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We've recently released our Test Bench 1.6 update for Headphones! Read the Latency R&D Article to learn more.

Razer Kraken Pro V2 Headphones Review

Tested using Methodology v1.3.1
Review updated Mar 06, 2018 at 03:50 pm
Latest change: Test bench update Nov 21, 2019 at 11:24 am
Razer Kraken Pro V2 Picture
5.8
Mixed Usage
6.7
Neutral Sound
5.5
Commute/Travel
5.6
Sports/Fitness
5.7
Office
5.4
Wireless Gaming
7.1
Wired Gaming
7.3
Phone Call

The Razer Kraken Pro V2 are an above-average and sturdy gaming headset with a great microphone. The mic accurately reproduces your voice and filters out a lot of background noise. They also have a decent sound that unfortunately, you can't customize them with the Razer Synapse software, unlike the Kraken USB. This makes them a little less practical but their low latency wired connection means they're still a decent option for gaming and home theater.

Our Verdict

5.8 Mixed Usage

The Razer Kraken Pro V2 are above-average gaming headphones but not versatile enough for more casual uses. They have a decently balanced sound that won't be ideal for critical listeners but should be good enough for most. They also have a low latency, wired connection, and a good noise-filtering microphone, so they're better suited for gaming and watching videos than common Bluetooth headphones. However, they're too bulky for most outdoor activities and do not isolate enough for loud environments or commuting.

Pros
  • Sturdy and durable build quality.
  • Great microphone.
Cons
  • Lack of software support.
  • Bulky design.
  • Poor isolation.
  • Bass delivery varies significantly across users. Sensitive to glasses.
6.7 Neutral Sound

Average for neutral listening. They have a decent amount of bass that packs a punch but also makes them sound a little boomy and muddy. This is especially noticeable since there's a slight dip in the higher frequency ranges that cause lead instruments and vocals to sound a little distant and lack a bit of clarity. They also don't have the best soundstage due to their closed design, but they should be okay for casual listening for most users.

5.5 Commute/Travel

Below-average for commuting. Although the Razer Kraken V2 have an AUX connection that works with mobile devices, they're a bit too bulky to carry around on your person without a bag, and they do not block enough noise to be suitable for the loud environments involved in commuting.

5.6 Sports/Fitness

Subpar for sports. They're big and bulky gaming headphones that aren't stable enough for sports.

5.7 Office

Below-average for office use. The Razer Pro V2 leak quite a bit at high volumes and let a lot of ambient chatter seep into your audio. They also tend to put a bit of pressure on the ears which might get a bit uncomfortable during long listening sessions at work.

5.4 Wireless Gaming

This wired gaming headset can't be used wirelessly.

7.1 Wired Gaming

Decent for gaming. The wired design means they won't have any latency when gaming. They also have a great mic that filters out a lot of background noise and accurately reproduces your voice. Unfortunately, they have an average and bass-heavy sound that won't be for everyone and don't benefit from the Razer Synapse app so you can't EQ their sound profile like the Kraken USB or Man O War. There is also no surround sound options since they're not compatible with the software, which is a little disappointing.

  • 5.8 Mixed Usage
  • 6.7 Neutral Sound
  • 5.5 Commute/Travel
  • 5.6 Sports/Fitness
  • 5.7 Office
  • 5.4 Wireless Gaming
  • 7.1 Wired Gaming
  • 7.3 Phone Call
  1. Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.1.
  2. Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.
  3. Updated Feb 16, 2018: Converted to Test Bench 1.2.
  4. Updated Oct 26, 2017: Review published.
  5. Updated Oct 24, 2017: Our testers have started testing this product.
  6. Updated Oct 24, 2017: Early access published.
  7. Updated Oct 22, 2017: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
  8. Updated Sep 07, 2017: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.

Compared To Other Headphones

Comparison picture

The Kraken Pro 2 is a sturdy and durable gaming headset. Their low latency wired connection and decent, bass-heavy sound make them suitable for gaming although they won't be as convenient as some of the other wireless gaming headset we've reviewed. Unfortunately, they also lack a few customization options since they do not support the Razer Synapse Software. See our recommendations for the best gaming headsets, the best gaming headsets under $100 and the best Xbox One gaming headsets

HyperX Cloud Alpha

The HyperX Cloud Alpha are better gaming headphones than the Razer Kraken Pro V2. They feel much more comfortable and durable, and have a better-balanced sound profile and a detachable boom microphone, which is convenient. On the other hand, the Kraken Pro V2's mic has a much better recording quality.

Razer Kraken X

The Razer Kraken X and Razer Kraken Pro V2 are similarly-performing gaming headphones. Both are fairly comfortable with a bulky, gamer-centric design. The Pro V2 feel better built, but the Kraken X are more lightweight and have a more stable fit. Both headphones have excellent boom microphones and similar bass-heavy sound profiles. Neither are compatible with the Razer Synapse support software, but the Kraken X has an easier-to-use control scheme. The Pro V2 are best if you’re looking for something that feels a little more premium at the expense of added weight, while the Kraken X are preferable if you prefer a more lightweight design.

