RAZER KRAKEN (XBOX ONE)
Price: € 79,99
Very present on the video game scene as an important sponsor, like Tritton or Turtle Beach, Razer could obviously not be part of our 2014 selection. good for their look, their performance but also their attractive price. We start with an entry level, the Kraken, which has more than one trick up its sleeve!
Design: 4/5
This is by far one of the main assets of this Kraken which stands out with its round and globally homogeneous shape. Whether on our ears or placed on a base, the Kraken keeps its devastating look with its neon green wire which obviously recalls the colors of the Razer brand and those of the Xbox One. Or how to kill two birds with one stone. Two negative points to underline on the other hand: the microphone inlaid on the side which does not store but which is raised, and especially the aspect a little cheap plastic of the unit which denotes a choice of material a little light. At 80€, other manufacturers offer more qualitative components.
Comfort: 3/5
With only 234 grams on the scale, the Kraken from Razer is one of the lightest headsets in our 2014 selection. speakers tend to crush the ears due to their smallness and hinges - certainly solid - but a little too tight for our taste. We would also have liked the central hoop to be more reinforced for more pronounced comfort on the top of the head, as is the case with other competing models. Despite everything, the leatherette ear cushions manage to attenuate this feeling of tightness and the Kraken still manages to hold its own. On the other hand, people wearing glasses or earrings may mouth. Another small detail that may annoy budding purists: the absence of swivel or retractable earpieces, while the option has clearly become widespread in the middle. Note that the Kraken is supplied with a control unit to be connected to the Xbox One controller, just to have access to multimedia controls easily.
Performance : 2,5/5
One of the marketing arguments of the Kraken is the presence of “speakers with 40 mm neodymium magnets, capable of delivering medium highs alongside deep and powerful bass”. With these few words, Razer has perfectly summed up the audio rendering of its Kraken, which favors above all bass over overall homogeneity. Are you a fan of the bass sounds like Dr Dre's Beats? Then you run the risk of appreciating this taste that is a little too pronounced for humming sounds, to the detriment of the other sounds which then seem withdrawn. When listening to music, the Kraken also gives the impression of a muffled atmosphere with an emphasis on bass and the flow linked to the voice. We honestly expected better.
RAZER KRAKEN CHROMA 7.1 (PC, PS4)
Price: € 99,99
Since the Kraken did not give us complete satisfaction, we decided to go upmarket and test the Chroma 7.1 version of the Kraken. Quite similar to its little brother in terms of design and comfort, it absolutely has more advanced features to offer a more immersive and convincing sound environment.
Design: 4/5
So we start with the look of this Kraken Chroma 7.1 which looks almost like two drops of water to the classic version. Rounded shape and homogeneous assembly, the helmet will be all the rage with players who give credit to the design of their helmet. Where the Chroma version stands out is in its pads, which are more imposing, since they are made of memory foam covered by a fairly classic synthetic leather. By doubling the thickness of the speakers, Razer slightly disfigures the original design which was almost perfect. As for those who were wondering what exactly the term Chroma meant, just take a look at the Razer logos located on either side of the ear cups to understand that it was about bringing a little more user-friendliness to the device. object, with a variant of imposed colors. Even the microphone has an illuminated white border, which gives it a certain class. You should also know that the latter is fully retractable inside the helmet.
Comfort: 3,5/5
There too, few changes with the basic model even if the Kraken Chroma displays 80 grams more when weighed. This is the price to pay to benefit from thicker and more comfortable headphones, even if it must be admitted, the headphones are still pleasant to wear. Another detail that differs from the basic model: the presence of mesh, a fabric full of cells to ventilate the skull of the player who tends to sweat too much during his gaming sessions. This does not necessarily make the central hoop more comfortable in the long run but at least it allows the scalp to breathe better. On the other hand, we note a less tight headband on the simple version, which will allow wearers of binoculars to keep them on their nose with the helmet on their head. A little extra of the Chroma version: the possibility of folding the speakers inwards, which will allow it to be stored in a bag if you have fun carrying it around with you.
