The Blackshark V2 Pro wireless gaming headset has become a real bestseller in Razer’s already broad headset lineup since its release in fall 2020. The device in our review was also convincing in terms of build quality and wearing comfort, but had to concede in terms of sound and recording quality. Razer’s successor takes this very point into account and brings along a whole series of further improvements. Our Razer Blackshark V2 Pro (2023) review clarifies whether you can climb the headset throne with it.
Specifications
| Design | Over-ear |
| Driver | 50 mm Razer TriForce Titanium |
| Frequency Range (Headphones) | 12 – 28,000 Hz |
| Impedance | 32 Ohm @ 1kHz |
| Sensitivity (headphones) | 100 dBSPL / mW @ 1 KHz |
| Microphone type | Unidirectional |
| Frequency Range (Microphone) | 100Hz – 10kHz |
| Sensitivity (Microphone) | -42 ± 3 dB |
| Connectors | USB type C |
| Connection | 2.4 GHz wireless connectivity; Bluetooth 5.2 |
| Battery life | Up to 70 hours |
| Weight | 320 g |
| Compatibility | PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Mac, Nintendo Switch, Mobile |
| Price | € 225.00 * |
Razer Blackshark V2 Pro (2023) review: scope of delivery, design and workmanship
The manufacturer-typical black-poison-green box of the Razer Blackshark V2 Pro (2023) reveals the usual scope of delivery after opening. Most of the space is of course taken up by the headset itself, which at least in our test model relies on a white color scheme.
The separate microphone boom including a foam pop filter, a fabric-covered USB-A to USB-C cable, as well as a USB-A extension or adapter cable round off the scope of delivery in combination with the wireless receiver, the manual and the Razer stickers.
Revised design on the Razer Blackshark V2 Pro (2023)
- Robuster design than its predecessor
- Softer fabric padding
- Modern USB-C port
Connoisseurs of the 2020 predecessor will wonder whether anything has changed at all in terms of design. Because at first glance, the Razer Blackshark V2 Pro (2023) looks like a chip from the first generation.
However, the changes and improvements are found in the details. The headband, for example, has been improved and promises even more wearing comfort with its soft fabric padding on the inside.
The size is once again adjusted with the help of comparatively thin metal temples – a point of criticism of the first model, as these were very unstable at the time. That has also changed: The new version is much more robust and also slightly more stiff.
At least in the context of our time with the gaming headset. It is hard to say whether they will still look as stable after months of use. In general, the build quality seems noticeably improved, despite the high proportion of plastic.
Another detail improvement: The 2023 V2 Pro is now charged (or used with a cable) via USB Type-C and no longer via microUSB. The controls have remained the same, but with one exception.
You’ll find an additional button on the back of the right ear cup, which is responsible for the Bluetooth connection and allows you to quickly switch between different audio sources at the touch of a button. This is also new: the predecessor did not support Bluetooth at that time.
How good is the wearing comfort of the Razer Blackshark V2 Pro (2023)?
- Comparatively low weight for a wireless headset
- First-class wearing comfort
- Spacious space in the ear cups
When it comes to wearing comfort, the manufacturer’s headsets had made strong gains in the past few years, and the 2020 model already offered hardly any reason for criticism here. The Razer Blackshark V2 Pro (2023) also performs very well here.
With a weight of 332 grams including and 320 grams without the microphone boom, it is in the lower range of wireless gaming headsets. A JBL Quantum 910 (our review), for example, is significantly heavier at 421 grams.
The thick and soft padding of the ear cups and headband also play their part. The ear pads are 15 mm thick, and the headband is 20 mm thick in the middle. The competition sometimes offers more here, but the Razer headset makes up for it with the soft foam cover. At the same time, the fabric cover naturally prevents you from breaking a sweat.
The padding isn’t quite as stretchy as other gaming headsets, but you have 45 mm x 65 mm (width x height) of space inside, which means that even larger ears can fit comfortably.
Operation and practical test
- Dual connection via wireless and Bluetooth possible
- Different sound presets; change at the touch of a button
The practical use of the Razer Blackshark V2 Pro (2023) is quite simple. Plug USB-A receiver to PC, notebook or console, turn on, done. As already mentioned, the Bluetooth connectivity is also new: To initiate pairing, you simply have to press the corresponding button for five seconds, and the headset is recognized by the BT source and is ready for use.
Simultaneous connection via USB and Bluetooth with two sources is possible. If you tap the same button twice, you can quickly switch between both sources.
The same button also lets you switch between four sound profiles with a single tap, which are tuned to different first-person shooters (Call of Duty, CS:GO, Fortnite, Valorant and Apex Legends) and actually differ greatly in sound – but more on that later.
Otherwise, the rest of the operation is self-explanatory. The only thing that’s a bit confusing at first is the finely graduated volume dial on the left ear cup, because we have to turn the dial to the left to increase the volume – otherwise it’s the opposite direction almost everywhere. Oh well, get used to it.
