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Razer Blackshark V2 Headset
RAZER can safely be called one of the most recognizable and popular brands among gamers. Some models of gaming peripherals have already managed to earn almost legendary status – these include the Razer Blackshark headset, the first version of which was released back in 2012. Then its users fell in love with it for its quality and reliability. Years later, RAZER released an updated, modern version of the headset – Blackshark v2, which also became a bestseller.
Razer Blackshark v2 headset promises high sound quality and most importantly – functionality and durability, which are essential for any gaming headset. The manufacturer highlights its lightweight (262g), high-quality, 50mm Razer TriForce Titanium drivers, comfortable shape FlowKnit memory ear cushions, super-cardioid microphone, and advanced RAZER HYPERCLEAR noise cancellation. The ear cups are filled with special memory foam, which will further enhance the comfort of the headset. I will try and evaluate its merits upon closer examination in practice.
Specifications
Frequency Response | 12 Hz – 28 kHz |
Impedance | 1 kHz |
Sensitivity | 100 dB (1 kHz) |
Driver Size – Diameters (MM) | 50 mm |
Driver Type | Razer TriForce Titanium |
Earcups | Breathable memory foam cushions |
Inner Earcup Diameter | Width: 40 mm / 1.57” Length: 65 mm / 2.55” |
Earpads Material | Ultra-soft FlowKnit memory foam |
Noise Cancelling | Advanced passive noise cancellation |
Connection Type | Analog 3.5mm with USB sound card |
Cable Length | 1.8 m / 5.91 ft. |
Weight | 262 g / 0.6 lbs |
Microphone Style | Razer HyperClear Cardioid Mic |
Microphone Frequency Response | 100 Hz – 10kHz |
Price | $85.85 on Amazon |
Pros and Cons
Pros | Cons |
Quality of materials and assembly | Wireless absent |
Lightweight – 262 g | Fixed cable without textile braid |
Non-staining frosted plastic cups | Not too bright bass |
THX profiles | |
Large and breathable ear cushions with soft foam padding | |
50mm Razer™ TriForce speakers | |
Atmospheric and detailed sound | |
Microphone with cardioid directivity | |
Stylish design and comfortable fit | |
Long cable with extension to TRS mini-Jack | |
Affordable cost |
Image Credit: Razer
Equipment
The headset comes in a classic box for Razer gaming peripherals with a bright black and green color scheme. On the reverse side, there is the entire specification of the model.
The BlackShark V2 package consists of two cables: one for a wired connection to a 3.5 mm jack and the second for MicroUSB for charging. There is also a detachable microphone with a filter and a USB dongle. In addition to the above, there is also a bag for carrying the headset; however, it is very thin and not very useful in practice.
Appearance and Design
BlackShark V2 received a very discreet design, without bright colors and backlighting – similar to the solution with the new Razer Barracuda X. Thus, the headset becomes more versatile and will suit a broader range of users, and not just gamers.
The plastic of the ear cups is matte, but fingerprints remain on it. The headband is made of black eco-leather, and its lower part and ear cushions are made of dark fabric, so the overall appearance of the headset is quite harmonious.
The body of the cups is made of high-quality plastic, like most parts – only the Y-shaped cup mounts are metal here, which are very thin and add rigidity, but not weight. Despite its large size, the headset weighs only 262 g. The build quality is at a high level. There are no backlashes, let alone creaking of plastic, here.
The leather of the headband is embossed with the letters of the Razer logo. The lower part is lined with mesh fabric with a very soft and, together with this elastic filler, a branded memory foam so that the headset should not put pressure on the head.
All other buttons are located on the bottom edge of the cup body: in addition to 3.5 mm jacks for a microphone and for wired connection, as well as MicroUSB for charging, there is a power button and a mute button for the microphone. The latter has a bright green border, so its position is easy to read visually.
The cable coating feels like silicone – it is very flexible, smooth, and feels very durable. The main cable is non-removable with a 3.5 mm L-shaped plug and has a length of 1.3 m. The combined connection will be convenient for smartphones or tablets if they still have a 3.5 mm jack. Given the short length of the main cable, it will not be too tangled with such a symbiosis.
