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Razer BlackShark V2 Pro Wireless 2020 Headphones Review

Tested using Methodology v1.5
Reviewed Nov 04, 2020 at 08:21 am
Latest change: Writing modified Jul 26, 2023 at 02:54 pm
Razer BlackShark V2 Pro Wireless 2020 Picture
7.0
Neutral Sound
5.6
Commute/Travel
6.1
Sports/Fitness
6.7
Office
7.1
Wireless Gaming
7.5
Wired Gaming
6.5
Phone Calls
Notice: These headphones were replaced by Razer BlackShark V2 Pro Wireless 2023

The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro Wireless 2020 are similar to the Razer BlackShark V2, but they can also be used wirelessly with PCs, PS4, and PS5 consoles. These gaming-oriented headphones come with lots of customization features, including a USB dongle and access to Razer Synapse software, which lets you adjust their microphone and their sound profile. Out-of-the-box, they have a bass-heavy sound profile that adds boom and punch to action-packed scenes in your favorite games. Unfortunately, they don't have a very consistent audio delivery, and they struggle to isolate against ambient noise. However, they're very comfortable, and their long continuous battery life is ideal for long gaming sessions.

Our Verdict

7.0 Neutral Sound

The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro are adequate for neutral sound. Their default sound profile is bass-heavy, so it may be a bit overwhelming or muddy for listeners who prefer a neutral sound. Fortunately, there's a 10-band graphic EQ available on the Razer Synapse software to help you adjust their sound to your liking.

Pros
  • 10-band graphic EQ.
Cons
  • Inconsistent bass and treble delivery.
5.6 Commute/Travel

The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro are sub-par for commute and travel. They're comfortable enough to wear for long periods, and their over 23-hour continuous battery life can get you through long days on the go. Unfortunately, their bulky design isn't very portable, and they struggle to block out background noises like bus and plane engines or voices.

Pros
  • Comfortable, stable fit.
Cons
  • Disappointing noise isolation performance.
  • Bulky design.
6.1 Sports/Fitness

The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro are mediocre for sports and fitness. These bulky over-ears aren't intended to be worn while working out. They're stable enough for gaming at home, but they may fall off your ears during intense exercises. On the upside, they're very comfortable, so they shouldn't cause a lot of fatigue during long listening sessions.

Pros
  • Comfortable, stable fit.
Cons
  • Bulky design.
6.7 Office

The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro are fair for office use. These comfortable headphones have over 23 hours of continuous battery life, so they can easily last through your day. They leak a bit of noise, but it shouldn't be too noticeable in an average office. Unfortunately, they don't block out a lot of background noises, so you may hear the chatter of nearby coworkers.

Pros
  • Comfortable, stable fit.
Cons
  • Disappointing noise isolation performance.
7.1 Wireless Gaming

The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro are decent for wireless gaming. They're compatible with PCs as well as PS4 and PS5 consoles over a non-Bluetooth connection, and they have low latency. They're comfortable enough for long gaming sessions, too. Their bass-heavy sound profile adds thump and punch to action-packed scenes, and if you prefer a different sound, there are a lot of customization options in the Razer Synapse software.

Pros
  • Detachable boom microphone.
  • 10-band graphic EQ.
  • Comfortable, stable fit.
Cons
  • Inconsistent bass and treble delivery.
7.5 Wired Gaming

The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro are good for wired gaming. You can plug these headphones into your PC or into your PS4, PS5, Xbox One, or Xbox Series X controller for full audio and microphone compatibility. They're comfortable enough for long gaming sessions, too. Using the Razer Synapse software, you can access a 10-band graphic EQ for the microphone and the audio, as well as a virtual surround feature. However, this software isn't compatible with Xbox One.

Pros
  • Detachable boom microphone.
  • 10-band graphic EQ.
  • Comfortable, stable fit.
Cons
  • USB dongle isn't compatible with Xbox One.
6.5 Phone Calls

The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro are decent for phone calls. Their detachable boom microphone can separate your voice from background noise, even if you're calling from a noisy environment. However, the mic has a mediocre recording quality and it doesn't block out a lot of background noise, which may be distracting during your call.

