The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize top-notch sound quality for music, calls, gaming, and TV, the EPOS PC38X stands out, especially with its superior microphone quality. However, it has an open-back design that doesn't isolate noise well, so it's not ideal for noisy environments or air travel. On the flip side, the Razer Kraken V3, being less expensive, is a decent option with closed-back isolation for more casual use and provides good sound for gaming and TV, although its overall audio and mic quality aren't as highly regarded as the EPOS. Both have similar weights and wired connections, but the PC38X offers a detachable cable, which could be a deciding factor for durability and convenience. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the EPOS PC38X
Best in class for music
Best in class for phone calls
Best in class for gaming
Excellent for TV and video
Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Razer Kraken V3
The Razer Kraken V3 has no clear advantages over the EPOS PC38X.
Key differences
Music
9.5/10
7.3/10
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for music, while the Razer Kraken V3 is good.
Gaming
10.0/10
7.3/10
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for gaming, while the Razer Kraken V3 is good.
Phone Calls
10.0/10
5.0/10
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for phone calls, while the Razer Kraken V3 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.9/10
4.7/10
The EPOS PC38X is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Razer Kraken V3 is poor.
TV and Video
9.0/10
7.0/10
The EPOS PC38X is excellent for TV and video, while the Razer Kraken V3 is good.
Noise Reduction
2.5/10
6.0/10
The Razer Kraken V3 is only fair for noise reduction, while the EPOS PC38X is poor.
Cost
$139
$70
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The EPOS PC38X has a price of $139 and the Razer Kraken V3 costs $70.
"Lightweight and comfortable design, Mic arm with mute, Excellent tuning, Highly natural midrange voicing, Clean and separated bass, Solid soundstage dimensions. Combining all day comfort and integrated coms with a balanced and spacious sound from essentially any source, it is hard to deny the versatility and value provided by the PC38X."
"This Razer Kraken V3 is a great headset for gamers who want comfort, surround sound, and software customization for a reasonable price. It's primarily a headset for PC gamers since THX Spatial audio is only supported on Windows. If you want something more multifaceted for multiple systems, this won't be an ideal headset for you. Luckily, there are plenty of competent Kraken V3 alternatives available to you."
Get a great deal on the EPOS PC38X or the Razer Kraken V3
About EPOS
EPOS is a relatively new company with a very long heritage. Previously known as Sennheiser Communications, EPOS is the result of the joint venture between the German headphone manufacturer Sennheiser and the Danish Demant that sought to develop premium audio communication solutions. They specialize in two main product groups, enterprise communications and gaming communication headsets and processing devices.
About Razer
Razer is an American-Singaporean hardware manufacturer aimed specifically toward the gaming market. They manufacture a very wide array of gaming laptops, tablets, phones, peripherals and, of course, headphones and earbuds both wired and wireless. Since 2016, Razer has owned the THX suite, aimed at quality assurance of audiovisual systems such as speaker sets, video game consoles and even movie theaters.
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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