Razer Megalodon 7.1 Surround Sound USB Gaming Headset (Black)

The Razer Megalodon is a 7.1 Surround Sound Headset games specifically designed to integrate the Razer Maelstrom Audio Engine, which makes the definitive portable players today. Using next generation technology and a wonderful power HRTF processing unprecedented DSP, the Razer Megalodon is the audio headset for the most advanced of its kind.

Product Details

Color: Black

Brand: Razer

Model: RZ04-00250100-R3U1

Original language: English, French, Spanish

Dimensions: 7.80" h x 7.41" w x 3.40" l, .93 pounds

Features

Razer Maelstrom Audio Engine

Onboard Audio Processing

Noise Filtering, Amplified Microphone

USB

7.1 Surround Sound

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Editorial Reviews

From the Manufacturer
The Razer Megalodon is a 7.1 Surround Sound Gaming Headset designed specifically to incorporate the Razer Maelstrom Audio Engine, making it the definitive headset for gamers today. Utilizing next generation HRTF technologies and a superb DSP with unheard of processing power, the Razer Megalodon is the most advanced audio headset of its kind.

The Razer Megalodon is a 7.1 Surround Sound Gaming Headset designed specifically to incorporate the Razer Maelstrom Audio Engine, making it the definitive headset for gamers today. Utilizing next generation HRTF technologies and a superb DSP with unheard of processing power, the Razer Megalodon is the most advanced audio headset of its kind. The Razer Megalodon is the flagship headset for Razer in 2009. Similar looking as the Carcharias, the Megalodon comes with flashy LEDs and an external Audio processing unit. Announced at the Games Convention 2008 it is one of Razers most anticipated products. Equipped with the Maelstrom Engine, based off a military technology for pilots, the Megalodon provides positional sound unseen in other headsets so far. This gives any FPS-Gamer the necessary edge on a front that has been neglected by most gaming peripheral manufacturers so far, which is therefore the main target group. Due to the superior sound in other environments like movies supporting Surround Sound, the Razer Megalodon also targets movie enthusiasts and audiophiles. Engineered for gamers on the go, the Razer Megalodon combines comfort, portability and performance into a surround sound headset and sound processing solution. The Razer Maelstrom Audio Engine brings out the optimal surround soundstage in games by delivering deep booming bass and crisp, clear highs allowing you to hear and feel every shot that whizzes by your head.

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Razer Maelstrom™ Audio Engine Hear your enemies before you see them with 7.1 channel virtual surround sound. If the sound source does not support 7.1 or 5.1 Surround Sound, the Megalodon will also perform as a quality Stereo Headset with a deep thumping bass. Onboard Audio Processing Offload the Virtualisation of the Surround Sound to the internal sound card and take the demand off your CPU. Noise Filtering, Amplified Microphone Be heard loud and clear. Integrated Digital Sound Processor Leverage the power and take the demand off your CPU True Plug and Play No software required & easy USB connection

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The Razer Maelstrom Audio Engine originated as a military grade audio technology that was originally developed for fighter pilots that needed precise audio warnings for incoming missiles. The Razer Maelstrom Audio Engine is based on the same platform, but developed specifically for gaming. The Razer Maelstrom engine was also developed to address the traditional problems with HRTF algorithms so that a more convincing surround sound environment can be reproduced. The Razer Maelstrom Audio Engine is the result of thousands of hours of audio engineering, testing and validation to create a state of the art surround sound platform based on next generation HRTF technologies. The processing done by Razer Maelstrom algorithms is significantly more complex than traditional HRTF methods. The position of the speakers in the headset has been determined by long hours of processing, using complex mathematical and physical theories. Meanwhile, the phase, gain, refractions of sounds off the user's head, pinnae, body, have all been taken into account, but so have other factors, such as the distance of the sound from the user, reverberation, and other effects.

