Razer Barracuda X Chroma evaluation: Additional RGB and worth, no extra choices

Irrespective of your reasoning, sometimes all you actually need is a single headset which you’ll be able to hook as a lot as your PC at residence for gaming durations and hook up along with your phone whereas on the go.

Out of Razer’s quite a few households of gaming headsets, the “Barracuda” line is the one most suited to this aim, with sleeker designs that don’t scream “gamer” at first look. The Razer Barracuda X is basically probably the most moderately priced throughout the lineup, and now it’s joined by a Chroma variant, a mid-gen enhance that makes some notable changes and — as Razer utterly likes to do — supplies a great deal of customizable RGB lighting.

The Razer Barracuda X Chroma continues to be a steady wi-fi gaming headset that is versatile ample to manage to irrespective of you could do or take heed to, nonetheless this refresh complete feels a tad odd. There are some upgrades, nonetheless you might be largely paying additional for the addition of that RGB lighting — which doesn’t make as so much sense in the event you’re talking about an entry-level wi-fi headset. On excessive of that, you might be really dropping a operate as compared with the non-Chroma Barracuda X, which continues to be on the market at a less expensive worth.

Barracuda X Chroma: Pricing and specs

• The Razer Barracuda X Chroma retails for $130.
• That’s $30 higher than the widespread Barracuda X, which continues to be on the market.

The Razer Barracuda X Chroma is mainly much like its predecessor, ample that there is no “V2” moniker to level a generational leap forward. The overall design and dimensions are virtually comparable, and many of the capabilities are shared between the two headsets as properly. As a quick rundown, the Barracuda X Chroma options 6-zone RGB lighting in each earcup, improved battery life, additional weight, greater Bluetooth connectivity, an enhanced microphone, and no wired audio.

The Razer Barracuda X Chroma retails for $129.99 at Most interesting Buy. In contrast, the prevailing Razer Barracuda X continues to be on the market for $99.99 at Most interesting Buyand it sometimes goes on sale for as little as $70. Given the modest guidelines of upgrades, many people is more likely to be greater served saving that $30+ and selecting the non-Chroma Barracuda X as a substitute.

Throughout the discipline, you could uncover the Razer Barracuda X Chroma wi-fi gaming headset, the detachable Razer HyperClear Cardioid microphone and its exterior pop filter, a USB Form-C Razer HyperSpeed 2.4GHz wi-fi dongle, a USB Form-C to USB Form-A adapter, a major felt journey bag, and a braided USB Form-C to USB Form-C charging cable. This headset is roofed by Razer’s 2-year commonplace assure.

Barracuda X Chroma: The good

• The model new RGB lighting could also be very tastefully carried out, enhancing the design.
• For the price, this headset moreover has a warmth, good sound profile.
• Wi-fi effectivity is great, and it’s easy to switch items.

The Razer Barracuda X already boasted a contemporary, muted design that feels correct at residence on any head or in any situation, and the Barracuda X Chroma merely supplies customizable lighting to the equation. Razer utilized that lighting in the easiest methodology, though, resulting in an especially clear look that provides you a ton of flexibility to customize one of the simplest ways you want it.

The Barracuda X Chroma continues to be a comfortable headset to placed on, too, no matter weighing higher than its predecessor. The clamping strain stability is nearly good (it could very properly be solely a tad tighter) and the fabric cushions are every tender and breathable. Assemble top quality is strictly what I anticipate from a ~$100 headset — the provides aren’t distinctive, nonetheless each little factor is a minimal of put collectively properly.

Throughout the sides, you could uncover your USB Form-C charging port, an audio jack for the detachable microphone, a amount dial, a mute change, the ability button, and Razer’s SmartSwitch button. That seems like tons, nonetheless the system is intuitive; the ability button doubles as media controls (play, pause, subsequent observe, and former observe), and the SmartSwitch button lets you change connectivity modes and onboard EQ profiles.

That SmartSwitch button works properly, too, with reliable and quick connections all through Bluetooth and 2.4GHz. It’s good to have 4 onboard EQs, and the fourth is a “Custom-made” EQ which you’ll be able to configure in Razer Synapse or the Razer Audio app on Android and iOS.

Don the Barracuda X Chroma, and you’ll be met with a widely known listening experience. This headset is powered by Razer’s tried-and-true TriForce 40mm drivers, which ship a well-balanced, warmth, and pleasing sound whether or not or not you might be having fun with video video games or listening to music. The Barracuda X doesn’t have a pulsing low-end or the clearest highs, nevertheless it certainly’s nonetheless higher than acceptable for the price and is responsive ample to take care of up with primarily probably the most aggressive video video games.

