Razer Seiren Elite review: Forged by feedback
Pros
- High-pass filter
- Easy to setup
Cons
- Limited Synapese integration
Bottom Line
If you're already invested into Razer’s ecosystem, there are plenty of reasons to go with the Seiren Elite..
-
Price
$ 299.00 (AUD)
The Pitch
While some gamers want a microphone suited to fast, clear and reliable communication when playing multiplayer games, others want something a little more heavy-duty - especially when it comes to live streaming. Unapologetically tapping into the rapid popularity of platforms like Twitch, Razer have again renewed their efforts to leverage their brand power and hardware know-how to swoop in and steal customers away from more traditional audio brands.
Sure, they might have been already doing that to a lesser degree via their efforts in the gaming headphones space for years, but the new Razer Seiren Elite takes things to a new, more-professional level than their usual fare.
Specs
Type: Condenser
Sample Rate: min 44.1kHz / max 48kHz
Bitrate: 16-bit
Capsule: Single Dynamic Capsule
Polar patterns: Cardioid
Frequency response: 20Hz-20kHz
Connectivity: USB only
Max SPL: 120dB
Pack-Ins: 3m USB Cable, Desk Stand, Microphone Windscreen
Colors: Black
Price: $299
Where to buy: Razer, Amazon, JB Hi-Fi
Design
Design-wise, the Razer Seiren Elite plays things pretty straight. In form-factor, it’s pretty minimalist. There are a pair of dials (volume and gain) and a manual mute button on the stem of the unit, which offer up a good avenue for getting hands-on with the unit when needed. Otherwise, it’s as stock-standard as condenser mics come.
If there’s any area of the experience that’s been augmented by Razer’s involvement the most, it’s definitely the aesthetics. Even if it's only an accessory, it’s all matte black, lit by the usual glowing LEDs. Surprisingly, as far as we can tell, there’s minimal compatibility with Razer’s existing Synapse software.
According to Razer, Synapse keeps the drivers for the microphone up-to-date but doesn't give you the usual control over the LED lighting as it does in other products by the company's ecosystem. By default, our Seiren unit was set to a moody red (when not in use) and we were happy enough to leave it that way for the ambience. Still, some extra options wouldn’t have gone amiss.
Setup and Performance
When it comes to easy setup, this condenser microphone is as easy to plug in as any other. It arrives mostly assembled out of the box and you simply need to plug it into your PC, wait for the drivers to install and you’re ready to record.
In terms of performance, we came away pretty happy with the Razer Seiren Elite. It wasn’t without the odd crackle. However, it did come across as a noticeable step up from what you’re usually getting out of Razer’s headset microphones. For the most part, audio recorded using the Seiren Elite sounded crisp and clear and, as previously mentioned, the extra settings here give you room to get the most out of the microphone’s capabilities.
Since the Seiren Elite isn’t Razer’s first attempt to woo the streamer crowd, it’s noting how it compares to it to its trio of predecessors: the Seiren , Seiren Pro and Seiren X.
The Seiren X is cheapest option on the menu and comes with a built-in shock mount but only support a 16-bit bitrate. The Pro is aimed more at professional users, boasting an XLR port and high-pass filter toggle. Meanwhile, the regular Siren drops these pro-grade inclusions but shaves away part of the price-tag in the process - landing it somewhere between the two ends of the range. Bringing a high-pass filter back into the fold, the Seiren Elite then sits between the regular Seiren and the Pro. Basically, it’s second to number one - but comes at a cost.
The Bottom Line
While the condenser microphone category doesn’t naturally lend itself to the usual kind slick stylish sell that Razer make when it comes to gaming accessories, they've stuck to their guns here.
The Seiren Elite is as simple as condenser mics come and juggles a winning combination of both looking and sounding good. It’s a shame that the Synapse integration doesn't add more and audiophiles might come away unsatisfied but if you’re looking to upgrade your streaming kit and are already invested into Razer’s ecosystem, there are plenty of reasons to go with the Seiren Elite.
Brand Post
Most Popular Reviews
- 1 Dell U3223QE review: A winning debut for an IPS Black monitor
- 2 HP Spectre x360 16 review: The right 2-in-1 at the wrong time
- 3 Acer K242HYL review: An affordable monitor for any occasion
- 4 GeForce Now review: You bring the games, Nvidia streams the hardware
- 5 Asus ProArt PA279CV monitor review: The go-to for content creators on a budget
Latest News Articles
- Deal: Sony's AirPod-killers are $199
- Cyber Monday Deal: Galaxy Note 20 for $999
- The Best Australian Amazon Black Friday Tech Deals
- Looking to buy an iPhone this Black Friday? These are the deals you're looking for
- Black Friday Deal: Galaxy Z Flip for $999
Resources
Macworld
What's new, plus best mac-related tips
and tricks
Business Centre
The latest business news, reviews, features and whitepapers
Videos
Watch our video news and reviews from around the world
Guides
Comprehensive buying guides, features, and step-by-step articles
PCW Evaluation Team
Pedro Peixoto
Aruba Instant On AP11D
Set up is effortless.
Cate Bacon
Aruba Instant On AP11D
The strength of the Aruba Instant On AP11D is that the design and feature set support the modern, flexible, and mobile way of working.
Dr Prabigya Shiwakoti
Aruba Instant On AP11D
Aruba backs the AP11D up with a two-year warranty and 24/7 phone support.
Tom Pope
Dynabook Portégé X30L-G
Ultimately this laptop has achieved everything I would hope for in a laptop for work, while fitting that into a form factor and weight that is remarkable.
Tom Sellers
MSI P65
This smart laptop was enjoyable to use and great to work on – creating content was super simple.
Lolita Wang
MSI GT76
It really doesn’t get more “gaming laptop” than this.
Featured Content
- Which Lenovo Laptop Should I Buy?
- Every TV in Samsung's 2022 line-up: OLED, Neo QLED and more!
- Top 10 best Android and Apple phones for under $600
- Everything you need to know about Smart TVs
- What's the difference between an Intel Core i3, i5 and i7?
- Laser vs. inkjet printers: which is better?