My Razer Kraken 7.1 v2 setup for music

[Insomnimatic]

Hey everyone, this is I believe my first post on the forums but I've been on steam since around 2008 or so. However, I picked up the Razer Kraken 7.1 v2 last year and it's been a pretty solid headset so far. I just wanted to share with you all the settings that I use to listen to music in case some of you are struggling to find a decent setup.

This "guide" will be pretty bass heavy so remember that personal preference should still be priority when trying out these settings.

The song I used to find these settings is "Yeah right" by Joji. I don't normally listen to this style of music but it's a great song. This setup works with multiple genres of music. I believe this song is considered "Lo-Fi" but it also works well with Rock/Metal as well.

On to the settings:

In the "Audio" tab of Razer Synapse for your headset:

Bass Boost: 80 to 100
Sound Normalization: 20 to 30
Voice Clarity: 50 to 75
Volume Level: 20 to 50

In the "EQ" tab of Razer Synapse for you headset:

125Hz: 8
250Hz: 0
500Hz: 3
1kHz: -2
2kHz: 2
4kHz: 6
8kHz: 6
16kHz: 8

Let me know if you guys come up with better variations and I'll try them out as well!

[Arya]

Hate to break it to you, but you'd get much better sound quality from a much cheaper 5.1 headset. I can offer a recommendation if you're interested.

7.1 Surround was a debacle, there's no other way to put it. True 7.1 headsets did manage to cram a working 7.1 speaker setup into a headset formfactor, but that came at serious cost to audio quality and volume. Others simply used their own Software Surround system, adding a lot of additional price over something Microsoft's own software can do better.

[Jatimu]

as an owner of a Kraken 7.1, thank you for this guide, sounds a lot better than the normal settings

[tacoshy]

Opprinnelig skrevet av Wolfey:

Hate to break it to you, but you'd get much better sound quality from a much cheaper 5.1 headset. I can offer a recommendation if you're interested.

7.1 Surround was a debacle, there's no other way to put it. True 7.1 headsets did manage to cram a working 7.1 speaker setup into a headset formfactor, but that came at serious cost to audio quality and volume. Others simply used their own Software Surround system, adding a lot of additional price over something Microsoft's own software can do better.

^this... any studio stereo headphones in the same prcie class runs circles around that razer headset any time. The sound of the Razer is far from being even average compared to the compition.
Every Audiophile will agree as they are actually listened to good sound befor.

[Insomnimatic]

Opprinnelig skrevet av Wolfey:

Hate to break it to you, but you'd get much better sound quality from a much cheaper 5.1 headset. I can offer a recommendation if you're interested.

7.1 Surround was a debacle, there's no other way to put it. True 7.1 headsets did manage to cram a working 7.1 speaker setup into a headset formfactor, but that came at serious cost to audio quality and volume. Others simply used their own Software Surround system, adding a lot of additional price over something Microsoft's own software can do better.

I'm down for some suggestions for a new headset. I really enjoy this one and the quality is pretty good but it's not really the greatest for music. I enjoy using it mainly for CS:GO or similar games. In the past, I used a decent Skull Candy headset mainly for music production and it had much better sound quality, saddly. The 7.1 in the Kraken is probably, as you said, not true 7.1. I believe their drivers create an artificial 7.1 and it's actually 5.1.

[tacoshy]

no the Kraken are actually Stereo headphones with software emulation of 7.1. Somethign that every Stereo Headphones can do. But why would anyone buy headsets by companies that building mices and keyboards and that also way overpriced.

I rather go for a company that has some experience building Audio Gear.

[Insomnimatic]

Opprinnelig skrevet av tacoshy:

no the Kraken are actually Stereo headphones with software emulation of 7.1. Somethign that every Stereo Headphones can do. But why would anyone buy headsets by companies that building mices and keyboards and that also way overpriced.

I rather go for a company that has some experience building Audio Gear.

Because I've had great experiences with their products. I've had my current Razer mouse (Deathadder) since 2014 and it's still holding up strong with every day use. My first Razer keyboard (Can't remember the exact name) I've had since 2013 and it still works 100% fine. My current Razer keyboard (Ornata) hasn't had any issues since I got it (early 2017).

I was willing to try the Razer Kraken headset, because of this. I know there are better headsets out there. Yes, these products may be a bit pricey, but so far, the products are durable and good to great quality.

I also stated in my last post that I was open to the idea for a better quality headset for listening to and producing music. What would you recommend? You've given all the reasons why my choice was "wrong" but no answers to what would be "right".

[tacoshy]

Opprinnelig skrevet av Insomnimatic:

Opprinnelig skrevet av tacoshy:

no the Kraken are actually Stereo headphones with software emulation of 7.1. Somethign that every Stereo Headphones can do. But why would anyone buy headsets by companies that building mices and keyboards and that also way overpriced.

I rather go for a company that has some experience building Audio Gear.

Because I've had great experiences with their products. I've had my current Razer mouse (Deathadder) since 2014 and it's still holding up strong with every day use. My first Razer keyboard (Can't remember the exact name) I've had since 2013 and it still works 100% fine. My current Razer keyboard (Ornata) hasn't had any issues since I got it (early 2017).

