Razer “Carcharias” Headset Review

Introduction

Having to replace a headset is a cumbersome task for us gamers. Will it be comfortable and durable, sound crisp and clear? This isn’t a task as simple as picking out a new pair of boots, and the local electronics store would frown on me should I dare to take out a headset from its box and test it to my standards.
I’ve recently had to go through this process, having found my headset lying in pieces after taking a nap. I think my sister’s evil munchkins got a hold of it. So, after a few hours of research and seeing what stores in my driving range had for selection, I chose to go with Razer for my commo needs.

Features

The Carcharias headset has everything you’d come to expect from a gaming company devoted to meeting the needs of its customers, and still found time to throw in a couple things I wasn’t expecting.
3.5mm jacks are the I/O of choice here, which I highly prefer over the USB jacks in terms of sound quality and performance.
A braided cord is the best thing since sliced bread. In my experience, accidentally running over the cord with your chair or snagging it on a sharp right angle of the desk is the most infuriating reason to replace any kind of peripheral. Thankfully this seemingly minor detail was taken in hand by Razer to idiot-proof your headset, and we all know how much that matters. (i.e. evil munchkins as stated above)

Ease of Use

As simple as removing the headset from the packaging, and plugging it up. No drivers needed to install. The only issue, if you could even call it that, is tuning it to your standards. Tweaking the volume, resetting your voice-over settings so that you sound “lickin’ chicken” to your buds and them to you.

Design

Ah, here’s my main discrepancy with the headset, and believe I’m grasping wildly: While the overall design is great, comfortable, and easy to set up, I have noticed that while using a VoIP (such as Ventrilo and Teamspeak), the loud noises coming from the headset ‘trip’ the sensitivity on the microphone. During matches with my buddies in Battlefield 3, sharp inputs like firing your weapon will reach the threshold on Teamspeak and transmit that over to your buddies, which can be very confusing in the heat of battle.
While it’s not so over-the-top to give that amplified reverb you’d normally hear at a concert would be an issue, expect at certain times that sharp noise and high volumes will be lighting off the mic for your listeners enjoyment and/or subsequent frustration.

Performance

The performance rocks my OD green socks off. I keep finding myself ‘testing’ the range of sound trying to make it fault and crackle up on the audio. Try as I might, I have yet to find an occurrence of this, even in the finest detail my own hearing can pick up.
Look at it this way: I had to alter how to play some games by the amount of previously unheard sound I had newly coming to my senses. If you’re reading this review, you already know how much it counts to hear that small crunch of dirt around the corner when you’re being subtle.

Technical specifications:

Headphones

• Frequency Response: 20 – 20,000 Hz
• Impedance: 32 Ω at 1kHz
• Sensitivity (@1kHz, 1V/Pa): 102 dB ± 4dB at 1 kHzMax
• Input Power: 200 mW
• Drivers: 40 mm, with neodymium Magnets
• Inner Ear Cup Diameter: 50 mm / 1.97”
• Cable Length: 3 m / 9.84 ft
• Approximate Weight: 225 g / 0.5 lbs

Microphone

• Frequency Response: 50 – 16,000 Hz
• Sensitivity( @1kHz, 1V/Pa): -37 dB ± 4dB
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 50 dB
• Pick-up pattern: Unidirectional
• Cable: 3 meters, Braided Fiber Sheath
• Connector: 3.5 mm jack (headphone and mic)

Quality

The headset is in the upper-mid price range, and that may be a no-go for a gamer looking to spend as little as possible on his gear. However, the quality of the headset is top-notch. The padding is comfortable, as well as the construction it cushions.
The braided cord insures that no accidental slicing and crushing becomes an issue, and 3 meters worth of cable means you have enough to play and move around without ripping anything out.
It’s lightweight as well, so you won’t feel like you’re running a CVC helmet while gaming, although that would be kind of awesome in its own right.

Value

At the time of writing, the Razer Carcharias ran $69.99 USD at Best Buy. For those of you taken aback by a 70 dollar tag, and have been used to spending less on your headset, take my word that you get what you pay for and a bit more. The sheer benefits with the Carcharias equals and pays you back for your buck.

Final Intelligence Report

I love this headset. It’s comfortable, crisp, clear, and whispers me sweet nothings during pitched firefights, slashing swords, and cranium-shaking bass. The minor annoyance of sending audio over voice-activation doesn’t come close to outweighing the benefits the Carcharias grants you.
That, and Rick has a new hatred for me when I catch him being sneaky…

If you’re interested in getting your hands on this item, visit the Razer Store

Source : OffDutyGamer