Razer BlackShark V2 gaming headset review

Razer has spent the last couple of years revamping many of its popular products, releasing refreshed models like the Razer Ornata V2 and Razer Basilisk V2 with updated designs and improved technology to better meet modern needs and expectations. Latest in this line of refreshes is the Razer BlackShark V2, a wired, surround sound gaming headset that shares little more than a name with its 2012 predecessor.

The BlackShark V2 sells itself as an esports headset, but its appeal extends far beyond professional gamers. By combining comfort and performance in an attractive, well-priced package, the BlackShark V2 represents one of the best-value propositions in the entire gaming headset space.

Design

Design

• Ultra-light frame remains comfortable over long gaming sessions
• Breathable fabric keeps your ears cool and dry
• Reassuringly durable despite its lightweight construction

• Read more about the Razer BlackShark V2's design

  The original Razer BlackShark was not a particularly attractive headset. Its exposed metal and glossy ear cups looked cheap, while its boom mic resembled the braces Lisa wore in the "Last Exit to Springfield" episode of The Simpsons.

  Thankfully, Razer has gone back to the drawing board for the BlackShark V2 and built a headset that looks as good as it sounds. It's almost entirely black, including the slim strips of metal connecting the ear cups to the headband. This understated aesthetic obfuscates the headset's esports origins and helps it blend in at more traditional work and home environments.

  Where the BlackShark V2 really stands out, meanwhile, is in its emphasis on comfort. Put simply, the BlackShark V2 is hands-down one of the most comfortable headsets I've ever used. More so than even the Razer Kraken X USB, which at times felt so soft on my head as to be ephemeral.

  A few key design decisions make the BlackShark V2 so pleasant to wear. First, the headset is remarkably light. The entire package weighs just 262g which is significantly less than the majority of gaming headsets, including those that sell themselves on their ultra-light designs. This drastically reduces the BlackShark V2's presence and, in combination with the padded headband and cushioned ear cups, makes it easy to forget it's there at all. At the same time, the headband and ear cups apply sufficient pressure to remain stable and secure even when jostled.

  Those ear cushions warrant special mention. Razer has fashioned them out of memory foam and wrapped them in a custom fabric it calls "FlowKnit". Not only is the foam luxuriously soft, the FlowKnit fabric breathes more effectively than traditional material coverings. This minimises heat build-up, reducing the sweat and discomfort that can accumulate over long gaming sessions.

  For as light and soft as the BlackShark V2 is, it doesn't feel weak or flimsy. The ear cups feel sturdy, with a matte texture that conveys premium quality. The metal frame supporting each ear cup is suitably strong and the bars on either side provide a firm and convenient handhold when putting the headset on and taking it off.

  Like many of Razer's V2 products, the BlackShark V2 features the company's new Speedflex cable enclosure. The Speedflex weave is a noticeable improvement on standard braided cables, protecting against wear and tear while also reducing friction to prevent the cable from snagging on objects as you move around.

Performance

Performance

• Triforce Titanium drivers produce crisp and powerful audio with impressive volume range
• Excellent positional sound via THX Spatial Audio
• HyperClear Cardioid mic delivers top-notch vocal clarity

• Read more about the Razer BlackShark V2's performance

  For the BlackShark V2 to live up to Razer's claims of it being the "definitive esports gaming headset", it needs to deliver uncompromising performance when reproducing audio and when recording your voice through its microphone. It succeeds on both fronts, outperforming many larger and more expensive headsets from competing brands.

  At the core of the BlackShark V2 lies Razer's new Triforce Titanium 50mm drivers. Unlike typical drivers, the Triforce is split into three parts, with each responsible for tuning one of the three core frequency ranges: either highs, lows or mids.

  Razer likens this to having three drivers in one, which is a pretty lofty claim. While it may be slightly hyperbolic, there's no denying that the Blackshark V2's audio quality is sublime. In Destiny 2, stray bullets crack like whips as they hit the hard ground. Gunshots boom with palpable presence as they echo off the surrounding walls. Explosions overwhelm the senses, their powerful bass smashing your skull with physical force. And even as the chaos of battle escalates, vocal tracks cut through beautifully crisp and clear.

  The Triforce drivers help the BlackShark V2 punch above its weight in the volume department, too. You can crank the volume all the way up to ear-damaging levels and the headset doesn't break a sweat, pumping out big audio with no sound degradation. Audio sources retain their clarity, ensuring I could hear equally well the slimy susurrations of monster eggs nestled in the walls, the harried footsteps of approaching enemies and the bark of encroaching gunfire.

  Powerful drivers are only part of the equation, though. The other ace up the BlackShark V2's sleeve is its support for THX Spatial Audio. With the included USB sound card plugged in and THX Spatial Audio activated in the Razer Synapse app, the BlackShark V2 can recreate positional audio from compatible games, movies and music. The implementation is excellent. In games like Halo 3 and Destiny 2, I could confidently place audio cues in 360-degree space around me. Approaching enemies couldn't catch me off-guard and I was able to hone in on the trill of nearby secrets with ease.

