Razer BlackShark V2 Professional evaluation: Top-of-the-line gaming headsets simply bought higher

Razer is understood for its considerably flashy and bombastic {hardware} designs. Even the corporate’s PC headsets are adorned with RGB lights, presumably to profit your Twitch stream. The BlackShark line is principally the antithesis of that concept: targeted on esports efficiency, that includes premium {hardware}, and devoid of all pointless adornments. No noise cancellation, no haptics, and certainly, no RGB lights. The identical goes for the brand new BlackShark V2 Professional, the very best performing (and costliest) headset in Razer’s in depth line of PC gaming headsets.

The Razer BlackShark V2 Professional goals for operate over kind in practically each functionality, from its gaming-focused sound profiles to its new high-quality microphone to its light-weight but sturdy design. However the headset additionally provides some comfort within the type of a Bluetooth connection, making it suitable with every part from a PlayStation 5 to a 10-year-old iPhone. It is a powerful replace to an already good design, and whereas it is under no circumstances low-cost, it is a stable worth in comparison with related fashions from the competitors.

Additional studying: Try our roundups of the very best gaming headsets and finest wi-fi gaming headsets for extra on competing merchandise.

In a single look

Knowledgeable score

Advantages

• Comfy
• Lengthy battery life
• Preloaded EQ profiles
• Massive microphone

The inconvenients

• No notches on the quantity wheel
• Aggressive battery saving

Our opinion

The BlackShark V2 Professional (2023) is Razer’s most targeted and costly e-sports headset, however its microphone, battery life and devoted EQ profiles are price contemplating .

Greatest Costs As we speak: Razer BlackShark V2 Professional Headset (2023)

$199.99

What’s new in Professional V2 2023?

Earlier than we go any additional, let’s speak concerning the identify of this gadget. In the event you’re performing some comparisons, you would possibly discover that Razer already has a headset referred to as the BlackShark V2 Professional. That is the earlier mannequin, launched in 2020. That is the BlackShark V2 Professional (2023). Though it seems to be practically similar, the largest technical improve is the addition of Bluetooth functionality, and it is $20 extra with a advised retail value of $200.

Michael Crider/Foundry

Why is not this improved mannequin referred to as the BlackShark V3 Professional? Truthfully, I don’t know. My condolences to the shop clerks who must take care of the 2 fashions on the cabinets for no less than a short while.

For comparability, listed here are the headset’s spec highlights, with modifications from the 2020 mannequin in daring:

Razer reps have been additionally fast to spotlight the steel-reinforced headband sliders, although I might need to take their phrase for it, as I did not use the unique mannequin.

How does the BlackShark V2 Professional really feel to make use of?

Pairing and utilizing the BlackShark V2 Professional for the primary time, I used to be stunned at how comfy the earbuds have been. The froth cups are coated in cloth as an alternative of leather-based, harking back to cheaper fashions just like the Logitech G435. However the beanies are each tremendous comfy and breathable, for significantly intense on-line competitions. And when that occurs, the removable mic increase stays up and out of the best way.

Michael Crider/Foundry

Different bodily controls are equally deceptive – and I imply that in a great way. The amount wheel feels somewhat cumbersome at first, nevertheless it extends out of the physique so your fingers can discover it instantly. (Though I’d have appreciated a couple of notches for higher grip.) I believed this gaming-focused design lacked media controls, however actually you’ll be able to rapidly press the facility button to play/pause, extraordinarily helpful after I rise up from my desk to cook dinner dinner and wish to proceed my podcast.

The aforementioned quantity and energy controls (which double as a pair button) sit on the left cup, joined by a guide mute rocker for the microphone, for those who do not feel like bodily eradicating the increase. On the suitable aspect is a single button to modify between preset EQ profiles (extra on these later within the evaluation), and a double-click will rapidly change between your Hyperspeed USB dongle and any Bluetooth gadgets you’ve got paired . These combos are somewhat intimidating at first, particularly for those who incessantly regulate the EQ, however I bought the cling of it inside days.

Michael Crider/Foundry

I discovered the headset comfy and straightforward to put on, even on my extra-large head, though it is in the course of the pack when it comes to weight. I will commerce that weight for longevity, which the V2 Professional has in spades. Razer quotes 90 hours in Bluetooth mode and 70 hours in Hyperspeed mode, and since I used to be solely capable of drain the headset as soon as throughout my testing, I imagine it. It isn’t as mind-blowing because the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wi-fi’ 300 hours, however this headset additionally lacks most of the extra spectacular bells and whistles of the Razer various. You’re going to get no less than per week of use from the V2 Professional.

