There are a lot of gaming headsets available in 2022. Players that are looking to get their hands on a reliable device with solid sound quality will find a veritable buffet of devices spread across a rather saturated market. Just one glance at any tech storefront will show gamers just how competitive the gaming headset space can be, with tons of options in a wide array of price ranges. For the most part, players can expect an increase in sound quality and microphone clarity as the price scales upward, but that's not always the case. In fact, there are quite a few low-cost gaming headsets that look, sound, and feel just as powerful as their high-dollar counterparts.

A shining example might be The Razer BlackShark V2 X, which stands as one of the best affordable options in the iconic gaming hardware company's extensive portfolio. While there are a handful of solid options available at the BlackShark V2 X's price point, the sleek gaming headset features some detailed touches from Razer that help separate it from the pack. The following article will help outline what makes the BlackShark V2 X a great choice for gamers on a budget, while simultaneously pointing out some of its flaws.

The BlackShark V2 X is sleek, modern, comfortable, and lightweight while managing to pack in some impressive sound quality at its price point.

All things considered, the BlackShark V2 X is perhaps one of the best examples of a mid-range, affordable gaming headset currently available in 2022. The BlackShark V2 X is sleek, modern, comfortable, and lightweight while managing to pack in some impressive sound quality at its price point.

In the two weeks leading up to this review, the BlackShark V2 X was used as the primary listening and communication device in both a work and gaming setting.

The headset itself was tested in the following games:

• Call Of Duty: Warzone
• Stardew Valley
• GTFO
• Split/Second
• Neon White
• Muse Dash
• Destiny 2

Contents Of Package

• Razer BlackShark V2 X
• Instruction manual
• PC compatibility cable
• Soft fabric storage bag

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Presentation & Design

Compared to other similarly-sized gaming headsets on the market, the Razer BlackShark V2 X isn't very flashy, although it does come in a variety of colors (black, green, and white). The outer shelling of the ear cups are oval-shaped, which help to give the headset a retro-inspired vibe, similar to aviator-style headphones, or those worn by old-school DJs. The additional volume knob furthers this blast-from-the-past aesthetic, and Razer kept the overall design very barebones, with no discernable patterns and subtle branding via their iconic logo on the outer shell of the earcups. It's important to note that the logo is much more prominent in the White and Green color variants, but is only visible in the light on the Black version.

BlackShark V2 X Layout

The design for the BlackShark V2 X is simplistic yet extremely functional, with all of the buttons and controllers being built in to the actual headset itself, rather than present on the accompanying cable. The volume knob is easy to control, with a simple clockwise turning mechanism (located near the bottom-center of the outer shell of the left-side ear cup) that will raise or lower volume with a simple twist. The knob itself is rather sturdy and sticks out far enough to be easily grabbed and turned.

The left outer shelling of the ear cup also features a handy push-button Mute that is located on the outer edge, just near where the cable feeds into the earcup itself. It's easily found by simply feelings around and feels very satisfying with a strong click inward on the first push. Players can easily identify is the microphone is muted or not by the placement of the button, with an "inward, almost flush state" meaning the microphone is muted. If the button is sticking outward, away from the shelling, the microphone is active.

The microphone itself is fairly long, and very pliable thanks to its bendable wire that features a sleek rubber outer-coating. The tip is shielded with a small, round foam boom. Each headphone cup is lined with a thick and comfortable memory foam, and each outer-shelling is a hard plastic that feels durable to the touch. The top headband is a thick, cushioned leather-like material that feels exceedingly comfortable on the head. Each earcup is adjustable, via a set of sturdy metal wires that they can slide up and down on.

Comfort

Players should immediately notice the weight of the BlackShark V2 X right out of the package. The headset is considerably lighter than some of the other gaming headset offerings currently on the market. Although there are some gamers that may prefer their device have a bit of weight to it, it's a mistake to assume that the BlackShark lacks quality simply because it's lightweight. Its shelling, wrapping, and support structure all feels solid and durable.

We were able to wear the BlackShark V2 X for an entire work day (6+ hours) without experiencing any discomfort or neck pain.

The materials combine to create a very comfortable wearing experience. It's easy to have the BlackShark on for extended periods of time thanks to its light weight, which doesn't put much strain on the neck or head. The memory foam earcups and smart adjustable design allow the headset to easily conform to practically every head shape. The earcups themselves are a bit oversized, creating a pocket that will cradle a user's ears, sealing the surrounding area for additional noise-canceling.

Overall, the BlackShark V2 X is easily one of the more comfortable gaming headsets we've tried in recent months, especially when it comes to extended listening time.

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Sound Quality

Under the hood, the Razer BlackShark V2 X is packing solid stats, with hefty 50 mm Triforce drivers and 7.1 spatial surround sound that should appeal to players that expect the utmost immersion in their games. Gamers should be able to easily hear even the most detailed noises during their sessions. The wide range supported by the BlackShark will help to accentuate single-player games and put players into a state of immersion from a music and sound-effect standpoint. Those that spend a lot of time in multiplayer and competitive games will appreciate the accentuation on small sounds like footsteps and general movement.

