Razer Barracuda X Review
Verdict
The Razer Barracuda X is a very versatile gaming headset, offer wireless back up for PS5, Switch, PC and mobile, while also excelling as on-the-go headphones for music playback. However, if you're not too fussed about its multi-platform flexibility, and so yous tin observe meliorate audio quality and extra features elsewhere for a similar price.
Pros
- Supports multiple platforms for wireless
- Good audio quality and 3D audio on PS5
- Ideal design for on-the-go music playback
- Bang-up 20-hr battery life
Cons
- Lack of Bluetooth for dual connectivity
- No companion app or high-end features
- vii.ane environment sound on PC is locked behind a paywall
Availability
- Great britain RRP: £99.99
- USA RRP: $99.99
- Europe RRP: €99.99
Key Features
- 4-in-1 wireless gaming: Offers wireless back up with the PS5, Nintendo Switch, PC and mobile.
- Detachable Cardioid microphone: Can detach the microphone to use the headset for on-the-motion music playback.
- Comfortable memory foam ear cushions: Very comfy to clothing, cheers to padded cushions and lightweight build.
Introduction
The Razer Barracuda X is being pitched as a 4-in-1 wireless gaming headset, supporting wireless play for the PS5, Nintendo Switch, PC and mobile.
This is thanks to the Barracuda X'due south bundled wireless USB-C dongle, providing a loftier-speed wireless connectedness. This isn't a unique trick, we've reviewed the SteelSeries Arctis ane Wireless and Asus ROG Strix Get 2.iv in contempo months, which offer the same versatility. And enough more brands are seemingly jumping on the bandwagon. Merely, it is still a very useful feature.
Razer too isn't relying solely on this political party play tricks, with the Barracuda Ten also featuring groovy audio quality, a report, yet comfortable, design and a detachable microphone. So information technology may non be a particularly innovative gaming headset, only it's still a fantastic choice at this cost.
Blueprint
- Basic looks, but platonic for on-the-go music playback
- Comfortable design with memory cream cushions
- Features headphone jack for optional wired utilise
The Razer Barracuda X is a large difference from most of Razer's other gaming headsets, as it isn't bold or vivid, offering but a single black color option. You could argue that this is a bland pattern option, just I appreciated their subteley when travelling to and from work with them wrapped effectually my head.
Razer has clearly designed the Barracuda X for on-the-become use, allowing you to detach the microphone whenever you footstep outside your home. It's a shame that they tin can't exist folded down to fit more compactly inside a pocketbook.
I've unfortunately already noticed minor scuff marks on the headband, which makes me concerned how they will look after prolonged use. That said, I practice think information technology has a adept build quality, with a sturdy plastic blanket wrapped around the metal ring underneath.
The headset remains comfy to article of clothing for long stretches of fourth dimension thanks to the headband's soft padding and the plush memory foam earcups. Weighing a prissy 250g, the headset never applied uncomfortable force per unit area to my neck.
On the left earcup, Razer has included a mute button, a volume bicycle and the power button. That's pretty slim pickings, although you tin use the power button for playback controls, with a unmarried press pausing music, a double press skipping a runway and a triple press to hop back to the previous rail. Information technology sounds like a smart solution, only it's hit-and-miss in practise, as it but accepts firm clicks rather than quick taps, then frequently ignores my inputs.
You as well get a USB-C charging port with an LED light indicator for battery life, a 3.5mm headphone jack and a port for you lot to stick the bundled cardioid microphone inside.
Razer has been fairly generous with what information technology bundles in the box, including the USB-C wireless dongle, a lengthy USB-A to USB-C adaptor, the charging cablevision and a 3.5mm audio cablevision for wired use. I'g glad Razer has enabled wired use with the Barracuda X, every bit it means I can use it with the Xbox. It sounds like an obvious feature, but we've reviewed the likes of the Razer Opus X and Roccat Syn Pro Air which bizarrely snubbed any form of wired connection.
Audio and microphone
- Detailed audio for both gaming and music playback
- Need to pay extra for 7.one environs sound on PC
- Microphone captures speech conspicuously
The Razer Barracuda uses 40mm Razer TriForce drivers that are essentially a shrunken down version of what you'll find inside Razer's popular BlackShark V2 headset.
I was surprised by how detailed the audio was when playing Apex Legends on the PS5, with the thunderous gunfire and metallic clanking of footsteps sounding delightfully crisp. I could even pinpoint the approximate location of my enemy's movement, helping me to avoid a fatal flank manoeuvre.
Unfortunately for PC players, the Barracuda X's support for 7.1 environs sound is locked behind a paywall via the THX Spatial Sound app. Razer does offer a l% discount for this, but it still feels stingy to have such an important feature locked behind a paywall.
I as well tried the Barracuda 10 with the Nintendo Switch, and saw similarly fantabulous results. The slash of Link's sword and his triumphement grunts were all presented with astonishing clarity.
However, the headset doesn't perform and so well with loud bassy effects, with the likes of grenade explosions sounding constrained and hollow. You tin can observe better sound quality with other gaming headsets, especially if you extend your budget to the Audeze Penrose or Sennheiser GSP 370. Just for the price, I'thousand still impressed with the Barracuda X.
