Complicated mixes tend to feel muffled and lifeless, all the different frequencies piling atop one another and making for a pretty mediocre listening experience. It does little for music, which is my usual Razer complaint. Otherwise it’s a pretty standard Razer headset. Slick, and it rectifies one of my biggest problems with the previous Kraken. I found the Kraken V2’s bass response pretty anemic, but here you can adjust to your preference without even popping open Razer’s software. It’s decent, especially given that new “Bass” toggle I mentioned above. The Kraken Tournament Edition sounds similar to the Kraken V2, which shouldn’t come as much surprise. If you don’t, expect the control box to end up on the floor. Worth noting: The sound card/control box also includes glue on the back if you want to attach it to your desk, but then you’re really making a commitment to this one headset (and one desk, as well). It’s not the most elegant box, but it gets the job done and is certainly an improvement over the Kraken’s usual no-frills controls. (Those seeking additional cooling power can remove the pads and throw them in the fridge for a bit.) After it warms up it’s pretty much just a normal headset, but the effect is pleasant while it lasts. For the first 15 or 20 minutes after you put the headset on, it feels nice and cool against your skin. Like the Nari Ultimate, the Kraken Tournament Edition includes cooling gel in the earcup padding. The Kraken Tournament Edition isn’t completely devoid of gimmicks. That contributes to the bulky look, but damn if it isn’t comfortable. The metal headband is thick and sturdy but remarkably lightweight, the leatherette accents are slick-looking, the earcup hinges feel resilient, and there’s a solid inch of foam padding on each ear. That said, it’s well-built and comfortable.
As I said about the Kraken V2, it gives you that “Princess Leia side-bun look.” And because the earcups don’t pivot, the headset can seem even bulkier when you remove it. Razer’s headsets are bulky, there’s no getting around it, and the Kraken is the bulkiest-feeling of all. Visually not much has changed since, which is a bit disappointing. We last looked at a Kraken model about two years ago, with the Kraken V2.