HyperX Cloud 2/Cloud II

The HyperX Cloud 2/Cloud II is a better gaming headset than the Razer Kraken Pro V2. The HyperX is better built and more comfortable. It offers great value for the price and has a better sound quality than the Kraken. It also offers channel mixing directly on the in-line remote and the microphone is detachable, so you can use the HyperX as normal headphones as well.

HyperX Cloud Stinger

The HyperX Cloud Stinger are better gaming headphones than the Razer Kraken Pro V2. They are more comfortable for long gaming sessions and their sound quality is also noticeably better. On the other hand, the Kraken Pro V2 feel slightly more durable, but that’s about it. The Stinger is also more affordable and will offer better value for most people.

Razer Kraken Tournament Edition

The Razer Kraken Tournament Edition is a better gaming headset than the Razer Kraken Pro V2 thanks to its USB dongle, which offers multiple controls and access to the Razer Synapse app. They are practically built the same and sound the same way, but app support is definitely a major difference. With the Tournament Edition, you get an EQ, presets, calibrated surround sound, channel mixing, and many features to control volume and your microphone.

Astro A10

The Astro A10 are better-sounding gaming headphones than the Razer Kraken Pro V2. The Astro's overall sound profile is more neutral and won't be as boomy and cluttered as the Razer. They also perform more consistently across various users, which is good. On the other hand, the Razer have a PC Y-splitter included, and their style might appeal to more people considering you can retract their microphone inside the headphones.

Logitech G430

The Logitech G430 are surprisingly decent gaming headphones at an affordable price and are better than the Razer Kraken Pro V2. They are more comfortable, and their sound quality is far superior to the Razers. They are also compatible with the Logitech Software app, which gives you great control options and an EQ. On the other hand, the G430 feel very plasticky, especially when you compare them to well-built Kraken Pro V2. The Kraken also have a better microphone for online games and supports it on Xbox, which the G430 can’t do.

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Test Results

Design
Design
Style
Type Over-ear
Enclosure Closed-Back
Wireless No
Transducer Dynamic

The Razer Kraken Pro V2 are a decent looking gaming headset with a slightly bulky design that won't be for everyone. They have large circular ear cups with a lot of padding and a wide headband that's reinforced with a sturdy metal frame. This makes them look and feel very durable. They also have a retractable mic but they're not versatile enough to pass for regular casual headphones.

7.0
Design
Comfort
Weight 0.7 lbs
Clamping Force
0.9 lbs

The Razer Kraken V2 are decently comfortable headphones with thick pads that better distribute pressure. However, they're a bit tight out of the box and the lack of a proper swivel hinge means they don't always fit well around your ears which can be a bit fatiguing over time. They won't be the best headphones to wear for long gaming sessions.

6.0
Design
Controls
OS Compatibility
Not OS specific
Ease Of Use Decent
Feedback Decent
Call/Music Control No
Volume Control Yes
Microphone Control Yes
Channel Mixing
No
Noise Cancelling Control N/A
Talk-Through
N/A
Additional Buttons

The Razer Pro V2 headphones have a typical gaming control scheme. They have a two-sided volume dial and a mic on/off switch. They have no additional buttons and they're fairly easy-to-use. However, the volume dial doesn't have distinct notches which would have been helpful when setting a preferred volume level. The control scheme also doesn't cater to mobile devices which makes them less versatile for casual use than some of the other gaming headsets we've reviewed. If you don't mind a wired gaming headset but prefer better controls then consider the budget Turtle Beach Recon 200 as an alternative to the Kraken Pro V2.

6.1
Design
Breathability
Avg.Temp.Difference 6.8 °C

The Razer Kraken Pro V2 will warm up your ears rather quickly if you use them while exercising. The closed-back earcups and thick leather-like pads prevent a lot airflow which causes a noticeable temperature difference during extended listening or gaming sessions.

5.3
Design
Portability
L 7.6"
W 6.4"
H 4.5"
Volume 218 in³
Transmitter Required N/A

Like most gaming headphones, they are not very portable. They do not fold into a more compact format and the ear cups are quite large and do not lay flat. This makes them a hassle to carry around on your person, especially if you don't have a bag. Unfortunately, they also do not come with a case or pouch, which is a little disappointing.

0
Design
Case
Type No case
L N/A
W N/A
H N/A
Volume N/A

These headphones do not come with a case or pouch.