Pros
  • Detachable boom microphone.
Cons
  • Disappointing noise isolation performance.
  • 7.0 Neutral Sound
  • 5.6 Commute/Travel
  • 6.1 Sports/Fitness
  • 6.7 Office
  • 7.1 Wireless Gaming
  • 7.5 Wired Gaming
  • 6.5 Phone Calls
  1. Updated Jul 26, 2023: We've renamed these headphones, adding the year they were released to make the difference between this model and the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro Wireless 2023 clearer.
  2. Updated Jul 26, 2023: We've added a comparison between these headphones and the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro Wireless 2023 in Bluetooth.
  3. Updated Sep 09, 2022: We've added a comparison between these headphones and the Razer Barracuda Wireless as they're both from the same manufacturer.
  4. Updated Jun 29, 2021: Converted to Test Bench 1.5.
  5. Updated Mar 23, 2021: We've retested these headphones for PS5 and Xbox Series X compatibility. We also tested them for Breathability.
  6. Updated Nov 04, 2020: Review published.
  7. Updated Oct 29, 2020: Early access published.
  8. Updated Oct 05, 2020: Our testers have started testing this product.
  9. Updated Oct 01, 2020: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
  10. Updated Sep 27, 2020: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.

Differences Between Sizes And Variants

The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro comes in one variant: Black. You can see the label for the model we tested here.

If you come across other variants of these headphones, let us know in the discussions.

Compared To Other Headphones

The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro are a wireless version of the Razer BlackShark V2. Overall, they have a similar design and a similar performance to the Razer BlackShark V2. However, they're compatible with PCs, PS4, and PS5 consoles over a non-Bluetooth wireless connection, and they come with a wireless USB dongle that lets you access Razer Synapse software for lots of customization options. If you're looking for more headphones, see our recommendations for the best gaming headphones, the best wireless gaming headphones, and the best PS4 headsets.

Razer BlackShark V2 Pro Wireless 2023

The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro Wireless 2023 are the next generation of the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro Wireless 2020 and there have been a couple of improvements in their design. While the comfort and build quality haven't changed, the 2023 model have a longer-lasting continuous battery life, a superior overall mic performance, and support Bluetooth. However, only the previous generation supports an analog connection.

Razer Barracuda X Wireless 2021

Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the Razer Barracuda X Wireless 2021 or the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro Wireless 2020. The BlackShark are more stable, and they come with companion software with a graphic EQ and presets so you can customize their sound. That said, the Barracuda are better built and leak less audio. Also, their microphone has a better recording quality.

Razer BlackShark V2

The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro Wireless 2020 are better gaming headphones than the Razer BlackShark V2. Both headphones have similar overall performance, but the Pro can be used wirelessly, which is convenient. The V2 have a more neutral sound profile out-of-the-box, but both headphones come with a graphic EQ so you can customize the sound.

HyperX Cloud 2/Cloud II

The HyperX Cloud 2/Cloud II and the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro Wireless 2020 are gaming headsets with different strengths. The HyperX Cloud2/Cloud II is a wired-only headset with a more comfortable fit. Their mic has a much better recording quality and does a significantly better job of isolating your voice from background noise. On the other hand, the Razer are wireless headphones you can also use wired with the included 1/8" TRRS cable. Their companion software is better, too, since it gives you access to a graphic EQ and presets.

Logitech G PRO X WIRELESS LIGHTSPEED Gaming Headset

The Logitech G PRO X WIRELESS LIGHTSPEED Gaming Headset is a better headset for wireless gaming than the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro Wireless 2020. The Logitech are more comfortable and better built. Also, they have a more neutral sound profile, though they still pack a little extra boom in the bass range. Also, their microphone has a better recording quality. However, the Razer have a more stable fit.

Razer Barracuda Pro Wireless

The Razer Barracuda Pro Wireless are more versatile headphones than the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro Wireless 2020. While both headphones are comfortable, the Barracuda Pro are better built, have a more neutral sound profile, which some users may prefer, and their ANC system means they can block out significantly more ambient noise. They also have a longer continuous battery life, support Bluetooth, and have lower wireless latency. However, you can use the BlackShark V2 Pro wired via their 1/8" TRRS cable, and their boom mic has better noise handling.

Razer BlackShark V2 X

The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro Wireless 2020 are better gaming headphones than the Razer BlackShark V2 X. The Pro can be used wirelessly, and they come with a wireless USB dongle that's compatible with Razer Synapse software so you can customize them. However, the V2 X have a better microphone recording quality out-of-the-box.

