Razer BlackShark V2 vs V2 X [Review and Comparison]
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Overview and main differences
Headphone audio quality
Microphone audio quality
Comfort and build quality
Connection considerations
Verdict
Overview and main differences
BlackShark V2 (left) and V2 X.
Overview
The Razer BlackShark V2 and Razer BlackShark V2 X are both gaming headsets. They function as headphones for listening, but also include a microphone for speaking into.
Both devices have a gain knob on the outside of the left earcup, a mic mute button, and a non-detachable 3.5mm audio cable.
I bought my V2 for $100 and my V2 X for $50. Here are Amazon links to see their current pricing: BlackShark V2. BlackShark V2X.
Differences
Razer BlackShark V2.
Razer BlackShark V2 X.
Here are the differences between the Razer BlackShark V2 and BlackShark V2 X:
The V2 comes with a USB sound card. The V2 X comes with a splitter instead.
The V2 mic is detachable. The V2 X mic is non-detachable, but is more flexible.
The V2 has slightly softer padding in the ear cups and headband. The V2 X padding is faux leather and a bit harder.
V2.
V2 X.
Headphone Audio Quality
BlackShark V2 while playing Need For Speed Payback.
BlackShark V2 X while playing Call of Duty Warzone.
I tested the BlackShark V2 and V2 X in several games and for listening to lots of different music, videos, and voice samples for my own upcoming videos. Here are my results.
When using the 3.5 mm headphone jack plug, the headphone audio of both the V2 and V2 X sound identical. The high end gets harsh easily, the mids are decent, but there’s not incredible detail. And there’s almost no bass whatsoever.
Basically, the sound quality of these headsets using the 3.5 mm jack plug is not very good.
That’s a sick graphic though.
Things change for the better when using the USB DAC (digital to audio converter) that comes with the BlackShark V2. Using the USB sound card lets you connect these headphones to Razer Synapse, Razer’s free software. You then get access to a full equalizer and lots of different audio effects and presets like bass boost.
When utilizing Razer Synapse to improve the sound of the V2, I was able to feel the vibration of helicopters over me in Resident Evil 3 and the rumble of enemies under the ground in Mass Effect. The drivers themselves still aren’t that great, so you’ll have to be careful not to distort them using the EQ, but with some work the results are impressive.
The EQ really gives great flexibility. If the highs are too harsh, you can lower those. If you want to emphasize the frequency of footsteps, you can raise those.
Using the V2 with Razer Synapse.
I give the advantage of headphone quality to the V2 over the V2 X because of the USB sound card Razer provides.
Caveat about EQ
Don’t get the wrong idea about the actual drivers inside the earcups themselves - I’m pretty sure there’s little or no difference between them. I actually used the V2 X in the V2 sound card and was able to get the same sound from them when using Razer Synapse.
So if you’re buying these for PC gaming and your PC already has a great sound card with an equalizer that you prefer over Synapse, then the USB sound card might not matter to you.
Surround Sound
THX Spatial Audio in Razer Synapse with the V2.
V2 X with 7.1 Surround Sound.
I should talk briefly about surround sound. I went into it with an open mind. The V2 X comes with a code in the box that lets you install 7.1 surround sound and the V2 gets access to THX Spatial Audio accessible in Synapse.
Unfortunately, surround sound on headphones is a still a gimmick for now. It doesn't let you pinpoint enemies any better. It just makes everything seem a bit louder and closer, but it gives no tactical advantage whatsoever.
Microphone Audio Quality
Razer BlackShark V2 (left) and V2 X.
Adjusting the mic audio of the V2 in Razer Synapse.
Here are several audio samples from each microphone.
When using the 3.5 mm cable plugged into the PS4 controller, both mics sounded similar. They're tinny and they plosive really easily - even from just breathing. Part of the low quality with the initial tests might be due to using the with a PS4 console.
When plugged into a PC, there was a much more noticeable difference. I plugged the V2 into the USB sound card and the V2 X into the splitter and the mic input of my computer.
USB sound card with the V2.
V2 X splitter cable.
The V2 X mic actually sounded way better on PC, and had passable bass for a headset. The V2 mic sounded really compressed. That kinda sucks because you can add some nice effects to the mic in Synapse that work really well like noise reduction and a voice gate. Sadly, the overall sound on the V2 is just plain bad using the USB sound card. The equalizer didn't help at all.
So if you want a better mic for PC, the V2 X is the way to go.
The noise cancellation is pretty good though on both. They picked up very little noise from my loud keyboard and my AC fan outside.
Comfort and build quality
The overall design of both headsets is almost the same. There's a wire frame to adjust them. It looks flimsy, but it's not bad.
The V2 has cloth-like material on the headband and earcups. The V2 X has faux leather on the headband, and the ear cushions have fake leather outside and some soft of platic inside. It’s a bit harder than the V2, but not by a lot.
The overall fit isn't that comfortable or snug on either. It's not bad, but after about an hour it's like ok, that's enough of that.
Adjusting the length of the V2.
Adjusting and wearing the V2 X.
I’ve been testing several other headsets such as the The HyperX Cloud II and Cloud Alpha. I could wear both of those for far longer, and I’ll be comparing the V2 and V2 X to some HyperX devices in another article.
Both headsets do leak sound like crazy and neither of them block out ambient sound. The wire of the V2 is braided and feels more durable, and again the mic is detachable.
So overall the edge in build and comfort goes to the V2 but it's not by a lot.
Connection considerations
I had trouble using the mic on the V2 and V2 X with my laptop and Android phone. The headphone worked for listening to audio, but I could never get the mics to be detected.
Maybe you need some sort of adapter? Maybe it depends on the 3.5 jack standard? Who knows, I don’t have the solution. I just know to get the mics to work I had to use either my PS4 console or desktop PC with separate audio and line out ports.
Verdict
For console, I recommend the Razer BlackShark V2 X. Without Synapse, there’s really no reason to get the V2 over these for console, and the mics both sound pretty compressed on console anyway. Save the money and get the budget mic.
On PC, I recommend the Razer BlackShark V2. Razer Synapse will allow you to fine tune the sound to your liking and make them sound way better than the V2 X with no equalizer or effects.
However, if you’re comfortable with EQ software, you can download some third party software like Equalizer APO and tune the V2 X yourself without having to pay for the USB DAC.
Amazon listings
Razer BlackShark V2: https://amzn.to/3vAICoi
Razer BlackShark V2 X: https://amzn.to/2Sx3qQk
