Razer Kraken V3 HyperSense headset review: Sound with some added force feedback

Razer Kraken V3 Hypersense Source: Windows Cardinal

The Razer Kraken headset lineup is one of the house's most iconic range of gaming PC headset products, and also 1 of its oldest. This yr, they refreshed their Kraken series with its "V3" line, which includes diverse options and unlike price points.

The Kraken V3 HyperSense is their mid-range option, which includes some unique force feedback motors that add a vibration sensation into the powerful 50mm cups. The downside is the $130 price indicate, which puts them a fair fleck higher than near decent gaming headsets in this form factor. Does the HyperSense feedback make the price worthwhile? Let's take a listen.

Razer Kraken V3 Hypersense Se

Razer Kraken V3 HyperSense

Bottom line: The Razer Kraken V3 HyperSense ticks all the right boxes: amazing sound, loftier-quality mic, bully construction, and grade-A condolement. The price is a scrap hard to swallow, and the value of HyperSense will vary depending on the user.

The Good

Truly great sound
HyperSense feedback is a unique hook
The mic quality is fantabulous
Comfort and construction get an A grade

The Bad

No mic monitoring
Tin can't command RGB lights
A petty pricy

Razer Kraken V3 HyperSense: Price and availability

Razer Kraken V3 Hypersense Source: Windows Fundamental

The Razer Kraken V3 HyperSense is generally available at all major retailers in most Razer-supported regions. The headset costs $130 as standard, merely may enjoy a auction when Black Fri or Amazon Prime number Day curlicue effectually. The supplies of this headset are stable as of writing, with many stocks in at both Amazon and Razer.

Razer Kraken V3 HyperSense: The good stuff

Razer Kraken V3 Hypersense Source: Windows Key

As headset construction goes, Razer once again proves it's amidst the best in the business. The Razer Kraken V3 HyperSense easily scores top marks for design and execution, with potent metallic clasps atop a reinforced headband, all polished with thick, blusterous cushions. The fibers used on the earcups every bit of peculiarly high quality, and should go along your ears plenty comfy even across marathon gaming sessions.

The Kraken V3 headset too has Razer'due south typical RGB light-up earcups, with the logos on the side cycling across a rainbow color spectrum slowly. The microphone is detachable, and also well executed, with very clear comms reproduction and rigid flexibility, meaning it conforms to exactly where you intended to put it. The USB cablevision for connectivity is besides generously long, and fabric, as is customary with Razer products.

Razer Kraken V3 Hypersense Source: Windows Central

On sound, the Razer Kraken V3 HyperSense delivers in a big way. Bulky 50mm titanium speakers offer a broad clangorous soundscape, which can be elevated further by activating Windows spatial audio features on PC. Crystal clear reproduction of bass and mids, with good separation, clarity, and balance. Ofttimes I've constitute gaming headsets come off a bit crunchy, tuned to accentuate sound furnishings that might give y'all a tactical edge, only Razer's does and then in a fashion that is subtle, without punching through the soundscape. And then, there is HyperSense itself.

HyperSense is a uniquely Razer vibration feedback motor that revs upwards alongside game sounds. HyperSense uses an algorithm to inject a sense of physicality to certain audio frequencies, across things like explosions and fauna roars. Playing Monster Hunter — a game well versed in animal roars — was an interesting experience with the HyperSense. The screeching Bazelgeuse dragon was uniquely irritating with the HyperSense feedback motor on maximum; thankfully, you can adjust it down 3 stages, or turn it off completely.

It's strange, because sometimes I really enjoyed the HyperSense feedback, and other times I did not, and its implementation is clearly factored into that $130 price tag.

Razer Kraken V3 HyperSense: What's not so expert

Razer Kraken V3 Hypersense Source: Windows Central

Razer HyperSense motors undoubtedly added to the toll of the Kraken V3 HyperSense, and it'southward difficult to say whether or not it's a worthwhile addition. Virtually games won't support the feature natively, leaving you to rely on an algorithm. When the vibrations kicked in on creature movements or attacks it made a lot of sense, but when they triggered on menu audio effects or inventory selection, I constitute it to be irritating. Somewhen, I just turned it off completely, which kind of nullifies the whole point of the headset.

There is a cheaper version of this headset that comes without the HyperSense, and I'thousand feeling more inclined to recommend that instead. This headset could've washed a fleck more to sweeten the deal. Information technology has no integration with Razer Synapse as far as I could tell, pregnant there's no way to configure or disable the lights on it, which generally wait a bit dizzy in my view — but I'm not a twent-teen-something game streamer. There'due south too no mic monitoring, which is a strange omission in a USB-based PC headset at this cost point.

I would recommend the HyperSense to people who might savour it, but the kicker is, y'all tin't really try it without ownership information technology. Some of yous may really like it, and go along it activated all the time — for those who will plough information technology off, there are far cheaper headsets that too don't take information technology.

Razer Kraken V3 HyperSense: Competition

Razer Kraken V3 Hypersense Source: Windows Central

The Razer Kraken V3 HyperSense ironically competes with itself a bit. The Razer Kraken V3 sans HyperSense is probably a much better deal, and comes in at a far more price appropriate $100. I remember for the vast majority of gamers, I would recommend the regular Razer Kraken V3 instead, over the HyperSense.

Razer Kraken V3 HyperSense: Should you buy it?

Razer Kraken V3 Hypersense Source: Windows Central

The Razer Kraken V3 HyperSense is a curious product. Considering its near-identical Razer Kraken V3 sibling is $30 cheaper, I'm more than inclined to recommend that instead of this, since the value of HyperSense force feedback is potentially subjective. It was fun for a while, only afterward getting vibrations while cycling through menus in games became irritating, I turned it off and never looked dorsum, which isn't a nifty representation of its value.

That being said, almost every other aspect of this headset was flawless. Immaculate and balanced sound, gorgeous materials, with a high-quality mic and reassuring construction. Thankfully, there is a $30 cheaper version of this headset without HyperSense I am absolutely eager to recommend instead.

Haptics probably do take a place in headsets at some point, but I recollect until the algorithms are smart enough to make up one's mind what should and shouldn't have audio, the value is hard to determine. Withal, Razer has shown a stiff capacity to partner up with studios on some of its more niche features. It's always cool to see when a PC game syncs up with my Razer Chroma lighting products, so it's likely that Razer volition piece of work with developers and refine how the feature resonates with games. For now, though, it's a sensation that's hard to put into words. For $30 extra y'all can try it yourself, or $30 less, go with a tried and tested HyperSenseless version — whichever you choose, you won't be disappointed. This is a truly great headset overall.

Razer Kraken V3 Hypersense Se

Razer Kraken V3 HyperSense

Bottom line: The Razer Kraken V3 HyperSense is a truly smashing headset with impressive sound, a great mic, high-quality construction, and solid voice reproduction. The only question hangs over its toll, which considering the lack of mic monitoring or lite controls, really begs the question: Do you desire a vibrating headset?

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