Razer BlackShark V2 HyperSpeed Review

Verdict

This cheaper spin on the BlackShark V2 Professional proves that worth cuts don’t must imply a minimize in audio high quality. The Razer BlackShark V2 HyperSpeed makes compromises within the appears division, however sacrifices little within the crispness of its microphone, high quality of its audio system, or consolation. It is a nice value-for-money headset, even when construct high quality has taken successful.

Introduction

The Razer BlackShark V2 HyperSpeed has been made with one thought clearly in thoughts: to be a extra reasonably priced different to Razer’s very spectacular BlackShark V2 Professional (2023). It clears that bar with room to spare.

At $129.99 / £129.99, it’s an excellent chunk cheaper than the V2 Professional, however manages to hit that worth level with out dropping any key options. Its crisp microphone, vast audio system, improved connectivity and luxury make this a really well-performing headset. Cutbacks have as a substitute been made to its end and construct high quality, however even they’re not so egregious that they dampen its total design. 

Design and options

• Further wired connectivity
• Beneficiant battery life
• Non-detachable microphone

The BlackShark V2 HyperSpeed shares the identical design because the BlackShark V2 Professional, albeit with a couple of noticeable however in no way deal-breaking cutbacks in high quality. The ear cups and headband are encased in leatherette slightly than a extra breathable mesh cloth, the metal spindles that join the 2 don’t transfer fairly as easily, and the stitching across the headband is much less strong. 

Leatherette doesn’t have a fame for being probably the most sturdy materials and tends to perish or break up over time with steady use, and the ear cups don’t block exterior noise fairly as efficiently because the V2 Professional. The microphone additionally isn’t removable, and the entire unit is produced from a less expensive, lighter plastic. It’s one thing Razer slightly amusingly makes out to be an enormous plus, however at solely 40g lighter than the V2 Professional, it’s a largely negligible distinction.

However these are minor quibbles that you simply most likely wouldn’t discover except evaluating the V2 HyperSpeed aspect by aspect with its pricier sibling. The headset sits firmly round my noggin with out pinching or feeling overly tight, and the metal sliders are stronger than their spindly design may counsel (you’d must intentionally apply quite a lot of stress to snap them). It even has one bonus characteristic of its personal: in contrast to the V2 Professional, it may be used over a wired connection due to the USB-C charging port that’s in a position to course of audio. It’s a useful failsafe and would even assist you to use them with an Xbox console (when you purchase a separate USB-to-audio-jack adapter).

After all, it’s meant for use wirelessly and might join over Bluetooth or utilizing a 2.4Ghz wi-fi dongle. There’s a useful button for altering connection sources on the precise ear cup, in addition to a mute-mic button on the left, alongside a newly textured quantity wheel.

Battery life, too, is nearly as good because the V2 Professional. Razer advertises 70 hours of juice and that appears correct from my testing. It went days earlier than dropping beneath 50% cost, and solely took a couple of hours to return as much as full capability.

Audio and microphone

• Fabulously clear microphone
• Razer’s 50mm speaker driver
• Simple graphic EQ

Just like the BlackShark V2 Professional, the BlackShark V2 HyperSpeed’s massive promoting level is its standout microphone. A 9.9mm condenser mic working a 32kHz sampling price, it’s crisper than the overwhelming majority of mics at this worth level, and does an outstanding job of selecting up balanced tones whereas reducing out background noise. You would fortunately stream on this mic, and your folks will thanks for the readability of your voice.

The microphone has, nevertheless, misplaced the inner pop filter that was included within the V2 Professional. It’s not an enormous deal, and the included black puffball that sticks firmly on the mic’s head does an excellent job of decreasing these pesky popping sounds.

Contained in the cans, in the meantime, are the identical TriForce 50mm drivers as used within the V2 Professional. They sound very good. Much less bassy than many headsets, the mids ring clear, and even these moments through which music, dialogue and the standard glut of gaming sound results are layered on high of one another not often sound muddy. They’re additionally properly broad for closed-back ear cups and – as you’d anticipate from any Razer product – latency was no problem in any respect.

Out of the field, I assumed the sound popping out of the cans was a tad hole, however a fast EQ adjustment to spice up the low frequencies had them singing as splendidly as my V2 Professional. The V2 HyperSpeed options 4 customized sound profiles that may be adjusted, saved and switched between on the fly, however is lacking the V2 Professional’s presets that had been specifically tuned for a number of well-liked FPS video games. However actually, that’s a tiny omission.

EQ changes might be made within the Razer Synapse app, which is serviceable if austere. It’s intuitive and encompasses a quite simple graphic equalizer, in addition to a useful choice to routinely change to a pre-set audio profile when booting up a particular recreation.

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