Razer Blackshark V2 Pro (2023) review: exceptional sound power and microphone

The Blackshark V2 Professional (2023) incorporates pretty typical parts of a headset gaming formidable. It’s introduced as a mannequin with circum-ear cushions and wi-fi transmission by way of a devoted USB dongle, all Bluetooth suitable. Virtually equivalent to its predecessor when it comes to kind, it stands out with its extra fashionable USB-C connection and considerably optimized battery life, going from 24 to 70 hours.

The energy of the Blackshark V2 Professional (2023) lies each within the integration of fifty mm titanium audio system and compatibility with the Synapse 3 ecosystem, software program with very full settings. This helmet is accessible in a really basic black coloration, but in addition in a white model (examined model) which is rather less versatile.

Value and availability

The Razer Blackshark V2 Professional has been out there since April 2023 for a worth of €230.

Check situations

We examined the headset underneath firmware 2.5.3 with the USB dongle underneath firmware 2.2.0. The connection to the PC was made with the Razer Synapse 3 software program model 3.8.1031.110202.

Removed from being premium, the design of the Razer nonetheless combines seriousness and pragmatism. Using (obvious) steel is thus lowered to only the peak adjustment rods, virtually every thing is simply plastic and imitation leather-based. Nonetheless, the producer doesn’t ship a sloppy product. The plastic is dense, the entire thing doesn’t sound hole and the meeting is impeccable, with none seen screws.

This good efficiency additionally applies to the imitation leather-based headband, virtually as convincing as an actual leather-based mannequin. The stitching of this aspect is strong and integrates completely with the padded headrest product of breathable mesh cloth. This materials with unusual hexagonal patterns is discovered on the ear cushions, which contributes to one of many strengths of the Blackshark V2 Professional: consolation.

Regardless of an already negligible weight (320 g), though basic for a gaming headset, this Razer is shortly forgotten. The stress is completely distributed, it’s not felt on the highest of the top, even after a number of hours of use. The pads, by their particular cloth, handle to be each breathable and insulating, a mix that’s troublesome to attain.

Nonetheless, these identical pads would profit from being somewhat deeper. Because it stands, even barely protruding ears contact the material curtain protecting the speaker grille. This sense just isn’t actually uncomfortable, however to be appreciated. This small criticism joins our solely actual query concerning the manufacturing high quality: the plastic rods creating the junction between the adjustment of the scarf and the shells. These very high quality parts truly appear to be the weak hyperlink on this very inflexible complete.

Equipment

Do not count on any flood of equipment with this mannequin virtually strictly gaming, not even accompanied by a comfortable carrying pouch. Along with the versatile (removable) microphone and USB-A format transmitter/dongle, Razer offers a fabric-wrapped USB-A to USB-C charging cable, in addition to a USB-A male to USB-A feminine extender to deliver the transmitter nearer to the headset.

Because the pads present the benefit of each imitation leather-based (extra insulating) and velvet (extra breathable) references, the model solely delivers a single set, fortuitously simply replaceable because of the plastic clip-on body.

By way of kind, the 2020 and 2023 variations of the Blackshark V2 Professional are comparable. In follow, the producer abandons the earlier analog wired connection for a Bluetooth 5.2 chip. No extra basic 3.5mm jack enter, solely the three.5mm jack devoted to the microphone and a brand new USB-C charging port stay.

The USB adapter stays the premise of the product’s operation because of the proprietary HyperSpeed ​​hyperlink, which reduces latency to a stage undetectable to the person. This accent is suitable on PC/MMAC, but in addition with the PlayStation universe (4 and 5), in addition to on Nintendo Swap. Xbox customers are subsequently the large forgotten ones on this model. The wired connection left a semblance of compatibility with the Blackshark V2 Professional (2020), that is now not even the case right here. Clearly, the HyperSpeed ​​connection is completely steady in follow and the vary is within the excessive common of the style.

For its half, Bluetooth transmission offers the necessities with help for SBC/AAC codecs and a really first rate vary. In fact, with no compatibility with the Razer Audio app, superior options are lacking. Observe that if the 2 transmission modes seem fully impartial at first look, particularly since switching from one to the opposite (by way of a button) modifications the colour code of the small standing LED, it’s attainable to be each related by way of Bluetooth and HyperSpeed. Nonetheless, low latency mode nonetheless controls the precedence of the streams and it’s not possible to mix the 2 audio inputs.

