E3 2017: Razer making a big push into the console realm starting with Thresher headsets
While Razer has been known to make some peripherals for consoles, I was told 2017 will be the year they really get into releasing products for the Xbox One and PlayStation 4. To start off that push, they announced the Thresher wireless headset for both the Xbox One and PlayStation 4.
Razer states the Thresher has the widest range of frequencies for a console headset so you'll get very high highs and the lowest lows. The 50mm drivers hide behind a leatherette covering which has memory foam underneath. If you wear glasses, there's also an indentation so the arms can sit in there ensuring a more comfortable fit.
The metal headband ensures a nice solid support with cloth and memory foam sitting on top of the player's head for comfort. The dual band design ensures that it's both structural strong and easily worn for long periods of time without being annoyed.
Volume, mic and power controls are on the underside of the cups.
Support for 7.1 surround sound is there for those that want immersive audio.
For communications, there's a retractable unidirectional mic that can easily be put away when not in use.
Wireless transmissions are done at 2.4Ghz and there will be less than 20ms of latency when you're using the headset. Razer is saying you'll be able to get about 40 feet away from the source but with clear line of sight, 150 feet is not out of the question.
Battery life is rated at 16 hours of use with a 4 hour recharge time from a depleted battery. If you do run out of juice, you can use the headset and recharge at the same time with a micro-USB cord.
The Razer Thresher will be available in July for $249.99 with both variants being able to be used on the PC as well. And for those picking up Xbox One X, the Thresher will be an officially licensed headset for the console so it'll natively connect to it with ease.
RAZER LAUNCHES THRESHER ULTIMATE GAMING HEADSET FOR XBOX ONE AND PLAYSTATION 4
Premium console headset focuses on sound quality, comfort and wireless reliability
LOS ANGELES (E3 2017) – Razer™, the leading global lifestyle brand for gamers, today announced the Razer Thresher Ultimate wireless headsets for Xbox One and PlayStation® 4. Both models are PC compatible.
The Razer Thresher Ultimate delivers wireless Dolby 7.1 surround sound for the most immersive audio experience ever created on console. The headset is capable of the highest audio bandwidth on console, delivering the highest highs and the lowest lows.
Large 50 mm drivers pump directional audio into each leatherette ear cup, cushioned with memory foam for state-of-the-art comfort, sound quality and noise isolation. Also available are cooling-gel infused Ear Cushions designed for even longer hours of comfortable gameplay.
The Razer Thresher Ultimate is also the most reliable wireless console headset designed with a connection range up to 40 feet.
“The Razer Thresher Ultimate for Xbox One is a premium wireless headset that sets benchmarks for audio quality and wireless reliability,” says XBOX SPOKESPERSON. “We are thrilled to be working directly with Razer to bring this exciting new headset to Xbox players everywhere.”
The headset comes with a retractable digital microphone for clear voice communication thanks to a unidirectional mic boom design. On-headset controls for mic volume, game and voice chat balance (on PlayStation 4) and master volume (on Xbox One) allow for quick access to every important audio setting.
“We are taking our expertise in designing the very best PC gaming hardware into the console arena,” says Min-Liang Tan, Razer co-founder and CEO. “These are the most reliable and best sounding wireless console headsets ever made.”
Razer’s rich history in hardware continues to extend into console. The Thresher Ultimate is joined by Razer’s tournament-grade Wildcat and Raiju controllers, while the company’s Atrox and Panthera fightsticks are used by the most renowned professional fighting game players.
The Razer Thresher Ultimate is an officially licensed accessory designed for Xbox One and will be compatible with Project Scorpio. Both it and the PlayStation 4 version are available for pre-order now.
Price:
U.S. $249.99 / EU €279.99
Availability:
Razerzone.com – Pre-Order Now
Worldwide – July 2017
Product features:
• 50 mm Driver – For powerful lifelike audio
• 7.1 Dolby Surround Sound – For best-in-class positional audio
• 2.4 Ghz Wireless Lag-free wireless
• On-Headset Controls – Quickly adjust mic & master volume
• Noise-isolating Leatherette Ear Cushions – Stay completely focused on your game
• Comfortable with eyewear – With foam indentations for temple relief
• Retractable Boom Mic – Stows completely in ear cup
• Comes with headset stand & audio hub base station
• Dimensions of headset: 196mm(W) * 214mm(H) * 104.8mm(D)
• Approximate Weight of headset: 408g / 0.89lbs
Headphones
• Radio Frequency: 2.4 GHz
• Dolby® Headphone technology
• Wireless Range: 40 ft. / 12 m
• Frequency Response: 12 - 28,000 Hz
• Impedance: 32O at 1 kHz
• Sensitivity (@1 kHz, 1 V/Pa): 105 dB +/- 2 dB
• Drivers: 50 mm, with neodymium magnets
• Estimated Battery Life: 16 hours
• Charging Time: 4 Hours
Microphone
• Frequency Response: 100 - 10,000 Hz
• Sensitivity (@1kHz, 1V/Pa): -42 ± 2dB
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio: >55 dB
• Boom Mic Design: Uni-directional