Logitech G Pro X Gaming Headset

The Logitech G Pro X Gaming Headset and the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro Wireless 2020 have a similar wired gaming performance. However, the Razer can be used wirelessly, and they have a more stable fit. On the other hand, the Logitech are better-built, more comfortable, and they have a more neutral sound profile out-of-the-box.

HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless

The HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless are slightly better gaming headphones than the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro Wireless 2020, but have a few caveats. The HyperX are more comfortable, better-built, and have a more neutral sound profile, which some users may prefer. They deliver a significantly longer continuous playback time, and their boom mic offers a better overall performance too. On the downside, users have reported high latency when using their companion app's features. However, the Razer can be wired or wireless, making them more versatile.

HyperX Cloud 2/Cloud II Wireless

The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro Wireless 2020 and the HyperX Cloud 2/Cloud II Wireless have different strengths, and you may prefer one over the other. The Razer can be used wirelessly with low non-Bluetooth wireless latency or passively with their 1/8" TRRS cable, giving your full audio and mic compatibility. They're also compatible with Razer Synapse software, which offers a graphic EQ and presets to help you adjust their sound to your liking. However, the HyperX are more comfortable and better built. Their boom mic also offers better overall performance.

Razer Kraken V3 Pro Wireless

The Razer Kraken V3 Pro Wireless are better gaming headphones than the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro Wireless 2020. The V3 Pro are better-built, have a more neutral default sound profile, and have a significantly better boom mic performance. They also have a longer-lasting continuous battery life, lower wireless latency via their wireless dongle, and customizable RGB lighting. However, the V2 Pro are more comfortable.

Corsair VIRTUOSO RGB Wireless XT

The Corsair VIRTUOSO RGB Wireless XT offer a more versatile audio experience than the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro Wireless 2020. The Corsair are significantly better-built, support Bluetooth, come with a wired USB cable. Their boom mic also has a better recording quality. However, the Razer are more comfortable and have a more neutral default sound profile, which some users may prefer.

Razer Nari Ultimate Wireless

The Razer Nari Ultimate Wireless and the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro Wireless 2020 have different strengths and depending on your usage, you may prefer one over the other. The Nari Ultimate are better-built, their mic has a better recording quality, and they have a unique haptic feedback feature, which some users may prefer. However, the BlackShark V2 Pro have more consistent audio delivery, and their mic delivers better noise handling. They also have a better battery performance.

SteelSeries Arctis 7+ Wireless

The SteelSeries Arctis 7+ Wireless are better gaming headphones than the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro Wireless 2020. While both headphones are comfortable, the SteelSeries are better built, their mic has a better recording quality, and they have a superior battery performance. They also have more customization features via their companion software, and they have lower latency. However, the Razer's boom mic has better noise handling.

Corsair HS80 RGB WIRELESS

The Corsair HS80 RGB WIRELESS are slightly better headphones for wireless gaming than the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro Wireless 2020. The Corsair have a significantly better build quality and a boom mic with much better recording quality. They also have lower latency via non-Bluetooth wireless. On the other hand, unlike the Corsair, the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro Wireless come with a 1/8" TRRS cable, so you can use them with Xbox via analog connection. Their mic has a better noise handling performance, and they have much longer continuous battery life.

Razer Kraken V3 HyperSense

The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro Wireless 2020 are more versatile gaming headphones than the Razer Kraken V3 HyperSense. You can use the BlackShark V2 Pro wired or wirelessly, depending on your preferences. They're more comfortable, have fairly low non-Bluetooth wireless latency, and are have better frequency response consistency. However, the Kraken V3 HyperSense are better built and have an adjustable haptic bass feature that adds extra thump and rumble to your gameplay. Their mic also has a better recording quality.

SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless

The SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless are better wireless gaming headphones than the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro Wireless 2020. The SteelSeries' microphone has a better recording quality. However, the Razer have a longer continuous battery life.

Anker Soundcore Life Q35 Wireless

The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro Wireless 2020 and the Anker Soundcore Life Q35 Wireless are for different purposes, and depending on your usage, you may prefer one over the other. While both headphones are comfortable, the Razer are for gaming. They have a virtual soundstage feature, and their boom mic offers a significantly better noise handling performance. They're also compatible with Razer Synapse software, which offers a graphic EQ, presets, and mic control, and they support non-Bluetooth wireless for low latency gaming. In contrast, the Anker are better for more casual use as they're better-built. They have an ANC feature that can reduce a great amount of noise around you, and they have longer continuous battery life.

