Table of Contents

Intro

BlackShark V2 was released on 30th July 2020 and was dubbed one of the best within the gaming community. With a new Wi-Fi upgrade, the company is back! Like its predecessor, the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro headset connects wirelessly to any preferred platform.

Is this good enough to justify a newer model? Let’s find out in this timely review of the BlackShark V2 Pro.

Who needs this headset?

  • Users who don’t want wires getting in the middle of their gaming audio experience.
  • Remote workers will also fancy this headset and its mic for conference calls.
  • Anyone who wants to improve their audio experience online chats can opt for Razer BlackShark V2 Pro.

Razer BlackShark V2 Pro Vs. Razer BlackShark V2

The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro is similar to the Razer BlackShark V2 in design. It has a broad, cushioned headband and a wireframe hinge, and it’s largely constructed of plastic. The Razer BlackShark V2 look is carried over, so although essentially for games, you won’t find flashy LEDs or angular design features that draw attention. The BlackShark V2 Pro headphones have a glossy black Razer logo that stands out from the matte finish, the only cosmetic change between the two models.

The ear cushions are wrapped in leatherette beneath a memory foam fabric, making obtaining a good seal easier and preventing heat buildup from becoming a problem even after extended use. The BlackShark V2 Pro’s wireframe joints seem a little loose, and I was concerned.

Find out more about the Razer Barracuda X Headphone

Volume control on the left ear cup and a mute mic button identical to the BlackShark V2. Using a 2.4 GHz USB RF dongle, the Pro version connects wirelessly to your PC or other gaming platforms for lag-free audio. As a result, it’s disheartening to see that this headset still uses micro-USB for charging rather than the more widespread USB-C.

As far as operating the BlackShark V2 Pro goes, it’s simple. The headphones’ hinges can move quite a bit, so various shaped heads shouldn’t be a problem while adjusting them. By feel, you can tell the difference between both power and mute mic button, which are pretty similar in design.

As with the Razer BlackShark V2, the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro is designed to be compatible with Razer’s Synapse 3. THX simulated surround sound and microphone and headphone EQ settings are among the many features included in the app. As you will have it with other headset Apps, the Synapse system has metamorphosed with time, but its capabilities are scarcely essential and rarely contribute anything meaningful to the experience.

Design

Razer’s FlowKnit fabric covers the headband and earcups, designed to reduce sweat by lowering heat buildup. It covers the memory foam that prevents the BlackShark V2 Pro from squeezing the sides of the head too tightly. Because of its small weight (0.6 pounds), you may not even know you’re wearing it.

The BlackShark V2 Pro’s headband is joined to the earcups via the metal spokes, exposing a small length of wire. I’m less inclined to take the BlackShark V2 Pro on the trip for fear of damaging the spokes or snagging the exposed wire on anything. That may not bother others, but it means the V2 Pro isn’t a good pick for road warriors because of a strange design decision.

The BlackShark V2 Pro isn’t the most eye-catching headset, but that doesn’t matter while you’re wearing it. At least the cans are pleasant to hold. The only issue I noticed with the BlackShark V2 X’s overall design was a tiny squeezing around my ears due to the earcups’ lack of sideways flexibility. The BlackShark V2 Pro’s softer memory foam on the earcup covers eliminates this issue.

Everything is located on the left earcup, including the control buttons. The power button, a volume control, a micro-USB connector for charging, and a mute button are all located on the bottom portion of the headset. Razer’s design decisions have to be nitpicked here. A mute button on the headset is good. However, the recorded audio will have a little detectable pop when you unmute using the controller. Whether you’re recording a podcast, it’s worth noting if the little spring behind the button gives out a squeak. Switches or sliders or the mute button on the opposite earcup would have been preferable. No red light on the headset indicates that you’ve been silenced.

