Razer Barracuda X vs Barracuda
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This article specifically refers to the 2022 version of the Razer Barracuda X. There is also a 2021 version (Amazon) of the device that I may compare in a different article.
Differences Summary
Connectivity and Controls
Headphone Audio Quality
Microphone Audio Quality
Comfort and Build Quality
Software
Verdict
Differences Summary
Both the Razer Barracuda and Barracuda X are meant to be all-in-one headsets. That is, they can both be connected using a 2.4 GHz wireless connection, Bluetooth, or 3.5 mm cable.
The devices have similar builds, but there are some key differences between the Barracuda and Barracuda X:
The Barracuda X is the budget model which launched at $100, while the Barracuda launched at $160.
The Barracuda has 50 mm drivers and the Barracuda X has 40 mm drivers. In practice, the Barracuda's drivers are much more balanced with better clarity.
The Barracuda X has a detachable microphone that sounds far better than the integrated mics on the Barracuda.
The Barracuda X has an advertised battery life of up to 50 hours and the Barracuda’s battery is listed at 40 hours.
The Barracuda gains access to the Razer Synapse software and THX Spatial Audio. The Barracuda X lets you register your device to get a Razer 7.1 Surround Sound app code emailed to you.
The Barracuda has a dedicated SmartSwitch button to switch between the 2.4 GHz wireless connection and Bluetooth. This functionality is tied to the power button of the Barracuda X.
In short, the Barracuda sounds better than the Barracuda X and it has Razer Synapse software support. However, the Barracuda X’s detachable mic sounds far better than the integrated mics of the Barracuda.
Connectivity and Controls
Connectivity
Both the Barracuda and Barracuda X have the same connectivity options: 2.4 GHz wireless, Bluetooth, and 3.5 mm wired. They are compatible with PC, PlayStation 4 and 5, Android, iOS, and the Nintendo Switch.
Each device comes with a USB-C dongle which functions as a transmitter for the 2.4 GHz wireless connection. Additionally, there’s a USB-C female to USB-A male adapter so you can plug the transmitter into devices that don’t have a USB-C port.
Bluetooth is active on both devices upon turning them on for the first time and they will immediately begin attempting to pair.
The 3.5 mm connection can be used like any traditional headset and can be plugged into a controller for example. Battery power is not required for the 3.5 mm connection on either device.
Controls
Barracuda X
All of the Barracuda X’s controls are on the left ear cup. The power button has multiple functions. Aside from powering on the device, using the Barracuda X in Bluetooth mode with a phone allows the power button to answer calls or play, pause, and skip tracks. A double press is required to skip tracks.
Something it lacks is the ability to go to the previous track with 3 presses. Instead this switches audio sources (from Bluetooth to 2.4 GHz and vice versa).
The volume wheel controls the gain of the headset. It does not control the system volume, so it has a hard stop. A mic mute switch is next to the volume wheel.
Barracuda
The Barracuda’s controls are similar to the Barracuda X but with a few key differences.
First off, there’s a dedicated SmartSwitch button which switches from “HyperSpeed” (2.4 GHz) to Bluetooth and vice versa with a double tap. Due to this, the power button can be pressed 3 times to go back to the previous track unlike the Barracuda X.
Also, the scroll wheel has no stopping point since it can also be used to control your system volume on PC.
Headphone Audio Quality
The Barracuda sounds significantly better than the Barracuda X, though neither of them have drivers worth their launch price tags.
Playing Resident Evil 3 with the Barracuda X.
The Barracuda X sounds somewhat like the Razer Kraken V3 X. The 40 mm drivers are still labeled “Triforce”, but the bass is muddy and the highs are shrieky. There isn’t that much detail on either end of the audio spectrum, but the sound is passable with some EQ.
Then again, the Barracuda X doesn’t connect to Razer Synapse like the Barracuda does, so you’ll have to find third party equalizer software.
Games were still quite fun, but just know that you’re getting a budget audio experience with the Barracuda X.
Resident Evil 3 with the Barracuda.
The Barracuda sounds similar to the Kraken V3 or BlackShark V2. The 50 mm drivers on the Barracuda are more balanced. Highs are clearer, but they’re also tamed to be more listenable. The bass is more full, and it does not leak into the rest of the mix as much as the Barracuda X’s bass.
The drivers are still a bit rough, though. Even a few notches of bass boosting in Synapse causes distortion on the Barracuda. And particularly busy music tracks will expose the somewhat weak sound separation of the Triforce drivers. Unless you’re specifically needing a wireless device, you can get similar performance with the BlackShark V2 or Kraken V3.
Overall, the Barracuda sounds a lot better than the Barracuda X, but they are both underwhelming.
Microphone Audio Quality
The detachable mic of the Barracuda X is far better than the integrated “beamforming” mics of the Barracuda. The latter’s sound pretty terrible and metallic. However, they’re not the worst I’ve ever heard. That award goes to the Barracuda Pro, but that’s for a different article.
Comfort and Build Quality
Both devices have almost identical builds. There is cloth padding on the ear cups which is the same type of scratchy material on SteelSeries Arctis devices. In fact, the build of both the Barracuda and Barracuda X is strikingly similar to the SteelSeries Arctis 1.
The adjustment brackets have a thin bit of metal on them, but the plastic of the headbands feel quite brittle and susceptile to snapping. Swivel is available on both devices, and the headband padding at the top is a somewhat soft plastic.
Overall, these get a C in comfort for me. The only thing I really like is that they seal out sound quite well considering the material they’re made of.
Software
Synapse with the Barracuda.
Only the Razer Barracuda gets access to Razer Synapse. In that software, you can utilize several settings like a 10 band EQ for the headphone audio and mic.
THX Spatial Audio is a virtual surround sound filter that you can make slight adjustments to for use on the Barracuda. The Barracuda X has to rely on a more intrusive Razer 7.1 Surround Sound app. Neither of them actually enhance the audio, so it’s a moot point to me anyway.
Razer Audio App.
Both devices can have their sound tweaked with the Razer Audio app on mobile. The EQ here is not as effective since it’s limited to gains of only up to +/- 5 dB.
Game mode lets you play at a lower latency while using Bluetooth for mobile gaming.
Verdict
The Razer Barracuda is a much better sounding headset than the Barracuda X and it has better software support with Razer Synapse. However, the Barracuda X’s mic is miles ahead of it.
Both of these devices have very disappointing headphone audio quality and builds for their launch prices. So, if I had to recommend one it would be the Barracuda X and only on a massive sale. If you can find it for under $70 it could be worth it for the 2.4 GHz + Bluetooth functionality.
