Razer Barracuda Pro: Two Minute Review
The Razer Barracuda Pro is part of a trio of Razer releases this year, featuring three new headsets aimed more at a more casual “lifestyle” audience than the hardcore gamer: the Razer Barracuda X, the Razer Barracuda and the Razer Barracuda Pro. Each targets a different segment of the market, mostly on price and features, with the X being the lowest priced and the Pro the premium option at a very high price of $249 (£249, around AU$350).
While the Barracuda Pro isn’t a dedicated gaming headset, meaning it won’t outperform many (if any) of the best PC gaming headsets at this price point in terms of sheer solid clarity and depth, that’s not what the Barracuda Pro is about. goes , and as a hybrid device it performs incredibly well.
The Barracuda Pro adapts to any type of sound or music from the device it’s currently connected to, with a pretty solid bass response. And because it’s not particularly bulky for a headset, nor does it have clunky attachments like a large mic (opting instead for a built-in mic that can be turned on at the click of a button), you can actually get out there and watch it. don’t look silly.
The biggest selling point of the Razer Barracuda Pro is the ability to switch between two paired devices, which can be any combination of PC, phone, and gaming device via its dual wireless (2.4GHz) and Bluetooth support. While it comes with a USB Type-A dongle, which allows you to connect to non-Bluetooth devices that have the port, this headset is for Bluetooth, as the main functions only really work with it.
This is both handy and a headache, as any Bluetooth device owner can tell you, as the technology can be a bit spotty at times, including the dedicated button to connect and switch between paired devices.
The second biggest selling point is its active noise canceling capabilities which come in three flavors: Off, On and Ambient. The difference between each mode is stunning in the best way, with the Ambient mode perfectly balancing which sounds are filtered. This setting and many others can be controlled via the Audio app.
On balance, it’s hard to call this one of the best wireless gaming headsets because it’s not quite that, but a lot more than that, and as a first real step into the Lifestyle market, it succeeds a lot more than it should. must for a first attempt. If you’re the kind of person looking for this kind of device, the Razer Barracuda Pro is about as good as it gets.
Razer Barracuda Pro: Price and Availability
- How much is it? MSRP is $249 / £249 / AU$439
- When will it be available? It’s available now on Razer.com and through other retailers
The Razer Barracuda Pro costs $249 / £249 / AU$439 for a pair, which comes with a handy carrying case with a small section for the USB dongle and charging cord, but doesn’t come with a base station, which is disappointing considering the price. price of the headphones.
Another drawback is somewhat the lack of availability outside the US. While it’s available for Australia for AU$439, as well as European regions, those in the UK may find it difficult to find one (we certainly did), and you may have to resort to importing one. pair – something that makes an already expensive piece even more so.
Razer Barracuda Pro: Design
- Tight and beautiful
- Comfortable earmolds
- Quality construction
Razer Barracuda Pro Key specs
These are the specifications on the Razer Barracuda Pro sent to Ditching for review
Connectivity: SmartSwitch Dual Wireless (2.4GHz and BT)
Drivers: TriForce Bio-Cellulose 50mm
Ear cups: Memory foam pillows
Weight: 340g
Battery life: 40 hours
Charging port: USB-C
Functions: Hybrid Active Noise Canceling (ANC) technology, THX achromatic audio amplifier, THX spatial audio, dual integrated noise canceling microphones
The Razer Barracuda Pro is a well-designed headset, and that’s putting it mildly. The simple yet slim and sexy figure combined with an elegant black coat of paint results in a product that exudes sophistication without being too overt. It appeals to those interested in a hybrid headset that offers a mix of features, but doesn’t need to attach gigantic gaming mics or have a dual headband paired with equally cumbersome earpieces.
What we especially appreciate about the design are the memory foam cushions on the earcups, in which you immediately feel the comfort. Despite most headsets having large cushions, the vast majority are cheaply made and can get quite sore after an hour.
But the Pro is easily one of the most comfortable headsets we’ve ever tried, the soft and plush memory foam. The headband is also coated with memory foam, which provides the perfect cushion for the sturdy stainless steel it’s made of. Not only is this headset built to last, but it doesn’t sacrifice comfort to achieve that.