  Spatial audio can be tricky to set up on some headsets. Not the BlackShark V2. All it takes is a few clicks to toggle the feature on or off, with no need to install additional software or drivers.

  While the BlackShark V2 doesn't offer active noise cancellation, its passive solution is quite impressive. The ear cups create a strong seal around the ears, blocking out the clacking of my mechanical keyboard, the rapid clicking of my mouse and other nearby noises. This works even at relatively low volumes, so you don't need to risk ear damage just to heighten your immersion.

  When gaming online, the quality of your mic can be just as important as the audio output. The BlackShark V2 acknowledges this with its "HyperClear" Cardioid mic, a removable and flexible boom mic Razer claims more accurately reproduces your voice while filtering out the sounds of the world around you.

  Testing the mic verified these claims. It captured a clean and crisp recording of my voice, retaining that clarity even as I moved the mic further away from my mouth. It still doesn't play nice with sudden bursts of air from close up, but you're not going to overcome that without a dedicated pop filter.

  The tighter pick-up pattern of the HyperClear mic is also worth calling out. By narrowing the area of audio focus, less ambient noise is able to seep through. I tested this by clapping and clanging different objects at an arm's length from the mic and they came through barely audible under my voice.

Features

Features

• Razer Synapse app provides a wealth of customisation options
• Compatible with plenty of devices thanks to the 3.5mm connector
• Volume dial is easier to adjust than a scroll wheel

• Read more about the Razer BlackShark V2's features

  While it might not have any RGB lighting, the BlackShark V2 has plenty of other, more practical features to bolster its versatility.

  My favourite of these would have to be the volume control. Rather than the typical scrolling wheel found on many headsets, the BlackShark V2 includes a full-blown dial on the surface of its left ear cup. The dial's larger size makes it easier to adjust on the fly, plus there's a handy notch at the half-way point letting you know when you're back at 50% volume.

  The one downside here is that headset volume is distinct from system volume. That means you don't get the on-screen slider showing your current volume level as you turn the dial. It also means that other volume controls such as a volume wheel on a keyboard don't adjust the headset volume, just the system volume. It's not a big issue, but it is a trade-off you'll have to make.

  

  Rounding out the headset controls, you'll find a mic mute button situated on the underside of the left ear cup. It's an asymmetrical toggle, popping out further when the mic is active so that you can check whether you're muted or not with a quick brush of a finger.

  The BlackShark V2 supports two methods of connectivity: via the included USB sound card or through a standard 3.5mm headphone jack. The USB connection is compatible with PC, Mac, PS4 and Switch, with the 3.5mm connection necessary for other devices.

  If you want access to all the BlackShark V2's features, you'll need to connect through the USB sound card and boot up the Razer Synapse app. You'll want to, as well, since the app is the only way to activate and customise THX Spatial Audio.

  By default, THX Spatial Audio calibrates itself according to the app currently running. It switches between three core profiles, each tuned to their respective media: Game mode, Music mode and Movie mode. If you'd prefer a little more control over the calibration, you can set modes on a per-application basis or you can create custom modes based on your spatial preferences.

  Synapse lets you tweak plenty of non-spatial audio settings, too. There are sliders for bass boost, sound normalisation and enhanced vocal clarity, along with a full audio equaliser for adjusting the volume of different frequency bands.

  Mic audio is just as flexible. You've got toggles for mic boost, volume normalisation, vocal clarity and ambient noise reduction as well as sliders for mic sensitivity and mic monitoring. The latter option controls how much of your own voice is piped back through the headset to your ears. There's also a full equaliser for the mic audio, too, should you want to tweak frequency volume levels to better suit your own voice.

  For folks who want optimised audio without having to adjust toggles and sliders, the BlackShark V2 supports THX Game Profiles. These are pre-configured profiles based on individual games, either created or endorsed by the developers of those games. Each profile offers two modes: Environmental mode and Competitive mode. The former emphasises immersion, aiming for a more realistic representation of sound cues in the game's environment. Competitive mode, meanwhile, amplifies the most-critical sounds like enemy footsteps for higher situational awareness.

  Currently, only a handful of games support THX Game Profiles, including titles like Apex Legends, Destiny 2, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare and Red Dead Redemption 2. More games will presumably join that list in the future, though that will likely depend on how popular the feature ends up being among competitive players.

Should you buy the Razer BlackShark V2?

With the BlackShark V2, Razer has reaffirmed why its such a prominent player in the gaming headset space. Sublime comfort, powerful audio and versatile customisation options combine to create a seriously compelling package, one that's even more attractive thanks to its reasonable price tag.

If you're looking for a gaming headset that delivers premium value on all fronts, the Razer BlackShark V2 won't let you down.

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Finder score: 4.5

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