Manufacturer: Razer
Where to Buy: Razer
RRP: £199.99
I’ve been fortunate to check out a good range of headphones while here at Xbox Tavern. My daily pair for Xbox gaming have been Razer Blackshark V2 Pro for the last two years, and while I’ve reviewed some other excellent sets, their combination of wireless play and bluetooth has kept them a firm favourite. Today’s subject might not support Xbox (though they do support literally everything else) but the Razer Barracuda V2 Pro keep that same high bar, along with some neat features that mean they’ll be replacing my usual PC and Switch gaming headphones with immediate effect.
In the box we get the headphones themselves alongside a charging USB cable, a detachable mic, and a setup guide. Simple, effective, and doesn’t detract from the main star of the show – how excellent these headphones are in use.
The Barracuda V2 Pro is packed with features that will suit any gaming set up. It allows multiple connection modes – 2.4ghz hyperspeed wireless dongle, bluetooth, or wired on Switch 2 – and these can be used in conjunction with each other. Not since the EPOS H3 Hybrid have I found a pair of headphones that will allow simultaneous game and bluetooth audio, and it’s a feature that I love. It allows me to play a game and listen to a podcast or music without any extra steps, and I can control the volume for each directly on the headphones. The Barracuda also includes a built-in mic which means we can take calls without interrupting the game as well. We can have just one mode active at a time to save on battery, but with a 70 hour battery life it’s not too big of a deal to just leave them both on. It might not be for everyone, but I can’t say enough how much I love this feature and it’s been something I’ve sorely missed on the majority of recent headphones (even the aforementioned Blackshark is an either/or scenario).
In addition to this, we also get some excellent Ambient Noise Cancellation. Toggling between full, ambient and off shows just how much ANC filters out the background noise. I’ve used a set like this that has such effective ANC, it really let me get sucked into a game of Gears of War: EDay with all the gunfire and chaos going on without hearing the clack of my controller buttons or keyboard.
The all important sound is fantastic no matter what mode we’re in. Specifics can be set in the Razer Cortex app for those who like to be hyper-specific in their audio, but the defaults are great as they are. Bass really kicks, highs are clear, and overall I’ve found the soundscape and range to be excellent across everything I’ve played. These also support THX Spatial Audio+ for 7.1.4 surround sound on PC, and certain games – such as EDay and Resident Evil Requiem – have preconfigured settings for this mode to elevate them even further. Even without this boost though, the quality is fantastic. I usually put some chill music on in the background when I’m writing, and as I type this the lofi take on Oblivion’s soundtrack is hitting just the right balance of bassy undertones and synth notes.
In titles like Fortnite (always a go to for my audio testing) the pinpointing of footsteps is as good or better than it’s ever been, and with both the excellent detachable mic and the built in ones, we’re in no short supply of ways to get into it with opponents.
They are also very comfortable to wear, with soft leatherette cushions and a light headband. I’ve had them on for several hours at a time with no complaints or uncomfortableness at all. It’s a shame they don’t come with a carry case as that’d make an even easier case for them to be by my side at all times. Though they do fold down fairly neatly if you wanted to risk chucking them in a backpack for on the go listening.
Conclusion
With a plethora of connection options, some excellent ANC and stunning sound, the Razer Barracuda V2 Pro are among the best headphones I’ve had the fortune of checking out for Xbox Tavern. While they may not support Xbox, they make a perfect companion for the ROG Xbox Ally X, or indeed any Switch 2 or PS5 titles alongside general PC gaming.
Hardware provided by the manufacturer for review purposes.Want to keep up to date with the latest Xt reviews, Xt opinions and Xt content? Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