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Razer Maelstrom Audio Engine - The Next Generation HRTF Technology The Razer Maelstrom Audio Engine originated as a military grade audio technology that was originally developed for fighter pilots that needed precise audio warnings for incoming missiles. The Razer Maelstrom Audio Engine is based on the same platform, but developed specifically for gaming. The Razer Maelstrom engine was also developed to address the traditional problems with HRTF algorithms so that a more convincing surround sound environment can be reproduced. The Razer Maelstrom Audio Engine is the result of thousands of hours of audio engineering, testing and validation to create a state of the art surround sound platform based on next generation HRTF technologies. The processing done by Razer Maelstrom algorithms is significantly more complex than traditional HRTF methods. The position of the speakers in the headset has been determined by long hours of processing, using complex mathematical and physical theories. Meanwhile, the phase, gain, refractions of sounds off the user's head, pinnae, body, have all been taken into account, but so have other factors, such as the distance of the sound from the user, reverberation, and other effects (see fig. 1). The enhanced processing power of the Razer Maelstrom engine results in better front/back audio imaging as compared to traditional HRTF methods. Further, the additional processing also provides for a more accurate surround sound imaging environment. The Razer Maelstrom engine also ensures that there is minimal loss of audio fidelity post processing so that gaming environments are kept to the original intent of the game developers. Likewise, the externalization of the audio cues is also enhanced with the Razer Maelstrom advanced HRTF algorithms. Additionally, the Razer Maelstrom can virtualize the sound source and process the sound dynamically against thousands of virtualized ear pinnae to ensure that the resulting positional cues work for most of the population. This is important because the resulting positional cues of traditional HRTF technologies are based off of a single reference recording of a mannequin's head, and is the primary reason why traditional HRTF technologies are unconvincing for most of the population. With the need for complex algorithms to be processed on the fly, one of the key aspects of the Razer Maelstrom engine is the use of a separate audio processing unit that offloads most of the processing required. This advanced processing method uses a separate, cutting edge DSP that can process up to 500 MIPs, or 400 to 800% more data than other conventional DSPs, and results in a phenomenal performance upgrade over and above current generation HRTF methods. Further, it also enhances gameplay as it offloads the processing required from the CPU to the Razer Maelstrom audio processing unit. Razer Maelstrom Audio Engine - For Gamers, By Gamers Current generation sound virtualization models are unable to provide for true to life positional audio in gaming. Further, traditional HRTF technologies have also relied on processing to be offloaded on the CPU, thereby creating poorer performance in-game. The Razer Maelstrom engine was developed specifically to address the issues above in games and has been extensively tested in-game, as well as together with gamers. The Razer Maelstrom engine is the next generation virtual sound engine that provides true-to-life 7.1 Surround Sound Gaming without the need for software drivers, which results in enhanced processing - a boon for demanding games today. With thousands of audio models created to ensure that the optimal audio environments are created in-game, the Razer Maelstrom Audio Engine is by far the most advanced audio engine system created for gamers, by gamers. The Razer Megalodon 7.1 Surround Sound Gaming Headset The Razer Megalodon is a 7.1 virtualized surround sound gaming headset designed specifically to incorporate the Razer Maelstrom Audio Engine, to make it the definitive gaming headset for gamers today. The Razer Megalodon is by far the most advanced gaming audio headset of its kind, utilizing next generation HRTF technologies and a superb DSP with unheard of processing power. Because ear pinnae are incredibly complex and unique to each user, we decided to position speakers around the ear, generating a sound field that will be naturally diffracted by your own ears-drum, capitalizing on the Razer Maelstrom's extensive virtualization of pinnae. This close-to-ears sound field is the same for everyone, but the effect on your ear drums is more personal and will more accurately match your own 3D audio experience in the real world (See fig. 2). Thus, the precise placement of speakers in the Razer Megalodon headset and the advanced sound processing techniques of the Razer Maelstrom Audio Engine allow for: - More externalization - More focused sound - A more precise virtual sound image The Razer Megalodon control pod also contains the audio processing unit that processes all the complex algorithms described above that make up the Razer Maelstrom engine. This external audio processing unit incorporates the next generation DSP that allows it to process up to 800% more information than current generation DSPs. The final effect on the sound precision for the Razer Megalodon, and on all traditional HRTF problems, is outstanding. Save in respect of the z-axis/elevation problem, the Razer Maelstrom engine definitively addresses most of the problems traditionally associated with HRTF technologies. Suffice to say, Razer's audio engineers are actively pursuing true 3D audio imaging as 360 degree imaging is now finally at hand. Conclusion With the Razer Megalodon headset, Razer intends to demonstrate how the power of the Razer Maelstrom Audio Engine and precise placement of speakers can effectively reproduce accurate virtualized surround sound better than any other HRTF technologies currently on the market. By processing up to 800% more information in the Razer Maelstrom Audio Engine than comparable traditional DSPs, the Razer Megalodon offers more positional sound cues that allow gamers to better visualize the entire virtual surround sound image. With these cues, gamers can easily put each and every sound in its place and will always know where a gunshot is coming from. Eventually showing how the Razer Maelstrom Audio Engine and precise speaker positioning in the Razer Megalodon will create a sound solution that truly allows gamers to hear in three dimensions, so no sound is ever left unheard again.

