Neither model is open-ear, and neither is described as having active noise cancellation or spatial audio built in. The Kraken offers software-enabled 7.1 surround sound on Windows 10 64-bit; the Siberia v2 emphasizes closed cups and passive noise reduction. Those details matter more here than chasing labels such as “best open ear headphones for audiophiles” or “best noise canceling headphones for audiophiles,” which do not accurately describe either design.
Razer Kraken Gaming Headset vs SteelSeries Siberia v2 at a Glance
• Razer Kraken’s strength: 50 mm drivers, software-enabled 7.1 surround sound on Windows 10 64-bit, and cooling-gel cushions. Trade-off: surround processing is limited to that Windows setup.
• SteelSeries Siberia v2’s strength: closed ear cups with passive noise reduction and a lightweight suspension construction. Trade-off: its listed feature set does not include surround processing or cooling-gel cushions.
• Razer Kraken is for: players who want a retractable noise-isolating mic and 3.5 mm compatibility across several named platforms.
• SteelSeries Siberia v2 is for: players who prefer closed cups, a retractable mic, and a simple wired setup with on-cord volume control.
The Kraken is a wired, over-ear headset built around 50 mm drivers and a 3.5 mm connection. Its listed compatibility includes PC, Mac, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and mobile devices. That makes it a straightforward candidate for someone who wants one headset to move among several of those systems, rather than a model tied to a single console.
Its software-enabled 7.1 surround sound is the feature that most clearly sets it apart in this comparison, but there is an important limit: the surround option is available only on Windows 10 64-bit. On other listed platforms, buyers should not assume that same software feature applies. The retractable cardioid microphone is designed to reduce background and ambient noise during communication, and the in-line controls provide a volume wheel and mic-mute switch.
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-18 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
The cooling-gel-infused cushions and lightweight aluminum frame make the Kraken appealing for extended gaming sessions on paper. I’d consider it for someone who values comfort features, a microphone that tucks away, and the flexibility of a 3.5 mm jack. I’d skip it if you specifically want the Siberia’s stated closed-cup passive noise-reduction design, or if you need surround processing on a platform other than the specified Windows setup.
The Siberia v2 takes a simpler route: it has closed ear cups, 50 mm drivers, a lightweight suspension construction, and a wired 3.5 mm connection. Its pull-out microphone retracts into an ear cup, keeping it out of the way when it is not needed. Volume control is integrated into the cord, so the basic adjustments are close at hand without adding a more elaborate control system.
Its clearest advantage for someone in a noisy room is the closed-cup construction paired with sound-dampening foam, which provides passive noise reduction. That is not the same as active noise cancellation, and the listed information does not say that outside sounds are electronically cancelled. The headset is also described as delivering high, low, and mid-tones clearly, but that wording alone does not establish an audiophile-grade tuning or a particular listening profile.
I’d choose the Siberia v2 for a buyer who prioritizes closed ear cups, a light suspension-style design, and a retractable mic. It may be the more natural fit for a focused gaming setup where passive isolation matters more than a listed surround mode. Skip it if you want the Kraken’s stated multi-platform compatibility details, cooling-gel cushions, or software-enabled 7.1 surround sound.
• Want software-enabled 7.1 surround sound on Windows 10 64-bit? → Razer Kraken Gaming Headset. That feature is explicitly listed for the Kraken, with the operating-system limitation worth keeping in mind.
• Prefer a closed-cup design with passive noise reduction? → SteelSeries Siberia v2. Its closed ear cups and sound-dampening foam are the clearer match for that need.
• Want cooling-gel-infused cushions? → Razer Kraken Gaming Headset. The cushions are designed to help reduce heat and pressure build-up during longer sessions.
• Need a microphone that retracts out of sight? → Either. The Kraken’s mic retracts, and the Siberia v2’s pull-out microphone tucks into an ear cup.
• Want microphone noise reduction called out in the feature set? → Razer Kraken Gaming Headset. Its cardioid mic is described as reducing background and ambient noise.
• Prefer simple on-cord volume control? → SteelSeries Siberia v2. The volume adjustment is integrated into the cable.
• Need compatibility listed across PC, Mac, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, and mobile? → Razer Kraken Gaming Headset. Those platforms are named for the Kraken’s 3.5 mm connection; check your device’s connection needs before choosing.
• Searching for the best spatial audio headband headphones for audiophiles? → Neither is a precise match. The Kraken lists software-enabled 7.1 surround under a specific Windows condition, while the Siberia v2 is described in terms of closed cups and passive noise reduction. Neither sheet specifies spatial-audio headband technology.
The “audiophile” angle calls for a little restraint. Both models list 50 mm dynamic drivers, but driver size alone cannot tell you which will sound more natural, detailed, or enjoyable. The Kraken’s listed frequency range is 12 Hz–28,000 Hz; the Siberia v2’s is 20 Hz–20,000 Hz. Those figures describe stated ranges, not a full account of sound quality or a guarantee that one will suit every listener better.
Comfort is also a matter of preference. The Kraken names cooling-gel-infused oval cushions and a flexible aluminum frame. The Siberia v2 specifies a lightweight suspension construction. If you wear a headset for long stretches, those differences are more useful to weigh than vague claims of all-day comfort: one gives a specific cushion feature, while the other gives a distinct lightweight support design.
I’d choose the Razer Kraken Gaming Headset for most buyers in this comparison because it combines a retractable noise-isolating mic, cooling-gel cushions, in-line mute and volume controls, and compatibility across several named platforms. Its Windows-only surround limitation is real, so I would not buy it expecting 7.1 processing everywhere. For audiophiles who also want a practical gaming headset, I’d favor the Kraken’s broader stated feature set while treating its sound specifications as a starting point—not proof of a particular listening experience.
The Siberia v2 has closed ear cups and sound-dampening foam described as providing passive noise reduction. The Kraken is described as having sound isolation, but neither model is specified as using active noise cancellation.
The specifications do not establish a definitive sound-quality winner. Both have 50 mm dynamic drivers, while the Kraken lists software-enabled 7.1 surround sound for Windows 10 64-bit and the Siberia v2 highlights clear high, low, and mid-tones.
Yes. The Kraken has a retractable cardioid microphone, while the Siberia v2 has a pull-out mic that retracts into an ear cup. The Kraken’s mic is specifically described as reducing background and ambient noise.
Which one should I choose for comfort during long gaming sessions?
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