How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-04 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
• HUYUN Barracuda X Mic — biggest strength: a purpose-built 3.5mm detachable boom mic (unidirectional, bendable, plug-and-play) that slots straight onto a Razer Barracuda X headset on PC, Xbox One, PS5, PS4 and PS3.
• HUYUN Barracuda X Mic — biggest trade-off: it is one component only. No headphones, no cable, no earphones. It does nothing unless you already own the right headset.
• TANGZU Wan'er S.G II — biggest strength: a complete wired IEM package — 10mm PET dynamic driver, 0.78mm detachable 2-pin silver-plated cable, USB-C with mic, patented Tang Sancai eartips.
• TANGZU Wan'er S.G II — biggest trade-off: it is a wired in-ear monitor, not a boom-mic headset, so it suits a different kind of player and setup.
• Who the HUYUN is for: Barracuda X owners whose original mic is broken, lost or worn out.
• Who the TANGZU is for: anyone who wants one wired pair of IEMs for gaming, music and voice on phone, PC or console.
This is a spare part, and you should judge it that way. The HUYUN Barracuda X Mic is a replacement boom microphone built specifically for the Razer Barracuda X Wireless Gaming Headphone. It connects with a 3.5mm (1/8") three-pole TRS plug with gold-plated tips and a position lock, so it seats firmly and resists slipping out. The boom is bendable and foldable, which means you can push the tip close to your mouth for quieter speech or angle it out of the way between matches. The enclosure is ABS plastic, and the unit itself weighs around 9 grams — light enough that it barely registers on the headset.
On paper the mic numbers are sensible for voice chat. Sensitivity is rated at -42 dB ± 3dB, frequency response covers 100 Hz to 10 kHz, signal-to-noise ratio is ≥60 dB and output impedance is 30Ω. That 100 Hz–10 kHz window is a voice band, not a music band — it is tuned to capture speech clearly rather than to flatter a podcast recording. A unidirectional polar pattern means it focuses on what is in front of it, which helps keep keyboard clatter and fan noise from dominating your comms. The short 60-day warranty description tells you the maker expects this to be treated as a consumable part, not a lifetime purchase.
TANGZU Wan'er S.G II: Who It's For
The Wan'er S.G II is a different animal: a complete pair of wired in-ear monitors rather than a component. The core is a 10mm single dynamic driver with a PET diaphragm and a redesigned driver chamber, which TANGZU says improves clarity, keeps tonality natural and reduces distortion. The PET material is also hypoallergenic, which matters if you wear IEMs for hours and your ears get irritated by certain plastics. Impedance is a low 19Ω with 113.5 dB sensitivity and a 20 Hz–20 kHz frequency range, so it is easy to drive — a phone, a PC, a handheld or a console controller can push it without a dedicated amp.
The cable is a 0.78mm flat 2-pin detachable design in silver-plated copper, which means you can swap or replace it instead of binning the whole set when a wire frays. The version here is USB-C with a mic, so you get inline media controls and passive noise cancellation through the seal rather than active electronics. TANGZU also ships its patented Tang Sancai eartips, which use a filter-zone design to tidy up the sound path. The housing was reshaped for a more secure, fatigue-free fit, and the package weight of about 200 g reflects a full retail box rather than a single small part.
Buy it if you want one wired pair that handles gaming, music and voice calls on a phone or laptop, and you like the idea of a replaceable cable and replaceable tips. It is a strong fit for commuters, students and players who prefer the isolation and light feel of IEMs over a full headset. Skip it if you specifically need a boom mic that sits at your mouth — an inline mic on a cable is a different experience, and it picks up more of the room. Skip it too if you want wireless freedom; this is a corded product.
• Replacing a broken or lost Barracuda X mic → HUYUN Barracuda X Mic. That is its entire reason to exist.
• Wanting a complete, ready-to-use audio product → TANGZU Wan'er S.G II. It arrives as a full set with cable, tips and mic.
• Best for voice pickup at the mouth → HUYUN Barracuda X Mic. A bendable boom with a unidirectional pattern beats an inline cable mic for focused speech.
• Best for music and mixed listening → TANGZU Wan'er S.G II. A 20 Hz–20 kHz range and a 10mm dynamic driver are built for full-range audio.
• Best for easy driving from a phone or handheld → TANGZU Wan'er S.G II. 19Ω impedance and 113.5 dB sensitivity make it undemanding.
• Best for repairability → TANGZU Wan'er S.G II. The 0.78mm 2-pin cable is detachable and replaceable; the HUYUN mic is a single sealed part.
• Best for light, low-hassle fit during long sessions → TANGZU Wan'er S.G II. In-ear housings with ergonomic contours and passive isolation avoid headband pressure.
• Best for PC, Xbox One, PS5, PS4 and PS3 headset owners → HUYUN Barracuda X Mic. Compatibility is stated for exactly those platforms via the Barracuda X headset.
In my opinion, these two barely compete — they solve different problems, so the deciding question is what you already own. If you have a Razer Barracuda X and its mic is the weak link, I would buy the HUYUN Barracuda X Mic, because nothing else restores that headset's boom mic as directly, and the bendable unidirectional design with a locking 3.5mm plug is exactly what a replacement should be. If you do not own that headset, or you want a complete wired setup for gaming, music and calls, I would buy the TANGZU Wan'er S.G II instead — a 10mm PET driver, a detachable 0.78mm cable, USB-C with mic and replaceable eartips give you far more product for the money.
are studio headphones better than gaming headsets
Not automatically — they are built for different jobs. Studio-style gear tends to prioritise accurate, full-range sound, like the TANGZU Wan'er S.G II with its 20 Hz–20 kHz range and 10mm dynamic driver, while gaming headsets often prioritise an attached boom mic and platform compatibility, which is the niche the HUYUN Barracuda X Mic fills. Which is "better" depends on whether you need voice pickup at your mouth or accurate audio.
what headphones do pro gamers use
There is no single answer, and this page will not pretend otherwise. Plenty of competitive players use in-ear monitors rather than over-ear headsets, because IEMs like the TANGZU Wan'er S.G II offer a light fit, good isolation from passive noise cancellation and easy driveability at 19Ω. Others stay on a headset and simply replace worn parts, which is where a detachable boom mic like the HUYUN fits.
do all headphones have mics
No. Many headphones and in-ear monitors ship without any microphone at all, and some are sold in both versions. The TANGZU Wan'er S.G II in this listing is the USB-C with mic variant, so it includes inline controls and a mic. The HUYUN Barracuda X Mic is only a microphone — no headphones included — so it is the opposite case: a mic with no headset.
can studio headphones be used for gaming
Yes, and many people do exactly that. A wired pair with a wide frequency range and low impedance, like the TANGZU Wan'er S.G II at 19Ω with a 20 Hz–20 kHz range, works fine for game audio on a PC, phone or console. The catch is voice chat: without a boom mic you will rely on an inline mic or a separate microphone, which is a different experience from the mouth-position boom on the HUYUN Barracuda X Mic.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites.
When you buy through links on this page, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon or its affiliates. This site is an independent third-party review and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Amazon or the product brands mentioned.
See also: Amazon Renewed Beats Powerbeats Pro vs TOYOURKI Single Right Ear, Wentronic Y05 vs Micool Open-Ear Earbuds, Blue Air Work Headset vs SGNICS Earbuds, bluetooth headphones for remote work