In this review we put Razer’s new Hammerhead True Wireless to the test, earbuds that can prove to be excellent companions even outside of gaming
Generally, when you think about Razer, is associated with the market of gaming PC, but this does not imply that the Californian company is not capable of creating devices that are also excellent for other contexts. We have already seen it recently with the innovative Kishi smartphone controller and, with today’s review, we will also see it for another type of device dedicated to mobile gaming: the Hammerhead True Wireless.
Data Sheet – Razer Hammerhead True Wireless Review
- Gamma wireless Bluetooth: fino a 10 m
- Battery life: 4 hours of playback, up to 16 hours with included charging case
- Charging time: up to 1.5 hours
- Driver: 13 mm
- Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
- Impedance: 32 ± 15% Ω
- Microphone frequency response: 300 Hz – 5 kHz
- Microphone signal-to-noise ratio: ≥ 55 dB
- Microphone detection scheme: omnidirectional
- Resistance to liquids: IPX4 certification
- App per smartphone: available for Android 8.0 Oreo and iOS 11 (or later)
Packaging – Razer Hammerhead True Wireless Review
Inside the product packaging, in addition to the earbuds and the charging case, we find a USB to USB-C cable (with nylon protection), a carrying strap and rubber sheaths to apply the earphones to improve adherence.
Design and Convenience – Razer Hammerhead True Wireless Review
The Razer Hammerhead True Wireless recall, at first glance, the form factor delle AirPods: they are earphones open fit, they are inserted very easily and stably in the auricle without occluding the ear canal (as do the in-ear counterparts). The result is excellent comfort (even after hours of use, its presence is not perceived), but also poor sound insulation. The earphones are made of plastic: they seem fairly solid and well built, smooth to the touch, the Razer logo is king on both sides external to the driver. The general design is however very similar to many products of this type on the market, without being distinguished by any particular detail (in addition to the logo). The r is not missingexistence to liquids: IPX4 certification, which guarantees resistance to splashes and allows them to be used even in the rain.
The case, also in plastic, develops in length and, although not the smallest on the market, however, it is small in size, light and easy to carry, even in the pocket of a pair of trousers. The inside of the case houses the two earphones, attached to small magnets which are also i connectors for battery charging (paradoxically, the right earphone is positioned to the left and vice versa). The lid hinge does not convey great security and the earphones themselves are not always firmly in place, but move slightly as you handle the case. On the back of the case a USB-C port allows you to recharge the battery while a front LED shows the battery status.
Both the case and the earphones they are available in matte black, pink (we tested) and white.
Durability and Charging – Razer Hammerhead True Wireless Review
The battery life of both the case and the headphones themselves don’t excel compared to the competition, but still turned out to be superior to what Razer estimated. From the moment they arrived, we’ve tried the Hammerhead True Wireless for about six hours of continuous playback (4 declared, gaming mode off) before placing them in the charging base. As for the case, we had to recharge it after two full days of use (at least 20 hours of playback).
Daily Use and Audio Quality – Razer Hammerhead True Wireless Review
There were three situations in which we tried the Razer Hammerhead True Wireless: physical activity, walk on the street and comfortably seated.
In the first scenario, they did not move an inch, despite various jumps, running and moving that usually make other headphones of this type “fly away” (wireless and otherwise). Therefore, we can say that in this case have been promoted. In the second case, obviously, the movement was much more static, therefore, it was possible to talk on the phone and be listened to in a more “clean” way. The audio comes crystal clear, even if your phone he will find himself submerged in a backpack, unless they are downloading. Given these two tests you can well imagine that, in a static position (such as when sitting), the Razer Hammerhead True Wireless will not move at all.
Le Razer Hammerhead True Wireless give an overall pleasant sound, thanks to the good 13mm drivers. Their open fit design brings them very close to the sound performance of Apple’s Airpods: they push on the medium-high frequencies but offer a moderate bass intake (an idea is to set the Bass Boost profile from the dedicated app). For this type of construction they also suffer from almost no insulation in the presence of loud noises. The maximum volume on the other hand is really very high.
