Hardware and peripherals brand Razer has announced a new iteration of its well-known Kraken lineup of gaming headsets, called Kraken V4.
The Razer Kraken V4 and V4 X models will feature new lighting, drivers and a retractable microphone. The wireless version is on sale for £179.99 and the wired version will be available later for around £100 less.
The Kraken is Razer’s most-known gaming headset and one of its most iconic products. In production for more than a decade, Razer has created numerous versions of the Kraken in various specifications, colours and special editions. The headset focuses more on home gaming than esports and features RGB lighting, in contrast to other Razer models such as its esports-focused Blackshark.
The new generation of Kraken improves on the existing formula from V3. There are more zones for the RGB lighting in the ear cups for a total of nine zones, which can all be programmed through the Razer Synapse software. The driver (speaker) size was reduced from 50mm to 40mm which should affect the overall sound signature. The microphone is now retractable instead of detachable, allowing players to simply slide it inside the ear cup when not in use.
The wireless version offers around 70 hours of battery life, compared to around 45 hours for the V3, provided all lighting has been switched off. Turn on the flashing lights, and the battery life is halved. The wireless version can be connected via cable, bluetooth and 2.4Ghz wireless. Both versions have settings for game optimisation and surround sound, with the more expensive model featuring THX Spatial Audio.
For around £100 less, buyers can opt for a wired version that has the RGB zones and retractable microphone, but features drivers and a microphone that are a bit lower in the price range, to reduce the overall price.
Razer did not share details of a possible new generation of the Kraken Pro, or the Kraken HyperSense, but those might be in the company’s plans for the future.
