Razer Barracuda HP1 Gaming Headphones

Introduction:

  Yay! Razer knew exactly what to send this Canadian boy. Right before winter to go with my new toque, mukluks and snowshoes, they sent me some earmuffs! I’m unsure why they have a string attached to them, but maybe they figure I might lose them.

   And I’m done perpetrating that Canadian myth for today. In all seriousness, Razer has some busy beavers working for them, releasing new products faster than a tuned up snowmobile (ok, ok I’m done!).

   Just within the last few weeks, they’ve announced a new mouse partnered with Microsoft , they are also working on of all things, a soundcard! By anyone’s standard, the soundcard market is not exactly rolling in competition , so I think it’s a very gutsy move on their part. They have even gone so far as to name the project, Project STFU – “It’ll be ready when it’s ready”

 * STFU now stands for ,  “Sound (Triangulation and Positioning) Field Ultima”.  , who knew? ;)

   As a precursor/partner to their upcoming soundcard, the “Razer Barracuda AC1”; they have released the “Razer Barracuda HP1” gaming headphones. Razer has been so kind as to let me check the headphones out on their own. Before I continue, I’ll point out the one sort of obvious quirk I’m not too fond of. Both the headphones, and the soundcard are called the “Razer Barracuda”. The reasoning for this, apparently, is that they are calling the two of them together the “Razer Barracuda™ Integrated Audio System”. But if you can buy one or the other, I think it just makes things more complicated.

Look ma’ STATS! Woot!

Technical Specifications

• 8 Discrete Drivers: 6 for Mid-High Frequency, 2 for Bass.

• Individual Channel Volume Control / 1 Master Volume Control.

• Detachable Microphone.

• 6 Channel Analog Inputs.

• Eight Amplifiers contained within its volume control units.

• Output power of 330mW.

• Razer HD-DAI™ (High Definition-Dedicated Audio Interface).

• 99% Oxygen-Free Cable.

Razer Barracuda HP-1 Gaming Headphones Specifications

• Frequency Response   

• 1.50 Hz ~ 20 000Hz

• Impedance      

• 1.a. Front Speaker  : 64ohm b. Rear Speaker   : 32ohm c. Centre Speaker: 64ohm d. Sub-Woofer      : 8ohm

• Total RMS Power Rating         

• 330mWatts

• Cable Length   

• 2 meter

• Connector plug            

• Razer HD-DAI™

 

A Closer Look:

Front feature

omg, tiny

Features

  As usual, Razer likes to present a strong first impression with everything they make. The box for the HP1 looks like something they want to keep and put on display. Though I gotta say, your vision has to be pretty good to read the various instructions on the back. I guess they needed to make the print small to fit all the different languages.

Me 0 / Razer 1

The plastic case that the headphones sit inside requires a small child to open of course, (you know, child proof containers can only be opened by children) but once you do cut it open, that’s the last barrier to using the Cuda’.

Fuzzy

Case with instructions

Out of the box

   Even before I finally got them out, I could already tell that they were going to be some really comfy headphones. They have an obvious velvet covering on the speakers. The head strap has two very sturdy rods at the top that act as support and springs to hold the speakers against your ears. The adjustable strap that is inside is some sort of fake leather/plastic/something-or-other. I can’t quite figure out how it stretches. I can’t tell if it’s a small spring or an elastic, but you can’t see anything stretch. And while I can’t speak for all sizes and shapes of heads, but they fit my fat head just fine. For longtime use, I wouldn’t want to have to wear them for 12 hours strait, but for 2 or 3 hours at a time, it’s not the least bit uncomfortable.

Volume dials

Other side

*THE* switch :)

   The speakers aside, the barracuda has one of the most complete control modules I’ve seen, even when compared to most desktop speakers. There is a volume control for Front and Rear speakers, as well as the Center channel and Bass. Then there is the master volume control, that is very smooth and handy.

   The most unique button on the controller is the amplifier switch. Due to the power draw, the Barracuda requires a USB connector to run everything. Without the amplifier switch, there is almost no sound. The best part however, is that this switch has 3 positions. The first is Off, the second position turns on the amplifier and all the blue lighting. The best for last, is where it ONLY turns on the Amp! You remember my review of the Razer Copperhead? My big complaint was the lack of anyway to turn off the lighting. Well if I ever doubted their claim of listening to customers, this has removed any trace.

The adaptor

The connector

Connected

   Just to be confusing, Razer decided to give the Barracuda soundcard and headphone a DVI connector, that isn't. They call it a HD-DAI™ (High Definition-Dedicated Audio Interface) connector. Obviously it is a DVI connector that is wired differently. While they do give you a warning not to plug it into a video card, I just hope someone less computer literate doesn't wreak something because they forget.