The microphone is quite good, albeit not excellent: I used the earphones to call without any problem inside or in not too crowded streets, while I had a few more problems on the subway.
Touch Controls and App Features – Razer Hammerhead True Wireless Review
The controls on the Hammerhead True Wireless, as for most of these products, are based on a touch system but Razer has introduced a relevant gem: to prevent unwanted touches from pausing the audio, it is necessary to leave some finger resting. moment more to give the Play / Pause command.
The others controls (double and triple touch)instead, they work like any other similar device. Below is the complete list of available commands:
- One tap: Play / Pause / Answer the call
- Double tap: Track next / Answer and go to the new call
- Triple tap: Previous track
- Triple tap and press for 2 seconds: Activate / Deactivate the gaming mode
- Press for two seconds: Voice assistant / Reject call
In case you want to keep the situation under control, you will have to download a dedicated app on your smartphone: Hammerhead True Wireless (iOS and Android). What can you do with this software? Remap the commands of your earbuds and check the battery status of the two headphones (even individually) and, above all, follow tutorials to understand how to pause the audio, change songs, hang up and hang up a call, but not only that, it will also be possible to manage the equalizer. Obviously, at startup there will be a preset equalization, but it will be possible to select different presets or manage the various levels independently, so as to create a custom equalization.
Gaming mode, the real peculiarity – Razer Hammerhead True Wireless review
Speaking of a Razer product, a feature dedicated to gamers could not be missing (especially looking at mobile in this case). In fact, on the Hammerhead True Wireless there is one Gaming mode (can be activated from the app).
It is a one that guarantees an audio latency of only 60 ms e the difference compared to headphones connected “only” with Bluetooth 5.0 is heard. Doing the test with other headsets, always Bluetooth 5.0, we realized that, for example, the sound of a firearm shot is heard first from Razer’s earphones and then from the others. Obviously, battery consumption is affected.
Simple to Use – Razer Hammerhead True Wireless Review
When the case is first opened, Razer’s True Wireless Hammerheads are already available for pairing with your smartphone, so just turn on Bluetooth, search for them on your smartphone and “tap” them, so as to connect them. From that moment on, every time you open the case of the earbuds, you will hear a female voice saying “Bluetooth connected”.
Also, when the battery is about to run out, we will always have the female voice that will warn us, in case we continue to use them, ignoring her words, the headphones will turn off, disconnecting. In case you are talking on the phone “normally” and you get tired of holding your smartphone in your hand, the switch to earbuds it will be practically immediate. Just open the case to start Bluetooth, and once you bring the earbuds close to your ear you will hear the voice on the other side of the phone, as if nothing had happened. What if you had to remove the earbuds? Well, that will go out, but once you get closer, everything will be as before.
As previously mentioned, the case will act (as with all earbuds) as a charger. But how do you know if the case is losing autonomy and you need to connect it to USB-C? Very simple: on the front of the case you will find a LED, which will change color according to the state of the battery. The colors will be the typical green, orange and red. Green means it is charged, once it reaches about fifty percent it will turn orange, and once it reaches twenty you will find it red in color. Convenient, isn’t it?
Is it worth it?
We got to the part of the review that interests our wallet more than us: is Razer’s Hammerhead True Wireless worth buying? The answer is probably yes. Not only because of the absolute comfort and their lightness, but also for the ease with which they interface with the user, helping him to understand how to use them through the app, which is not a must but is certainly very convenient. In addition, the audio quality is on the same level as products of the same type, with the plus of Gaming Mode for gamers. Of course, the autonomy is below average and do not hold up to comparison with in-ear headphones, but we are facing a valid product, especially for gamers.
Too bad for the not very competitive price, had it been minor we would have really been in front of a product to be taken into consideration in all usage scenarios.
Perfect for mobile gamers
Points in favor
- Gaming mode
- Comfortable, light and stable
- Audio that does not disappoint
- Very clean microphone
- Different colors
Points against
- Uninspiring bass
- Non-innovative design
- Battery life below average
- Price