I was willing to try the Razer Kraken headset, because of this. I know there are better headsets out there. Yes, these products may be a bit pricey, but so far, the products are durable and good to great quality.

I also stated in my last post that I was open to the idea for a better quality headset for listening to and producing music. What would you recommend? You've given all the reasons why my choice was "wrong" but no answers to what would be "right".

Well all a question about budget. Mostly I woudl recommend a good combination of studio headphones + a seperate mic in form of a Mic-Mod like V-Moda, table mic's like Rode NT-USB, some clip on mics or magnetic mics you can stick on the earbud.

Thats in the end all a question of the budget. Espacially if you wanna go for music production I would go for some entry Sennheisers or Beyerdynamic DT 770/880/990 + a seperate mic. Otherwise a DIY headset in form of Audio Technica ATH-M50x + a V-Moda Mic you can place into the headphones in the first place.

Otherwise it it has to be cheap I would go with a HyperX Cloud II as its parts come mostly from Beyerdynamic. Or with a higher budget then Something Like Beyerdynamic MMX.

However what is your budget. What kind of music do you prefer?

[Insomnimatic]

Opprinnelig skrevet av tacoshy:

Opprinnelig skrevet av Insomnimatic:

Because I've had great experiences with their products. I've had my current Razer mouse (Deathadder) since 2014 and it's still holding up strong with every day use. My first Razer keyboard (Can't remember the exact name) I've had since 2013 and it still works 100% fine. My current Razer keyboard (Ornata) hasn't had any issues since I got it (early 2017).

I was willing to try the Razer Kraken headset, because of this. I know there are better headsets out there. Yes, these products may be a bit pricey, but so far, the products are durable and good to great quality.

I also stated in my last post that I was open to the idea for a better quality headset for listening to and producing music. What would you recommend? You've given all the reasons why my choice was "wrong" but no answers to what would be "right".

Well all a question about budget. Mostly I woudl recommend a good combination of studio headphones + a seperate mic in form of a Mic-Mod like V-Moda, table mic's like Rode NT-USB, some clip on mics or magnetic mics you can stick on the earbud.

Thats in the end all a question of the budget. Espacially if you wanna go for music production I would go for some entry Sennheisers or Beyerdynamic DT 770/880/990 + a seperate mic. Otherwise a DIY headset in form of Audio Technica ATH-M50x + a V-Moda Mic you can place into the headphones in the first place.

Otherwise it it has to be cheap I would go with a HyperX Cloud II as its parts come mostly from Beyerdynamic. Or with a higher budget then Something Like Beyerdynamic MMX.

However what is your budget. What kind of music do you prefer?

Awesome, thank you for responding with some insight!

My budget would be around $250 - $300 USD

I'm starting to get into Lo-Fi but my love is in Metal genre's.
For an example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVlfLSQNj4s

Also, this is a link to the last song I made:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtOYqb3b3bA

The mixing isn't the best so I think some sort of studio headset would work well. I would love to use a headset while producing again vs. using my speakers.

[tacoshy]

Do you have a good DAC already? I would defenetly recommend you to go for closed back headphones with that kind of music. Tho for the first Vid the 880 have a slightly worse Bass then the 770 but the sound stage for the non bassy beginning to work with.

[Insomnimatic]

I currently don't have a DAC but I've been looking into buying one.

For my setup I just currently have:

Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Gen 2 - I use this for my guitars / bass guitar
Mixcraft 7 - DAW #1
Reaper - DAW #2
iLive Platinum speakers

[tacoshy]

Well as Entry DAC in the same price range of the rest the Standard Fiio E10K would do fine. However I highly recommend you to visit a HiFi store and test hear those models on your own. As for music production the right audio gear is more important and the preferences are different I would make sense to test on your own. Highly reommend a closed back or semi closed back then.


PS: But I'm also not really into music production. I record my piano sometimes here and there but nothing professional. But there other audiophiles here that might be more qualified to awnser.

[Insomnimatic]

Ok thank you a lot. I'm fine with my recording equipment I just needed the right audio equip. I've never looked up a HiFi store before so are there any you would reccommend to visit / some that should not be visited?

[tacoshy]

uhm just your local store. It is not about buying there but every decent hifi store has all common headphone there ready to test and also already burned in. So you can take your time there (actually even days) to test listen them. So you can directly compare and see what headphones you would prefer.


Also most common hifi online stores have a 30 days extended trail time where you can etst the product and return if you dislike. You can also abuse it often for just testing when you pay delivery costs which is then allowed by the store (but depends on the store itself).

[SilasLeigh]

I dont even understand why you guys are arguing over a razer headset involving interest in music, these headsets are mainly for gaming lmao

[tacoshy]

Opprinnelig skrevet av Bolt:

I dont even understand why you guys are arguing over a razer headset involving interest in music, these headsets are mainly for gaming lmao

To your opinion you need special headsets for gaming?
There no special Headset for gaming, it's a marketng gimmick. They are no where better, they are the worst sound quality wise. So if you look for a good Headset you have to look at the music you like.