Performance : 2,5/5
On paper, the Kraken Chroma 7.1 is supposed to outperform its smaller sibling, which is only available in stereo. Unfortunately, we realize that the helmet has some flaws that did not exist on the cheaper model. Starting with a USB-only socket, which prevents the headset from being used on other devices such as a smartphone or tablet. Another annoying point: the presence of unwanted noise related to the friction of the helmet and the microphone which tend to rot the experience. Similarly, the virtual 7.1 sound is not really there, which leads us to believe that this is more of a marketing argument than anything else. In game, we quickly realize that the audio rendering is quite similar to the basic version, with a pronounced taste for bass. Again, Razer has a little forced on the bass which tends to take over the rest. Of course, fans of explosive action games will be in heaven, but for more minimalist experiences, we would have liked better spatialization of sounds and a more convincing rendering on the treble... PC gamers will have a slight advantage over PS4 players, since connecting the headset triggers the download of the Synapse software, which provides access to a whole range of settings to perfect its audio atmosphere. Bass Boost, sound normalization, voice clarity or even changing the sound level, you can adjust a lot of things.
TURTLE BEACH STEALTH 500X (XBOX ONE, SMARTPHONE, TABLETTE)
PRICE: €239,99
Players know it, Turtle Beach is one of the most present gaming headset manufacturers on the market, with a catalog that does both entry-level and high-end. For our 2014 selection, we opted for two very distinct products: one on Xbox One and the other on PS4, the famous Elite 800. Two devices that meet the very specific needs of demanding gamers. Without further ado, here is our verdict on the Stealth 500X!
Design: 3/5
It is because it is only compatible with the Xbox One that the Turtle Beach Stealth 500X has opted for a mixture of black and neon green so dear to Microsoft's console. Even if you're not a fan of flashy color, you have to admit that Turle Beach had the good taste to offer it in the form of edging around the ear cups. Well, it's true that we might have avoided the second edging which includes the multimedia faceplate, but the color code remains generally acceptable and avoids getting too kitsch or bling-bling. As for the shape of the headphones, Turtle Beach has opted for a fairly conventional silhouette with very rounded speakers with an oval tendency. The latter are also pivotable to be able to lay them flat. If the central arch is of high quality with its leather protection on the top and its padded fabric inside, we are a little disappointed with the plastic offered. Without being too cheap either, we imagined it to be of superior quality, especially when we know at what price the helmet is offered. That said, it would be in bad faith not to say that the whole thing is rather pretty and successful, especially since the helmet also has the merit of being really robust.
Comfort: 4/5
It is by placing the Stealth 500X on the head that we better understand why Turtle Beach opted for a lower quality plastic: its lightness. It is indeed the concession retained by the manufacturer who first thought of the comfort of the player before the look of the helmet. Despite the 302 grams it displays on the scale, the Stealth 500X knows how to be discreet and promises at the same time long hours of play without you needing to grumble. The imposing padding of the central arch is a real plus in terms of convenience and the only criticism that can be made of the helmet is that the structure is a little too tight, which squeezes the player's skull. This means glasses wearers will need to take a few breaks to avoid temple temple marks. As for the microphone, it is completely separable from the helmet, which is a good thing, but it is a shame that it is too far from the player's mouth. As a result, we have the impression that the transmission is not optimal, which is obviously not the case, we want to reassure you. Otherwise, we appreciate the buttons placed on either side of the earpieces, with on one side the ON/OFF button, the microphone to mute and on the other, the possibility of increasing the surround effects and changing the presets. A good point.
Performance : 4,5/5
Where the Stealth 500X is most anticipated is obviously in terms of its audio performance and the device does not disappoint, let's be honest. Completely wireless, the headset may be the ideal candidate for games where the action is thundering but it also does not forget the more intimate sequences by highlighting more important sounds like a creaking door. In racing games such as Forza Horizon 2, the noise of the engines stands out perfectly from the ambient music, especially since it is possible to play with 7.1 surround effects. We really realize this in more explosive titles like Call of Duty where the effects surround the space, with screams on one side, the sound of bullets or an explosion on the other, while not forgetting not that the voices should maintain impeccable clarity. The Stealth 500X also has many presets to adapt to different types of play, which is a definite advantage for those who want a suitable configuration without having to worry. Note that the headset comes with a box from which it is also possible to take control. As for those who are worried about compatibility with their phone or tablet, they can be reassured, a set of several cables allows you to connect it to these devices in question. So royal.
