We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-03 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
If you want a drop-in replacement boom mic to bring a Razer Barracuda X headset back to life, choose PDEEY Barracuda X Mic; if you need a full set of wired in-ear monitors with a detachable cable for gaming and music, choose Hidizs MS1.
• PDEEY Barracuda X Mic — biggest strength: it is a plug-and-play 3.5mm detachable boom microphone built specifically as a replacement for the Razer Barracuda X headset, so it fixes a broken or lost mic without replacing the whole headset.
• PDEEY Barracuda X Mic — biggest trade-off: it is a microphone only. There are no drivers, no ear cups and no audio playback here. If your headset works fine, this does nothing for you.
• Hidizs MS1 — biggest strength: a complete wired IEM package with 10.2mm dual-magnetic dynamic drivers, a 2-pin detachable silver-plated cable, an inline mic option and a 32Ω/108dB spec that runs straight off a phone or laptop.
• Hidizs MS1 — biggest trade-off: it is wired in-ear listening, not a headset. You give up the over-ear fit and the boom mic arm entirely, and the inline mic sits on the cable rather than in front of your mouth.
• Who each pick is for: PDEEY for someone who already owns the Barracuda X and lost the mic; Hidizs for someone who wants one set of IEMs for gaming, commuting and music.
This is a single-purpose part, and that is the whole point. The PDEEY Barracuda X Mic is a detachable boom microphone with a 3.5mm jack, made to slot into the Razer Barracuda X wireless gaming headset and restore voice chat on PC, Xbox One, PS5, PS4, PS3 and computer setups. The polar pattern is omnidirectional, it uses a condenser element, and PDEEY includes an extra foam cover in the box. The boom itself is flexible but sturdy, which matters more than people expect — a floppy arm drifts away from your mouth mid-match, and a stiff one holds the position you set.
The enclosure is polycarbonate, so it is light on the head, and the whole thing is corded electric with no battery to think about. That is the honest appeal: no charging, no pairing, no software. You plug it in and talk.
Who should buy it? Someone whose Barracuda X mic snapped, got chewed by a pet, or vanished. Also anyone who bought the headset used and received it without the original boom. In my opinion, if the headset itself is still working, replacing the mic is the sensible move rather than retiring a functioning pair of headphones.
Who should skip it? Anyone who does not own a Razer Barracuda X. And anyone hoping to improve audio quality — this is a mic, not a driver. If your headset sounds bad, this will not change that. Compatibility is the whole game here, so check your model first.
The Hidizs MS1 Galaxy is the opposite kind of product: a complete listening system. It is a wired in-ear monitor built around a 10.2mm dual-magnetic dynamic driver with a PU+PEEK composite diaphragm, tuned by Hidizs with B&K HATS and psychoacoustic work aimed at positional audio — the kind of cue that tells you someone is coming up the stairs behind you in an FPS or MOBA. The frequency range runs from 20KHz to 40KHz, and the 32Ω impedance with 108dB sensitivity means a phone, tablet or laptop drives it directly without a dedicated amp.
The physical design is worth dwelling on. The shell is aluminum, the earpiece shape is a rounded tip, and Hidizs used ergonomic data to shape a fit that sits snug and cuts down outside noise. The cable is silver-plated oxygen-free copper with a 2-pin connector, so you can swap or upgrade it later, and there is an inline mic version for calls, voice assistant access and remote music controls. Add a sweat-resistant shell and it covers commutes, workouts and long sessions, not just desk gaming. It ships with a carrying case.
Who should buy it? Someone who wants one pair of earphones to do everything — competitive gaming, music, calls on the move. The 2-pin cable and the multi-device compatibility make it a long-term pick rather than a disposable one.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for replacing a broken mic → PDEEY Barracuda X Mic. It exists for exactly one job and does it without fuss.
• Best for actual game audio → Hidizs MS1. Dual-magnetic 10.2mm drivers and positional tuning versus no drivers at all.
• Best for voice chat clarity at the mouth → PDEEY Barracuda X Mic. A flexible boom arm with an omnidirectional condenser sits closer to your voice than a cable-mounted inline mic.
• Best for music and commuting → Hidizs MS1. Aluminum shells, a carrying case and a silver-plated cable built for daily listening.
• Best for upgradeability → Hidizs MS1. The 2-pin connector lets you change cables; the PDEEY is a fixed 3.5mm part.
• Best for zero setup → PDEEY Barracuda X Mic. Plug and play, corded, no battery, no pairing.
• Best for multi-device flexibility → Hidizs MS1. Phones, tablets, laptops, DACs and music players, all at 32Ω.
• Best for someone who owns the Barracuda X already → PDEEY Barracuda X Mic. There is no reason to buy the IEMs just to fix a mic.
I would buy the Hidizs MS1 for myself. It is the only one of the two that is a complete product — drivers, cable, case, inline mic and a 2-pin system I can upgrade later — and the 32Ω spec means it works off whatever I already own. The PDEEY is a smart, narrow fix, and if I owned a Barracuda X with a dead mic I would order it without hesitation. But I do not, and a replacement part only makes sense when you have the part it replaces. Check the current price on Amazon for both before you commit, since that is the one variable I cannot weigh in for you.
FAQ
are studio headphones better than gaming headsets
what headphones do pro gamers use
There is no single answer, and this comparison does not claim otherwise. What the specs show is that in-ear monitors like the MS1 — 10.2mm dual-magnetic drivers, B&K HATS tuning, 32Ω impedance — are built for the positional accuracy competitive play demands, while over-ear headsets like the Barracuda X offer a boom mic arm close to the mouth.
do all headphones have mics
No. The Hidizs MS1 is sold with an inline mic version for calls and voice assistant access, while the PDEEY Barracuda X Mic is a microphone only — no drivers, no playback. Many headphones have no mic at all, which is why detachable boom mics like the PDEEY exist as separate parts.
can studio headphones be used for gaming
Yes. The MS1's 32Ω/108dB spec runs directly from a phone, tablet or laptop, and its tuning targets FPS and MOBA sound cues specifically. You would add an inline mic for chat rather than a boom arm, which is a different experience from a headset mic but perfectly workable.
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: AKHQC Replacement Ear Pads vs YWLUUOO Protein Leather Earmuffs, kstime Computer Speakers vs RK ROYAL KLUDGE HG101, Btootos Earbuds vs Jxrev Earbuds: Bluetooth Stereo, SuperEar Replacement Headphones vs TUINYO Headphones