• TWEAK
• Hardware
• Headset

Razer Kraken V4 Pro

Before we dive into the test itself, we must have looked at the specifications, which can easily be found on Razer's website.

Specifications of the Razer Kraken v4 Pro

• Type: Over-ear gamer headset
• Frequency response: 20 – 28,000 Hz
• Volume control: On Ear Cup
• Drivers: 50mm Razer Triforce Bio-Cellulose
• Sound control on headset: Volume, Mute
• Plug: 1 x 3.5mm, 1x USB-C
• Channels: Stereo
• Battery: - mAh
• Battery life: Up to 50 hours with Haptic and lighting Off, Up to 13 hours with Haptic and Lighting On
• Weight: 397 grams
• Support for the following: PC, Mac, Playstation 4 and 5, Nintendo Switch, Steam deck, Android and iOS

About the Razer Kraken v4 Pro

The Razer Kraken V4 Pro is packed with advanced features for the ultimate gaming experience. With Sensa HD haptic feedback, the headset provides dynamic vibrations that respond to in-game audio so you can physically feel the action. It is equipped with THX Spatial Audio for precise positional sound, which enhances immersion in the game environment. The Kraken V4 Pro offers flexible connectivity options, including USB and 3.5mm jack, making it compatible with both PC, consoles and mobile devices. The design is comfortable and durable, ideal for long gaming sessions without compromising the sound experience.  

The package for the Razer Kraken V4 Pro includes the headset itself, which is designed with RGB lighting and equipped with Sensa HD Haptics for intense haptic feedback. A specially developed OLED Control Hub is also included, which can be connected to up to three audio sources via two USB-C ports and a 3.5 mm port. This control hub acts as a central control unit where the user can adjust sound level, switch between sound sources and control haptic settings via the large multi-functional rotary knob and the OLED display . Next to it, the necessary cables and manuals are included.

The Razer Kraken V4 Pro is designed with comfort and durability in focus. The headband and ear cushions are padded with memory foam covered in soft protein leather, which adapts to the shape of the head and ensures comfort during long gaming sessions. The large, circular ear cups have built-in RGB lighting and are engineered to accommodate Sensa HD Haptics, which deliver haptic feedback without compromising on comfort.

The ear cups on the Razer Kraken V4 Pro are large and circular, which provides ample space for the ears and contributes to good comfort during prolonged use. The rounded shape is designed for a tight, huggable fit that helps isolate sound and create a more immersive listening experience. The ear cups are equipped with customizable RGB lighting and have built-in Sensa HD Haptics so gamers can feel deep vibrations during powerful in-game sound effects. The materials consist of memory foam covered in protein leather that adapts to the shape of the ear for optimal comfort.

The right ear cup of the Razer Kraken V4 Pro is equipped with a multi-function button that provides quick access to adjust both equalizer (EQ) and haptic feedback intensity. With this button, the user can switch between different sound profiles, which adapt the depth and clarity of the sound to different gaming and media scenarios. The haptic level can also be adjusted so that the intensity of the vibrations can be tailored to the user's preferences, increasing the immersion of sounds such as explosions and movements in the game. The functionality of the button ensures that the user can easily make these adjustments without leaving the gaming experience.

The left ear cup of the Razer Kraken V4 Pro is designed with several convenient controls and connections. Here you will find a button to mute the microphone, a rotary knob to adjust the volume, a power button, as well as a USB-C port for charging and wired connection. The microphone, which is removable, can be pushed in and out of the ear cup, providing flexibility without having to remove it completely. This setup makes it easy to control the headset functions with one hand, so you can adjust settings quickly and easily during use.

Software

The first menu is "Sound", where you can adjust various sound settings for the Razer Kraken V4 Pro headset. At the top, you can choose between Stereo or THX Spatial Audio, which allows for either standard stereo sound or a more advanced, spatial sound experience. Further down the menu there is an Audio Equalizer, which can be adjusted manually or by choosing from various preset sound profiles such as Game, Movie, Music, or a user-defined Custom profile.

At the bottom, you can see specific Game Profiles, which allow you to customize the sound for different games. This enables the headset to automatically switch to the selected sound profile when a specific game is started, optimizing the sound experience for the individual game.

In the "Enhancement" menu, it is possible to further optimize the sound image. Here, you can focus on specific aspects like dialogue and footsteps to highlight important audio details in games, making it easier to pick up subtle sounds like opponent movements. There are also settings such as Bass Boost, which amplifies the deep frequencies for a more impactful sound experience, as well as Voice Clarity, which clarifies voices for better communication and speech understanding in games and media.

In the "Mic" menu, you get the option to adjust the microphone's settings. Here you can fine-tune when the microphone should activate and respond to your voice, based on the sensitivity. You can also adapt the microphone to different environments, such as when there are many people in the room or if it needs to be able to pick up conversations between two people. This ensures that the sound recording will be as clear and accurate as possible, depending on the surrounding conditions.

