Razer Seiren X microphone review: Doesn’t show its age

I’ve had the chance to assessment the Yeti X and Elgato Wave 3 lately, each excellent microphones for game streaming. The final microphone I’ve on the docket (for now) is the Razer Seiren X, coincidentally the most affordable and smallest of the bunch.

I’ve used a couple of Razer headsets over time — even reviewing the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro and Razer Kraken X — however that is the primary devoted microphone I’ve tried out from the corporate. While it lacks a few of the options on the opposite microphones I’ve taken a have a look at, it is properly price what you are spending on it, and I’m proud of what Razer was capable of ship.

The Razer Seiren X is formally licensed for the PS4 however works with PS5 as properly, so recreation streamers should not have any main subject with it regardless of if they have been capable of buy a PS5 or not.

The Razer Seiren X is an oldie however a goodie, first coming to the market in 2017. While newer fashions have now been launched, it is nonetheless extensively out there at most massive retailers and Razer’s personal web site, costing round $80 to $100 relying on the day and the place you purchase it from. For reference, it launched at $100 MSRP.

You can discover the Razer Seiren X in Classic Black, Quartz Pink, and Mercury White, which is fairly widespread for lots of Razer’s equipment — the corporate has total collections devoted to its Mercury and Quartz strains.

Razer Seiren X: What I really like

Good issues are available small packages. While it is no Seiren Mini, the Seiren X is definitely one of the vital compact microphones I’ve reviewed. This makes it a fantastic journey companion as a result of not solely is it small, it is gentle. Its measurement additionally means it will possibly sit on my desk with out getting in the best way. I’ve a lot of junk on my desk — and I do know, that is my fault — however with nowhere else to place the mic besides on the ground, I like that it matches properly off to the aspect.

Its audio high quality on PC (I’ll get into the PS5 later) is just like what you get with different brand-name mics available on the market just like the Yeti. I did not hear loads of clipping or distortion or something like that once I recorded myself. Though it did decide up some undesirable noise like my laptop seat as I adjusted myself, it was lower than I’ve heard on my HyperX QuadCast, probably due to the Supercardioid polar sample.

Its plug-and-play performance makes it an ideal alternative for starting streamers as they will not should tweak any complicated settings or obtain drivers to get it working correctly. Just plug it in, and it is able to go. I’m solely dissatisfied that it makes use of micro-USB as a substitute of USB-C, although I do notice it was launched 4 years in the past when USB-C was far much less widespread.

Another factor I really like concerning the Seiren X is how reasonably priced it’s compared to different mics. It’s not unusual you may see microphones value anyplace between $150 to $200, generally much more than that. At simply $100 or much less, the Seiren X is on the market to a wider viewers.

Razer Seiren X: What I did not love

I’ve talked about a few occasions by now that the Razer Seiren X is not excellent for skilled streamers, however that is to not say it is a dangerous microphone. The sound high quality is on par with the perfect on the market (on PC); it is simply that it lacks customization options and controls on the microphone itself, making it higher for informal streamers. The microphone solely has a dial on your headset quantity and a mute button, with no method to modify the acquire or audio mixing. This is not a deal-breaker by any means, nevertheless it might imply the distinction between somebody buying the Seiren X versus one other that does have these options.

I’m undecided why that is, however I seen that once I had it plugged into my PS5, the audio high quality was a bit worse. I did not discover an excessive amount of of a distinction between the Yeti X or Elgato Wave Three when plugged into my console versus my PC, however the Razer Seiren X undoubtedly sounded grainier on my PS5 for some cause. This is not an enormous deal as a result of it nonetheless sounded advantageous, however I believed it was price noting.

The ball-joint swivel can also be a double-edged sword. While it permits for a variety of motion, it is tough to get it simply proper. Maybe it is my gentle OCD, however I at all times really feel like my microphone is ever so barely crooked.

Razer Seiren X: Competition

Razer competes with itself by providing the Seiren Elite, Seiren Mini, and Seiren Emote. The Mini is a way more compact model, and as such, it lacks a devoted mute button. The Seiren Elite does sport a acquire dial on the microphone, however you additionally lose out on the Supercardioid pickup sample (it solely options Cardioid). The Emote, as you may think from the title, options an 8-Bit Emoticon LED Display that may rotate by means of over 100 animated and static emoticons.

When it involves different manufacturers, the Yeti X and Elgato Wave 3, as I discussed earlier, are sturdy contenders. Both help acquire, audio mixing, and quantity management on the microphone itself, and the Yeti X particularly even presents real-time LED monitoring, so while you get too loud. I personally desire the Elgato Wave 3’s tap-to-mute performance, however I do know some individuals will higher recognize that the Yeti X has 4 pickup patterns.

Razer Seiren X: Should you purchase it?

You should purchase this if …

• You do not wish to spend over $100
• You desire a standard model title
• You desire a compact microphone excellent for touring

You should not purchase this if…

• You want a microphone with a number of polar patterns
• You need acquire and audio mixing dials on the mic
• You wish to use a suitable app for personalisation

If you are deep into your streaming profession and are in search of a brand new mic, you may be higher served with the Seiren Elite or one other extra premium microphone. For these simply beginning out or touring ceaselessly (or who simply wish to say they use a Razer accent), that is the mic you may wish to use.

4
out of 5

Razer made an reasonably priced, high quality microphone for streamers that mixes ease of use with the perfect tech that could possibly be packed into its compact profile on the time. While different microphones could have surpassed it over time, it will possibly nonetheless stand sturdy within the mid-tier vary.