To tune a Razer headset on Windows, first identify the exact model and whether it uses Synapse 3 or Synapse 4. Select the Razer headset (or the model’s Game endpoint) as Windows’ playback device, keep Windows Spatial sound set to Off for Razer’s THX setup, then adjust EQ and THX Spatial Audio in Synapse. If you hear your own voice, change Mic Monitoring (Sidetone) in the headset’s microphone settings. The controls and their locations vary by model and software version, and THX Spatial Audio is not available on every Razer headset.
Start with the model and Synapse version
Razer’s menus are model-dependent, so do not begin by copying a preset or searching Windows for a THX switch. Check the name printed on the headset, USB controller, or its Synapse device card. Then check whether the computer has Synapse 3 or Synapse 4 installed.
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- Synapse 4: Razer places supported headset controls on the Razer Device tab. Microphone monitoring is under Razer Device > Mic; current headset sound controls are generally under Sound.
- Synapse 3: Microphone monitoring is under Audio > Mic. Razer’s documented UI changes moved EQ and THX controls for the referenced headset families to the Sound tab.
Razer says Synapse 3 stopped receiving updates and cloud-service support on February 3, 2026. A device that is still installed can remain configurable in Synapse 3, but a device that has been completely uninstalled requires Synapse 4 for continued customization. This matters before you remove drivers or reinstall the application.
What each control actually changes
Four settings are often confused because they all affect what you hear, but they solve different problems:
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- EQ: Changes the balance of frequency bands, such as bass, voices, and treble. It changes the sound character of playback.
- Mic Monitoring (Sidetone): Routes your microphone signal back into the earcups so you can hear yourself. It does not raise the level that a game or call application records.
- Windows or application input level: Controls the microphone signal sent to software. The exact control is in Windows or in the particular game, meeting app, or voice-chat application.
- THX Spatial Audio: Applies Razer’s spatial processing on supported headsets. It is separate from an EQ preset and from the Windows Spatial sound menu.
Changing one does not automatically correct the others. For example, increasing EQ treble will not make a quiet microphone louder, and reducing sidetone will not stop other people from hearing background noise.
Adjust headset sound and EQ in Synapse
Open the sound page
- Connect the headset directly or through its supplied USB device and allow Windows to detect it.
- Open Synapse and select the exact headset or its detected audio controller.
- Open Sound. On older Synapse 3 layouts, EQ and THX controls for supported devices are found there after the documented UI change.
- Choose an EQ preset, listen at a comfortable volume, and make small band adjustments. Save a Custom profile only after comparing it with the original preset.
Razer’s headset instructions list Game, Movie, Music, and Custom EQ choices for supported models. These labels describe starting points, not a universal ranking. A Game profile may emphasize effects or positional cues, while a Music profile may suit a more balanced recording; the result depends on the headset, source material, and your hearing.
Use a repeatable tuning method
- Start with the default or a built-in preset rather than changing every band at once.
- Change one or two neighboring bands by a small amount, then replay the same passage.
- Compare at the same listening level. A louder profile can seem better even when it is only louder.
- Keep a Custom profile for a specific use, such as games or speech, instead of forcing one curve to suit every recording.
- If a change makes voices harsh, bass boomy, or effects fatiguing, undo it rather than compensating with larger boosts elsewhere.
Razer does not publish one “best” EQ curve for every headset. Treat the presets as starting points and retain the profile that makes your own content easiest to follow without uncomfortable volume.
Use model shortcuts only when documented
Some headsets duplicate Synapse functions on the hardware. On the BlackShark V3, for example, the SmartSwitch button cycles through the onboard EQ choices. That is convenient when switching between a game and music, but it is not a replacement for identifying the active Synapse profile. If the physical button changes a preset while Synapse is open, verify which profile is now selected before making additional band edits.
Turn microphone monitoring (sidetone) down or off
If your own voice is audible in the earcups, the feature is usually Mic Monitoring, also called Sidetone. It is local playback of your microphone, not proof that a call application is transmitting an echo.