Strangely, Razer'south headset performs best with music rather than gaming. Unlike other gaming headphones I've used recently, I could establish which instruments were playing in a melody, with the heavy pulsate beats of Linkin Park sounding even more atmospheric than usual. I was also impressed with the depth and range of the vocals, whether it was the high-pitched notes of Ellie Goulding or the deep melodic voice of Johnny Cash.
I was likewise quietly pleased with the microphone's capture quality. When recording my voice via Brazenness, my recordings came out sounding slightly artificial, yet still clear plenty to exist easily distinguishable in the heat of a battle.
The design of the cardioid microphone ensures that it focuses the voice selection-up area directly at my mouth, doing a decent chore at shunting out background noise – although don't expect information technology to block out anything too loud like a screaming baby or a howling dog.
Features and bombardment life
- Reliant on USB-C dongle for wireless connectivity
- No high-end features such every bit ANC
- twenty-hr battery life feels plentiful
The Razer Barracuda X uses a ii.4GHz connexion via the USB-C dongle, which is fifty-fifty more responsive than Bluetooth peripherals. This means yous shouldn't find any filibuster betwixt the on-screen action and the resulting sound.
But I have to acknowledge, it'south a bit of a pain having to conduct the USB-C dongle wherever I go, specially since Razer doesn't bundle a case with the headset. I wish the headset besides featured Bluetooth as well as 2.4GHz, so I could leave the dongle at home when listening to music via my smartphone.
The USB-C dongle is surprisingly large, with plastic jutting out on both sides. In fact, it was so big that it blocked out the front end USB-A port on the PS5, which meant I unfortunately couldn't charge my DualSense controller. That seems similar a huge oversight from Razer.
Aside from the wireless connectivity, there aren't actually whatever noticeable features to speak of. There's no ANC (active noise cancellation) like with the Razer Opus X or flashy RGB lighting like the Roccat Syn Pro Air. There isn't even a companion app to tweak the audio settings, which is foreign from Razer as this is usually one of the company's biggest strengths.
Razer claims the Barracuda X has a twenty-hour bombardment life. I've been using the headset every day for a couple of weeks, during office commutes and gaming sessions, and the headset is still chugging along happily. Information technology's absolutely non the best stamina in the gaming headset marketplace, but I nonetheless retrieve it's long enough to satisfy most people and it'due south a noticeable improvement on my Sony Pulse 3D Headset.
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Should you buy it?
Yous accept multiple game platforms:
If y'all ain a PS5, Switch, PC and mobile (or at least 2 out of the iv) and then the Barracuda X is very handy for seamless switching betwixt platforms via the bundled USB-C dongle.
You want the all-time audio for your money:
The Barracuda Ten sounds keen, only you can observe better audio for a like cost with the likes of the Razer BlackShark V2. The Barracuda Ten has no companion app either, which will be a plough off for audiophiles.
Final Thoughts
The Razer Barracuda X's main strength is versatility, assuasive me to seamlessly hop between PC, PS5, Nintendo Switch and mobile in wireless mode. I'm also impressed by its performance for music playback, with its sleek, subtle pattern enabling me to to listen to Spotify on the go without getting odd looks.
But if you're planning on sticking to one arrangement and don't demand the versatility, then there are better alternatives out at that place, as you can observe ameliorate audio, fancier features and more customizable settings with rival gaming headsets for a like price.
How we test
We use every gaming headset we test for at least a week. During that time, nosotros'll check it for ease of use and put it through its paces by using it in a variety of games, as well equally playing music in social club to get the total feel.
We as well check each headset's software (if applicable) to come across how like shooting fish in a barrel it is to customise and set upwards.
Tested on multiple platforms
Tested with both games and music
Used as main headset for at least a week.
Tested microphone with both multiplayer and Audcacity
FAQs
Does the Razer Barracuda X support Xbox?
The Barracuda X supports Xbox via a wired connection, but does non offer whatever wireless supports since information technology lacks Xbox Wireless technology.
Does it support Bluetooth?
No, the Barracuda 10 tin only connect wirelessly to a device via its bundled USB-C dongle.
Does the Razer Barracuda X work with all smartphones?
No. The Razer Barracuda Ten will but work wirelessly with phones that feature a USB-C port. That should include the majority of modern Android phones. Otherwise, you can yet use a wired connection.
Specs
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UK RRP
USA RRP
European union RRP
Manufacturer
Battery Hours
Weight
ASIN
Release Appointment
First Reviewed Engagement
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Voice Banana
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Jargon buster
USB-C
The modern USB connector you'll discover on most Android phones, new laptops, cameras and games consoles. It's reversible and used for charging along with data-transfer.
ANC
ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) uses an array of microphones in a headphone to detect the frequency of the sound coming at the listener, with the ANC chip creating an inverse moving ridge (i.eastward. opposing audio) to suppress any unwanted external noises.
3D Audio
A new characteristic which aims to brand audio in games more immersive by having the sounds from each game surroundings the actor in a iii-dimensional way.
Source: https://www.trustedreviews.com/reviews/razer-barracuda-x
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