Razer Kaira Pro review for PlayStation: Robust audio, lackluster mic

The white frame, large black cushions, and detachable mic on the Razer Kaira Pro gaming headset could belong to any brand, though the black and white aesthetic ties in with PS5 compatibility. However, Razer didn’t skimp on the inner workings of this dual wireless headset.

This is a clear case of “don’t judge a book by its cover”. Once you power on and connect the headset to your console or PC, you’ll enjoy a full-bodied, customizable audio experience. With multiple audio settings and haptic feedback, Kaira Pro allows users to adjust the intensity of booming audio such as gunshots and explosions.

Is all of this enough to make up for the surprisingly poor quality of the microphone? That answer may depend on the user.

A crystal clear audio experience out of the box

One of the best things about the Kaira Pro is that it’s ready to go right out of the box. The included USB-C cable charges the headset in about four hours, though partial charging upon receipt allowed me to dip into two.

While the Kaira Pro does link to Razer’s Audio (available for iPhone and Android) and Chroma RGB (also for iPhone and Android) apps, they aren’t necessary if you’re looking for a basic listening experience. Without altering any settings save for the volume dial on the left earcup, I was able to enjoy crisp, resonant audio while working through a playlist of guitar-heavy brass and bass-heavy instrument music. The contrast between the two sounds was apparent, and the Kaira Pro handles the difference in pitch and intensity well.

Passing the connection to my PS4, I wasn’t sure if the audio fidelity would remain the same, but it did. games like war zone Y Forbidden Horizon West they were crystal clear and rumbled when they were supposed to. Even maxing out the volume didn’t create the unpleasant crackle that low-quality headphones often suffer from.

With an average frequency range of 20Hz to 20kHz, I was expecting the same average quality produced by the HyperX Cloud Core headsets I’ve been using. However, Razer extended the average range of high-quality audio across multiple use cases. The implementation of the TriForce Titanium 50MM drivers surely helped to balance out any potential shortcomings to prevent dropouts and fades.

Feature-rich wireless audio

Razer Kaira Pro is a versatile gaming headset that can be easily connected to PS5, PS4, PC, Mac, Android, iPhone and iPad. The built-in Bluetooth has no problem connecting to compatible mobile devices and PCs, but you’ll need to use the 4-in-1 USB-C wireless dongle to connect to all PlayStation consoles.

While the Bluetooth connection was stable throughout all tests, Razer’s 2.4GHz Hyperspeed wireless signal is meant to improve the connection. However, since Bluetooth worked so well, I didn’t hear much of a difference with Hyperspeed on. I even tried pushing the limits of the wireless connection, but the computer maintained a solid connection through two walls and several feet beyond the stated 30-foot range.

dynamic audio

For users who like to play around with their peripherals, the Kaira Pro has several adjustments to make. Four preset audio settings offer different options ideal for different situations: Amplified, Enhanced Bass, FPS, and Default.

Amplified provides a volume boost of all frequencies as if the drivers were overclocked for clearer, louder audio. I found that the music really benefited more this way, as I felt I could hear everything better, from the backing bass to the crescendo strings of the solid metal gear 2 main topic.

Enhanced Bass brings the bass to the fore, favoring lower frequencies and boomy audio. Death (2016) it sounded surprisingly different as this mode allowed the boom of each shotgun blast to overpower the dominant metal tracks. Even the ambient score had more life and I could feel every crushing blow to my neck.

FPS mode softens the bass, almost eliminating it altogether for smoother treble. If you often struggle to hear your enemy’s footsteps, FPS prevents them from being drowned out at the expense of the booming sound of an active battlefield.

There is also a custom mode for users who like to balance their own audio. Razer’s audio app is required to access the equalizer, but you can also use it to turn off the Chroma effect, turn on Do Not Disturb for mobile connections, and toggle Smart Link.

With Smart Link, you can switch between Game Mode, which favors latency but reduces range, or Quick Connect, which lets you switch between Bluetooth devices with the push of a button. I didn’t find myself needing either, but they don’t bog down the user experience.

Multiplayer games suffer

The Razer Kaira Pro was created with gamers in mind, so it’s strange that one of its core gaming features is also its weakest link. As clear and appropriately loud as the headset is, the HyperClear supercardioid microphone is somehow worse in-game than the standard microphone built into my Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 laptop.

Every multiplayer game I tried to use it in was met with lobby frustration. The one-way detachable boom had trouble transmitting my voice, and it was an issue that I reproduced on a PS4, PC, and mobile device. The most infuriating part is that a simple recording test resulted in relatively clear vocals, albeit a bit underwhelming.

Microphone test with background noise

No matter how I adjusted the microphone settings and volume, the Kaira Pro failed to deliver the robust vocal audio needed in the midst of chaotic firefights. What the microphone did well was filter out background noise, which almost completely eliminated the running PC and ceiling fans.

Haptics: effective or immersive?

Razer equipped the Kaira Pro with HyperSense Intelligent Haptics, which respond to loud noises. The louder the bass gets, the more the earphone booms, vibrating your ears to try and immerse you in the audio experience. It’s not the same as the haptic feedback on the DualSense controller, but I felt like the three feedback intensities served a purpose in bringing the battlefield into my living room.

Is it a bit misleading? Sure it is, but isn’t a lot of what players receive as features a bit misleading? Take Chroma functionality from headsets or any RGB lighting across all Razer products. All the vibrant lighting does is add to the aesthetic, and that’s pretty much what the haptics in the headset do. They add another layer of interaction with your body that sucks you even more into what’s unfolding on screen.

You can disable haptics and RGB lighting, and you definitely will if battery life is your main concern.

lasting power

On a full charge, the Kaira Pro’s battery can last up to 50 hours with no features activated. Once you start activating the enhancements, Haptics, and Chroma, that time is drastically reduced. With Chroma and haptics turned on, average battery life drops to about 11 hours. While the USB-C cable does reduce the recharge rate, 11 hours means you could be charging the battery several times a week.

The 50-hour lifespan is welcome, but HyperSense feedback isn’t a feature I recommend turning off while gaming. You’ll get longer battery life, but you’ll miss out on a fun feature of the Kaira Pro.

Should you buy the Razer Kaira Pro for PlayStation?

While the Razer Kaira Pro may seem unassuming, there’s quite a bit of content packed into this simple frame and headset. It’s a sleek and simple design that belies how advanced the headset is.

The Kaira Pro is a great headset out of the box, but for the price of $199.99, you’ll want to use the features available. Haptics can eat up battery power, but their realistic reproduction of game audio is accurate to sound position. Chroma lighting, on the other hand, feels like a waste of battery as you never see customizable lighting in your ears. It’s definitely a feature for streaming, to give viewers something to admire, but not necessarily ideal if you’re trying to save battery life.

And when it comes to the listening experience, in-app customization settings and enhanced features let you hear your games the way you want to hear them. Whether you prefer thumping bass or more balanced audio, the Kaira Pro is equipped to meet your listening needs.