Razer Kraken Gaming Headset vs SteelSeries Siberia v2 at a Glance
• Razer Kraken: Its 50 mm drivers, optional software-enabled 7.1 surround sound on Windows 10 64-bit, and retractable microphone make it the more feature-rich gaming pick. Its surround mode is software-dependent and limited to that Windows configuration.
• SteelSeries Siberia v2: Closed ear cups and sound-dampening foam offer passive noise reduction, with 50 mm drivers and a pull-out microphone. It has fewer specified gaming features than the Kraken.
• Both are wired, over-ear headsets with 50 mm drivers, a 3.5 mm jack, and cord-based volume control.
• Choose the Kraken if positional audio options, cooling gel-infused cushions, and a flexible aluminum frame matter most.
• Choose the Siberia v2 if you prefer a lighter suspension construction and a closed-cup design for passive noise reduction.
The Kraken is built around gaming use: its 50 mm dynamic drivers are custom-tuned, and its 7.1 surround sound is available through software on Windows 10 64-bit. That makes it the more relevant option if you want to explore positional audio while gaming on that specific setup. The headset also has a wired 3.5 mm connection, so there’s no battery to manage as part of its listed operation.
Comfort and communication are central parts of its design. The oval over-ear cushions are infused with cooling gel, intended to help reduce heat and pressure buildup during long sessions. Its retractable, cardioid microphone can be pulled out when you need to talk and tucked away when you do not. An analog volume wheel and mic-mute switch sit on the in-line control, putting those adjustments on the cable rather than requiring a trip through software.
The frame is made from bauxite aluminum and is described as flexible and lightweight. The Kraken is listed for PC, PlayStation 4 and 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One and Series X|S, and mobile devices, though the surround-sound feature has the narrower Windows requirement. That broad platform list may appeal if one headset needs to serve multiple gaming setups.
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-17 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
Who should skip it: Skip the Kraken if you specifically want passive noise reduction from closed, sound-dampening ear cups, or if you need software-enabled 7.1 surround sound outside Windows 10 64-bit.
SteelSeries Siberia v2: Who It's For
The Siberia v2 takes a simpler route. Its closed ear cups use sound-dampening foam for passive noise reduction, rather than relying on a software surround feature. That could suit someone who wants a headset design that helps reduce surrounding sound through the ear cups themselves. It has 50 mm driver units and is described as delivering clear high, low, and mid-tones, but the data does not specify a surround mode.
Its microphone pulls out from the ear cup and can retract when not needed, keeping the mic out of the way between calls. Volume control is integrated into the cord, as it is on the Kraken, so basic adjustment is available without reaching for a separate device. The Siberia v2 uses a 3.5 mm jack and is wired; the provided specifications do not give a platform compatibility list, so I would not assume it supports every system named for the Kraken.
The lightweight suspension construction is a key point of difference. The listed weight is 9.12 ounces, compared with 11.36 ounces for the Kraken, which gives the Siberia v2 a lower stated weight. That is useful information if you are comparing the designs for long gaming sessions, though weight alone cannot tell you how a headset will feel on a particular head. The specifications list a frequency range of 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz.
Who should skip it: Skip the Siberia v2 if you want a listed software-enabled surround mode or a confirmed compatibility list spanning current consoles and mobile devices.
• Best for software-enabled positional audio on Windows 10 64-bit → Razer Kraken. Its 7.1 surround feature is software-enabled and limited to that operating system configuration.
• Best for passive noise reduction from the ear cups → SteelSeries Siberia v2. Its closed cups use sound-dampening foam.
• Best for cooling-focused cushion design → Razer Kraken. Its oval cushions are gel-infused and designed to help reduce heat and pressure buildup.
• Best for a lower listed headset weight → SteelSeries Siberia v2. It is listed at 9.12 ounces; the Kraken is listed at 11.36 ounces.
• Best for a flexible aluminum frame → Razer Kraken. Its bauxite-aluminum frame is described as flexible and designed for durability.
• Best for a broad, named platform list → Razer Kraken. Its listed systems include PC, several PlayStation and Xbox generations, Switch, and mobile.
• Best if you want a pull-out microphone on either pick → Tie. Both microphones retract, though the Kraken’s is specified as cardioid and noise-isolating.
• Best for cord-based volume adjustment → Tie. Both include an integrated or in-line volume control on the cord.
For an audiophile comparing these as listening headphones, keep the available evidence in perspective. Both models have 50 mm dynamic drivers, a 32-ohm impedance, and a sensitivity listed as 112 dB. The Kraken’s listed frequency range is 12 Hz to 28,000 Hz; the Siberia v2’s is 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz. A wider stated range alone does not prove greater detail, accuracy, or a sound signature that every listener will prefer.
The designs also address surrounding sound differently. The Siberia v2’s closed cups and foam are specified to provide passive noise reduction. The Kraken’s product details describe sound isolation through its ear cushions, but do not specify the same closed, sound-dampening foam construction. Neither sheet identifies active noise cancellation. So if you are searching for the best noise canceling headphones for audiophiles, these descriptions point to passive isolation, not an active cancellation system.
Neither headset is described as an open-back model. That matters if your search for the best open ear headphones for audiophiles is really about an open acoustic design: neither product’s stated construction supports that choice. Likewise, the Kraken’s surround feature is software-enabled 7.1 for a defined Windows setup, not a general promise of spatial audio across every source. If “best spatial audio headband headphones for audiophiles” is your goal, check that your device and software match the Kraken’s stated requirement before treating that feature as decisive.
Finally, consider the practical differences rather than trying to infer performance from a single number. The Kraken specifies a cardioid microphone, cooling gel cushions, and an aluminum frame, while the Siberia v2 emphasizes a lightweight suspension design and passive noise reduction. Both are wired and use a 3.5 mm jack, which makes the connection style a point of common ground. Before deciding, check the current price on Amazon and confirm that the connection and platform support meet your needs.
I’d choose the Razer Kraken because it combines a retractable cardioid microphone, cooling gel-infused cushions, a flexible aluminum frame, and a stated surround-sound option for compatible Windows setups. For audiophiles who also want a gaming headset with clearly specified gaming features, that package makes the stronger case. I’d choose the Siberia v2 instead if its lower listed weight and closed-cup passive noise reduction are the priorities.
The Kraken lists software-enabled 7.1 surround sound for Windows 10 64-bit and a cardioid, noise-isolating microphone. The Siberia v2 has closed cups for passive noise reduction and a retractable microphone, but no surround mode is specified.
Neither product sheet specifies active noise cancellation. The Siberia v2 is described as using closed ear cups and sound-dampening foam for passive noise reduction; the Kraken’s cushions are described in terms of sound isolation.
The SteelSeries Siberia v2 is listed at 9.12 ounces, while the Razer Kraken is listed at 11.36 ounces. That makes the Siberia v2 lighter by the stated figures, though comfort also depends on the fit and suspension design.
Both have 50 mm dynamic drivers, but their listed specifications do not establish which sounds more accurate or enjoyable. The Kraken gives a wider stated frequency range and a Windows-specific surround option; the Siberia v2 emphasizes closed cups and passive noise reduction.
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