When it comes to esports, accuracy and precision are important, and having great audio with an excellent soundstage is a vital part of that. That\u2019s where esports gaming headsets like the Razer BlackShark V2 come in handy.A follow-up to the glossier BlackShark, which has been lauded for its comfort, great sound quality, and cool design, this successor has a more subdued look and not much in the way of frills and thrills. But, that\u2019s only because it\u2019s honed in on the way it lets you experience audio in gaming instead. It\u2019s hitting the shelves with three new technologies either developed or co-developed by Razer and THX. These include the THX Spatial Audio, which essentially offers THX Competitive Mode for some of the most popular games out there, as well as the new Razer Triforce Titanium 50mm drivers, which are made up of three parts \u2013 each for the highs, mids and lows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The result is a terrific gaming headset that sounds great and boasts a soundstage incredible enough to give you an actual competitive edge in gaming.
\n Design and Features<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Light weight and comfort take center stage in the BlackShark V2\u2019s design. Perhaps the first thing you\u2019ll notice about this pair of headphones \u2013 aside from its Razer green trimmings \u2013 is how light it is. At 262g, it\u2019s among the lightest offerings out there, with the HyperX Cloud Stinger following closely at 275g and the SteelSeries Arctis 5 at 280g. This certainly matters, as being this lightweight considerably reduces the wearer\u2019s fatigue and makes your gaming experience that much more comfortable. If you expect to be playing for hours on end, it makes a huge difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That light weight makes it a bit more travel-friendly, too, though the headset itself isn\u2019t exactly designed for travel. It\u2019s not foldable and not exactly compact, though it does have its own travel bag, so its super light weight certainly helps make it easier to tote with you when traveling or commuting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t take its lightweightness to mean that it isn\u2019t made of quality materials, however. The ear cups look to be made of high quality, albeit light, plastic with a matte finish (a departure from its predecessor\u2019s glossy finish), and they don\u2019t feel like they would crack if a sudden heavy weight was applied. The headband is lined on top with plush leatherette, giving it a sophisticated flair, and the removable mic comes with a super flexible stem that also feels solid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Finally, the headband and ear cushions are made of memory foam and wrapped in flow knit fabric. These cushions also add to comfort here, as not only is there a generous thickness to them, especially the one on the headband, but that fabric they\u2019re covered in feels soft to touch and really does help to minimize sweat and reduce heat during the most intense moments in the game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re a fan of RGB lighting, the BlackShark V2 might disappoint as it has none of those frills. Personally, I kind of prefer it that way. The omission helps keep its cost down, and having RGB lighting on your headset on top of your gaming keyboard, your gaming mouse, and your gaming PC is a bit of an overkill for me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In lieu of RGB lighting, Razer does spruce it up a bit with some green trimmings on the Razer logo and the audio cable connecting the two ear cups. This shade of green isn\u2019t necessarily attractive to me, but I appreciate that it can be appealing to a lot of gamers. It also adds to the headset\u2019s character, especially when coupled with its aviator look, which I actually really like.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As far as other thrills and frills, there\u2019s really not much. The retractable mic is the new Hyperclear Cardioid Mic that Razer has developed and is launching for the first time on the BlackShark V2, but we\u2019ll get to that in detail later. There is a volume control knob and a mic mute button, both of which are on the left ear cup. That\u2019s pretty much it.
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Software<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another first that\u2019s launching alongside the Razer BlackShark V2 is THX Spatial Audio, which has its own section in the Razer Synapse software. This new technology essentially helps deliver more accurate sound positioning for a more realistic sound stage and 7.1 digital surround sound effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
More importantly, it comes with the new THX Game Profiles, which are basically audio profiles custom-tuned to specific games. At the time of my testing, there are Game Profiles for 18 of the most popular games out there, including the four that I used to test the headset \u2013 Red Dead Redemption 2, Doom Eternal, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Each Game Profile gives each game its own THX Environmental Mode for a more immersive audio experience, and Game Profiles for competitive games have an additional THX Competitive Mode that\u2019s designed to give you a gaming advantage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This new addition to the Razer Synapse software, which you\u2019ll find in the Mixer section under Audio and can toggle on\/off, is straightforward to use. I\u2019m not sure how downloading the profiles will work post launch, as I was testing them in pre-production, but the controls themselves are pretty easy to figure out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The software seems to list all the games you have installed on your computer, and the THX Environmental and THX Competitive Modes, if available, appear under each game\u2019s Spatial Output dropdown menu. As far as fine-tuning the surround sound, it allows you to simply drag each of the points and adjust where sounds are coming from to your liking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On top of these THX Spatial Audio settings and presets, the Razer Synapse software\u2019s EQ has its own general use profiles as well like Music and Game, though each of its 10 bands are also customizable. It also has dedicated controls for Bass Boost, Sound Normalization, and Voice Clarity.
