Razer Kraken 7.1 Chroma

Razer Kraken 7.1 Chroma

Editor Rating: Good (3.5)
Razer Kraken 7.1 Chroma - Razer Kraken 7.1 Chroma
Street Price$ 100.00
  • Pros

    Comfortable. Good bass response. Easy setup.
  • Cons

    Slightly weak high end. Microphone design could be better.
  • Bottom Line

    The Razer Kraken 7.1 Chroma gaming headset offers both comfort and sound quality, and is incredibly simple to set up.

Sometimes simplicity works. Gaming headsets with bells and whistles like surround sound, USB audio processors, and wireless functionality are great, but when you get down to it, the most important thing is to be able to plug in a headset and be able to hear and be heard. The Razer Kraken 7.1 Chroma is the embodiment of simplicity, while still offering great sound quality and a comfortable design.

The Kraken 7.1 Chroma is a 7.1 surround sound gaming headset that adopts the comfortable form factor of the Kraken Pro. Kraken 7.1 Chroma is available in black and what stands out as a feature, is that the headset allows for extreme personalisation possibilities. You can use Razer Synapse to customise the Kraken 7.1 Chroma to your preference by using the programmed palette of colours (16.8 million colours), preloaded lighting effects, and so on.

The Kraken 7.1 Chroma could possibly be one of the most comfortable gaming headsets we have used. Its large, over-the-ear cups and memory foam padding let the headset sit securely on my head without pinching, and it's light enough to not weigh down my head. The boom mic fits in the left earcup on a bendable arm that pulls out of the cup. It's a very pleasant headset to wear for long gaming sessions. The ear cups fold inward to make it easier to carry, and I had no problem sticking it in my bag to take to Mobile World Congress for on-the-go gaming.

Setting up the headset is a breeze. The 6.56-feet cable ends in a gold plated USB connector that lets you connect the headset to your gaming PC or laptop with ease. The headset, as mentioned before, supports 7.1 surround sound. Like any good gaming headset, the Kraken 7.1 Chroma handles bass very well.

SEE ALSO: Lenovo Yoga 920

In my tests, not only did its 40mm Neodymium drivers provide a satisfying blast of rockets and mini-gun fire in Team Fortress 2, but it handled the thumping bass notes in The Knife's "Silent Shout" without distortion. I cranked up the volume until it was, well, painful and I didn't hear any crackle or warping.

The boom microphone works very well, while the bending arm lets you adjust its position easily. My voice sounded clear and crisp, and it did not pick up too much outside noise for podcasts or recording. Besides bass, music and dialog sound good on the Kraken 7.1 Chroma. I listened to Franz Ferdinand's "You Could Have It So Much Better," and the vocals, guitar riffs, and snares all came through clearly.

In addition, the high end sounded perfectly good, along with the drum beat and bass line. The Razer Kraken 7.1 Chroma is comfortable, powerful, and clear, which are the most important aspects of a gaming headset. Its design makes it easy to set up with your computer without having to instal loads of drivers or third-party software.

Its $100 price tag is a little high given its simplicity, but its build and audio quality justify the cost. If you're looking for a basic, powerful headset, the Kraken 7.1 Chroma should be at the top of your list.