Share The sub-$60 gaming audio market used to be a wasteland of muddy bass and cheap plastic. That era is over. In 2026, budget gaming headsets like the Razer BlackShark V2 X, HyperX Cloud Stinger 2, and the disruptor Kreo Beluga V2 are challenging the notion that you need to spend over $100 to hear footsteps in Valorant or CS2. Note: If you buy something from our links, we might earn a commission. See our affiliate disclosure statement. Whether you need the surgical precision of Razer’s TriForce 50mm drivers, the legendary comfort of HyperX’s memory foam, or the premium specs of Kreo’s Graphene drivers, this comparison breaks down exactly which headset deserves your money. We analyze microphone polar patterns, clamping force, and soundstage width to deliver the definitive verdict on the best budget gaming headset for your setup. Razer BlackShark V2 X vs HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 vs Kreo Beluga V2 Review – SoundMaxPro SoundMaxPro UPDATED OCT 2025 Peripheral Showdown The Battle for Entry-Level Audio: Razer vs. HyperX vs. Kreo Cheap headsets used to mean bad audio. That era is over. We tested the market leaders to see which one actually lets you hear footsteps in Valorant. By Audio Team | 7 Min Read Quick Selector: What matters to you? Show All Competitive FPS Maximum Comfort Budget Value ESPORTS PICK Razer BlackShark V2 X Surgical audio precision with TriForce drivers. Best for positional cues. Separated frequencies Great noise isolation Non-detachable mic Check on Amazon COMFORT PICK HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 Legendary comfort with a warmer sound. Ideal for long sessions. Swivel-to-mute Plush memory foam Plastic build Check on Amazon VALUE PICK Kreo Beluga V2 The disruptor. Metal build and big specs at a lower price point. Aluminum frame Graphene drivers Quality control varies Check on Amazon 1. The Acoustics of Advantage The sub-$60 market previously served as a dumping ground for aesthetic-first hardware. You would often find aggressive angles, RGB lighting, and muddy “bass-boosted” profiles. That has changed. Titles like Valorant and CS2 require audio telemetry. Hearing a reload is as vital as seeing the enemy. Razer and HyperX responded by engineering “trickle-down” products. They strip away wireless radios and premium metals but keep the core drivers. Kreo takes a different route by inflating specs with exotic materials like graphene to disrupt the legacy giants. Technical Audio Analysis We visualized the tuning philosophy of each headset. Razer focuses on separation; HyperX on warmth; Kreo on impact. Razer (Treble/Focus) HyperX (Balanced/Warm) Kreo (V-Shape/Bass) Razer BlackShark V2 X: The Specialist The TriForce Paradigm Standard drivers use a single diaphragm for everything. When heavy bass hits, the diaphragm shakes violently. If it tries to play high-frequency footsteps at the same time, the bass movement distorts the highs. This is intermodulation distortion. Razer’s TriForce driver physically segments the tuning zones. It has distinct ports for bass, mids, and highs. This ensures that explosions do not muddy the sound of footsteps. The microphone uses a cardioid pattern. It rejects side noise effectively. However, it is non-detachable. The build uses exposed wire struts. While lightweight (240g), these hinges are a known weak point if treated roughly. HyperX Cloud Stinger 2: The Comfort King HyperX targets endurance. The Stinger 2 uses 50mm dynamic drivers tuned for a “fun” sound. It extends down to 10Hz, offering sub-bass rumble that Razer lacks. This makes single-player games like Cyberpunk 2077 feel more immersive. The Good Rotatable earcups allow the headset to rest flat on your neck. The swivel-to-mute microphone is the best mute implementation in this price bracket. The Bad The plastic headband is susceptible to stress cracking over 12-18 months. It lacks the metal reinforcement found in the Kreo. Kreo Beluga V2: The Spec Sheet Disruptor Kreo is a challenger brand utilizing contract manufacturing to offer premium specs at budget prices. The Beluga V2 boasts 53mm Graphene drivers. Graphene is lighter and stiffer than plastic, theoretically allowing for faster transient response. Why Aluminum Matters Unlike the plastic Stinger or the wire-frame Razer, the Kreo uses an aluminum headband. It offers superior resistance to torsion. However, users report quality control issues with the electronics, such as channel imbalance or microphone glitches. Technical Specifications Feature Razer BlackShark V2 X HyperX Stinger 2 Kreo Beluga V2 Driver Tech 50mm TriForce (Separated) 50mm Dynamic 53mm Graphene Mic Mute Button (On Earcup) Swivel-to-Mute (Boom) Flip-to-Mute Weight ~240g (Lightest) ~275g Mid-weight Build Material Plastic / Wire Struts All Plastic Aluminum Frame Surround 7.1 App (Code in box) DTS Headphone:X (2 Yr) Virtual 7.1 (USB) 2. The Comfort Matrix Audio quality is irrelevant if the headset induces a migraine after 40 minutes. We measured clamping force and heat retention to map out the usability profile for each device. Razer BlackShark V2 X Clamping Force High (Tight) Glasses Friendly Poor Heat Dissipation Low (Traps Heat) HyperX Stinger 2 Clamping Force Low (Loose) Glasses Friendly Excellent Heat Dissipation Medium Kreo Beluga V2 Clamping Force Medium (Balanced) Glasses Friendly Average Heat Dissipation High (Breathable) 3. Scenario Performance Scorecard Scenario Razer HyperX Kreo