Synapse 4 path
- Open Synapse 4 and select the headset on the Razer Device tab.
- Open Mic.
- Find Mic Monitoring (Sidetone).
- Switch it off to remove your voice completely, or lower its level if you want a small amount of natural voice feedback.
Synapse 3 path
- Open Synapse 3 and select the headset.
- Open Audio, then Mic.
- Turn Mic Monitoring (Sidetone) off or reduce its level.
These steps follow Razer’s support guidance updated May 13, 2026. They change what you hear, not the recording level selected by Windows or an application. If other people still report that your voice is quiet, distorted, or noisy after sidetone is adjusted, open the application’s selected input device and input-level controls. There is no single input workflow that applies to every Windows version, game, and communication app.
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Distinguish sidetone from an actual echo
Sidetone is heard only in your own headset. If teammates hear your voice returning to them, the cause is more likely an application monitoring loop, speaker leakage into the microphone, or an incorrect input/output selection. Turn sidetone off first, then test with the application’s microphone monitor disabled. Do not increase microphone gain to compensate for a sidetone setting; that can make leakage and background noise worse.
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Enable THX Spatial Audio on a supported Windows headset
THX Spatial Audio is not a universal feature. Confirm support for the exact model before looking for the switch. Razer’s documented procedure is Windows-specific and uses the headset output plus Synapse processing.
Razer’s setup sequence
- Confirm compatibility. Check the model’s Razer support page for THX Spatial Audio support.
- Select the output device. In Windows sound settings, choose the Razer headset as the default playback device. Some older models, including the Nari family and Kraken Tournament Edition, expose a separate Game endpoint; select that endpoint when Razer’s model instructions specify it.
- Check playback properties. Open the selected device’s Windows playback properties. Follow Razer’s direction to leave enhancements available rather than disabling them, and set Windows Spatial sound to Off.
- Open Synapse. Select the headset, open Sound, and switch to THX Spatial Audio.
- Choose the EQ. Select a Game, Movie, Music, or Custom preset and adjust bands only if needed.
- Test the active endpoint. Play a familiar game or recording and verify that Windows is still sending audio to the same Razer endpoint. Changing the default device later can make THX appear to have stopped when the application is simply using a different output.
Razer’s support article explains that THX Spatial Audio is embedded in the sound output device, so it does not appear as a separate option under the Windows Spatial sound menu. The THX switch belongs in Synapse for supported devices.
Synapse package versus the standalone THX application
Razer’s playback-device guide distinguishes the THX component bundled with a THX Spatial-enabled headset from the separately acquired standalone THX Spatial Audio application. A supported headset can add the Synapse THX component after the device is detected; installing a separate application is not a substitute for checking the headset’s own support instructions.
Avoid double-processing
Running Windows Spatial sound, a game’s own surround mode, and THX simultaneously can make positional cues indistinct or change the tonal balance unexpectedly. Razer’s documented sequence specifically leaves Windows Spatial sound Off while THX is enabled in Synapse. Test one processing path at a time so you can identify which setting changed the result. A game that offers its own output mode may still require its documented setting, so record that choice when comparing profiles.
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| Task | Synapse 4 | Synapse 3 | Important qualification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mic Monitoring (Sidetone) | Razer Device > Mic | Audio > Mic | Available only when the headset exposes the control. |
| EQ and THX for the referenced supported headsets | Sound | Sound after the documented UI change | Labels and availability vary by model. |
| Windows spatial processing used in Razer’s THX procedure | Windows playback-device properties > Spatial sound: Off | THX is then enabled in Synapse, not in the Windows Spatial sound selector. | |
Model-specific differences you should expect
BlackShark V3
Razer’s BlackShark V3 support FAQ identifies the headset as Synapse 4-supported and says THX Spatial Audio is integrated in Synapse. It also documents a physical SmartSwitch button that cycles EQ presets. The listed choices are Default, Game, Movie, Music, and Esports 1. This shortcut is specific to that model; do not assume another Razer headset has the same button or preset list.