Image Credit: Razer
Microphone
The RAZER HYPERCLEAR CARDIOID detachable microphone has been selected for the BlackShark V2 headset. It features a super-cardioid pickup pattern that allows more noise to be suppressed to the sides of the sensor, making the voice clearer and more audible even in noisy environments.
The microphone itself has an asymmetrical base, which sinks when plugged into the ear cup and prevents the plug from turning in the 3.5 mm jack. The microphone diameter is 9.9 mm, and the case is open but protected by a pop filter. The leg is flexible and holds the position well.
In practice, the microphone transmits voice well; noise reduction also does a good job. The voice is almost not distorted against the background noise; it is distinct and well perceived. When setting up in Synapse, you can adjust the gain, noise reduction, and clarity and also select an equalizer for the microphone.
Earpads
The ear cups have a slightly elongated oval shape, which is anatomically more correct. The dimensions of plastic cups are approximately 80×105 mm.
The ear pads have internal dimensions of about 43×63 mm and a depth of about 24 mm, which is quite a lot.
They are made of different materials: the lining on the sides is thin eco-leather, already familiar to me from the headband. And the surface directly adjacent to the head is textile. The material is clearly synthetic, with a loose mesh structure.
The ear cushions are stuffed with soft yet resilient material – RAZER announced shape memory foam. In practice, this seems more like some marketing exaggeration, but I liked the material. It does not create unnecessary pressure and, at the same time, fits well on the head.
Comfort
Before proceeding directly to assessing the sound quality, let’s talk about the comfort of the fit of the headset. For gaming headphones, the comfort factor often becomes much more important than the sound itself. And this is understandable: you won’t be able to sit in a headset that puts pressure on your head and is uncomfortable for a long time, even if it has the world’s best and most amazing sound.
With prolonged use, the Razer BlackShark V2 headset is quite comfortable for its 262 grams – the filler helps a lot here. The foam is soft and bouncy, which helps distribute the pressure of the headband, and there is no excessive lateral pressure. The fabric material of the ear cushions does not allow the skin to sweat. It is quite possible to spend several hours in the headset without any pronounced discomfort – a particularly critical indicator for gaming models.
Blackshark v2 looks so stylish on the head; strict design suits them in every sense. The microphone does not hang out and holds the position well.
Operation and Sound
Despite the fact that the BlackShark V2 is primarily a gaming headset, listening to different music and content showed that it can indeed be called a “flagship” in terms of sound. The newly redesigned speakers sound noticeably better in practice than the other models in the series (in the sense that the sound is much more balanced). The BlackShark V2 does not have any prominent high frequencies, while very soft bass without “blurring” the low-frequency spectrum, plus well-detailed mids and highs. There may be some emphasis on bass, but it does not sound like an average gaming headset.
BlackShark V2 can easily be regarded as a universal headset. If you listen to music and do not have Hi-Fi class headphones, then this model is quite suitable. Although there is no super-detailing in the sound, at the same time, compositions of different genres sound exactly as they should – the balance is maintained, and you get pleasure from listening.
For gaming, the headset additionally has a THX Special Audio feature that runs in Razer Synapse. It includes spatial sound, which allows you to determine from which direction footsteps or shots are heard. The function works quite clearly, it is easy to guess the positions, and there were no errors. At the same time, you can configure the surround sound profile and assign your own for each game.
Conclusion
The Razer BlackShark V2 didn’t raise any questions. It performs the role of a gaming headset perfectly; in addition, the updated speakers turn it, in fact, into a universal model, demonstrating a balanced sound throughout the entire frequency spectrum. The bass sounds excellent, and the mids and highs have good detail for this class. At the same time, the headset has a whole range of settings in the proprietary Razer Synapse application. The design turned out to be a little more serious, without bright color details and lighting – only stylish and solid matte black.
The microphone, in practice, does a really good job of handling ambient noise in the room, if there is one, without distorting the voice. It is quite suitable for chatting in the game or calls, but no more. It is convenient that it is removable – if not needed, it can be removed.
It may be a little disappointing that the ear cups cannot be rotated along the vertical axis – here the classic Y-shaped mounting system interferes. Otherwise, the Razer BlackShark V2 is a worthy upgrade to the lineup. The model can be safely recommended to both gamers and those who combine games with listening to music and do not like wires.
