Razer BlackShark V2 Professional for Console: one-minute evaluation
The Razer BlackShark V2 Professional’s newest incarnation is the wi-fi gaming headset that does all of it, enhancing on its predecessor in crucial areas, and might now make a declare to be among the many finest wi-fi gaming headsets.
The battery life is acknowledged at 70 hours, and whereas we’ve been testing it that determine has held true. Razer’s additionally clearly pleased with the revamped ‘hyperclear tremendous wideband’ mic, and rightly so – it gives nice readability and physique out of the field, and utilizing the Synapse software program you’ll be able to push it to even increased constancy ranges. The sound high quality may not be audiophile-grade, however it’s good and impartial, and the consolation and end actually convey that this can be a step up from the cheaper BlackShark V2.
It additionally works as a PS5 headset, Xbox Sequence X headset, Nintendo Swap headset, is appropriate with cell gadgets, and apart from the slight inconvenience of not having the ability to use it over a wired 3.5mm connection on them, its strengths shine by means of on these platforms too.
Since we began testing with it, we haven’t as soon as felt the necessity to return to a different headset.
Razer BlackShark V2 Professional for Console: Value and availability
- Checklist value: $199 / £199 / AU$349
- Accessible within the UK, US, and AUS
- UK pricing feels steep
Conversion charges don’t favor the British client right here – the Blackshark V2 Professional for Console is a costlier acquisition on one facet of the pond than the opposite since they’re each pitched at £199 / $199.
That makes this mannequin dearer than the earlier model, and barely pricier than Steelseries’ Arctis Nova 7x which retails for $179.99 / £174.99. It’s going up in opposition to opponents’ flagship headsets like Corsair’s Virtuoso vary and Logitech’s G Professional X Wi-fi ($245 / £219). Fortunately, the construct high quality and options match up favorably in opposition to even these barely pricier choices.
Razer BlackShark V2 Professional for Console: Specs
Value | $199 / £199 / AU$349 |
Weight | 11.3oz / 320g |
Quoted battery life | 70 hours |
Options | THX spatial audio, twin connectivity, PlayStation 3D audio |
Connection sort | Wi-fi (USB-C dongle), wired (USB-C, PC solely) |
Compatibility | Xbox, Ps, PC, Nintendo Swap, cell |
Software program | Razer Synapse (PC) |
Razer BlackShark V2 Professional for Console: Design and options
- Beautiful stealthy aesthetic
- Nice consolation
- Useful removable mic
Razer’s esports ties with the likes of Optic, Mouz, and Edward Gaming actually present by means of within the ruthlessly useful design of the BlackShark headset vary. Gone is the battery-sapping RGB and the characteristic bloat, and what’s left is an MMA fighter of a headset. Not an oz of fats to be seen throughout its all-black earcups and headband, though whenever you look intently there are nods to its premium pricing – gloss end Razer logos on the earcups, a gloss Razer imprint on the high of the headscarf, and a few immaculate stitching between the pleather headband higher and the cushioned material decrease sections. We love how this headset appears, and whereas that’s a very subjective take, the visible and tactical improve from the cheaper BlackShark V2 to this mannequin shouldn’t be. It appears and feels extra premium.
The inside headband and earcups are completed in breathable light-weight material, and whereas that has implications on each isolation and sound copy which we’ll cowl within the efficiency part under, it’s the precise name for consolation. In the event you’re searching for a pair of cans to fight the sweaty summer time periods, the BlackShark’s supplies and comparatively mild clamping pressure guarantee cooler temps and a floating-style match that’s harking back to Arctis headsets and their ski goggle headbands.
One other welcome improve to its cheaper stablemates is the removable mic. We at all times worth the pliability of utilizing a headset with or and not using a mic, because it means we will take it on the street and revel in Bluetooth connectivity as a smartphone headset with out trying too conspicuous.
We’ve put in some lengthy shifts throughout our testing. Full race distances in F1 24; hours of Unreal Engine 5 reverie with Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2; hard-to-justify afternoons misplaced in Unreal Event ‘99; throughout all of them this headset felt ethereal however snugly connected, superbly cushioned, and light-weight sufficient to easily overlook we have been carrying it.
Razer BlackShark V2 Professional for Console: Efficiency
- Strikingly clear mic audio
- Much less isolation than earlier fashions
- Nonetheless stronger on PC in comparison with console
Into the nitty-gritty, then. This being a performance-focused product vary that wears its esports creds proudly, you must maintain the BlackShark V2 Professional for Console to the very best requirements. Whether or not it meets these requirements depends upon your use case.