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Kraken Tournament Edition
The Kraken Tournament Edition uses a USB Audio Controller that Synapse detects for its audio commands. Razer’s support page describes controller functions for volume, bass, and game/chat balance, as well as THX Spatial Audio. Those controls belong to that headset and controller combination, so replacing or troubleshooting the controller is relevant only to Kraken Tournament Edition owners.
Older Nari-family endpoints
Some Nari models expose a Game playback endpoint. If a Nari game profile appears silent or bypasses the expected processing, confirm that the application and Windows default output are using the endpoint named in the model’s Razer instructions rather than a similarly named chat endpoint.
Fix the most common setup failures
THX is missing from Synapse
- Confirm that the exact headset supports THX Spatial Audio; support is not universal.
- Check that Synapse has detected the headset or its required USB controller.
- Look under Sound, not only under Windows Spatial sound.
- Verify that the active Windows output is the Razer headset or the specified Game endpoint.
- If you removed the device while using Synapse 3, install Synapse 4 as Razer requires for continued customization of completely uninstalled devices.
THX appears enabled but the sound does not change
- Check the application’s own output selection; games can override the Windows default.
- Confirm that Windows Spatial sound is Off for the documented Razer setup, avoiding a second spatial processor.
- Make sure playback properties have not been configured to disable the enhancements Razer expects for the procedure.
- Test with a known recording and compare the same EQ profile with THX on and off. A subtle change is possible with some content, so use a repeatable passage rather than a random sound.
- Check volume normalization or loudness options in the application before judging a small spatial change. Compare at matched volume and with the same endpoint selected.
You still hear your own voice
- Return to the Synapse microphone page and set Mic Monitoring (Sidetone) to Off.
- Check for a second monitoring feature in the game, meeting app, or audio utility. Synapse sidetone is only one possible monitoring path.
- If the other person hears an echo, inspect the application’s input and output device selections; sidetone itself is local to your headset.
- Temporarily mute the microphone in the application. If your voice remains in your earcups, the monitoring path is local and should be addressed in Synapse or another audio utility.
The microphone is quiet or distorted
- Do not use sidetone as a microphone-gain control. It changes only the feedback you hear.
- Open the application’s input-device and input-level settings and select the intended Razer microphone.
- Check whether the application has its own automatic gain, noise suppression, or mute state. These controls differ by application, so follow that application’s documentation.
- Test the microphone in a second application to separate a headset issue from a per-application setting.
- Move the microphone to its normal position and check any physical mute switch or boom connection. A software adjustment cannot correct a muted or poorly positioned microphone.
The headset is not listed
- Reconnect the headset or its USB controller, then reopen Synapse.
- Confirm that Windows can see the device in its sound output list.
- For the Kraken Tournament Edition, verify that the USB Audio Controller is the connected device Synapse should detect.
- Avoid uninstalling a working Synapse 3 device casually: after complete removal, Razer says Synapse 4 is required for continued customization.
- Try the headset’s documented connection mode rather than assuming every wireless, USB, and analog mode exposes identical controls.
A practical order for tuning a new profile
- Set the correct Razer playback endpoint in Windows.
- Leave Windows Spatial sound Off while testing Razer’s THX workflow.
- Set sidetone to a comfortable level or turn it off so it does not distract from playback testing.
- Choose one EQ preset and listen to familiar speech, music, and game audio.
- Enable THX in Synapse if the model supports it, then compare the same material.
- Adjust only the EQ bands that address a specific problem, recording each change in a Custom profile.
- Test the microphone in the application you actually use, with its intended input device selected.
- Keep separate profiles when your needs differ; there is no evidence-based single curve that is ideal for every listener or headset.
For a fair comparison, change only one variable at a time. First confirm the endpoint, then compare THX on and off, and only afterward edit EQ. When testing a microphone, record a short sample at the same distance and speaking level. This prevents a louder take or a different application from being mistaken for a better setting.
