Typically, you simply wish to gown like a cat. Or not less than a few of us do. The $99.99 Razer Kraken Kitty V2 BT allows you to do exactly that. The Bluetooth model of Razer’s Kraken Kitty line of gaming headsets is half the value of the Professional mannequin, and the one totally wi-fi model, which makes it one of many best to put on at cons or to a cat cafe. It sounds superb and options RGB lighting, however it lacks a increase mic so its voice high quality is way worse than the opposite Kitty headsets and it isn’t the perfect geared up for normal gaming. It additionally solely is available in pink, so you possibly can’t be a cool black cat. The Razer Barracuda X stays our Editors’ Selection winner for wi-fi gaming headsets for its superior mic high quality, however the Kraken Kitty V2 BT is an effective various for cat fanatics.
A Bluetooth Headset With Cattitude
The pink Kraken Kitty V2 BT has the signature massive, round earcups of Razer’s Kraken headsets, with outdoors panels that characteristic textured rings surrounding RGB-lit Razer logos. The reminiscence foam earpads are thick and wrapped in grey fake leather-based, with extra grey padding on the underside of the scarf. The headset weighs 11.5 ounces, and whereas cumbersome it feels comfy on my head.
A USB-C port sits on the underside of the left earcup, which additionally homes a small microphone grille, a quantity wheel, and a multifunction energy/Bluetooth button. The button additionally controls playback/pause, observe ahead, observe backward, and voice assistant with a single, double, triple, or two-second press, respectively.
Then there are the ears. Two triangular pink plastic cat ears sit on the scarf, with translucent panels and piping to point out off the RGB lighting. They’re completely hooked up and might’t be eliminated or changed with bear or bunny ears like with the Kraken Kitty Professional. You’ll be able to management their lights (in addition to the lights on the earcups) with the Razer Audio app for Android and iOS or the Razer Synapse software program for Home windows.
General, the headphones look cute. That is the entire motive for this particular model of the Kraken, in spite of everything. It’s a disgrace there’s no black model just like the wired Kitty or the Kitty Professional, since Bluetooth and battery energy make this one of many best cosplay-friendly headsets to put on on the go. It could have been good to have a non-pink possibility for the reason that different fashions do. Regardless, these are positive to attract consideration.
The Kraken Kitty V2 BT makes use of Bluetooth 5.2, although Razer would not state which Bluetooth codecs it helps. In keeping with the corporate, it will possibly last as long as 40 hours on a cost. It doesn’t have a wired connection possibility.
Lighting and Audio Customization Choices
The Razer Audio app is pleasantly full-featured. It allows you to select between a number of results for the LEDs to make it glow or breathe a single shade, rotate in a rainbow, or flash in response to audio both in a single shade or a rotating rainbow. You’ll be able to’t individually set the colours of the ears and the earcups, however the app permits for some lighting customization. For audio, the app gives a number of EQ results, together with a 10-band equalizer. There’s just one slot on your customized EQ curve, however it’s nonetheless a pleasant choice to see for any headphones. Lastly, the app supplies a toggle for a low-latency gaming mode.
In the event you use the headphones with a PC, Synapse gives some extra perks over Razer Audio. It permits 7.1-channel encompass sound, which is a step up from default stereo audio for gaming, although nonetheless not fairly as exact because the THX spatial audio on higher-end gaming headsets just like the Kraken Kitty V2 Professional. Synapse additionally provides you entry to a number of extra lighting results, with a number of shade decisions for practically all of them, and the flexibility to individually program the left and proper sides (although every ear/earcup acts like a single gentle).
Bafflingly, Synapse supplies no EQ choices in any respect for the Kraken Kitty V2 BT and easily opens up the Home windows mixer for changes. Even the 7.1-channel encompass sound app, which features individually from Synapse, has no EQ changes. That is very unusual as a result of Synapse supplies a number of decisions for wired gaming headsets, together with customized EQs and extra tweaks for the mics. None of that’s out there on these headphones.
Audio High quality: Bass-Heavy, Clear, and Sculpted
The EQ settings within the Razer Audio app could make an enormous distinction in how highly effective the Kraken Kitty V2 BT sounds, particularly regarding bass response. Utilizing the Flat default, our bass check observe, The Knife’s “Silent Shout,” had some light thump however nothing head-rattling. Within the Amplified and Enhanced Bass modes, the bass synth notes and drum hits are palpable, and I do not hear any distortion even at most (and unsafe) quantity ranges.
You’ll most likely wish to keep on with the default EQ setting whenever you aren’t listening to music with loads of sub-bass, although. On this mode, the opening acoustic guitar plucks in Sure’ “Roundabout” sound full, with some crisp string texture. When the observe correctly kicks in, the bassline correctly anchors the combination, whereas the vocals, guitar strums, and cymbals retain sufficient presence for a well-balanced sound. In Enhanced Bass mode, the bassline overwhelms the remainder of the observe, and Amplified simply sounds ridiculously over-sculpted and artificially boosted throughout the spectrum. Flat gives a way more correct sound, albeit with out thunder.
The Crystal Methodology’s “Born Too Gradual” additionally usually sounds higher within the default setting, however an argument may be made for Enhanced Bass with the sort of digital music. In Flat mode, the backbeat will get simply sufficient of a thump to ominously drive the observe, whereas the bass-boosting mode allows you to really feel the drum hits as aggressive sculpting retains the riffs and vocals within the middle of the combination. Both method, it’s a powerful sound. Simply be able to open the app to flip between EQ settings whenever you change genres.
Microphone: Not the Greatest for Gaming
The Kraken Kitty V2 BT has a noise-canceling pinhole mic on the left earcup, however no increase microphone, so it is extra of a pair of headphones than a real gaming headset.
(Credit score: Will Greenwald)In check recordings, my voice sounded clear although a bit distant and echoey, and the mic successfully blocked out the comparatively quiet ambient music taking part in in a espresso store. The mic will do effective for calls, however it’s not clear sufficient for recording or streaming. This can be a disgrace contemplating that Razer usually excels with increase mics, and those on each the Kraken Kitty V2 Professional and the Barracuda X each sound wonderful. That is by far the most important compromise you may have too make right here.
It is All In regards to the Cat Ears
The Razer Kraken Kitty V2 BT is a enjoyable, quirky gaming headset. It is primarily meant for listening to music on the go and is best to make use of together with your cellphone. Whereas you may get simulated encompass sound by utilizing it wired, the mic isn’t practically nearly as good because the pricier boom-equipped variations. If you need cute pink over-ear headphones with robust audio efficiency and glowing ears, these are an amazing decide and really moderately priced for what they provide. The Kraken Kitty V2 Professional, whereas wired and twice as costly, is a far superior selection for deskbound gaming and streaming, with a superior microphone, full THX spatial audio, and interchangeable mix-and-match ears so you possibly can take pleasure in a bunny or bear look. In the event you aren’t dedicated to the kitty look, the equally priced Razer Barracuda X stays our Editors’ Selection for inexpensive wi-fi gaming headsets because of its wonderful mic and fewer cumbersome construct.
