In the audio world whose latest trend is virtual surround sound, Razer has not been left behind in producing top-quality headsets that fit their purpose.
The Thresher for Xbox One gaming headset, apart from its stylish design, is built to produce powerful audio backed by Windows Sonic Virtual 7.1 surround sound.
This headset, featuring wireless connection with impressive battery life, is compatible with Xbox One, PS4, and PCs.
Razer Thresher for Xbox One 7.1 Gaming Headset
Features
- 2.4GHz RF wireless connectivity
- Windows Sonic Surround sound
- 16 hours of battery life
- Memory foam ear cups lined with leatherette
- On-headset controls
- Retractable boom mic
Pros
- Great spatial surround audio
- Easy set-up process
- Undisputable comfort
- Long battery life
Cons
- The connection is purely RF and not Bluetooth
- Volume controls can be confusing at first
- Lacks mic monitoring
- Lacks 3.5mm port
Design and Comfort
As is typical of Razer’s headsets, the Thresher comes in big, with 4-inch plastic ear cups that feel lightweight and a little fragile, but altogether comfortable. The metallic headset features a floating band that adjusts to the shape of your head to give you a good fit.
This band comes with unique indentations down the sides of your head to relieve pressure during long hours of intense gaming sessions. This is an advantage it has over other headsets in its category as it can be worn comfortably with eyeglasses. At the top of each ear cup is a Razer logo that glows during pairing.
Thresher's ear cups are lined with memory foam lining and a cushy leatherette cover to deliver comfort on another level.
The cushioning also makes it a good bet for noise isolation and does not, in any way, compromise sound quality. With an auto-adjusting headband and ear cups that rotate 45° to sit flat on your chest when not in use, this headset offers a great fit with an almost natural feel and convenient storage.
Power and Connectivity
Thresher 7.1 features 2.4GHz radio frequency connection. It connects to your Xbox One or PS4 console within a 40 ft. range and is impressively fast, easy, and lag-free. While it can connect to PS4, PC, and Xbox One, it does not support voice chat with the latter.
This headset has a decent 16-hour runtime. It charges easily through a Micro USB cable when connected to your console.
On the downside, however, it lacks a 3.5mm port which is pretty much the standard for most headsets. This means that you can only rely on battery charge as you do not have a direct-connection option when your headset runs low on charge.
Audio Performance
We can comfortably talk of great audios without lag from the powerful bass reproduction through the mids to the crisp clear highs within a 12 - 28,000Hz frequency range. The custom-tuned 50mm drivers with Neodymium Magnets play an important role in the clarity of the audio.
However, it is the Windows Sonic Spatial Surround capability and chat experience that gives Razer Thresher’s audio an edge. Among its greatest features is its ability to deliver an immersive audio experience that is not lacking in detail and clarity.
While it retains the surround function for both the PS4 and Xbox, this headset loses the chat function when paired with your Xbox One console. The latest Razer Thresher for PS4 is backed by Dolby’s surround capability.
The giant ear cup cushions excel in providing noise isolation for uninterrupted sessions.
Microphone
Razer’s Thresher 7.1 comes with a retractable boom mic that easily gets out of the way in the left ear cup when you do not need to use it. Operating within a frequency response range of 100 - 10,000Hz, this mic delivers remarkably clear communication when engaged with your teammates.
It lacks a noise-cancellation which limits its functionality to only gaming. The mic also lacks the mic monitoring function so that you will not know if your voice is loud enough when talking to your teammates.
Razer Thresher for Xbox One 7.1 Gaming Headset Microphone
Controls
Thresher is built with on-headset controls. On the left earcup is the power on/off button, a Micro USB port for charging and a volume control wheel for the mic. A simple click turns the mic on or off while rolling it adjusts the volume.
On the left ear cup is another volume control wheel for general audio. Clicking it mutes the audio while rolling it turns on surround sound, and at the same time adjusts the volume.
A challenge that you are likely to experience is getting used to using the right control wheel for general audio and mic.
It may take some to get used to before you master them. The mic boom has a light that turns on when muted. Perhaps this is how you’ll get to know if you have used the right volume wheel.
Overall, Razer opted for simplistic controls with Thresher. Therefore no set-up, software, or RGB lighting for profile customization is required.
Verdict
Overall, Razer Thresher 7.1 for Xbox One delivers excellent audio quality with Windows Sonic virtual surround backing. Along with a 16-hour battery runtime, this is a headset that you will not mind considering during your purchase.
While it lacks a 3.5mm port for direct connection, this alone should not be a dealbreaker given the good performance of this headset.
A lack of the mic monitoring function is debatable, but if you consider all other features in this headset, you will probably get used to not having it.
On the physical, there is no doubt that Thresher excels comfort and also offers a great fit. Again, while some may mind its size, it is designed in such a way that you will not feel its weight on your head. A big plus and a thoughtful design feature at that is the fact that it is eyewear-friendly.