Range, battery life and charging time
- Up to 70 hours of battery life
- Quick charge feature provides juice for 6 hours of use in 15 minutes
Another area where the Blackshark V2 Pro (2023) makes gains (and strong ones at that) is in battery life. While the predecessor had a decent 24 hours of runtime here, the current model has a whopping 70 hours on the credit side. This makes the wireless gaming headset a real endurance runner and makes some rivals look pretty old.
That is quite astonishing, especially because of the low weight. But the headset not only lasts for a long time, it also recharges quickly: Included is a fast-charging technology that supplies the V2 Pro with power again for six hours in 15 minutes on the mains.
The range is also convincing. We can easily move up to 12 meters away from the audio source without sound dropouts or the connection breaking. Very good!
Recording and playback quality
- Convincing sound across all frequency ranges
- (With the right settings) also well suited as headphones for listening to music
- Convincing spatiality with THX Spatial Audio
The Blackshark V2 Pro (2023) relies on 50 mm TriForce Titanium drivers, which we already know from the Razer Kraken V3 HyperSense (our review), for example, and which were already convincing at the time.
However, the manufacturer has once again fine-tuned the frequency ranges for the new model. At the same time, the covered frequency band increases to 12 Hz to 28,000 Hz, which promises even richer basses and more details in the treble.
What comes out of the ear cups (or not, thanks to the very good passive sealing) is absolutely convincing. The gaming headset already delivers a convincing performance when listening to music – if you select the right preset.
As already mentioned, various shooter equalizer settings are available. In Fortnite mode, for example, there are rich basses and quite flat mids, which I did not like that much when listening to music. The Apex Legends mode, on the other hand, offers clearer mids paired with deep and precise bass.
The Call of Duty preset, on the other hand, puts the basses more in the background and noticeably brings the mids, but especially the highs, into focus – ideal for hearing the enemies’ footsteps while gaming. This is also my preferred setting for listening to music. However, everyone will find what they are looking for or simply adjust the sound on the software side.
The sound of the Blackshark V2 Pro (2023) is very good and it is indeed suitable as over-ear headphones for music and movies. They cannot quite keep up with the very best headsets, and the mids and trebles lack a bit of detail, but the Razer model still has a strong sound. Of course, there is also virtual 7.1 surround sound via THX Spatial Audio, which noticeably improves the sound’s three-dimensionality.
How good is the microphone of the Razer Blackshark V2 Pro (2023)?
- Excellent microphone quality (for a wireless gaming headset)
- Clear, dynamic voice reproduction
- Many setting options
Revised was also the microphone. Instead of the Hyperclear Cardioid microphone, there is now a new, “Razer Hyperclear Super Wideband Mic”, which is the name of the new microphone. Already when looking at it, it is noticeable that the voice pickup area has turned out to be much larger than before.
The uni-directional mic covers a frequency band from 100 Hz to 10,000 Hz and relies on a sensitivity of -42 ± 3 dB at 1 kHz. Both specifications are well known, but the larger area means that the microphone boom does not have to be positioned quite as precisely in front of the mouth to pick up the voice clearly. In addition, there is a sampling rate of 32 kHz – more than most gaming headset microphones offer.
And you can actually hear that when sonically, the microphone (for a wireless gaming headset) cuts a really very good figure. The user’s own voice is reproduced with a wide dynamic range, while background noise can be effectively filtered out.
If you really get into it, you can even noticeably improve the sound in the companion software. But already out-of-the-box, I really liked the microphone quality. It’s undoubtedly the best mic Razer has ever put in a headset.
Software connectivity: Razer Synapse
- Tidy software with lots of options
- Separate equalizers for headphones and microphone
As is always the case with peripherals from Razer, the Blackshark V2 Pro also makes use of the in-house Synapse software. Here you can make extensive adjustments to the sound and microphone.
For example, you can use the equalizer to adjust the sound to your preferences – both for playback and recording. For the mic, you can add a voice gate (and set the threshold) or have the ambient noise filtered out, which works quite well in practice.
Optionally, you can also improve the voice quality for playback, which is especially interesting for communication or movies and series, add a bass boost, and activate a “do not disturb” mode that blocks incoming calls on the connected smartphone when used via wireless receiver.
So, in the tidy software, you have a wide range of settings to choose from to customize the headset to your preferences.
Razer Blackshark V2 Pro (2023) review: conclusion
I liked the Razer Blackshark V2 Pro (2023) extremely well in the test. While the predecessor was already considered a comfortable and versatile wireless gaming headset, the new edition consistently eradicates just about all points of criticism.
The once good, but not completely convincing sound has been significantly improved. The microphone is one of the best in the wireless headset sector and the battery life of 70 hours is on an excellent level.
In combination with the high wearing comfort and the newly added Bluetooth connectivity, the overall package that Razer delivers here is right. So if you’re looking for a new headset, you’ll be really well served with the new V2 Pro.
Razer Blackshark V2 Pro (2023)
Workmanship
Comfort
Sound quality
Recording quality
Features
Value for money
93/100
The Razer Blackshark V2 Pro (2023) offers more than its predecessor in all aspects: significantly better sound, excellent battery life, very good microphone quality and dual connectivity make it one of the best wireless gaming headsets currently available.
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