Winner Tactical FPS (Valorant) 9/10 7/10 7.5/10 Razer Open World RPG 6/10 9/10 8/10 HyperX Movies & Media 6/10 8.5/10 9/10 Kreo Mic Clarity (Discord) 8/10 7.5/10 6/10 Razer Real-World Mic Check Polar patterns tell only half the story. We tested these on Discord with noise suppression turned off. Razer Reality Slightly nasally and compressed, but excellent at removing mechanical keyboard clicks. Your friends will hear you clearly, but you won’t sound natural. HyperX Reality Warmer and more natural tone. The downside? It’s sensitive. It picks up ceiling fans and Cherry MX Blue switches easily. Mic Pick-up Visualized Comparing the focused Razer Cardioid vs standard patterns. What’s in the Box? Razer Headset (Attached Cable) Mic Splitter (Y-Cable) 7.1 Code Scratch Card Sticker Pack HyperX Headset (Attached Cable) PC Extension Cable DTS Code (Digital) Pop Filter (Pre-installed) Kreo Headset (Detachable) USB Sound Card Dongle Detachable Mic Braided Cable 4. The Software Reality: Bloatware vs. Utility Razer 7.1 Not Synapse. This is a separate, lightweight app. You activate it via a code in the box. It offers simple 7.1 toggling but lacks the granular EQ customization found in higher-end Razer USB headsets. Weight: Lightweight DTS Unbound Relies on the Microsoft Store “DTS Sound Unbound” app. You get a 2-year license. It provides spatial audio that is excellent for movies but can sound artificial in competitive shooters. Weight: Middleware USB Driver A basic OEM-style driver panel. It looks dated (Windows 98 aesthetics) but gives you direct access to EQ sliders and mic boost without needing an account login. Weight: Basic 5. The Tether Test: Cables & Connectivity A headset is only as good as the wire that connects it. We stress-tested the cables for drag, tangle-resistance, and length. Cable Hierarchy Kreo Beluga Braided & Detachable (Best) HyperX Stinger Rubber & Fixed Razer V2 X “SpeedFlex” Rubber (Drags) Why Detachable Matters The #1 cause of headset death is cable failure at the jack. If the Kreo cable breaks, you buy a $5 replacement aux cable. If the Razer or HyperX cable breaks, the headset is e-waste. Soundstage Width Visualization How “open” does the audio feel? A closed soundstage feels like the sound is inside your head. An open soundstage feels like it’s coming from the room around you. Center dot represents the listener. Outer rings represent perceived distance of audio cues. 6. Long-Term Survivability Report 3 Months Razer: Ear pads soften nicely. No issues. HyperX: Clamping force loosens slightly, increasing comfort. Kreo: No wear on the aluminum frame. 6 Months Razer: Volume knob may develop static/scratchiness if dust enters. HyperX: Mic mute mechanism may loosen if flipped aggressively. 1 Year+ (Failure Points) Razer: The exposed wire mechanisms can bend if thrown in a backpack. HyperX: Plastic hairline fractures often appear near the adjustment sliders. Kreo: Internal soldering on the jack port is the main failure risk. Winner: Kreo Best Build Quality The aluminum frame and detachable cable give the Kreo Beluga V2 a theoretical lifespan double that of the plastic competitors, provided the internal electronics hold up. Verdict: The Final Decision The Competitive FPS Player Buy the Razer If your rank in Valorant or CS2 is your priority, the BlackShark V2 X is the only option. The audio separation is superior to everything else in this class. You trade comfort and durability for a competitive edge. The Student / Casual Gamer Buy the HyperX For Zoom classes, Discord calls, and open-world games, the Cloud Stinger 2 is the most pleasant to wear. It’s the “safe” pick that does everything decently well and won’t hurt your head. The Value Hunter Buy the Kreo If you want features usually reserved for $100 headsets (metal build, detachable cable, USB dongle), the Beluga V2 is unbeatable value. Just be aware of potential QC quirks. Frequently Asked Questions Do I need a dedicated sound card? Generally, no. The Razer and HyperX are easy to drive via motherboard audio. However, the Kreo comes with a USB dongle that can bypass bad onboard audio if your PC is older. Which is better for big heads? The HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 or the Logitech G335. The Razer clamp force is quite tight (“snug”) to ensure noise isolation, which can be uncomfortable for larger head sizes during long sessions. Is the Razer 7.1 software free? The BlackShark V2 X comes with a scratch card in the box containing an activation code. Do not lose this card. The software is free with the hardware, but requires this code to activate. Share this: Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Like this:Like Loading... Related Affiliate Disclosure: Soundmaxpro.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Share What's your reaction? Excited 0 Happy 0 In Love 0 Not Sure 0 Silly 0
1. The Acoustics of Advantage The sub-$60 market previously served as a dumping ground for aesthetic-first hardware. You would often find aggressive angles, RGB lighting, and muddy “bass-boosted” profiles. That has changed. Titles like Valorant and CS2 require audio telemetry. Hearing a reload is as vital as seeing the enemy. Razer and HyperX responded by engineering “trickle-down” products. They strip away wireless radios and premium metals but keep the core drivers. Kreo takes a different route by inflating specs with exotic materials like graphene to disrupt the legacy giants.