TURTLE BEACH ELITE 800 (PS4, PS3, SMARTPHONE, TABLETTE)
PRICE: €374,99
Of all the headsets we've collected for this feature, the Turtle Beach Elite 800 for PS4 is by far the most expensive. Sold for €375 on the manufacturer's official website, the accessory is considered by many to be the Rolls Royce of gaming headsets and more if you like. It must be said that the device comes with dreamy features: reduction of ambient noise, 100% wireless game & chat, invisible microphone, 7.1 DTS surround effects, magnetic charging base and high-end materials. A few minutes in his company are enough to understand that we are dealing here with the must have gaming headsets of 2014.
Design: 5/5
The beauty of the Turtle Beach Elite 800 can be judged from its casing, which is also of rare quality. By removing the jacket, we find ourselves with a double cardboard box of a white color where the shiny Turtle Bleach logo immediately stands out. The small magnetic tab on the side allows us to open this case which houses the precious object. First contact: the rounded and harmonious shape of this helmet immediately ranks it among the most beautiful on the market, if not the best. You just have to take it in your hands to see that Turtle Beach has not skimped on quality. From the plastic that makes up the main hoop to the synthetic leather that covers the speakers and protects the top of the head, it's all really top quality. It is enough to play with the notches of settings to also note that one is truly in the high standard. On the color side, there too, Turtle Beach has shown good taste with a mixture of deep black and a very discreet cobalt blue that can be seen in the form of an edging on the speakers, as well as a thin band on the setting notches. Always with a view to remaining in the pure and good taste, we can also congratulate the manufacturer for having opted for brushed aluminum to recall the name of the helmet: Elite. Finally to finish, know that the Turtle Beach Elite 800 shines even more than a thousand lights when you put it on its magnetic charging base. A work of art that almost deserves to be exhibited under glass. We're just exaggerating...
Comfort: 5/5
With its high quality materials, the Turtle Beach Elite 800 ranks irremediably in the heavyweight category. On our kitchen scale, the helmet weighs no less than 368 grams, making it one of the largest on the market. One might think then that his overweight becomes a serious handicap for the comfort of the player but it is not so. We don't really know how Turtle Beach got away with it, but once the headset is on your head, you quickly forget its weight. A miracle made possible thanks to the fact that we immediately feel cut off from the world, locked in a bubble in which we no longer want to go out. Thanks to its 100% wireless connectivity, the Turtle Beach Elite 800 gets rid of all the tricks that could hinder the player's experience. No more rod microphone protruding from the side, the latter is integrated directly into the helmet, without the quality of the voices being altered. Better still, all the controls (and there are many) have been scattered on each of the speakers, with a practical and logical layout: power button, volume, microphone, Bluetooth, and game presets which we will come back to in the part dedicated to performance. And then, icing on the Turkish delight, the ear cups of the Turtle Beach Elite 800 can obviously rotate and allow the headset to be laid flat on any flat surface. In short, another no-fault.
Performance : 5/5
Impressive in terms of look and comfort, the Turtle Beach Elite 800 is obviously impressive on the technical side. Where many other competing headsets tend to oversell, Turtle Beach's doesn't do marketing bullshit. The noise canceling, without either reaching the level of Bose headphones and its unique technology, is quite impressive. We said it above: once turned on, the headset manages to isolate us from the outside world so that our immersion in the game (or music) is total. In terms of 7.1 surround effects, there too, the Turtle Beach Elite 800 does not fail, with excellent spatialization of the front and rear effects. From big epic games like the latest Advanced Warfare to games with a more laid back vibe like Alien Isolation, everything is rendered perfectly. We even went further in our testing phases by watching the latest Transformers 4 on Blu-ray. Again, we can clearly distinguish the central speaker for dialogue and surrounding effects during action scenes. But that's not all, the Turtle Beach Elite 800 also has audio presets dedicated squarely to certain types of games: Shooter, Race, Sports, Focus on footsteps, Superhuman Listening and finally Signature Sound. These are actually settings adapted to the genre of games and again, the result is quite surprising. Finally, to finish with this audio juggernaut, know that it is possible to switch to film or music mode with 12 other audio presets adapted to everyone's ear. Unheard of and above all a reference in the field!