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Many apparent hardware faults are endpoint or software-selection errors. Before buying a replacement controller or headset, confirm the model, connection mode, Synapse version, Windows playback endpoint, application input/output choices, and whether the symptom is playback EQ, spatial processing, sidetone, or microphone capture. The Kraken Tournament Edition USB Audio Controller is a model-specific replacement path, not a general Razer accessory for other headsets.
Razer’s support pages used for these instructions were updated between December 11, 2025, and August 6, 2026. Because menu labels and support can change with firmware and Synapse releases, use the support page for the exact model when a control described here is absent.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Frequently asked questions
Why can’t I find THX under Windows Spatial sound?
Razer says THX Spatial Audio is embedded in the sound output device, so it does not appear as a separate Windows Spatial sound option. Select the supported Razer headset or specified Game endpoint in Windows, leave Windows Spatial sound Off for the documented setup, and enable THX in Synapse’s Sound section.
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Does every Razer headset support THX Spatial Audio?
No. Compatibility is model-specific. Check the exact headset’s Razer support page before following the THX procedure or expecting a THX control in Synapse.
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How do I stop hearing myself talk?
Turn off or lower Mic Monitoring (Sidetone). In Synapse 4, use Razer Device > Mic. In Synapse 3, use Audio > Mic. This changes local feedback only and does not change the microphone level sent to a call or game.
Should Windows Spatial sound be on when THX is on?
For Razer’s documented THX headset setup, set Windows Spatial sound to Off and enable THX in Synapse. This avoids asking Windows and THX to process the same output simultaneously.
Which EQ preset is best?
There is no universal best preset. Razer lists Game, Movie, Music, and Custom choices for supported headsets. Start with the default or the preset that matches your content, make small changes, and compare at the same volume.
Why does my microphone remain quiet after I adjust sidetone?
Sidetone is microphone monitoring, not recording gain. Select the intended Razer microphone and adjust input level in the game, meeting app, or voice-chat software. Application controls differ, so test in the software you actually use and, if needed, compare with a second application.
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What changed for Synapse 3 users in 2026?
Razer states that Synapse 3 stopped receiving updates and cloud-service support effective February 3, 2026. Installed devices may remain configurable, but a device that has been completely uninstalled requires Synapse 4 for continued customization. Razer also documents EQ and THX controls moving to the Sound tab for referenced headset families.
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Can I use the Kraken Tournament Edition USB controller with another Razer headset?
Razer documents that controller as the audio-command device for the Kraken Tournament Edition. It is not a general-purpose controller for other Razer headsets; verify compatibility with the exact model before purchasing a replacement.
Bottom line
Use Synapse for Razer’s EQ, sidetone, and supported THX controls; use Windows and each application to select the correct devices and microphone levels. For the documented THX setup, make the Razer headset (or specified Game endpoint) the Windows output, set Windows Spatial sound to Off, and enable THX in Synapse. Keep model and software-version differences in view, especially the Synapse 3 transition effective February 3, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can’t I find THX under Windows Spatial sound?
Razer embeds THX Spatial Audio in the supported headset’s output device. Select that Razer device or the specified Game endpoint in Windows, leave Windows Spatial sound Off, and enable THX in Synapse.
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Turn off or lower Mic Monitoring (Sidetone). In Synapse 4, go to Razer Device > Mic; in Synapse 3, go to Audio > Mic.
Does every Razer headset support THX Spatial Audio?
No. Confirm support for the exact model on its Razer support page before looking for THX controls.
Why is my microphone still quiet after changing sidetone?
Sidetone changes only what you hear. Select the intended microphone and adjust input level in the game, meeting app, or voice-chat application.
What happened to Synapse 3?
Razer ended updates and cloud-service support for Synapse 3 on February 3, 2026. Installed devices may remain configurable, but completely uninstalled devices require Synapse 4 for continued customization.
The Bottom Line
Identify the model and Synapse version first. Select the correct Razer playback endpoint, keep Windows Spatial sound Off for Razer’s THX procedure, and enable THX in Synapse only when the headset supports it. Tune EQ in small, matched-volume comparisons, and use Mic Monitoring (Sidetone) controls—not microphone gain—to stop hearing your own voice.
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