Razer, a trusted name in electronic gaming peripherals introduced the Razer Megalodon, a 7.1 surround sound gaming headset, back in 2009. I was given an opportunity to test drive this headset but before I voice out my opinion on this headset, let’s take a look at the technical specifications first:

Headphones
Frequency Response: 20 - 20,000 Hz
• Impedance: 32Ω at 1kHz
• Sensitivity (@1kHz, 1V/Pa): 102 dB ± 4dB at 1 kHz
• Max. Input Power: 200 mW
• Drivers: 40 mm, with neodymium magnets

Microphone
Frequency Response: 50 - 16,000 Hz
• Sensitivity (-37 dB ± 4dB @1kHz, 1V/Pa): Variable (user adjustable)
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 50 dB
• Pick-up pattern: Unidirectional

Audio 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

As you can see from the technical specifications, this headset is equipped with a 40mm driver which has a sensitivity level of up to 102dB. A close competitor to this headset at a slightly lower price tag is the Siberia v2 by SteelSeries which is packed with higher specifications but will this Megalodon be able to stand up against its competitor?


Packaging & Closer Look

The box that houses the Megalodon should look something similar to the above picture (not too sure if it varies with different countries). I think the cover of the box is catchy enough to include highlight some great features that this headset has to offer.
 

There is a box that you can slide out separating it from the cover. First impression, the class of this headset is already presented through its packaging. You will find a rather hard casing for the headset upon opening the box. I guess this is just one of the premium you are paying for a headset that is priced this expensive.
 

The carrying case definitely is pretty handy since gamers nowadays will bring their headset for their gaming session even when they are out of their house. This case has a lot of padding which will be able to protect your Megalodon without doubt.
 

The USB sound card is attractive that will light up upon connecting it to an USB port. However, it is very prone to fingerprints and it can look awful after some time if you don't wipe it. The Megalodon's cups offers good cushioning for the comfot of your ears.
 

Some companies might focus too much on the users' listening experience that they can forget small little matters. Luckily, Razer was thoughtful enough to include a non-slip rubber at the bottom of the USB sound card to prevent it from moving around.


Test Drive
Since this is claimed to be a gaming headset, the very first thing that comes to my mind is to fire up some games and put the Razer Maelstrom Audio Engine to real test.

First up, I used Counter-Strike 1.6 and Sudden Attack, both being popular FPS games that requires a good sound system to determine your opponent’s location. Thanks to the comprehensive volume control device or also known as the external USB sound card for this headset, I could adjust the level of bass on-the-fly and it is essential since in FPS games, I wouldn’t want too much bass so that the clarity of the enemy’s footsteps is improved. I was happy that the headset does its job pretty well in FPS games as though I have the upper hand with the Megalodon. However, the 7.1 channel surround sound is absolutely useless in both Counter-Strike and Sudden Attack, it makes the sound squeaky which isn’t good at all since you rely on the positional audio to hear your enemies first. Games of other genres such as Test Drive Unlimited and Fifa 2010 was not playable on the 7.1 mode as well.

As for music, the Megalodon is absolutely fantastic feeding my ears with thumping bass and clear vocals. However, the virtual 7.1 surround sound is unusable again for music as it will sound like there’s too much echo. Compared to a SteelSeries Siberia which is still my all-time favorite headset, the Megalodon is without doubt far better in terms of the performance when playing music.

One downside of this headset during my time of testing it is the compatibility to install the drivers. I brought it to a cyber café or rather known as a LAN centre in some countries and I was surprised to find out that the drivers couldn’t install for an unknown reason but I suspect it could be due to a permission setting imposed for the computers over there. It would be troublesome if a player isn’t able to install the drivers in a ‘plug & play’ manner in places like this especially if he or she is a professional gamer travelling around often.

Comfort wise is excellent and after putting the headset on for long hours, my ears did not really feel hot but this does not apply if you're in a hot environment. I would also prefer the ear cups to be slightly larger though.


Conclusion
Although the Razer Megalodon is a great headset overall, it isn’t really the one that offers a bang for your bucks. The USB sound card is handy for those always on-the-move but it doesn’t outwit some entry-level gaming sound card which is disappointing considering its price tag. Besides that, the virtual 7.1 surround sound isn’t anything spectacular and it doesn’t work well with most games so most of the time, 2.0 is the way to go. On a scale of 10, this would score a 7.

Pros:
- Razer Maelstrom Audio Engine (USB sound card)
- Plug & Play, driver installation without CD
- Offers virtual 7.1 surround sound
- Good sound quality in 2.0 mode

Cons:
- Hefty price tag
- Poor virtual 7.1 surround sound performance