I discovered an annoying little quirk: the V2 Professional will flip off after 10 minutes of inactivity. I suppose that is an aggressive battery saving meter, however I typically pause movies or music for this lengthy throughout a piece day, and having to show the headphones again on a number of instances a day has turn out to be boring. Sadly, there does not appear to be a software program possibility to regulate the timeout.

What’s the audio high quality on the BlackShark V2 Professional?

Sound high quality is at all times subjective and I do not think about myself an audiophile. However with that qualifier out of the best way, I discovered the V2 Professional tuned somewhat closely in favor of the mids and highs, which feels odd coming from the large 50mm drivers. That is undoubtedly the “e-sport” focus of this set, to higher distinguish the communications of your teammates on the web.

By no means thoughts. A number of presses of the EQ button can rapidly regulate to a smoother, wider sound higher fitted to motion pictures or music. On this mode, I discovered the V2 Professional to be greater than succesful, and for those who’re the sort of listener who desires the bass to beat your ears like a boxer, then this headset is definitely able to doing simply that. The shortage of energetic noise cancellation means it is much less appropriate for, say, a protracted bus experience than a extra complete set of Bluetooth headphones, however that is not some extent towards this design. It is targeted on PC gaming, in any case.

Razer

Talking of which, the EQ can in fact be personalized in Razer Synapse. And you’ll set particular profiles to launch with particular applications or video games, with or with out digital encompass sound enabled. However there is a extra attention-grabbing function to play with: pre-programmed settings for well-liked shooters, created in collaboration with large names in esports. These profiles are preloaded within the firmware of the headset itself, no must dive into Synapse.

Maintain the EQ button for 3 seconds and you may change to those hard-coded profiles, then press as soon as to modify between Valorant, Apex Legends, Name of Obligation, Counter-Strike: GO, And Fortnite. These could be additional personalized in Synapse, however because you’re paying a premium for preset profiles from “execs”, you would possibly as effectively strive them out first.

Michael Crider/Foundry

I did it. I am not knowledgeable gamer, however I’ve performed sufficient Fortnite (in non-build mode, as I am a couple of a long time older than the typical participant) to get a couple of wins every season. And whereas the preset EQ setting was a bit excessive on the treble for my liking, it allowed me to listen to and deal with enemy footsteps and weapon switching sounds, notably extra sooner than with my very own HyperX headset. So name it a win and ask somebody who is aware of easy methods to depend i-frames if you need a extra technical breakdown of the headset’s gaming deserves.

The opposite main {hardware} improve is the microphone. “Critical” avid gamers will use a devoted USB mic for communication, however Razer desires to make a case for its headset mic as an alternative. For this function, it’s powered with a sampling fee of 32 KHz. In the event you’re unfamiliar with audiophile specs, that is double the standard fee of cheaper microphones and headphones, however nonetheless lower than the 48KHz of devoted full-size “professional” mics. Razer has additionally added a further “exhausting” pop filter under the pre-installed protecting foam filter.

Michael Crider/Foundry

That works. Listeners on the opposite finish of my conferences and audio calls stated my voice was clearer and crisper than with my common headset, and resulting from mounted proximity to my mouth, no less than as intelligible as when I’m utilizing my Blue Yeti. (Connecting the mic increase can also be a lot much less problem than coping with the latter, which nonetheless makes use of an previous mini-USB cable.) So sure, the BlackShark V2 Professional (2023 – ugh, what a mouthful) is definitely usable each for video games and conferences.

Must you purchase the BlackShark V2 Professional (2023)?

Razer is asking $200 for the V2 Professional. That is commonplace for Razer {hardware}, nevertheless it’s nonetheless the costliest PC gaming headset the corporate sells, on par with the Kraken V3 Professional and its arguably useful head-shaking haptics. However wanting round for equally geared up headsets from the competitors, you is perhaps shocked to seek out that Razer beats them on value. Comparable 2.4GHz + Bluetooth configurations from opponents like Logitech, Corsair, and HyperX vary between $230 and $270.

The closest match in {hardware} and value is the SteelSeries Arctis 9, which options a lot of the identical specs plus a sexy collapsible increase microphone for $200 (about $180 on sale, on the time of writing). However Razer beat this mannequin with greater than triple the battery life, and I might additionally give it the sting for extra user-friendly quantity controls, larger drivers, a barely lighter construct, and USB-charging. C in comparison with MicroUSB.

Michael Crider/Foundry

So sure, Razer finds itself within the uncommon place of being a price proposition, if not precisely a reasonable proposition. This strikes this product from an interim advice to a definitive advice. In the event you’re in search of a PC gaming headset that is nice for out-of-the-box immersion (particularly for on-line shooters) and able to dealing with some gentle Bluetooth duties for different gadgets, the BlackShark V2 Professional (2023) ought to be on the listing. high of your listing. .

Regardless that it actually ought to be referred to as the V3. Actually.