For years as a teen, I longed for the proper gear for efficiency, the look and the all-important model. Razer was a type of manufacturers, however unattainable on an off-the-cuff wage, working 14 – 16 hours every week. As an grownup working full time, I’m now in a spot the place I should purchase what I need to, and I’ve been on the lookout for a superb possibility for portability and compatibility relating to in-ear choices for some time.
There are a lot of actually good choices within the wi-fi earbud house at aggressive pricing. I’ve discovered the differentiating components between them are choices for connectivity and match. The sound facet of issues, after all, is there, however it’s a bit subjective and largely, you’ll get what you pay for.
The Razer Hammerhead Professional HyperSpeed provides every thing I like in a set of earbuds whereas additionally delivering a strong sound expertise.
Design, Match and specs
One of many greatest points I’ve had with wi-fi earbuds over time is the long-term consolation. That is often because of both the burden of the earbuds or poor steadiness, making them uncomfortable to put on. If that’s paired with a match that isn’t fairly proper for my ears, even the greatest-sounding earbuds aren’t going to final lengthy in my day by day carry equipment.
Regardless of how lengthy the arms of the Hammerhead Professional are, the steadiness was fairly good. I’m very proud of how little they weigh (6g per earbud) and with the default ideas; the match is nice. Even transferring across the yard, going for a vigorous stroll or exercising on the health club, they didn’t dislodge unintentionally.
If you delve deeper into the specs, there’s lots right here to make them an fascinating proposition to even pretty discerning patrons. The amount capabilities (95db SPL) are definitely greater than my ageing ears can cope with at full noise. That is due to the 10mm driver, which produces sound vary from 20Hz to twenty kHz, spectacular for one thing this small.
There’s ANC included, which is fairly good if you happen to’re utilizing these throughout a commute or in a loud workplace surroundings. Whereas you are able to do that, what these are actually for is gaming on the go and that’s evidenced by the substantial compatibility checklist, together with PC, PlayStation, Nintendo Swap, Android, iOS, iPadOS and just about something you may connect with through Bluetooth.
The case shops energy able to recharge your earbuds each time they’re not in use and want a cost. In idea, there’s quite a lot of use instances (see the Razer web site for a breakdown) from 14 hours — buds and case — with ANC and lighting turned on, as much as 18.5 hours with each disabled.
So all of these bins have been ticked for me, and it was time to start out testing.
Setup, day by day use and the additional options
Establishing any Bluetooth system lately is very easy; flip it on, seek for it in your goal system and pair it. Now, you may depart it there if you wish to, however Razer has a fairly nifty app to help the usage of its audio tools, and it’s very complementary.
What I like concerning the app is the simplicity of controls; you may alter the ANC settings as simply within the app as you may on the earbuds straight; you may alter the contact response and playback choices and even alter the lighting on the earbuds. As has turn into the norm, additionally they have an in-ear sensor so if you happen to pull an earbud out as a result of somebody has spoken to you, playback of no matter you’re having fun with will cease. I’ve discovered that this characteristic is remarkably correct on these and hasn’t required me to manually cease or re-start playback throughout testing which has been very welcome.
That is solely a part of the setup and connectivity, although, as additionally they include a USB-C dongle which you could plug into something with a USB-C connector. For me, this included my laptops, desk and a Nintendo Swap, and it’s as straightforward as plugging the dongle in and persevering with to make use of the system as you usually would. Pairing the dongle isn’t essential; it’s already paired and it simply works.
That is by far the higher possibility if you happen to’re enjoying video games purely as a result of it’s decrease latency connection. That’s to not say that the Bluetooth is unhealthy or notably laggy, however the dongle is barely higher and in some circumstances, that millisecond and the spatial consciousness make a distinction. Maybe probably the most lovely a part of this, is that the dongle overrides Bluetooth, so you may pair it to a telephone for day by day music use, the plug the dongle in for gaming.
I favored the Wi-fi charging capabilities within the Hammerhead Professional HyperSpeed, notably when coupled with the charging pad Razer has obtainable. It’s (after all, it’s Razer) appropriate with RGB to supply a visible indicator of the battery stage of the connected system.
How do they go for sound?
I’ve by no means had a disappointing sound expertise with any Razer tools I’ve examined. It’s a premium model and, truthfully, given the value and expertise I’ve had prior to now – I count on excessive requirements each time. Once more, Razer has delivered a extremely strong sound expertise, offered one of many ear ideas suits you properly.
With out that comfortable match, the sound steadiness will likely be off, and also you’ll miss out on bass as a result of it’ll simply leak out across the ill-fitting ideas. The default tip match me fairly properly, and I received a extremely strong and fairly well-balanced audio expertise — maybe slightly bass-heavy for my ordinary music listening — for many customers.
That steadiness, as talked about, is a bit bass-heavy however that’s effective for films and wonderful for gaming. The one time it was actually noticeable was after I was listening to some music genres which might be a bit extra delicate to poor steadiness. What actually stood out for me was the readability of the mid-range audio, which made watching streaming TV and flicks a delight as a result of that’s the place vocal vary resides.
This additionally meant that decision readability was excellent, whether or not it was a video name for work functions or telephone name.
Battery: Your mileage could fluctuate
Even a fairly heavy consumer goes to get a few days out of a single cost of the Hammerhead Professional HyperSpeed. In idea, you’re a minimal of round 14 hours, as earlier talked about, with the lighting and ANC turned on. I’m not listening to those at big quantity, however at about 1/3 of its capability, I’m getting nearer to 18 hours persistently, which is an effective consequence.
I discovered it fascinating that the “over-delivery” of the battery life didn’t carry in scale to turning off the lights, however ANC (naturally) made a fairly important distinction. On one energy cycle, I managed to get simply over 29 hours of listening time with no lights or ANC in use.
What could possibly be higher?
There’s a lot to love right here that it feels odd to be vital, however they’re not good. As a place to begin, the contact controls are hit-and-miss. I’ve discovered that they’re good and dependable if you happen to’re very deliberate concerning the set off, however if you happen to’re making an attempt to regulate the amount shortly – you’re more likely to cease playback or change your ANC settings. It’s irritating that these aren’t extra correct and responsive.
Different points are a bit subjective and completely me being tremendous choosy about what I would like from a tool. The USB-C dongle is a little bit of a danger if you happen to take it out of your own home. It’s small, it’s light-weight and really straightforward to misplace. I’d fortunately sacrifice a little bit of house to have a means of docking the dongle within the case to minimise that danger.
The battery life isn’t horrible, however if you happen to make the case barely bigger to accommodate a dock, there’s in all probability house to sneak slightly bit of additional battery in too. The battery capability meant that after I wasn’t utilizing these, they have been again within the case charging and I used to be charging the case each two days to make sure I had energy after I wished it.
Who should purchase the Razer Hammerhead Professional HyperSpeed?
Like numerous Razer tools, I really feel as if these are focused as a little bit of a distinct segment market. The mixture of the USB-C dongle and the Bluetooth connection, with the previous overriding the Bluetooth, actually does present that these are focused at somebody who’s gaming on the go.
That apart, the value will likely be an enormous roadblock for many individuals; at AU$369.95, they’re actually costly earbuds!
They’re light-weight, well-balanced and comfy to put on for important chunks of time. The carry case has sufficient cost to get you thru a day, maybe two, between expenses, and the app is beneficial as a part of your preliminary setup.
Until you’re going to be doing a little cellular gaming on the common, there are cheaper choices on the market that price much less and have the identical options and doubtlessly (except for the USB-C dongle) higher connectivity. However I’d fortunately inform anybody who’s cellular gaming as a part of their common move instances about these and that the value is price it!