Orders

The controls built-in into the Razer sauce are very particular, because the model virtually forces using the Synapse app. Right here we discover two management buttons, a mute/unmute change for the microphone and a quantity adjustment wheel (linked to the related OS).

A primary button, apparently easy on/off, acts as a multifunction unit, as a result of it additionally means that you can set off Bluetooth pairing, handle the playback and pause of an audio/video stream, in addition to navigate an inventory of studying with two or three presses.

The second button, positioned on the proper, can be multifunction because it provides a collection of the 4 essential equalizers (together with one customizable), but in addition switching between Bluetooth and HyperSpeed ​​modes.

Conversely, if we neglect the very sensible presence of the microphone change, no superior changes can be found. No microphone enter adjustment, no sport/chat stability and few exact indications on the standing of the headset.

Software

With many merchandise to handle, Synapse (right here in model 3) has a repute as a fuel manufacturing unit which complicates the expertise. Nonetheless, every thing is sort of excellent right here. The interface is made very intuitive by the presence of well-separated tabs, whereas the settings are quite a few with out falling into superficiality.

Sound equalizers sit alongside THX Spatial modes (3D sound), vocal enhancements and quite a few microphone-related changes. Whereas this headset is clearly missing in built-in controls, Synapse takes care of nearly every thing.

Sadly, if the switching between the completely different equalization profiles is retained, no matter the kind of connection, operation on console is essentially truncated (no software) in contrast to make use of on PC. Much more, if use on an Apple atmosphere is feasible, there is no such thing as a Synapse 3 software program for macOS, and Synapse 2 doesn’t help first not considering the USB dongle of the headset.

Persevering with the Blackshark collection, this new model welcomes a reasonably high-end audio structure, represented by two massive 50 mm Triforce transducers with titanium membrane. Titanium diaphragm drivers get pleasure from a combined repute, as they often ship very highly effective sounds whereas missing linearity within the treble. Is Razer mendacity to us? Not fully…

The sound copy may be very profitable from an total perspective. We’re definitely not coping with a balanced headset, however it handles the settings fairly intelligently with out falling into extra. The default sound signature is thus targeted on the bass, noticeably accentuated, whereas putting just a few late peaks within the treble with a view to preserve most readability. Between the 2, Razer avoids making listening tiring and aggressive as a lot as attainable, therefore a slight withdrawal of the high-mids/treble transition.

Clearly, the standard of the audio system makes it attainable to keep away from nearly all of pitfalls. There may be extra detailed and articulate bass than this Blackshark V2 Professional (2023), however the headset is roomy and punchy. A slight overflow is felt, however this primarily comes from the marginally early accentuation within the low-mids. On the prime of the spectrum, the small dip round 4 kHz successfully means that you can guard towards any aggressiveness with out falling into caricature, however a slight veil stays within the listening expertise. The ten-band equalizer can partially compensate for the Razer’s habits, however it’s not possible to actually get near a balanced sound that may rely solely on the technical high quality of the transducers.

A sure glimpse of this high quality is expressed within the sport, an actual looking floor for the product. The Razer is as soon as once more not the most effective previous on our ears, it nonetheless doesn’t current any notable fault. Its very appropriate administration of the soundstage is accompanied by a mean stage of element, leading to a sufficiently immersive and efficient rendering. It goes with out saying, we’re nonetheless removed from the precision of an Audeze Mobius.

The THX Spatial Audio copy mode can, underneath sure circumstances, enhance spatialization, however this upscaling know-how stays fairly restricted. Able to emulating multichannel sound from a basic supply (together with stereo), THX Spatial Audio has the benefit of sustaining actual coherence, giving the feeling of surrounding the person. That mentioned, this doesn’t basically enhance the accuracy of the sound atmosphere. Nothing to fret about with actual Atmos renderings.

An enchancment over the primary Blackshark V2 Professional, the removable microphone is introduced as a technological asset. That is mounted on a versatile gooseneck kind stem and comes with an anti-pop windshield.

In contrast to what we see with audio system, the microphone enchancment is simple. On this level, the headphones rank among the many finest college students in the marketplace because of balanced copy and clearly prolonged frequencies. The gooseneck is sufficiently sized to position the microphone near the mouth, and the windshield prevents saturation phenomena.

As well as, this proximity, which permits the microphone to stay at a low sensitivity, immunizes it notably properly towards exterior noise. Confronted with workplace noise (at excessive stage) or keyboard typing from round twenty centimeters, the seize is admirable and virtually doesn’t lose naturalness. In truth, it is by no means essential to the touch the microphone settings, in our opinion.