The first thing you notice in the new Razer BlackShark V2 is the look: it feels like being in military helicopters during raids in Vietnam or in the Gulf War.
A very particular design in an era in which minimalism reigns supreme, however as in all Razer products also in this case the technology is not lacking, for a pair of headphones with an interesting quality in a very competitive price range.
Razer BlackShark V2, the review
Ka-50
Inspired by the iconic Russian Kamov Ka-50 war helicopter, also called BlackShark (“Black Shark”, developed in the Soviet Union in the early 1980s but still active in its various incarnations), the new Razer BlackShark V2 they are a very special pair of headphones.
Technology and design mix in this model, even if out of the box it is the second that takes over: the circummaural shape of the earphones, which envelop the ear with generous cushions, is particular.
The memory in fact runs fast to that of helicopter pilots headphones (hence the name probably), as well as the insertion microphone: in the package there are the headphones, the small USB-A sound card (a USB adapter is missing in the package). A / USB-C) and a small brochure welcoming the Razer user and illustrating how to best use the product.
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Soft and lethal like the desert dunes
The shape of the headphones as we have said is really particular, even if largely inherited from the first incarnation a few years ago.
The two large pavilions are supported by a black metal structure that accompanies them towards the arch, with the possibility of changing the width.
The analog audio cable that arrives at the left pavilion, in black fabric, then becomes bright green in the part that enters (and then exits from the opposite side) from the arch from the pavilion, in a truly brazen way but which offers a militaristic approach. , where design is often sacrificed in favor of practicality.
The arch is generous in size but very, very comfortable: the upper part is in imitation leather with the inscription Razer engraved that accompanies the large side seams, while the part in contact with the head is a cushion in black fabric, which softens a really lightweight pair of headphones, only 262 grams (among the lightest on the market).
On the other hand, the lighting of some parts is completely missing, to which Razer has accustomed us in many models (headphones, mouse, speaker, keyboards): the logo is engraved in green on the sides of the pavilions but no lights, a pity.
Online commands
We found the inline controls very convenient: the volume control is located on the outside of the left ear cup, with a large and very easy to find potentiometer, as well as the Mute button just under the ear itself, easily activated with the thumb. blindly.
In the long run, these two commands are more comfortable than the counterparts of, for example, Kraken which instead offer a command on the wire, which occasionally activates by itself by touching it.
The review closes with the very small sound card: a small parallelepiped with an audio jack input and a USB-A output, an operating LED and the Razer logo printed just above the LED.
Since it offers an analog input, the card works with all headphones with a jack connector, although probably with different results.
The Synapse 3 Drivers, here on Windows 10 
Three drivers
There are many technological aspects under the hood of these Razer BlackShark V2, starting from the Triforce Titanium 50 mm drivers, basically three different drivers dedicated to low, medium and high frequencies.
This implies a greater homogeneity of response in the frequencies most used especially during games, without power drops in particular and specific game sequences or excited phases in the films, with an interesting richness of musical tones.
All this is also facilitated by a passive noise reduction system, which works by completely enveloping the ears and almost completely muffling external noises: a colleague who speaks to us directly at a distance of one meter can be heard, but as if he were behind a door.
Using the headphones with Windows 10, the THX Spatial Audio system can be activated via the Razer Synapse 3 app, which increases the capabilities of the headset with 360 ° spatial audio and more detailed response regarding music.
The response frequency, between 12 Hz and 28 kHz (with impedance 32 Ω @ 1 kHz and sensitivity 100dBSPL / mW, 1KHz) is substantially identical to the Kraken sisters, with which it shares the price range, even if, from the tests carried out , the audio seems more detailed with fuller bass, even without a sound card.
The small USB sound card, which improves performance. Obviously the headphones also work only with the jack
Three drivers
Next to the headphone, there is the microphone: faithful to the tradition from which it owes the design, the microphone is connected to the headphone via the jack which, in addition to passing data, supports it.
Attaching and detaching it is a simple and immediate operation and, as far as we have been able to try, it does not show signs of weakness, so we estimate that over time there will be no problems.
The microphone of the Razer BlackShark V2 is unidirectional cardioid, or rather as Razer says to HyperClear Cardioid, a patented variant and as far as we can understand, exclusive to this model. The technical data speak of a frequency response from 100Hz to 10KHz and inside it also has a system for the reduction of external noise.
Regarding the audio, we can say that it is very good: we only tested the speech, for which these headphones are designed, and we can say that the voice appears more full-bodied than other headphones (we did a quick check against the Kraken) and clear, with strong respect for those who have a low-pitched voice.
On the other hand, the Razer BlackShark V2 are designed to be handled in moments of high adrenaline, in which a misunderstood sentence can lead from victory to defeat in an embarrassing way.
How they work
We tried the headphones during a whole week of activity: from Microsoft Teams to Starcraft, from FaceTime to Diablo and even if it's not our genre, even Fortnite.
The first thing you notice immediately is the extreme comfort given by the headset itself: soft and very light, it seems perfect for long work and play sessions.
The look, we admit, not really business, but the black as they say thin and in fact, it will be because of the new chair that has stopped in the office lately, but the headphones disappear on the webcam.
Musically speaking they let themselves be listened to with pleasure, they are obviously not a model designed to satisfy the finest palates of audiophiles, but if you are looking for a pair of headphones that will brighten your working day with a little music, the Razer BlackShark V2 is not they pull back.
As for the games, the judgment is higher than the Kraken model, perhaps more iconic due to the various colors, but below in sound quality.
I like the spatial movement of the sound and especially the Synapse drivers, which on Windows 10 offer a lot of ad hoc controls for headphones and microphone.
Considerations
In the range of quality headphones, the Razer BlackShark V2 stands as the first of a new generation for all the technology within it, as long as you accept such a distinctive design.
They don't have the cooling gel pads like the Kraken, but in the end they are softer and more comfortable in long sessions.
The cost is a bit high, especially considering that it is a pair of wired headphones, but it is due to the extreme attention to detail, the technology that infuses perceptible quality and extreme comfort.
Too bad for the lack of some light to play with, we got used to it well, but we'll make up for it with the next Razer accessory.
Pro:
• Very comfortable and light • Passive noise reduction works well • Great microphone • Design is unique
Cons:
• USB-A / USB-C adapter missing • Mac software support missing • No lighting
Price:
• 109.99 Euro
Razer BlackShark V2 should be available very soon in the Italian large distribution and on Amazon, while at the moment they are already available on the parent company's website.
We remind you that there is also a cheaper version, the Razer BlackShark V2 X with 50 mm drivers (not titanium) and without a USB sound card for 69.99 Euros.
