Razer Blackshark V2 Pro (2023) hands-on review: Wireless gaming headset with a very good microphone
The changes to the Razer Blackshark V2 Pro (2023) were not quite enough for a "V3" in the name, as the only visual difference between the gaming headset and the 2021 edition is the USB-C charging port. However, a new microphone significantly improves voice quality and there are sound profiles for popular eSports titles such as Valorant and Apex Legends. But does this justify a recommended retail price of US$199.99 / £199.99 / €229.99 ? Find out in our Razer Blackshark V2 Pro (2023) hands-on review.
Specifications
Wearing style | Over-ear (closed design) |
Connectivity | 2.4 GHz HyperSpeed dongle, Bluetooth 5.2 |
Speaker | 50 mm driver, 12 Hz - 28 kHz, 32 ohm impedance |
Microphone | Unidirectional, 100 Hz - 10 kHz, Razer HyperClear Super Wideband |
Weight | 320g |
Features | THX Spatial Audio, audio profiles, memory foam ear pads |
Package contents | Headset, detachable microphone, Razer HyperSpeed wireless dongle, USB Type A adapter cable, USB Type A-to-C charging cable, manuals |
Price (RRP) | US$199.99 / £199.99 / €229.99 |
Design and features - understated look and feel of a pilot's headset
In typical Razer fashion, the Blackshark V2 Pro (2023) is minimalist and unobtrusive, and this wireless gaming headset even forgoes RGB lighting. This fits well with the tournament gamer focus of the headset, which is available in black or white. The left ear cup of the Blackshark V2 Pro (2023) features a large, continuously adjustable volume control, the detachable microphone, and the USB-C charging port. The power switch, microphone mute switch and small status light are also located on the left ear cup.
On the right ear cup is a single switch, dubbed the "Razer Smart Switch," which can be used to toggle between pre-configured EQ profiles for e-sports titles Apex Legends, Call of Duty, CS:GO, Fortnite and Valorant. The EQ profiles can be customized using the Razer Synapse software for Windows 10 and 11.
The outer sides of the ear cups are made of hard plastic, while the ear pads are made of memory foam, which is also used on the inside of the headband. The headband itself has a leather look and is embossed with the word "Razer". Even though the metal struts that hold the earpads in place seem a bit thin at first glance, the Blackshark V2 Pro (2023) makes a solid and durable impression overall.
Ergonomics and controls - A comfortable headset with a host of gaming features
The wearing comfort of the Razer Blackshark V2 Pro (2023) is good, the headset sits securely and tightly on the head without too much pressure. Due to the closed design of the Blackshark V2 Pro, the noise isolation is very good, even without noise-cancelling, as is usual with closed headsets, but the ears can get uncomfortably warm after several hours of use. Razer's gaming headset is also suitable for people wearing glasses, as there is no excessive pressure on the temples.
As usual with Razer, the Blackshark V2 Pro (2023) is configured using the Synapse software. A 10-band equalizer offers individual adjustment options for the sound reproduction of the gaming headset, whereby a label at the bottom of the equalizer labels important sounds such as footsteps, gunshots or scanner noises to the frequencies for e-sports players. In addition to stereo sound, the headset also offers spatial sound via THX Spatial Audio, which gives the headset an impressive cinematic feel in games such as Helldivers 2.
The stereo mode of the Razer Blackshark V2 Pro (2023) offers five equalizer presets from e-sports pros for the games Apex Legends, Call of Duty, CS:GO, Fortnite, and Valorant, which can also be customized to your personal preferences. There is also a bass boost function and volume normalization. The microphone has its own settings page featuring an EQ with several presets. Functions such as microphone volume, voice gate, voice optimization and noise reduction can also be configured here.
Sound - Good audio quality and a great microphone
The Blackshark V2 Pro's audio reproduction is relatively neutral without EQ settings, and the bass lacks the over-emphasis we have come to expect from many other gaming headsets. If you want a stronger bass response, you can use the bass boost function in the Razer Synapse software to remedy this. The localization of game sounds works well and without noticeable latency when using the 2.4 GHz dongle, while there is a slight latency when connecting the wireless headset via Bluetooth.
Audio playback of music and movies from a PC or smartphone via Bluetooth is also largely convincing. Only the weak bass reproduction is occasionally distracting in movies with large soundscapes, and the focus on e-sports with a slight overemphasis on the mids and highs sometimes makes music sound a bit too sharp.
The microphone's sound quality is fantastic for a wireless gaming headset; only a Beyerdynamic MMX 200 Wireless or an Audeze Maxwell come close. Deep voices are also rendered much more naturally than with the previous version, partly due to the doubling of the sampling rate from 16 kHz to 32 kHz.
Even without noise reduction, the Razer headset's HyperClear Super Wideband microphone barely picks up keyboard strokes or mouse clicks, and the voice is always isolated and clearly recognizable. Pop protection also effectively eliminates hissing and wind noise when you speak, and the microphone neck is flexible enough to allow you to customize the microphone's placement. Even though studio microphones are expected to deliver even better quality, the Razer Blackshark V2 Pro 2023 Edition's microphone is the absolute front-runner among gaming headsets (audio examples: see embedded YouTube video below).
Pro
+ Comfortable to wear
+ Very good microphone
+ EQ profiles for competitive games
+ Long battery life
Cons
- Weak bass reproduction
- Slight overemphasis of mids and highs
- Wireless mode only
Verdict - Wireless gaming headset with excellent microphone sound
Razer's 2023 edition of the Blackshark V2 Pro is a very good gaming headset for e-sports titles such as Apex Legends, Valorant or Fortnite. Sound localization is solid, and game-specific EQ presets provide another competitive edge. Audio reproduction for single-player games, movies or music is also fine, although the weaker bass reproduction and the correspondingly stronger mids and highs tarnish the overall picture a bit.
The microphone on the Razer Blackshark V2 Pro (2023), on the other hand, is beyond reproach, effectively blocking out ambient noise and reproducing the voice clearly and naturally.
Even the much more expensive Audeze Maxwell can not keep up with the Razer headset in terms of microphone quality, although the audio playback quality of the Maxwell is better.
All in all, the Razer Blackshark V2 Pro (2023) is a very good gaming headset that is suitable for both professional and casual gamers. The relatively high price is justified by the good audio quality and the excellent microphone.
Pricing and Availability
The Blackshark V2 Pro (2023) can be purchased directly from Razer's online store for US$199.99 / £199.99 / €229.99 (MSRP) in black or white. The wireless gaming headset is also available from other retailers such as Amazon (buy Razer Blackshark V2 Pro 2023 on Amazon here).
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The selection of devices to be reviewed is made by our editorial team. The test sample was given to the author by the manufacturer free of charge for the purposes of review. There was no third-party influence on this review, nor did the manufacturer receive a copy of this review before publication. There was no obligation to publish this review. We never accept compensation or payment in return for our reviews. As an independent media company, Notebookcheck is not subjected to the authority of manufacturers, retailers or publishers.
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