\n Performance<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The sound quality of the Razer BlackShark V2 is surprisingly great. Admittedly, at default, it sounds a bit muffled, like there\u2019s a blanket on top of the sound. High end can be a bit rolled off or muffled, which somewhat reduces clarity and detail. The environmental effects are also more mid-focused, not as articulate or as detailed. In RDR2, for example, I don\u2019t hear the high-end pitter patter when it\u2019s raining, just more of the lower frequency thuds, making the rain sound heavier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But, I\u2019m really being nitpicky here for the sake of this review. Unless you\u2019re more discerning with audio, or you\u2019re comparing Razer BlackShark V2 with other high-end headphones, this shouldn\u2019t bother you. In fact, you probably won\u2019t notice the difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The bass response is very good, giving your gaming experience a lot of rumble even without turning on the Bass Boost, while the mids are present, and don’t sound hollow. In addition, the soundstage is incredible. You\u2019re really getting the full 7.1 experience \u2013 even without the THX Spatial Audio features. It\u2019s accurate with great spatial separation, meaning you can hear things move around you and know where they\u2019re coming from.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s pretty obvious that this headset has been designed specifically for gaming. You won\u2019t get fatigued from too much high-end information. In fact, you won\u2019t notice that slightly muffled sound when gaming, and the bass obviously offers a lot of rumble.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sadly, it\u2019s not as good for other media. You want all the details when watching movies and listening to music. Unfortunately, in movies, I notice the muffled sound a little more, making it a bit harder to get the full experience, especially when it comes to the dialogue. Music is the most affected media here, especially when listening to something with a lot of organic sound. Not that it doesn\u2019t sound good. It sounds balanced enough, but again, it\u2019s just a little bit rolled off or muffled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Razer BlackShark V2 is the first headset to feature the new Razer Triforce Titanium 50mm drivers. This patented design basically splits a single driver into three parts so that the highs, mids and lows each have their own unit. The idea of this design is to allow for the individual tuning of each frequency range. Also, by separating the highs, mids and lows into three distinct parts, each frequency range should get a purer representation in concept.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Unfortunately, the high end is still a little rolled off. That said, this new design really does seem to allow for better fine-tuning of each frequency range, making these headphones incredibly versatile when it comes to customizing the EQ, as well as boosting the base, adjusting sound normalization, which is a compressor that makes the loud parts quieter and the quieter parts louder, and toggling voice clarity, which is basically a high-end boost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As for the THX Game Profiles, you\u2019ll certainly notice a difference. While keeping the sound quality the same, both the THX Environmental Mode and THX Competitive Mode essentially offer distinctive EQ profiles for each game for their own purposes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The THX Environmental Mode, though slightly different for each game, generally offers an expanded surround sound, making things sound just a little wider, as if you\u2019re actually inside the world you\u2019re playing in. That\u2019s pretty great, and certainly adds to your gaming immersion. In addition, environmental effects like rain, fire, footsteps, and people talking in the background are louder while keeping their spatial positioning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The THX Competitive Mode, on the other hand, essentially takes many of the environmental sounds and mutes them a little. That\u2019s with the exception of the sounds of the players, friendly and otherwise. By doing so, it makes the sounds your enemies make feel a little more present. Spatial positioning is also great, though it doesn\u2019t sound as wide as the THX Environmental Mode. But, the goal here is to give players that competitive edge in audio \u2013 by hearing enemies better and knowing where they\u2019re coming from, you don\u2019t have to look around and find them. You\u2019ll know when they\u2019re coming and where exactly they\u2019re coming from.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is worth noting, however, that the THX Competitive Mode seems only available for competitive games like CS:GO. The non-competitive games only have the THX Environmental Mode. Though again, I was using the pre-production version of the software.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also launching with the Razer BlackShark V2 is the new Razer HyperClear Cardioid Mic with USB Sound Card. It sounds incredibly clear at default, and may be further customized to your liking via the Razer Synapse software. It does have a mic boost, if you want to be really loud, and boasts a couple of cool features as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of those is Voice Gate, which is very effective. If you\u2019re not familiar, Voice Gate is like a door that opens whenever you\u2019re talking and closes when you\u2019re not. It basically limits the mic from picking up background sounds from your end, especially when someone else is talking or no one is. There\u2019s also Ambient Noise Reduction, which when turned on rejects most of the unnecessary background noise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Finally, the mic has its own 10-band EQ in the software, with presets like Mic Boost, Broadcast and Conference. Have a shrill voice? This will help tone that down a little.
\n Purchasing Guide<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Razer BlackShark V2 + USB Sound Card, which is the model I reviewed, retails for $99.99, while the Razer BlackShark V2 X retails for $59.99. Both will be available worldwide on August 6 alongside the THX Game Profiles. Both models only come in black. Verdict<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you want an esports gaming headset that won\u2019t give you wearer\u2019s fatigue, but will definitely give you that gaming advantage, Razer BlackShark V2 is a headset worth looking into. This affordable pair of cans is lightweight and very comfortable to wear for long hours, delivers great sound quality and excellent soundstage perfect for gaming, and comes with the new THX Spatial Audio and Game Profiles (currently the only headset to support it). Sadly though, if you\u2019re looking for a gaming headset that\u2019s kind of a jack of all trades, the audio experience it offers when it comes to music and movies isn\u2019t as detailed or articulate. But, that isn\u2019t really what it\u2019s designed for. The Razer BlackShark V2 is all about the esports life, and on that, it\u2019s certainly succeeded.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
When it comes to esports, accuracy and precision are important, and having great audio with an excellent soundstage is a vital part of that. That\u2019s where esports gaming headsets like the Razer BlackShark V2 come in handy.A follow-up to the glossier BlackShark, which has been lauded for its comfort, great sound quality, and cool design, this successor … Continue reading “Razer BlackShark V2 Review”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[61],"tags":[1595],"class_list":["post-2085","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-electronic-product","tag-razer-blackshark-v2"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tech-battery.com\/batteriesblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2085","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tech-battery.com\/batteriesblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tech-battery.com\/batteriesblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tech-battery.com\/batteriesblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tech-battery.com\/batteriesblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2085"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.tech-battery.com\/batteriesblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2085\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2086,"href":"https:\/\/www.tech-battery.com\/batteriesblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2085\/revisions\/2086"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tech-battery.com\/batteriesblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2085"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tech-battery.com\/batteriesblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2085"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tech-battery.com\/batteriesblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2085"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}