What happens when a 1998 sci-fi game is refurbished for an audience who has long been waiting for their turn to claim it as their own? Blizzard takes us back into the galactic space where Protoss, Terran and Zerg have been engrossed in a battle for supremacy. Meanwhile, other players in the terrain sculpt products to boost gamers’ performance in this deadly war. And this how the Razer Banshee StarCraft II gaming headset came into being. Now sitting calmly in our review lab, the headset does appear like a slice of futuristic technology from the 26th Century. However, can it offer more than just appeasing delights to one’s eyes? Here’s an account detailing its style, performance and the level of satisfaction extended.
The first word which struck us as we unboxed the Razer Banshee StarCraft II was ‘huge’. Bundled along the device are a detachable microphone boom, quick start guide, master guide and two Razer logo stickers. As we glanced over the device, its colossal construction looked like an artifact from the celestial spaces between stars. The major portion of the peripheral has been designed from plastic, metal and soft cloth which together sketch out the appearance of this headset. Drenched in a glossy gray hue on the exterior, the headset’s inner portions and sides don a black garb. Its circumaural earcups and the headband come equipped with a padding of black fabric, wheedling a comfortable experience.
Although the engineering blueprint for churning out superior quality music lies enclosed in this architect’s fantasy, the outside of the earcups have a significant story to tell as well. Both the right and left sides are entrenched with a LED logo, emanating blue illumination as do the design on its edges. Further, the vibrant APM Lighting system adds to its persona as an extraterrestrial product via main, sidestrips and underglow LEDs. These earcups also boast of buttons to adjust and mute volume of the microphone and headphones. A 7–foot braided cable stems out from the lower bottom of the left earcup sporting Razer’s patented, or so we believe, gold-plated USB stick on its tail. So there’s no audio jack, clearly demarcating the set of devices which can be paired with the headset.
Unlike other Razer products, this one comes with a restricted spread of customization options. Simply download the Razer StarCraft II drivers from the official website and install the same on the computing system. The four broad categories defining the customization palette of the Banshee software control tray are audio level control, equalizer settings, microphone settings and lighting. Audio level control offers three simple options for muting the headphones, adjusting master volume control and balancing the sound through the right and left earcups. Similarly, the Lighting segment allows you to turn on and off the varied LED illuminations while the microphone settings help with analogous preferences. But the real crux has been enveloped under the equalizer settings that extend 10 presets including default, techno, dance, rock, metal, custom, campaign and notably, protoss, terran and zerg. Each of these modifies settings to send you into a trance of assorted tones and pitches.
The immobile appearance of the game is reinforced by its bulky nature. Though it’s a little difficult to move around with the headset perched around shoulders but once we’d put it on, the hulking size fades away from the immediate memory. That’s mainly because of the sound quality which the device renders from its compact construction. As we embarked on a quest across the Quake 4 landscape, the Stroggs almost came to life, at least perceptibly. The 20 – 20,000Hz frequency response and 32Ω at 1kHz impedance engineer a refined aural quality, supplemented by the 50mm neodymium drivers installed within.
The authenticity and dynamism of in-game sound is fortified, allowing gamers to pick the smallest of the auditory clues. This is especially true through games like CounterStrike, Unreal Tournament and Call of Duty: Black Ops wherein the movements of opposing forces occupy a significant position while crafting strategies. The journeys across Need for Speed World and DeathSpank are capable of satiating audiophiles’ craving for fine sound with powerful bass. The APM and alert features are specific to the StarCraft II landscape, signaling players about the position of their enemies, attacks on an ally unit and more. Conversely, it is of little help to the gamer wearing the headphones. The reason being that the player wearing it would have little idea about the transformation of hues on the outside of the device. Further, the microphone works efficiently for sending in-game commands and chatting with friends over the web.
Listening to music via this device is a delight as well. Whether its Led Zeppelin’s Stairway to Heaven or an out and out Lady Gaga pop number, the renditions sound blissful. The audio reproduction with resonant bass and superior clarity could give you goose bumps. Additionally, the volume level and immaculate reproduction of beats through high, medium and low pitches is an exceptional highlight of its performance. This behavior of the device further breathes a new lease of life in videos and movies. Besides, the comfort level is great but there could be times when you’ll want to keep your ears uncovered from the soft cloth.
The Final Word: It wouldn’t be incorrect if we say that the Razer Banshee StarCraft II gaming headset performs with impeccable precision. The sound quality and variety of features embodied into the system make way for enriching gaming sessions. Its performance and design aesthetics mold an appealing sculpture but the heaviness of the structure can be a letdown for some. Again, the absence of an audio jack seems to give this perfection a little miss of its own savor. Priced at Rs. 7,499, this headset strikes the right chords even if it could make your wallet feel much lighter.
Looks: 9/10.
Functionality: 9/10.
Comfort: 8.5/10.
Overall (Not an average): 9/10.