7.5
Design
Build Quality

The build quality is a lot more durable than that of the Kraken Man O' War and the Kraken USB. The headband is reinforced with a wide and sturdy metal frame. The ear cups are dense enough that they won't break from accidental drops or impacts, and the padding material of the ear cups looks and feels high-end. Unfortunately, the main audio cable is not replaceable and the slightly exposed cables that link the ear cups could get damaged from wear and tear or by getting tangled or hooked on something.

6.0
Design
Stability

These are barely stable headphones. They're a bit tight on the head so they don't move much during casual listening or gaming sessions. However, the large ear cups and bulky design sways a lot during physical activities, which means the Razer Pro V2 won't be the best option for sports.

Design
Headshots 1
Design
Headshots 2
Design
Top
Design
In The Box

  • Razer Kraken Pro V2  Headphones
  • Manual
  • Headset Adapter

Sound
Sound
Sound Profile
Bass Amount
-1.03 dB
Treble Amount
-4.35 dB
5.5
Sound
Frequency Response Consistency
Avg. Std. Deviation
1.17 dB

The Razer Kraken Pro V2 show poor consistency performance. In the bass range, they have quite an inconsistent delivery from person to person, with a maximum variance of 18dB at 20Hz. They also seem especially prone to a drop in bass if the user is wearing glasses that break the air-tight seal between the headphones and the ear. Their performance in the treble range is more consistent with the maximum deviation below 10KHz of about 12dB, but leaves some room for improvement.

Sound
Raw Frequency Response
6.9
Sound
Bass Accuracy
Std. Err.
4.25 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
28.28 Hz
Low-Bass
-2.4 dB
Mid-Bass
4.48 dB
High-Bass
5.8 dB

The bass range performance is decent. Low-frequency extension (LFE) is at 28Hz, which is great, but low-bass is lacking by about 2dB. This means that the bass is deep enough to produce thumps and rumbles, but it is slightly underemphasized. Additionally, mid-bass and high-bass are quite flat but overemphasized by about 5dB, which results in excess punch and boominess. Overall, their bass is deep and punchy, but boomy and overpowering. Also, their bass delivery varies significantly across users, and is sensitive to the quality of fit, seal, and whether you wear glasses. The response here represents the average bass response and your experience may vary.

7.2
Sound
Mid Accuracy
Std. Err.
3.78 dB
Low-Mid
5.07 dB
Mid-Mid
2.33 dB
High-Mid
-2.48 dB

The mid-range of the Razer Kraken Pro V2 is above-average. The response is relatively even and flat, but it shows a 10dB tilt favoring the lower frequencies. This is actually the continuation of the high-bass bump, which is showing up in low-mid and mid-mid. The result will be a mix that sounds a little muddy and cluttered, and vocals/lead instruments that sound a bit thick. They will also lack some projection and intensity, relative to the bass and kick instruments.

6.4
Sound
Treble Accuracy
Std. Err.
4.77 dB
Low-Treble
-5.13 dB
Mid-Treble
-1.73 dB
High-Treble
-3.02 dB

The treble is mediocre. Low-treble, and mid-treble, up to 7KHz, are flat but also underemphasized by about 5dB. This has a negative effect on the detail and presence of vocals and other lead instruments. The peak around 9KHz could makes S and T sounds (sibilances) sharp-sounding on overly bright tracks. Overall, the treble lacks brightness, especially considering the hyped bass of these headphones.

7.0
Sound
Peaks/Dips
Peaks
2.08 dB
Dips
1.37 dB
7.8
Sound
Imaging
Weighted Group Delay
0.31
Weighted Amplitude Mismatch
0.71
Weighted Frequency Mismatch
2.9
Weighted Phase Mismatch
10.77

The imaging performance is good. Weighted group delay is 0.31, which is within good limits. The graph also shows that the group delay doesn't cross the audibility threshold except for a tiny bit in low-bass. This indicates a tight bass and transparent treble reproduction. In terms of driver matching, the L/R drivers of our test unit were decently matched in amplitude and frequency response. However, they show a significant mismatch in phase both in the bass range and high-treble. The will have a negative effect on the coherency of the stereo image, but shouldn't have a big negative effect on placement and localization of objects like voice and footsteps.

6.4
Sound
Soundstage
PRTF Accuracy (Std. Dev.)
3.46 dB
PRTF Size (Avg.)
6.19 dB
PRTF Distance
10.97 dB
Openness
5.2
Acoustic Space Excitation
5.6

The soundstage of the Razer Kraken Pro V2 is mediocre. The PRTF response doesn't quite follow our speaker's PRTF in terms of shape (Accuracy). This suggests that the soundstage won't sound neutral and speaker-like. However, there a good amount of pinna activation (PRTF Size), which suggests a decent sized soundstage. Also, the PRTF Distance value is about average, indicating a soundstage that will be perceived to be located inside the listener's head, and opposed to in-front.