See also the Microsoft Xbox Wireless Headset

The left earcup contains two 3.5mm connectors as well. If you don’t mind losing the surround sound, you may connect your V2 Pro to your smartphone or gaming system using the provided 3.5mm audio connection. Razer’s HyperClear super-cardioid mic has an additional jack, an upgrade over the HyperClear cardioid supplied with the wired version. With a smaller sweet spot and less sound picked up from the sides of the mic’s field of view, the biggest difference is recording quality.

Battery Life

How much life can you get out of a single charge of the BlackShark V2 Pro’s battery? Our tests showed that the headset lasted for 25 hours and 15 minutes at a volume of 75 dB for a single charge. In addition, Synapse has a sleep mode function that automatically shuts down the headset after it’s been inactive for an extended time. It’s possible that test results could vary from user to user.

Gameplay with the Pro Version

Like its predecessor, the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro performs incredibly well for gaming. While it’s a little heavier than normal, it is still comfy to use for long periods. The best part is that the THX Spatial Audio setting on a PC works well.

I found virtual surround sound of superb quality for most games played. Although Risk of Rain 2  doesn’t support surround sound, their soundtracks nonetheless sound excellent.

The Razer BlackShark V2 is compatible with popular gaming platforms like PS 4 and Switch systems, so games like Spellbreak are a hit experience on these platforms.

BlackShark V2 Pro Audio Feature

While the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro’s mid-range audio output is typically accurate, there is an additional focus on bass up to roughly 200 Hz. Frequency outputs like this may bother some audiophiles, but many others like it.

Many music genres will benefit greatly from the increased focus on the bottom end of the audio signal path. Pac-Man by Gorillaz has a bass-laden track that sets listeners in the song’s mood. Although the song’s essential portions can be heard more clearly, some random bleeps and bloops have been silenced.

Sound effects like these in video games amplify the impact of gunshots and explosions. Even while it adds significance, the extra intensity isn’t so strong that it drowns out other crucial noises. For the most part, this type of over-amplified sound is not an issue in games. Despite this, you can still hear footsteps in Valorant; but be ready to pay attention.

The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro’s sound profile is almost similar to the BlackShark V2, but good isolation is inferior. “Advanced passive noise canceling” is merely isolation, as Razer claimed when the BlackShark V2 was initially released.

There is a lot more to isolation than simply the earpads on the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro—as the tension systems play a significant role. Since BlackShark V2 Pro is equally as comfortable as the previous model, the headset’s hinges have significantly loosened, resulting in reduced compression on the ear pads.

In our first testing, we found that the hinges on the device were very loose, perhaps because of a hardware fault. A new headset was used for the testing, and the findings were much more accurate. On the other hand, Razer BlackShark V2 Pro still doesn’t provide isolation as well as the previous model.

Overall, the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro gaming headset provides good isolation for a headset of this kind. However, compared to its predecessor, it’s a disappointment that it can’t match that level of performance.

The Microphone Feature of the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro

The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro’s microphone is the most significant upgrade. Compared to the BlackShark V2, the pro version has an outstanding microphone. The microphone on the headset produces clear sounds throughout the whole vocal range. If you have a husky voice and are always frustrated by tinny sounds, keep an eye out for this one. The bass is still a touch underemphasized.

Razer Synapse offers a good selection of microphones with various features, like noise reduction and pre-set and custom EQ controls, for gamers who want more alternatives. Even if you stack a couple of those routines, the output will sound too processed.

Is it worth the investment?

The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro has to be one of the finest wireless gaming headsets on the market.

The BlackShark V2 Pro’s improved microphone significantly improves call quality over the previous model. Battery life isn’t the finest, but it’s not a long way off either. The headset’s isolation is reduced, but not to the point where the whole experience suffers.

It’s not, however, as if this is a product that everyone can use. The SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless, ideal for Nintendo Switch, and the cool HyperX Cloud Flight S, which brings a lot of compatibility of using surround sound with PC and PS 4, are better suited to console players. For those primarily interested in PC games, the Razer BlackShark V2 is cheaper and has almost the same features.