The fourth menu is "Haptic". Here you can adjust the intensity of haptic feedback and adjust which frequencies (Hz) should activate the haptics in relation to the sound. This allows for a more personalized and precise haptic experience, allowing you to feel certain sound frequencies as vibrations, improving immersion during gaming or media playback.

The fifth menu is "OLED", where you can customize the small hub's display. Here you can choose what to display, such as an animation, a picture or system data such as temperature or performance. In addition, it is possible to adjust when the screen should turn off automatically, or set a screen saver to activate after a certain period of inactivity. This provides flexibility in how the hub presents information and aesthetics.

The sixth menu is "Lighting", where you can adjust the lighting effects on the headset. Here you can choose between different standard effects for the RGB lighting. If you want more advanced customizations or synchronization with other Razer devices, you can install the Chroma app, which gives you access to additional settings and detailed lighting control. This allows you to customize the lights according to your preferences or gaming experience.

The test – The sound, use and comfort

Now it is time for the actual test of the headset. We start with music, then some FPS gaming, and finish by evaluating the comfort.

Before that, however, I want to highlight one of the most striking features of the Kraken V4 Pro: Haptic . This is an additional feature that adds vibration to the headset at certain sound frequencies. It's especially interesting in games where titles like Hogwarts Legacy support it. For example, when you cast magic, you get physical vibrations that vary depending on the type of magic. The haptic feature is fun in both music and games, but whether I would find it overwhelming after several months of use is hard to say. However, it might be something I would enable in select games for added effect.

With Haptic turned off, the Kraken V4 Pro still delivers impressive sound. The sound is sharp, especially after adjusting the music profile and activating the "enhancement" function, which raises the sound quality even further. Voice clarity is top notch, but the bass seems a bit thin without Haptic, which may tempt you to use it at low intensity for more depth.

In gaming performance, the headset delivers a clear and precise sound. However, the bass again feels dependent on Haptic, and I found footsteps a bit difficult to pick up, even with the game profile enabled. However, with Haptic on high, an extra dimension is added, especially during explosions or when you're being shot, which can make the experience fun for casual gamers who enjoy the extra depth.

In terms of comfort, the headset was comfortable thanks to memory foam in both the headband and the earpads, making long sessions without discomfort possible. However, I experienced heat build-up as a challenge, especially after prolonged use, when it became clear that the ventilation could be better.

Price

The Kraken v4 Pro with hub from Razer has a price of 600$, which is undoubtedly high for a headset.

Conclusion

After testing the Razer Kraken V4 Pro, it is clear that this headset delivers an impressive sound experience, especially thanks to the unique Haptic function, which adds a physical dimension to the sound reproduction. This feature especially makes a difference in games, where it brings extra depth to explosions, magical attacks and other intense moments. It's a fun feature, but whether it will remain relevant after long-term use is an open question. For music and games, Haptic adds more depth to the bass, which can otherwise sound a bit flat without this feature.

The sound in the headset is generally sharp and precise, especially after adjustments in the software, which improve the experience significantly. However, it feels like the headset is a bit reliant on Haptic to bring out the bass. In FPS games, the headset performed solidly, but footsteps and other subtle sounds were sometimes difficult to pick up, which can be a disadvantage for competitive gamers. THX Spatial Audio does its job well by providing a good sound image, but it doesn't quite reach the level of the absolute best on the market.

When it comes to comfort, the Kraken V4 Pro delivers. The memory foam padded ear pads and the headband make the headset comfortable to wear for longer periods. However, heat build-up can become a problem during longer sessions, where a lack of ventilation becomes noticeable. This is something that can affect the overall comfort, especially if you play for several hours at a time.

However, the price of 600$ is one of the biggest disadvantages of this headset. Although it offers many advanced features, it can be hard to justify the high price, especially when some of the features, like Haptic, feel like a gimmick that doesn't necessarily significantly improve the basic audio experience. The bass depends on the Haptic function and there are some shortcomings in the gaming performance, such as harder to catch footsteps, which can be crucial for many FPS players.

The Kraken V4 Pro is a solid headset with many advanced features that appeal to gamers who want something extra in their gaming experience. But the high price and the reliance on the Haptic function for optimal sound make it less attractive to those looking for a balanced audio experience without gimmicks. Therefore, we end up with a solid score of 8 out of 10, together with "enthusiast Only".

Benefits

• Good all around sound
• Haptic feedback
• THX Spatial
• Good Comfort
• Reasonable weight
• Compatible with multiple platforms
• Hyperspeed connection

Disadvantages

• Price
• The bass is dependent on the haptic function
• Footsteps were not so clear in play

Score: 8 + "Enthusiast Only"