8.1
Sound
Weighted Harmonic Distortion
WHD @ 90
0.225
WHD @ 100
0.086
Isolation
4.6
Isolation
Noise Isolation
Isolation Audio
Overall Attenuation
-12.65 dB
Noise Cancelling No
Bass
0.01 dB
Mid
-6.56 dB
Treble
-31.75 dB

The isolation of the Razer Kraken Pro V2 is sub-par. These headphones don't have active noise cancelling and do not isolate in the bass range range, where the thump and rumble of airplane and bus engines sit. In the mid-range, important for blocking out speech, they achieve about 7dB of isolation which is poor. In the treble range, which is occupied by by sharp S and T sounds, they are able to reduce ambient noise by about 32dB which is good.

5.5
Isolation
Leakage
Leakage Audio
Overall Leakage @ 1ft
47.48 dB

They have a sub-par leakage performance. The significant portion of leakage is spread from 300Hz to 10KHz, which is quite a broad range. However, the overall level of leakage is not very loud. This means that their leakage will sound fuller than that of in-ears and earbuds, but not as bright and loud as open-back headphones. Overall, their leakage will be audible to people around you at moderately to loud volumes.

Microphone
Microphone
Microphone Style
Integrated
No
In-line
No
Boom
Yes
Detachable Boom
No
Mic Yes

The Razer Kraken Pro V2's boom microphone has an impressive performance. In quiet environments, speech recorded with the mic will sound deep, full, and natural, but lacking slightly in brilliance and airiness. In noisy situations, the microphone is able to separate noise from speech to a great degree, making it ideal for very loud environments such as subway stations or loud gaming competitions.

8.5
Microphone
Recording Quality
Recorded Speech
LFE
89.8 Hz
FR Std. Dev.
4.94 dB
HFE
20,186.38 Hz
Weighted THD
0.609
Gain
38.38 dB

The microphone has an excellent recording quality. Low-frequency extension is at 90Hz, which is great, and the response is also flat up to 7KHz. However, the drop in frequency response above 7KHz will negatively affect the presence and airiness of recorded voice. Overall, speech recorded or transmitted with this mic will be full, natural, and easily understandable.

8.4
Microphone
Noise Handling
Speech + Pink Noise
Speech + Subway Noise
SpNR
33.09 dB

The boom mic of the Razer Kraken Pro V2 has great noise handling. In our SpNR test, they achieved a speech-to-noise ratio of 33dB, meaning they should be able to separate speech from background noise even in very loud and noisy environments.

Active Features
not tested
Active Features
Battery
Battery Type
N/A
Continuous Battery Life
N/A
Additional Charges
N/A
Total Battery Life
N/A
Charge Time
N/A
Power Saving Feature
N/A
Audio While Charging
N/A
Passive Playback
N/A
Charging Port N/A

These headphones are passive and have no battery life since they are wired.

0
Active Features
App Support
App Name
iOS N/A
Android N/A
macOS N/A
Windows N/A
Equalizer
N/A
ANC Control
N/A
Mic Control N/A
Room effects
N/A
Playback Control
N/A
Button Mapping N/A
Surround Sound N/A

The Razer Pro V2 do not support the Razer Synapse software. If you want a wired gaming headset with a good app, then consider the very similar Razer Kraken Tournament Edition or the Razer Kraken USB.

Connectivity
0
Connectivity
Bluetooth
Bluetooth Version
N/A
Multi-Device Pairing
N/A
NFC Pairing
N/A
Line of Sight Range
N/A
Default Latency
N/A
aptX Latency
N/A
aptX(LL) Latency
N/A

These headphones are wired and do not have a Bluetooth connection. If you want a Bluetooth-capable gaming headset, check out the Turtle Beach Elite 800.

These headphones have negligible latency because they have a wired connection.

0
Connectivity
Non-Bluetooth Wireless
Non-BT Line of Sight Range
N/A
Non-BT Latency
N/A
9.0
Connectivity
Wired
Analog Audio
Yes
USB Audio
No
Detachable No
Length 11 ft
Connection 1/8" TRS
Wired Latency
0 ms

Like the Kraken X, the Razer Kraken Pro 2 have a decent 1/8TRRS audio cable with an inline mic that's compatible with consoles. They also come with a Y splitter headset adapter for PCs.

Connectivity
PC / PS4 Compatibility
PC / PS4 Analog
Audio + Microphone
PC / PS4 Wired USB
No
PC / PS4 Non-BT Wireless
No
Connectivity
Xbox One Compatibility
Xbox One Analog
Audio + Microphone
Xbox One Wired USB
No
Xbox One Wireless
No
0
Connectivity
Base/Dock
Type
N/A
USB Input
N/A
Line In
N/A
Line Out
N/A
Optical Input
N/A
RCA Input
N/A
Dock Charging
N/A
Power Supply
N/A

The Razer Kraken Pro 2 headphones do not have a dock.