Figure 1: In addition to normal factors taken into account by traditional HRTF technologies, the Razer Maelstrom will take the original sound source, as well as the exact coordinates of where the sound occurred, and add positional cues that are processed into sounds that can be played in the left and right channels of a headset. When the sound is replayed in the Razer Megalodon headset, the proper left and right sounds are conveyed, and the user will be able to accurately determine the position of a sound.   Figure 2 Megalodon headset speakers are positioned close to the ear, so the sound field is personal and diffracted directly by the ear drum. `

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Headphones: Frequency Response: 20 - 20,000 Hz Impedance: 32 O at 1kHz Sensitivity (@1kHz, 1V/Pa): 102 ± 4dB at 1 kHz Max. Input Power: 200 mW Drivers: 40 mm, with neodymium magnets Microphone: Frequency Response: 50 - 16,000 Hz Sensitivity (-37 ± 4dB @1kHz, 1V/Pa): Variable (user adjustable) Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 50 dB Pick-up pattern: Unidirectional Processing Unit: Master volume, center speaker, front speakers, side speakers, rear speakers, bass level, mic sensitivity, mic leveling, mic mute, Razer Maelstrom on/off, active/standby toggle, reset Cable: 3.3 meters, Braided Fiber Sheath Connector: Gold-plated USB System & Hardware Requirements PC with built-in USB port Powered USB-Port recommended Windows XP / Vista/ Windows 7 / X64 Vista 64 users please view this link regarding the Megalodon and Vista 64 compatibility Note: The Megalodon will not be able to produce a surround field with only 2 channels from the source material. The Megalodon will perform as a quality stereo headset when listening to a stereo source in 2.0 mode.

Product Description

The Razer Megalodon is a 7.1 Surround Sound Gaming Headset designed specifically to incorporate the Razer Maelstrom Audio Engine, making it the definitive headset for gamers today. Utilizing next generation HRTF technologies and a superb DSP with unheard of processing power, the Razer Megalodon is the most advanced audio headset of its kind.

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Customer Reviews

Great headphones, but check your games!
I bought pre-ordered this headset from Razer's website a few days before they were released. I eagerly popped the awesome packaging open (watch Razer's unboxing video on YouTube if you haven't already) and threw them on.

The Megalodon's are by far the most comfortable computer headphones I've worn. The headband padding is cushy and keeps the headset from feeling too heavy on your noggin. The earcups, which go around your ears, are very soft and padded well. If anyone owned the Barracudas, some people (myself included) had issues where their ears would actually rest directly on the speakers and get sore after a while. Not with these babies! The padding is excellent and the earcups are very deep.

The mic is permanently attached and can rotate 270 degrees. The control pod is easy to use and let's you adjust the volume of each individual speaker channel and the bass separately. You can also of course switch between 2.1 and 7.1 modes with the press of a button.

The only issue though is to check and make sure that your movies and games can output 7.1 surround sound. If not, some sounds will be a little distorted and muffled. In these cases you are supposed to use 2.1 mode. Check your compatibility to see if what you watch/play is compatible now, but also keep in mind that future games and blu-ray releases should support 7.1.

One example of a standout game was Fallout 3. AMAZING. I could hear the wind blowing, characters talking, and could pinpoint exactly where bullets were being fired from. It truly rivaled my own conventional 5.1 setup. I'm going to have a hard time going back to stereo headsets!

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BEWARE! Incompatible with 64 bit operating systems
If you are running the 64 bit version of Windows Vista or Windows 7 please do not waste your money on this product. There is a known issue with the audio and/or microphone cutting out at random times. I have experienced the audio drop out myself and have tried multiple fixes, including all recommended OS updates, to no avail. Razer has been aware of this issue for months and even has a message posted on their website that warns Vista 64 users (I, of course, did not see this message until after making my purchase).
The drop out results in a complete loss of all audio from the headphones and only a system restart will restore it. The thing that really irks me is the fact that the literature states that the product is compatible with Vista 64. I do not know what sort of quality control process Razer uses but they might want to re-examine it closely. If you Google this issue you will find numerous complaints.

RAZER DOES NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT
I am an avid gamer and have an extremely high level of technical proficiency with computer and peripherals. The support at Razer is the worst in the business and I recommend all consumers to stay away from their products. This product had issues with Windows 7 64bit and they denied the problem for months. After they claimed it's compatibility during launch they changed it to NOT being compatible after the launch and told people that they never claimed it to be compatible. After their engineers finally fixed the bug they put the compatibility badge back on.

They are a company that works without integrity and instead of offering the avid gamers that purchase their products a temporary solution or a refund they do deceitful things and then act like the problem never existed. I had an issue with them in the past with an RMA and should've learned my lesson the first time. From now on Razer will never be considered a premium gaming product in my book and I urge you all reading this to purchase a better alternative such as a Sennheiser or the Cadillac of gaming headsets the Astro A30. You will get better sound and microphone quality from either and there is no equivalent to the Astro A30s gaming experience.

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