Features
- Frequency response: 20Hz – 20kHz
- Impedance: 16Ω
- Sensitivity: 91dB @ 1mW / 1kHz
- Headphone input power: 5 mW (maximum power)
- Speakers: 10mm
- Connections: Bluetooth 5.2
- Cable : 0.5m Type-C charging cable
- Weight : 53g
- Microphone: omnidirectional
- Signal to noise ratio: 64dB
- Sensitivity: -26dBFS
- Compatibility: PS5, PC, Mac, Smartphones, tablets and portable gaming devices with Bluetooth audio or USB-C/USB-A port
Unboxing
Here are all the items in the box:
- Razer Hammerhead Hyperspeed (left and right earbud)
- Storage and charging box
- Charging cable
- Three pairs of earbuds of different sizes
- Warranty and use booklet
Chassis & ergonomics
Depending on the version chosen, no alternative colors possible. Those for the Xbox are black while those for the PlayStation take advantage of white. They have a smooth, shiny coating associated with a haptic zone on which the logo is placed. Razer.
To adapt to different types of ears, the manufacturer offers three pairs of earpieces which install easily. Comfortable and relatively light, they are easy to forget, which is a good point when listening for a long time or outdoors. We regret that there is no provision for storing the wireless adapter when not in use. In our case, in order to avoid losing it, we plugged it into the USB-C socket of the charging box.
Functions
Software
Unexpectedly, the only way to tune the headphones is through a mobile app. Razer Synapse, yet the flagship of Razer software, whose installation is done almost alone when buying a device, is useless here.
However, all configurations are available from the software Razer Audio on smartphone such as chroma management, equalizers or even active noise cancellation technology (ANC).
On the fly
As we talked about at the beginning of the article, the headphones have a haptic zone (at the level of the logo) for on-the-fly use of the controls. Most are configurable from the software. While some are quite easy, such as pausing or changing music, others are, on the other hand, much more complex to master like volume increase.
Of course, that remains at the discretion of everyone and you know as well as we do that there is no no real solution to this problem if not the positioning of notched buttons, easier to activate.
connectors
In our case, with the special PlayStation headphones, they connect to the following elements:
- PS5
- PC, Mac
- Smartphones, tablets and portable gaming devices with Bluetooth audio capability or a USB-C/USB-A port
Note that we tried to pair it with an Xbox Series, for information and out of curiosity, without success. The manufacturer takes the opportunity to remind us that the Hammerhead HyperSpeed are under Sony license which is a guarantee of quality and compatibility.
Finally, the earphones are associated in priority with the dongle before give way to Bluetooth. It is thus possible to link the two simultaneously, but open to no mixing. During a phone call, the latter takes over the active connection.
Audio
Given the size of the speakers, it is impossible to expect the quality of audiophile headphones from wireless headphones. Yet the Razer Hammerhead HyperSpeed offer the most faithful sound where the bass is present although shy. It is still comfortable under all types of use. ranging from gaming to listening to music or a movie, resulting from good spatialization and musical balance. Note that the different EQ profiles, even the custom one, are not efficient enough to fill in the potential gaps, although they provide different audio feedback.
In order to improve the richness of use, the manufacturer integrates an active noise cancellation technology (ANC) which offers two possibilities:
- Noise Cancellation: Supposed to reduce and cancel intrusive ambient sounds for listening.
- Environment : to keep listening to the outside atmosphere without amputating your musical experience.
Native haptic shortcuts are available for enable and disable these features. However, their effects are not as good as expected, especially the noise cancellation. The latter muffles ambient sounds and partially covers them making the technology interesting, but less relevant than expected.
Finally, changing the headset affects the audio feedback. Nothing fancy, but the bigger the tips, the more bass you can feel. Don’t get me wrongthe quality will only be moderately modified, far from being a notable argument on the choice of the final headset.
Microphone
It goes without saying, for this type of device the microphone is a dispensable addition, although very useful depending on the situation. In fact, the quality is average, but sufficient to be understood and to exchange with clarity. Note a muffled effect as well as a wide detection spectrum that is not very restrictive during indoor and solitary use, but more annoying in public transport or noisy environments.
When using through a computer, it becomes difficult to cover the voice ofa second person in the room. Anyway, here’s a recording to give you an idea of the quality:
Autonomy
If we follow the manufacturer’s instructions, the “normal” autonomy of the headphones is estimated at:
- Lighting Off/ANC Off
- Up to 32.5 hours: 6.5 hours with headphones + 26 hours with case (4 headphone charges)
- Tested with an iOS device at 50% volume.
- Lighting On/ANC Off
- Up to 27.5 hours: 5.5 hours with headphones + 22 hours with case (4 headphone charges)
- Tested with an iOS device with volume at 50% and brightness with Breathing effect.
- Lighting Off/ANC On
- Up to 22.5 hours: 4.5 hours with headphones + 18 hours with case (4 headphone charges)
- Tested with an iOS device with volume at 50% and active noise cancellation turned on.
- Lights On/ANC activated
- Up to 20 hours: 4 hours with earphones + 16 hours with case (4 earphone charges)
- Tested with an iOS device with volume at 50%, Brightness with Breathing effect and Active Noise Cancellation turned on.
That said, the test conditions remain quite far from conventional use. Count, therefore, with a volume between 70 and 100% to obtain an autonomy of three to four hours on a charge. Of course, the more activated technology you remove, such as ANC or simply RGB, the more autonomy you will gain.
The latter therefore remains reasonable for all types of journeys. Besides, recharging is relatively fastit will only take you a very short time, in the event of a more extensive journey or use, before you can enjoy it again.