You will use it for pretty a while, too. The Razer Barracuda X Chroma did enhance its endurance over its predecessor, leaping from 50 hours of listening time to a cool 70. The truth is, that’s when the RGB lighting is disabled — with the Chroma lights activated, you might be nearer to 30 hours. Fortunately, Razer’s estimates do actually really feel appropriate, like normal, and it’s easy ample to disable that lighting for some extended endurance (sadly, there is no methodology to take motion with merely the headset, though).

Barracuda X Chroma: The harmful

• RGB lighting is an expensive addition that needlessly will enhance worth.
• The Barracuda X Chroma ultimately does probably not really feel like a severe enhance.
• That could be very true of the microphone, which is decidedly widespread.

RGB lighting is a “luxurious” operate usually reserved for primarily probably the most premium gaming {{hardware}} and gear, and that affiliation is powerful ample that many smaller producers will laden their most cost-effective merchandise with poor RGB LEDs to supply the impression of higher top quality. There’s no smart trigger to include RGB, in any case, and it ultimately solely supplies worth.

That’s the place the Razer Barracuda X Chroma is offered in. Razer took one among its most moderately priced wi-fi gaming headsets, made a handful of minor upgrades, added RGB lighting, after which bumped the pricing up by 30%. It’s exhausting to probably not really feel like it’s a side-grade at most interesting, with the Barracuda X Chroma nowhere near the price that its older sibling is (and continues to be since Razer continues to be selling it). That feels way more obvious in the event you keep in mind the RGB lighting is usually for various people since you can’t see your private ears.

Longer battery life is sweet, nonetheless the Barracuda X Chroma will really die faster in the event you occur to make use of its distinctive lighting. You’re moreover gaining 35g in weight (a noticeable improve) and dropping assist for 3.5mm wired audio. That’s ample to offset any of the alternative minor upgrades, along with improved wi-fi effectivity, greater software program program assist, onboard EQ profiles, and the upgraded microphone. Speaking of that…

Retaining the “HyperClear Cardioid” branding of Razer’s additional modest headset mics, the Barracuda X Chroma’s detachable, unidirectional microphone not solely tends to sporadically not work however moreover sounds widespread at most interesting. This is usually a quiet microphone, so you’ll have to point out up the mic amount, and you’ll not uncover any decisions to finetune or customise your recording experience except for enabling sidetone monitoring.

On account of it’s detachable and by no means retractable (and the Barracuda X Chroma boasts no built-in mics), you might also need to lug it spherical in the event you want to use this headset to take phone calls.

Barracuda X Chroma: Moreover ponder

Barracuda X Chroma: Remaining concepts

You should buy this if …

✅You need a contemporary, straightforward headset for gaming and media consumption

The Razer Barracuda X Chroma is designed to be a multi-platform, multi-purpose wi-fi headset, and it does receive that objective. It has a contemporary, unobtrusive design, a pleasant and balanced sound, and reliable battery life.

✅You really want that RGB lighting

The Barracuda X Chroma admittedly choices among the many most well-done RGB lighting I’ve seen in any gaming headset, and it seems unbelievable (on excessive of supplying you with a ton of customization decisions). Must you value that ample to pay a bit bit extra for it, this headset is not going to permit you to down.

You should not buy this if …

❌You’re in quest of carry out over sort at a implausible worth

For $130, the Barracuda X Chroma merely shouldn’t be the nice value that its predecessor continues to be, notably when the older Barracuda X is normally found on sale. You’re clearly paying a premium for that RGB lighting, nonetheless additional moderately priced headsets can match and even beat the Barracuda X Chroma in practicality.

I really truly identical to the Razer Barracuda X Chroma. It’s an accessible, cozy, and balanced wi-fi headset that I can placed on for prolonged intervals of time and perception merely as so much with gaming as with music. It moreover seems excellent, and the RGB lighting is genuinely very properly carried out. The Barracuda X Chroma doesn’t exist in a vacuum, though, and it’s overshadowed in some strategies by the headset that obtained right here sooner than it.

You probably can nonetheless buy the Razer Barracuda X, and when it could be found for as so much as $60 decrease than the Barracuda X Chroma, it’s exhausting to justify shopping for and promoting a lower weight, and wired audio assist for RGB lighting, barely longer battery life, and minor upgrades to the wi-fi connectivity, microphone, and software program program choices. I couldn’t blame you for truly liking how the Barracuda X Chroma seems, though, notably that beautiful two-tone white colorway (I truly need I had requested that color from Razer to evaluation as a substitute).

Now you should purchase the Razer Barracuda X Chroma for $129.99 at Most interesting Buysupplying you with the prospect to pay a bit bit additional to face out a lot additional. There’s nonetheless no Xbox assist, though.