Pros
7.1 audio opens up soundstage
Strong wi-fi sign
Comfortable
Long battery life
Cons
Sound high quality does not match wired equivalents
RGB lighting drains battery
Mostly fabricated from plastic
Key Specifications
Review Price: £170.00
7.1 digital encompass sound (PC solely)
50mm drivers with Neodymium magnets
RGB lighting
USB wi-fi dongle connection
Wireless vary: 12m / 40ft
Battery life: Up to 14 hours with RGB, 20 hours with out
Weight: 375g
What is the Razer Man O’War?
The Man O’War is Razer’s solely wi-fi gaming headset, producing digital 7.1 encompass sound with a rated battery lifetime of 14 to 20 hours.
It homes giant 50mm drivers in a classy, comfy design, and supplies PS4 and PC gamers with a long-lasting headset that’s tuned for gaming.
It is perhaps dear, nevertheless it’s a high quality piece of {hardware} that ticks many of the importand headset packing containers. Related: Best gaming headsets
Video: Trusted explains how to decide on which headphones to purchase
Razer Man O’War – Design, Build and Features
The Man O’War is a wi-fi headset, and utilises a tiny USB dongle that connects instantly right into a PC or PS4. The headset is comparatively giant, contains a retractable microphone and is available in a particular matte-black end – although shiny accents are current on the highest a part of the headset.
The earcups show the Razer emblem proudly, with the built-in RGB lighting shining in all kinds of colors. The black mesh on the earcups may idiot you into pondering that is an open-back headset, however it is a closed-back affair. Razer has a knack for creating gaming-branded merchandise tastefully, and proves this completely with the minimalist model current on the Man O’War.
There’s a collection of buttons on the Man O’War, with every earcup housing a quantity wheel – one for microphone quantity and the opposite for audio quantity. You’ll additionally discover the facility button and LED indicator on the left cup, with a neat little USB dongle holder on the proper cup. As somebody who’s continuously shifting between units, I recognize this contact.
Move to the highest part of the headset, you’ll discover “Razer” etched on the highest, with the underside of the scarf coated with a faux-leather materials filled with foam. The Man O’War can also be adjustable because of the extendable headband. It’s not as adjustable because the Turtle Beach Elite Pro, neither is it as revolutionary because the system used within the HyperX Cloud Revolver – nevertheless it works nicely.
The precise construct high quality of the headset is extra of a combined bag nonetheless, as the outside materials used all through is plastic. On a product that usually sells for round £170, I wish to see a bit extra metallic on present to justify the worth. Despite this, the headset feels stable within the hand, and I might count on it to be very sturdy.
In phrases of consolation, the Man O’War is a really comfy headset to put on. The spherical earcups had me nervous at first, however the match is definitely very satisfying. It’s cosy, however by no means strains in opposition to your head. It’s looser than the Turtle Beach Elite Pro, however tighter than the Corsair Void Wireless. The Elite Pro (additionally £169, however wired) contains a higher-quality padding than the Man O’War nonetheless, and I wish to have seen Razer implement thicker padding on the earcups and headband. Despite this, the Man O’War stays a really comfy headset to put on for lengthy gaming periods.
Razer Man O’War – Audio Quality
Generally talking, the audio high quality aboard the Man O’War is excellent. The expertise begins with the wi-fi connection, which may be very simple to arrange. Razer provides a thumbnail-sized USB dongle that gives as much as 12m of wi-fi vary, in addition to a 2m extension cable – helpful if in case you have your system out of direct line of sight.
The connection power is by far my favourite characteristic on the headset, as irrespective of the place I moved to within the room, the connection was good. I used to be even in a position to transfer to the room above my take a look at PC and have a connection (albeit unstable), which is one thing the Corsair Void Wireless couldn’t obtain.
An inherent downside of wi-fi headsets is the interference they’ll choose up, and sadly that is an space the place the Man O’War does some lose marks. In my take a look at room I might hear a faint hum of static noise via the drivers as soon as linked. It’s not noticeable when you begin taking part in some music or fireplace up a sport, although I think that it’s being drowned out reasonably than eradicated.
The uncooked sound high quality of the Man O’War is fairly good, with midtones delivered easily, and a comparatively extensive soundstage for a closed-back headset. While the high-end by no means sounds screechy, the low-end does depart a bit of bit to be desired, and the readability of vocals just isn’t as tight as I anticipated. Overall, the sound signature feels a bit of bit flat when listening to music.
Thankfully, the Man O’War is about up and configured with the Razer Synapse software program, which provides customers the facility to tweak the sound to their liking, in addition to allow the 7.1 digital encompass sound. After calibrating the headset and adjusting the EQ, I used to be in a position to get a stronger sound from the Man O’War, with a deeper bass response.
The 7.1 audio additionally makes a giant distinction right here, and actually opens up the soundstage. The Battlefield 1 beta felt punchy, with loads of bass current in explosions and gunfire – the stability of the headset makes gaming a pleasure. Note that due to the software program requirement, the 7.1 audio is for PC solely.
The retractable microphone is straightforward to make use of, and its mouldable design supplies ample adjustment. The sound high quality of the microphone is respectable, although not class-leading. It’s fairly nasal, and isn’t appropriate for any critical voice-over work. There’s additionally a little bit of static noise within the background too, however nothing too main. For gaming and voice purchasers it’s completely superb, with vocals coming throughout clearly and with loads of quantity.
The battery lifetime of the headset is rated for as much as 14 hours, although this may be prolonged to 20 by disabling the RGB lighting. The apparent flaw with RGB lighting in a headset is which you could’t see it as soon as you place it on, subsequently I’d suggest disabling this. In the true world, the headset lasted over two weeks on a single cost, with about one hour of use per day and the RGB lighting enabled.
Should I purchase the Razer Man O’War?
The Man O’War excels in gaming functions. It’s comfy to put on for lengthy durations of time, has a sound signature that’s nicely suited to video games, and might be simply adjusted with the Synapse software program.
Related: Best gaming headsets
While it’s not one of the best headset on the market when it comes to uncooked sound high quality, it’s a really well-balanced mannequin that gives a superb wire-free gaming expertise.
Verdict
A very good all-round headset with glorious battery life.