Razer Kraken V3

The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro Wireless 2020 are more versatile gaming headphones than the Razer Kraken V3. You can use the BlackShark V2 Pro wired or wirelessly, depending on your preferences. They're more comfortable and have a more out-of-head passive soundstage. However, if you prefer wired-only headphones, the Kraken V3 are better built and have customizable RGB lighting. Their boom mic also offers better overall performance.

SteelSeries Arctis 7 2019 Edition Wireless

The SteelSeries Arctis 7 2019 Edition Wireless are better headphones for gaming than the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro Wireless 2020. The SteelSeries' are better-built, and their boom mic has a significantly better recording quality. However, the Razer isolate you from a bit more ambient noise, and you can detach the boom mic for a more casual look when you're not gaming.

SteelSeries Arctis 7P Wireless

The SteelSeries Arctis 7P Wireless are slightly better gaming headphones than the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro Wireless 2020. The SteelSeries have better controls, a more durable build quality, and a better-balanced sound profile. They also have a better performing boom microphone. However, the Razer have companion software that offers more features.

Beats Solo Pro

The Beats Solo Pro Wireless and the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro Wireless 2020 are designed for different uses. The Razer are gaming headphones. They're more comfortable, have a virtual soundstage feature, and their boom mic offers better overall performance. They also have a better battery performance, and you can customize their sound using their companion app's graphic EQ and presets. They also have low non-Bluetooth latency. However, the Beats are more suitable for casual use. They're better-built, have a more neutral default sound profile, and their ANC system can block significantly more background noise.

Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless SE

The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro Wireless 2020 are somewhat better headphones for gaming than the Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless SE. The Razer have a much more comfortable fit, a longer continuous battery life, and a virtual surround sound feature. On the other hand, the Corsair offer lower latency when you connect to PC or PS4 with their wireless USB dongle. Their mic also has a much better recording quality. 

Sony INZONE H9 Wireless

The Sony INZONE H9 Wireless are better wireless gaming headphones than the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro Wireless 2020. The Sony headphones are better-built, have an ANC system that can help block out ambient noise around you, and their mic offers better overall performance. They also support Bluetooth, meaning you can stay connected to your smartphone and PC at the same time, and their non-Bluetooth wireless latency is lower. However, the Razer headphones are more comfortable and have a more balanced sound profile out of the box, which some users may prefer. You can also use them wired via their included 1/8" TRRS cable.

Razer Kraken X

The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro Wireless 2020 are better gaming headphones than the Razer Kraken X. The Pro can be used wirelessly, and they come with a wireless USB dongle that's compatible with Razer Synapse software and all of its customization features. The Pro are also more comfortable. However, the Kraken X have a better microphone recording quality out-of-the-box.

Test Results

perceptual testing image
Design
Design
Style
Type Over-ear
Enclosure Closed-Back
Wireless Yes
Transducer Dynamic

The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro have the same oval-shaped ear cup design as the Razer BlackShark V2 and the Razer BlackShark V2 X. They're made entirely of black plastic, which gives them a sleek look. You can also remove the boom microphone for a more casual look.

7.5
Design
Comfort
Weight 0.72 lbs
Clamping Force
1 lbs

The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro are comfortable. They don't clamp very tightly on your head, and their cloth padding is very soft and comfortable. However, the ear cups have a small range of motion, which can be inconvenient if you have a larger head.

5.7
Design
Controls
OS Compatibility
Not OS specific
Ease Of Use Good
Feedback Good
Call/Music Control No
Volume Control Yes
Microphone Control Mute/Unmute
Channel Mixing
No
Noise Cancelling Control No
Talk-Through
No
Additional Controls No

The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro have an easy-to-use control scheme. There's a mute/unmute button, a power on/off button, and a volume knob control. The buttons are clicky and they provide good feedback; however, the mic mute and the power button feel the same and may be mistaken for each other.

6.2
Design
Breathability
Avg.Temp.Difference 6.5 °C

Update 03/23/2021: We've tested these headphones for breathability and updated our review.

The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro have passable breathability. They can trap in heat and while you shouldn't feel too much discomfort if you're wearing them while gaming, they can make your ears sweat a bit if you're using them during physical exercise.

