The Razer Blackshark V2 Pro has undergone an official refresh for 2023, featuring a range of refinements that have elevated its performance to new heights. From increased rigidity in the steel headband to the addition of an all-new wideband microphone for crystal-clear communication, every aspect of this headset has received special treatment. With a focus on meeting the demands of the esports arena, Razer has worked with professional players to craft specialized EQ profiles for enhanced awareness on the battlefield. While much of the looks are the same, make no mistake: this is a meaningful update to the Blackshark line-up.
Specifications
- Current Price: $199.99 (Razer)
- Drivers: Razer TriForce Titanium 50 mm Drivers
- Frequency Response: 12 Hz - 28 kHz
- Impedance: 32 Oms
- Sensitivity: 100dBSPL/mW at 1KHz by KATS
- Microphone: HyperClear Super Wideband Mic
- Frequency Response: 100 Hz - 10 kHz
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio: ≥ 60 dB
- Sensitivity: -42 ± 3 dBV/Pa,1kHz
- Pick-up Pattern: Unidirectional
- Pop Filter: Internal & External
- Connectivity: Wireless via Type-A dongle or Bluetooth 5.2
- Bluetooth Codec: AAC, SBC
- Surround Sound: THX Spatial Audio – Only available on 10® 64-bit (or higher)
- Battery life: Up to 70 hours
- Inner Ear Cup Diameter: 62 x 42 mm / 2.44 x 1.65 in
- Approx. Weight: 320g / 0.71 lbs
Whether you choose to label these changes as refinements or upgrades, there is no denying the significant impact they have on an already outstanding headset. The BlackShark V2 Pro now boasts an impressive battery life of up to 70 hours, nearly tripling the 24 hour battery life of the original. That alone might be a reason to upgrade but it’s hardly the only update this headset has received.
Razer is one of the biggest in the gaming gear space, and has had an increased focus on delivering competitive products for esports players over the years. The original Blackshark V2 was well received thanks to its array of features (low-latency wireless connectivity, removable microphone good looks, lightweight build, great sound quality, etc.). The revisions this time around absolutely draw on and make off to the esports community, but it brings back all of those features and builds upon them to deliver what, in my opinion, is its best headset yet.
Audio
The Blackshark V2 Pro (2023) uses Razer’s proprietary 50mm TriForce Titanium drivers to deliver a powerful, clear sound. Their larger than average size allows them to move a lot of air to produce a bold sound that doesn’t hide detail in over-done bass. As far as sub-$200 gaming headsets go, this is one of the best sounding I’ve heard.
One of the new features it offers is on-the-fly EQ switching. If you do want to modify the sound, or swap for a bit of additional positional awareness in the middle of a match, you’re able to do so quickly and easily using a button on the right earcup. No alt+tabbing to Synapse, just a one-tap switch so you can keep your focus on the game where it belongs.
As you would expect, Razer offers a number of presets (music, gaming, movies, etc.) to choose from as well as lets you create your own custom EQ curve. Holding down the button for 3 seconds activates the eSports EQ mode which has been vetted by professional esports players and includes modes for popular games like Apex Legends, Call of Duty, CS:GO, Fortnite, and Valorant. These tuned EQs help enhance situational awareness and immersion, hopefully lending you the edge you need to hear enemies before you see them. It worked well in my testing, and I was able to do exactly that, hearing enemies before I saw them. Each of these EQs can also be tweaked to your taste inside of Synapse.
Beyond games, the headphones also sound great. They offer a solid bass presence to really fill out music and movies, but Razer’s TriForce drivers do a great job of keeping the three frequency registers free from bloat and bleed. That tightness improves their overall clarity. So, while you have high quality bass performance, you’re not sacrificing detail or dialogue to get there.
As part of my testing process, I specifically tested the frequency response range looking for areas of distortion. There were no fluctuations in driver matching during different levels of sweeping audio. The bass was also powerful and free of rattling or vibrations. Overall, the Razer Blackshark V2 Pro 2023 headphones offer a high-quality audio experience and versatile EQ customization options for gamers.
Microphone - Super Wideband
In team-based games, communication is not just important, it’s vital. The competitive world of esports is full of excitement, and being able to clearly hear your team and strategize makes all the difference. With the Blackshark V2 Pro (2023), Razer has put a renewed emphasis on comms with anall-new Super Wideband Mic for improved clarity, naturalness, and environmental noise cancellation.
The mic itself is a large 9.9 mm condenser mic with a more sensitive and wider frequency response than dynamic mics. Condenser mics are renowned for their ability to capture more nuanced details. Moreover, the sampling rate (one element of resolution) has been doubled from 16kHz to 32kHz.
I put it to the test in my go-to team-based shooter, Counter Strike: Global Offensive. To my delight, my teammates immediately noticed an improvement in my voice quality and even asked if I had a new microphone. They were impressed with how clear and natural my voice sounded, and some even commented that it felt like I was in the same room as them. Taking it into Audacity for some isolated recordings, I was also impressed by it’s noticeably heightened clarity.
Quality of Life and Comfort
As a user who spends long hours wearing headphones, I have come to value comfort just as much as innovative features. I tend to use my headsets for both gaming and work, so it’s not unusual to spend many hours in a headset. The Razer Blackshark V2 Pro (2023) was a standout in comfort. It is lightweight and breathable, staving off hotspots and sweaty ears. The ear cushions are made from soft memory foam, and the grip force is well tuned to balanced with its weight and the padded headband.
Which brings us to the other major improvement: battery life. The last Blackshark V2 Pro topped out at 24 hours, but these new cans are rated for nearly triple that (70 hours) on a single charge.The battery life on these headphones is impressive, with up to 70 hours of usage on a single charge. Even at eight hours a day, that’s nearly two solid weeks of gaming as your full-time job before you’ll need to plug them in. If they do run low, just 15 minutes on the charger can restore six hours of listening time.
For users who prefer not to have a microphone attached at all times, it can be removed, allowing these to act like normal headphones if you already have a standalone mic.
Connectivity
My daily job has me sitting for long hours of the day. To ensure that I’m not too worn out to play games after work, I have to stand up and take breaks often, walking around my home or office. Wireless connectivity is a must for me, for work during the day and gaming in the evening. The Blackshark V2 Pro (2023) delivers.
For wireless connectivity, the headset supports low-latency 2.4 Ghz wireless via an included USB Type-A dongle. This offers a wired-like connection where A/V lag is never a concern. In games, it allows you to react as fast as your reflexes will allow to auditory clues, but for kicking back with movies, it also means mouths will always line up with what’s actually being spoken inside your headset.
The Blackshark V2 Pro isn’t limited to 2.4 GHz, however. Another new addition with this upgrade is Bluetooth connectivity. You can swap between both connections on the fly (game audio will pause during a call and resume after), allowing you to listen to a podcast while grinding mobs or take a call in the middle of a match. It also means that you can detach the headphone and use these as a normal pair of headphones when you’re out and about.
The headset can also be used with a traditional wired connection.
Final Thoughts
The Blackshark V2 Pro 2023 has taken an already great headset and added even more refinements, making it an excellent choice for gamers and professionals that need a good, integrated microphone. The increased battery life of up to 70 hours is also a major boon for both camps, making sure you’ll only need to charge the headset once or twice a month depending on how often you play. The headset is also surprisingly comfortable, so you won’t need to worry about a sore head just because you went for that “one extra match.”
Taken as a whole, this is a great upgrade to an already outstanding headset. It is even worth considering for existing Blackshark owners thanks to the improved battery life and microphone quality. No matter where you fall, this headset is a winner.
The product described in this article was provided by the manufacturer for evaluation purposes.