The buttons on the earbuds are conveniently placed and once you remember which one does what, they’re easy to reach. It really shows an attention to detail, allowing the average user to take full advantage of the functions of each of these buttons without having to remove the headset each time to check which button you’re pressing.
Razer Barracuda Pro: Features
- Noise cancellation is top notch
- Bluetooth/wireless switch is spotty
There are several useful features that make up the bulk of the Razer Barracuda Pro’s offerings, the most important being active noise cancellation. Through a separate app that can be downloaded from Google Play or the App Store, users can decide whether to disable or adjust the noise cancellation depending on your needs. It can also be turned on and off via a button on the headset, but the app allows for much more precise control.
As well as turning it off, you can choose between Ambient and On, with the former selectively filtering out what outside noises you hear and the latter filtering out all background noise. The Ambient mode is our favorite as it balances out unnecessary sounds against the ones you definitely need to hear.
The full active noise cancellation is also a treat, with a scale to determine how thoroughly other sounds are blocked. At its maximum, it almost becomes a hazard because of how well it keeps out other outside noises.
The other key feature is the ability to switch between two connected devices using the dedicated button on the headset. And it’s a great feature in theory, but in practice it falls victim to the smeariness that Bluetooth and wireless are so known for. It is often easier to simply reconnect the device from the Bluetooth settings page.
There are also small features that are quite useful, such as the customization options available in the app, as well as the ability to mute phone calls while gaming if you have your phone paired with the headset.
Razer Barracuda Pro: Performance
- Great all round sound quality
- Game Mode speeds up wireless performance
For those looking for a dedicated gaming headset with premium audio, this probably isn’t the headset for you. While it has excellent sound quality, especially for what is intended to be a hybrid headset, it in no way compares to a much more specialized device. However, being more of a lifestyle headset, it really is one of the best.
According to Razer, the Barracuda Pro uses bio-cellulose 50mm drivers, which are believed to reduce distortion and enable “clear clarity and deep, impressive bass.” While we can’t comment on the technology itself, we can say that the Barracuda Pro sounds fantastic. It’s incredibly clear and the bass response is quite good – obviously not good for the subwoofer. But for the average user who doesn’t really dabble in the details, it’s more than good enough for normal gaming sessions or movie streaming.
There are also plenty of other bells and whistles, such as THX Spatial Audio and THX Achromatic Audio Amplifier, all of which serve to create an excellent sound experience. Combined with the really great noise canceling feature and it’s really shocking how immersive all the sounds played through this headset can be. Not to mention how downright incredible the battery life is, with 40 hours between each charge, which is phenomenal.
The Barracuda Pro is compatible with PC, PlayStation and several mobile devices, although Xbox fans are out of luck. For gaming, there’s even a special game mode that provides faster wireless performance within a smaller range, which works well for those who need the headset to respond particularly quickly during a session.
Where is the Razer Barracuda Pro on the market?
The Razer Barracuda Pro currently holds a unique position in the headset market. They combine features like noise cancellation and a sleek design reminiscent of the Beats line or something made by Sony, combined with solid bass response and faster wireless performance from high-end gaming headsets.
So it’s really quite difficult to compare the Pro to most other gaming headsets, although the Sony headsets in general, such as the Sony WH-1000XM4 or the Sony WH-CH510, are the closest in our opinion. .
Should You Buy a Razer Barracuda Pro?
Buy it if…
Do not buy if…
Also consider:
Razer Barracuda Pro: Report Card
| Where the | While it offers plenty for its price point, the Razer Barracuda Pro is quite a bit more expensive compared to other non-gaming headsets and is not available in the UK. | 3.5 / 5 |
| Design | Easily the best reason to buy this headset, it’s beautiful and well built with some downright cozy earbuds. | 5 / 5 |
| Functions | The noise canceling feature is the best as it is high quality on its own with plenty of options for you to customize your experience. | 4 / 5 |
| Performance | While it doesn’t match gaming headsets, it’s an excellent hybrid with great sound quality on all fronts. | 5 / 5 |
- First reviewed in July 2022
How we test
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