5.4
Design
Portability
L 7.8" (19.8 cm)
W 6.8" (17.3 cm)
H 4.0" (10.2 cm)
Volume 211.10 in³ (3,459.29 cm³)
Transmitter Required No

The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro aren't very portable. They're bulky, and they don't swivel or fold into a more compact format. With their boom microphone attached, they're a little bit taller, too. However, you can detach the boom microphone, which makes them a little easier to store since it can't snag on anything.

5.0
Design
Case
Type Pouch
L N/A
W N/A
H N/A
Volume N/A

The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro come with a disappointing pouch. It's made of fabric, which feels thin and cheap. It may protect the headphones from light scratches, but not from falls or water exposure.

6.5
Design
Build Quality

The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro have a fair build quality. They're mostly made of plastic, with metal hinges and yokes, cloth-padded ear cups, and a leather and cloth-padded headband. The hinges and yokes are a potential weak point though and they don't feel as well-built as the Corsair VIRTUOSO RGB Wireless XT or Razer Kraken V3 Pro Wireless.

7.5
Design
Stability

The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro are stable. They don't move around much on your head, so they're ideal for gaming at home. They aren't designed to be used while working out, and they may fall off your head during high-intensity workouts.

Design
Headshots 1
Design
Headshots 2
Design
Top
Design
In The Box

  • Razer BlackShark V2 Pro headset
  • USB to Micro-USB charging cable
  • 3.5mm audio cable
  • USB wireless transmitter
  • Detachable mic
  • Pouch
  • Manual

Sound
Sound
Sound Profile
See details on graph tool
Bass Amount
1.47 dB
Treble Amount
-2.26 dB

The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro have a bass-heavy sound profile that helps bring out the low rumbling noises in action-packed scenes of your favorite video games. Their mid-range is quite balanced, making them suitable for vocal-heavy content, too. However, their bass and treble delivery are inconsistent, so they may sound a bit different depending on their fit, seal, and positioning on your head.

6.1
Sound
Frequency Response Consistency
See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool
Avg. Std. Deviation
0.91 dB

These headphones have mediocre frequency response consistency. There are inconsistencies in the bass and treble ranges, so they deliver audio differently depending on their fit, seal, and positioning on your head.

Sound
Raw Frequency Response
See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool
6.7
Sound
Bass Accuracy
See details on graph tool
Std. Err.
5.28 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
14.14 Hz
Low-Bass
2.62 dB
Mid-Bass
4.89 dB
High-Bass
8.13 dB

These headphones have acceptable bass accuracy. The entire range is overemphasized, which adds a boomy, punchy quality to the mix. However, the response here is the average of our measurements, and your results may vary given their inconsistent bass delivery.

7.9
Sound
Mid Accuracy
See details on graph tool
Std. Err.
2.81 dB
Low-Mid
3.96 dB
Mid-Mid
-0.02 dB
High-Mid
0.18 dB

These headphones have very good mid accuracy. The range is pretty balanced and even, so vocals and lead instruments are clear and present in the mix. However, the overemphasis in the low-mids can make audio sound a bit muddy and cluttered.

7.3
Sound
Treble Accuracy
See details on graph tool
Std. Err.
4.03 dB
Low-Treble
0.6 dB
Mid-Treble
5.73 dB
High-Treble
-8.63 dB

These headphones have decent treble accuracy. Instruments sound present and detailed, but the overemphasis in the mid-treble can make sibilants like S and T sounds sharp and piercing.

6.5
Sound
Peaks/Dips
See details on graph tool
Peaks
2.58 dB
Dips
1.26 dB

The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro have adequate peaks and dips performance. There's a peak in the high-bass that adds a boomy and muddy quality to the mix. The dip in the low-mids and mid-mids pushes vocals and lead instruments towards the back of the mix, and the dip in the low-treble hurts the comprehensibility of those same instruments. The peak in the mid-treble makes sibilants piercing and painful.

8.0
Sound
Imaging
See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool
Weighted Group Delay
0.23
Weighted Phase Mismatch
5.37
Weighted Amplitude Mismatch
1.7
Weighted Frequency Mismatch
2.1

These headphones have an impressive imaging performance. Their weighted group delay falls mostly below the audibility threshold, resulting in a tight bass and transparent treble. Their L/R drivers are well-matched in phase, but there's a very slight mismatch in amplitude and frequency. As a result, objects like voices and footsteps may not be that well accurately placed in the stereo image. These results are only valid for our test unit, so your experience may vary.