There are certainly other gaming headsets on the market that feature a deeper and richer bass but it's definitely not absent in the BlackShark. Although some songs and soundtracks will sound a bit treble-heavy through the device, for the most part, it offers solid balancing and mixing, perfect for the average user. The sound quality is definitely much better than one would expect from headsets found within the BlackSharks target price range. It gets a step up on the competition based entirely on that, and is easily one of the best headsets we've used from a similar pricepoint in terms of its overall sound quality.

Microphone Clarity

When it comes to choosing a gaming headset, sound quality isn't the only important variable when making a choice. Microphone clarity can be just as, if not more, important when picking a gaming headset, especially for those that spend a lot of their time playing multiplayer games. Those that only frequent singleplayer experiences may be able to make due with a stock pair of headphones, or something that doesn't feature a microphone at all. But for those that are buying a gaming headset explicitly for communication, microphone clarity becomes an important selling point.

We tested the BlackShark V2 X against a Bose QCII35 Gaming Headset and had a rather hard time telling the differences in microphone quality.

Thankfully, the microphone included with the Razer BlackShark V2 X is incredibly high quality, especially at its price point. Using Razer's HyperClear technology, the attached Cardioid Mic produces a crystal clear sound that can actually rival that of some high-end microphones found on some much more expensive devices. We were pleasantly surprised that the clarity was so high-quality and even matched it to some of our other devices at a higher price point. Up against a Bose QC35II gaming headset, it's very difficult to actually spot much difference in clarity between the two included microphones, which is a huge boon for the BlackShark.

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Conclusion - 4/5

At first glance, the Razer BlackShark V2 X doesn't seem like much more than another blip among the sea of similar gaming headsets available from a variety of retailers. It comes in a pretty stock design and is simplistic from a distance. That said, after spending some extended time with the device, it's easy to classify it as one of the better gaming headsets currently available on the market. What really helps the BlackShark V2 X to stand out among the crowd is that it manages to pack quite a bit of sound quality and microphone clarity into an above-average frame at a much lower price point than many of its competitors. Simply put, the BlackShark is easily one of the best offerings in its price range, holding up to, or exceeding other gaming headsets in the same range.

That said, it's not without its flaws. For one, although the lightweight design is appealing thanks to its comfort during longer gaming sessions, there are some players that may be turned off by the seemingly featherlight headset. The support rods that allow the earcups to flex and slide for a customized fit do feel slightly thinner than they should be, and it's possible that a player could bend them on accident by using too much force to pull the headset apart or setting a heavy object on them. We are fairly confident the BlackShark could stand up to smaller drops thanks to its sturdy plastic earcups but the headset itself doesn't feel particularly durable, bringing into question how it would handle being bent, twisted, or squished. Lastly, and perhaps the most frustratingly, is the included cord. The cable itself features a rubber outer coating and feels rather flimsy compared to the rest of the device. We fear the cable could easily fray or break, and it would definitely have been a huge plus to see an upgraded cable or something braided in place of the stock cord.

Overall, those that are looking for a solid device with some seriously great microphone clarity and above-average sound quality at a low price should definitely check out the Razer BlackShark V2 X. It stands among the best headphones available at its price point and the added volume knob and mute button add great detail to an already well-designed product.

Similar Products

The Razer BlackShark V2 X is definitely one of the better gaming headsets on the market at its price point but there are many other devices that players can consider when making a choice regarding their main communication and listening device.

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FAQ

Q: How do we test gaming headsets?

The chosen headset is used as the reviewer's main listening and communication device for an extended period of time prior to the creation of the review. It is tested in an office, casual, and gaming setting.

Q: Do I need a gaming headset?

Those looking for voice communication between friends and other gamers will definitely want a gaming headset with an appropriate microphone. Players that find themselves sticking primarily to single-player titles may want to consider using higher-quality headphones, as communication isn't necessary for these types of releases. That said, many gaming headsets currently on the market feature technology and mixing that helps to accentuate the specific sounds associated with video games.

Q: Are Wired or Wireless headsets better for gaming?

Although wireless headsets do offer a lot of freedom from cords and cables, some of the lower-cost devices don't feature nearly as much sound quality as a product. It's also possible to experience some latency issues, as well as battery and charging problems when dealing with wireless headsets. These problems depend entirely on what types of devices and safeguards the hardware creator implements when crafting their product.

Q: Does the BlackShark V2 X have a variant that features the microphone on the right-hand side?

The Razer BlackShark V2 X does not have a right-hand microphone variant.

Q: How should I choose a gaming headset?

The first question that players should ask themselves when considering a gaming headset is what types of games they will be frequenting and if they plan on using voice communications during their gaming sessions. Although gaming headsets can be appealing for their design aesthetic, the main draw to owning a gaming headset for most players is the ability to use voice chat across their favorite titles. Players should also consider if they will be using the headset specifically for gaming, and whether or not they will make sure of some of the gaming-centric software and features that come associated with headsets in the medium. Knowing exactly what a player is looking to get out of their sound experience, and whether or not they want to use voice chat in games, is the key to deciding if they should buy a gaming headset and what kind will best suit them.