Last year’s Razer’s Barracuda X headset was fine if you wanted low-latency wireless audio for your console or Android phone, but it wasn’t very practical for many other things. That won’t be a problem this time though. The company has introduced new Barracuda, Barracuda X and Barracuda Pro headsets that (among other upgrades) add Bluetooth with smart device switching. You can use them with iPhones and almost any other device, and you don’t have to manually switch connections when a phone call interrupts your gaming session.
You can also expect almost twice the battery life, up to 50 hours for the Barracuda X and 40 hours for the other two models. You still have Razer’s own 2.4GHz wireless connection if lag is an issue.
The differences largely come down to the audio quality. The Barracuda Pro (pictured above) tops out with 50mm “TriForce Bio-Cellulose” drivers, a THX Achromatic Audio Amplifier, THX Spatial Audio, and hybrid active noise cancellation. The regular Barracuda opts for ‘regular’ titanium 50 mm drivers while the amplifier and ANC are discarded. The revised Barracuda X (below), meanwhile, is more of a conventional gaming headset. While it sticks to more modest 40mm drivers and doesn’t include THX features, you get a detachable cardioid microphone, a wired 3.5mm option and 7.1 channel surround audio.
Razer
All three headsets are available today. The Barracuda X starts at $100, while the standard Barracuda and the Pro cost $160 and $250, respectively. So, Razer is clearly tilting – these are fewer gaming accessories and more competition for conventional mid-range and budget headphones.
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