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CNET editors' review
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CNET editors' rating:
stars
Very good
Detailed editors' rating
- Reviewed on: 03/12/2009
- Released on: 01/15/2009
We've recently looked at various PC headsets, all of which boast their own unique individual features. The Able Planet PS500MM successfully provided us with more audio information when played at a lower level, while both the Creative Digital Wireless Gaming Headset and Logitech ClearChat PC Wireless Headset allowed for wireless chat and multimedia listening. Enter Razer, a company noted for its high-end quality PC gaming products, with the Carcharias headset. There's no gimmick with the Carcharias--no special feature that separates it from the rest of the pack. That said, the Carcharias is by far the most comfortable, best-sounding PC gaming headset we've tested in a while.
The Carcharias is outfitted in a stylish all-black design--from the headband right down to the boom microphone. The ear cups are large, padded, and easily fit entirely over our ears. The soft foam headband makes for an even more comfortable experience while the adjustable wire-framed sliders helped mold the headset to our head. The outer ear cups are covered in slick, dark metal grilles with the Razer logo emblazoned on each side. While the Carcharias headset is the largest of those we've recently tested, it's surprisingly lightweight, which allowed us to have extended sessions of play time and chatting.
On the left ear cup you'll find the protruding boom microphone that can swivel 270 degrees around--completely out of sight if you'd like. With that feature, we have no hesitations about recommending the Carcharias for use with other devices compatible with a simple 1/8-inch headphone jack.
We really liked the cloth-braided wire that extends out of the left ear cup as well. Measuring in at just under 10 feet, the cable provides more than ample length for just about any activity. An inline clothing clip and remote provides easy access to the volume control in addition to a microphone mute toggle. The cable terminates into two 1/8-inch jacks, one for audio and one for the in-line microphone input. While a wireless situation is ideal for conducting Skype or other VoIP sessions, you'll still have some sense of freedom with the Carcharias.
We ran the Carcharias through a series of tests, first examining its performance during a chat-based gaming session. We were a bit uncomfortable with the positioning of the boom microphone to start, as the boom itself isn't as adjustable as some of the headsets we've tested in the past. Since it's only flexible in the center of the boom, it may initially feel awkward when trying to use it. That said, we had nothing but solid results in all of our gaming matches with Counter-Strike as our teammates reported loud and clear voice chat from our player. We were very pleased with the audio performance in-game, as the Carcharias was able to immerse us into the multiplayer combat action. We were able to locate other player's locations hearing gunfire and footsteps quite easily.
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