life of the Razer Kraken V4
- Up to 70 hours runtime (without RGB)
- up to 35 hours with active lighting
In terms of battery life, the Razer Kraken V4 is also quite well positioned. Up to 70 hours of use are possible. Although this is not a record, it is enough for numerous extended gaming sessions.
But… and here comes the big but: This only applies if you switch off the RGB lighting. As in the case of the Razer Barracuda X Chroma (our test), the lighting sucks a lot of battery power and cuts it in half to a maximum of 35 hours. At least you can also use the Kraken V4 wired and continue gaming once the battery is empty.
Audio and microphone quality
- Very good, lively sound
- Suitable for music, movies and gaming
- Very good spatiality
Razer equips the Kraken V4 with the latest TriForce Titanium drivers, which we already know from the Barracuda X Chroma. These have a size of 40 mm and are therefore 10 mm smaller than their counterparts in the Kraken V3 HyperSense. In return, the frequency response is increased to 20 Hz to 28,000 Hz and should therefore reproduce high frequencies even better.
And the Razer Kraken V4 really impressed me during the test. Even in stereo mode, the headset delivers a lively and detailed sound that cuts a similarly good figure when listening to music as it does in movies and (most importantly, of course) in games.
In any case, it is important that you also adjust the equalizer depending on how you use it. Because with the EQ preset for games (in which the bass is lowered in favor of the mids and highs), the headset sounds very mushy and flat when listening to music. In the music preset, on the other hand, the mids and highs in particular are extremely detailed and airy. The result is a harmonious, pleasing sound across all genres.
This is further enhanced by the successful THX Spatial Audio virtual surround sound stage. While many virtual surround solutions fail, especially with music, the Kraken V4 delivers even more detail and a lively stage. Excellent, even if the sound image is not necessarily more airy. Just… fuller.
And how does it look when playing? Just as good! Both in immersive single-player titles and in competitive online games, the Razer Kraken V4 delivers a very good performance across the board. The sound image is pleasantly balanced and enables excellent localization of the sound in the virtual space. Even in stereo mode. With THX Spatial Audio, you can locate footsteps and similar acoustic details even better. However, I have to say that I prefer the stereo sound in competitive shooters such as Valorant or The Finals.
However, the bass is comparatively strong in the background, which is why explosions don’t sound as powerful as you’re used to from many gaming headsets. For me personally, however, this is a clear advantage.
My recommendation: also use the “Music” preset for gaming (or create your own setting). This also delivers the best, fullest and most dynamic sound in games. Even if there is not much to complain about in terms of sound, I would not classify the Kraken V4 as one of the best gaming headsets in this area. The Blackshark V2 Pro from our own company, for example, sounds a little better despite its increasing age and is now also available at a lower price.
Microphone quality
The microphone is an old acquaintance, as the Razer Kraken V4 inherits the HyperClear super wideband microphone that we know from virtually all headsets that the manufacturer has launched in recent years. A good decision, as this is one of the best microphones in the wireless gaming headset segment.
Only wired models such as the beyerdynamic MMX 300 Pro (our test) or 330 Pro (our test) sound even better. But even here, the voice clarity is excellent. Nevertheless, the mic is noticeably more susceptible to sharp S-sounds than is the case with other Razer models. However, the sound is always good.
Razer Kraken V4 microphone test recording:
Razer Barracuda X Chroma microphone test recording:
Microphone test recording Alienware Pro:
The advanced settings in Synpase also prove to be very useful here. Microphone noise suppression and Voice Gate in particular are very practical for suppressing disturbing background noises such as fans, typing on the keyboard or similar. It is advisable to play around with the controls to find the ideal value.
Razer Kraken V4 Review: Conclusion
No question: The Razer Kraken V4 is a very good wireless gaming headset and scores particularly well where it really matters – the sound. This applies not only to the quality of the audio playback, but also to the microphone. The versatile connectivity via wireless and Bluetooth is also pleasing, while the RGB lighting is a nice gimmick in my opinion, but by no means a necessary one.
On the other hand, there are also a few points that bother me. Due to the high weight and the somewhat hard fabric padding, the wearing comfort unfortunately can’t quite keep up with the best gaming headsets. In terms of sound, it’s also not enough for a place among the top models: The Razer Blackshark V2 Pro is slightly better positioned here and currently already costs less than the Razer Kraken V4. Nevertheless, if you are looking for a modern and good-sounding headset in the Razer cosmos, the Kraken V4 is definitely worth considering. However, there are better alternatives, some of them at a lower price.
- Versatile connectivity
- Full, vibrant sound
- Many settings
- Too heavy
- Full range of functions only on PC
- Currently too expensive
Razer Kraken V4
Workmanship
Wearing comfort
Sound quality
Recording quality
Features
Value For Money
86/100
Good-sounding wireless gaming headset with triple connectivity and nice RGB lighting, but lacks in wearing comfort and is currently too expensive.
