Will Compete Each Other! Razer Barracuda X Has Similar Features To SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless

The Razer Barracuda X retains the Razer signature all-black with blue accents. (photo: barracuda doc)

JAKARTA - As a gamer, you certainly understand the importance of a headset to support the experience of playing online games. Not a few gamers need accessories such as headsets that can be used on a multi-platform.

Like PCs, consoles, and even smartphones. In addition to multi-platform, usually, the headset can also be used to support other activities such as watching movies, listening to music, even for meetings.

That means, wireless, aka wireless headset that is easy to carry anywhere, is needed right now, and VOI editorial team has the opportunity to try out the latest gaming headset from Razer, the Barracuda X.

Design and Specification

The Razer Barracuda X retains the all-black Razer signature with blue accents on the on/off button, green on the microphone. This headset also has low-profile earcups that can be angled to suit the ear.

There are ear pads that use memory foam, when we tried them they felt light and didn't put too much pressure on them, because the Barracuda X only weighs 250 grams.

The body itself is made of solid plastic, the earcups also have buttons to adjust the volume, activate or mute the mic. The operation of the buttons is also fairly easy to reach, making it easier for us when playing games to adjust the volume with the buttons on the right earcup.

Meanwhile, on the left and right of the headset earcups, there are Razer logos without RGB LEDs like their predecessors, this makes them look normal in our opinion. But it's understandable, considering that the Barracuda X is a wireless headset which of course requires a battery to operate, in the absence of RGB LEDs, the battery life of this headset is reliable.

Unfortunately, recharging the battery takes about 3.5 hours from zero to 100 percent. We tested it with normal use, so it can be used for days. Razer claims the Barracuda X can be used for up to 20 hours.

User Experience

When we tried it out by playing the online game Genshin Impact on an Android phone, we had to connect the headset via a USB-C dongle first, this device doesn't use Bluetooth but has an ultra-low latency 2.4GHz wireless frequency. Similar to the SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless gaming headset, which still dominates the market today.

However, Razer also provides a 3.5mm audio jack cable as an alternative, and a USB-C to USB-A adapter cable, which can be used for PCs or Nintendo Switch docks.

Keep in mind, the dongle only works for phones that already support USB-C. The Barracuda X produces a sound that sounds clear but feels a bit drowned out, the bass is also slick, possibly thanks to the Triforce 40mm driver technology.

Likewise with the USB-C dongle is annoying when holding the phone, because its shape stands out and feels loose. We also tried it on a laptop for meetings, the sound produced is clear, using the microphone is also clear, thanks to the HyperClear Cardioid Mic, noise doesn't appear because the earcups work well enough to drown out the noise from around. We also use it for video calls on Android phones, pretty self-explanatory but not the best.

However, the problem again lies in the annoying dongle, because of the position of the other ports on the laptop that we tried side by side. The dongle from Barracuda X covers the laptop charger port. However, this dongle has the advantage of an easy pairing process and is not easily disconnected, when compared to using Bluetooth.

For wireless connectivity, this headset can be used within a distance of about 8 to 10 meters. In addition, Razer also provides a choice of cables with a 3 mm audio jack port.

The Barracuda X is known to have no support from Razer's Synapse app which means there are no audio adjustments, app-based firmware updates, or even a battery level indicator beyond the LED light on the headset itself. The only way to customize the audio is through the THX Spatial Audio app for an additional fee.

Conclusion

After trying the Razer Barracuda X, we think this gaming headset is quite reliable if you need a headset that has battery life, easy to carry anywhere because the body is quite compact. What's more, its multi-platform capabilities that can be used for various devices, including mobile phones that you always hold in your hand.

However, this latest Razer accessory does not support Xbox consoles yet. With a price that is not cheap at IDR 1.6 million, when compared to the SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless, which is already compatible with Xbox and has almost similar features, it looks like it will be a pretty tight competitor in the market.