As a PC gaming headset it advantages from Synapse’s straightforward profile tweaking and saving, and when additionally getting used by way of USB-C – so we may preserve enjoying whereas we charged – it’s onerous to fault this headset. However since that’s type of the purpose of a evaluation, right here’s one small gripe: the bodily controls lack a chat combine dial as you’d discover on a SteelSeries Arctis headset.
You may modify chat combine simply by way of Razer’s Synapse app, however to us that just about defeats the purpose – you might simply as simply tweak the combo by adjusting the relative volumes of your recreation and your mates by way of the sport audio sliders and Discord’s output sliders. Having a bodily dial means you don’t need to, and that’s the one factor we felt was lacking right here throughout our time with this headset.
Sound high quality, nonetheless, is completely not missing. The 50mm drivers aren’t tuned to provide a very flat frequency response like an audiophile may favor. However the frequency response curve is extra impartial than you may count on from a gaming headset, and that provides it an amazing out-of-the-box physique and readability which you’ll dial in to satisfy your tastes with both the bodily EQ profile switcher button on the righthand earcup’s rear, or by way of Synapse. Often, we caught with the ‘recreation’ EQ preset all through, even when watching movies or listening to Spotify.
Minor level right here, however shoutout to Razer’s best-in-class audio cues whenever you energy on, change an EQ preset, or mute the mic. Somewhat than cryptic bleeps or 2000s-grade text-to-speech, you hear a crystal clear voice telling you the settings you’re adjusting, and that actually elevates the expertise of utilizing Razer headsets.
Onto the mic: it truly is audibly higher than each the cheaper BlackShark V2 and the earlier iteration of the BlackShark V2 Professional. You discover it most on sibilant consonant sounds – ‘S’ and ‘Z’, with the wideband mic capturing extra of the high-end element right here to accompany what was already a beefy midrange within the mic’s earlier model.
On the product web page you’ll be able to hear a pattern from the mic that sounds principally broadcast high quality – in our expertise you have to draft in Synapse and apply one of many presets to hit these lofty heights, however whenever you’re talking by way of default mic settings on PC or console it’s nonetheless very clear and with sufficient midrange to face pleased with the sport audio combine.
The one black marks in opposition to the BlackShark, then, are that you may’t make use of Synapse’s performance on consoles or play by way of a wired connection. How huge a deal these are actually depends upon your use case – should you’re searching for one thing premium to make use of first on PC after which with as a PS4 headset or Xbox One headset, for instance, this is perhaps straightforward to miss.
We use this headset throughout all our gadgets, totally on PC. On this situation, we will actually stay with these minor console points, however should you’re shopping for this solely to make use of with a console it’s extra important.
Must you purchase the Razer BlackShark V2 Professional for Console?
Purchase it if…
Do not buy it if…
Additionally take into account…
If the Razer BlackShark V2 Professional doesn’t get a chunk from you, there’s a lot extra fish within the sea.
Row 0 – Cell 0 | Razer BlackShark V2 Professional for Console | SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X | Astro A 50 X |
Value | $199 / £199/ AU$349 | $179.99 / £174.99 (round AU$305) | $399 / £359 / AU$749 |
Weight | 11.3oz / 320g | 11.42oz / 324g | 12.8oz / 363g |
Quoted battery life | 70 hours | 38 hours | 24 hours |
Options | THX spatial audio, twin connectivity, PlayStation 3D audio | Spatial audio, twin connectivity | Charging dock, HDMI 2.1 passthrough, Dolby Atmos + Home windows Sonic Spatial Audio, PlayStation 3D Audio |
Connection sort | Sort A Wi-fi (2.4 GHz), Bluetooth 5.2 | Wi-fi (USB-C dongle / Bluetooth), wired (USB-C / 3.5mm) | LIGHTSPEED Wi-fi @ 24 bit/48 kHz to dock |
Compatibility | PS5, PC, Nintendo Swap | Xbox Sequence X, Xbox Sequence S, Xbox One, PS5, PS4, PC, Nintendo Swap, Android, iOS | PC, Xbox, PlayStation, Mac |
Software program | Razer Synapse (PC) | SteelSeries Sonar (PC) | Logvitech G Hub (PC), Logitech G Cellular App (Android & iOS) |
How I examined the Razer BlackShark V2 Professional for Console
- 100+ hours of testing
- Used with aggressive video games, cinematic experiences, and Discord chat
- Battery life and recharge time measured
We donned the BlackShark V2 Professionals for a lot of hours of F1 24, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2, and golden oldie Unreal Event 99, and it additionally accompanied us on our persevering with, crippling, PUBG behavior the place staff comms are essential.
First reviewed Could/June 2024