5.5
Sound
Passive Soundstage
See details on graph tool
PRTF Accuracy (Std. Dev.)
2.79 dB
PRTF Size (Avg.)
3.49 dB
PRTF Distance
12.09 dB
Openness
5.4
Acoustic Space Excitation
3.0

These headphones have a disappointing passive soundstage. Their soundstage sounds small and not very natural, which is pretty common for closed-backs. Audio seems like it's coming from inside your head, rather than in front of you.

2.0
Sound
Virtual Soundstage
Head Modeling
No
Speaker Modeling
On/Off
Room Ambience
No
Head Tracking
No
Virtual Surround
THX

When the USB dongle is plugged in, you can turn on the THX Spatial Audio virtual surround feature on the Razer Synapse software.

7.5
Sound
Weighted Harmonic Distortion
See details on graph tool
WHD @ 90
0.236
WHD @ 100
0.211

These headphones have a decent weighted harmonic distortion performance. There are some small peaks in the treble range, but the rest of its frequencies fall within good limits, resulting in clear and pure audio reproduction.

Sound
Test Settings
Firmware
Unknown
Power
On
Connection
Wireless (Proprietary)
Codec
PCM, 24-bit, 48kHz
EQ
Default
ANC
No ANC
Tip/Pad
Default
Microphone
Boom

These are the settings we used to test these headphones. Our results are only valid using these settings.

Isolation
4.5
Isolation
Noise Isolation
See details on graph tool
Isolation Audio
Overall Attenuation
-12.9 dB
Noise Cancelling No
Bass
0.57 dB
Mid
-9.25 dB
Treble
-30.8 dB

The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro have a disappointing noise isolation performance. They don't block out bass-heavy sounds like bus or plane engines, and they struggle to block out mid-range noises like voices. On the upside, they can block out higher-frequency noises like the hum of an AC unit.

7.4
Isolation
Leakage
See details on graph tool
Leakage Audio
Overall Leakage @ 1ft
37.5 dB

These headphones have a decent leakage performance. If you're gaming at home, people around you may be able to hear some of your audio if you're playing it at high volumes.

Microphone
Microphone
Microphone Style
Integrated
No
In-Line
No
Boom
Yes
Detachable Boom
Yes
Mic Yes

The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro have a detachable boom microphone.

6.1
Microphone
Recording Quality
See details on graph tool
Recorded Speech
LFE
20 Hz
FR Std. Dev.
4.86 dB
HFE
6,544.63 Hz
Weighted THD
92.835
Gain
15.43 dB

The microphone has a mediocre recording quality. Your voice sounds very deep and full, but not very natural. If you're looking for a headset with a better mic recording quality, try the Corsair HS80 RGB WIRELESS instead.

7.8
Microphone
Noise Handling
See details on graph tool
SpNR
80.59 dB
Noise Gate
On/Off Toggle
Speech + Pink Noise Handling
8.0
Speech + Pink Noise Audio Sample
Speech + Subway Noise Handling
7.5
Speech + Subway Noise Audio Sample

The microphone has an outstanding noise handling performance. Your voice is understandable to whoever's on the other end of the line, even if you're calling from a noisy environment.

Active Features
8.4
Active Features
Battery
Battery Type
Rechargable
Continuous Battery Life
23.2 hrs
Additional Charges
N/A
Total Battery Life
23.2 hrs
Charge Time
3 hrs
Power-Saving Feature
Auto-Off Timer
Audio While Charging
No
Passive Playback
Yes
Charging Port micro-USB

The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro have an impressive battery performance. They last over 23 hours on a single charge, which is suitable for several long gaming sessions. They even have an auto-off feature to help save battery life when they aren't in use.

8.5
Active Features
App Support
App Name Razer Synapse
iOS No
Android No
macOS Yes
Windows Yes
Equalizer
Graphic + Presets
ANC Control
No
Mic Control Adjustable Level
Room Effects
No
Playback Control
No
Button Mapping No
Surround Support
Yes

The Razer Synapse software is amazing. It offers a lot of customization features, including a 10-band EQ for your music or your microphone. You can also adjust the volume level, activate a voice gate for the microphone, and adjust the power-saving feature.

Connectivity
0
Connectivity
Bluetooth
Bluetooth Version
No Bluetooth
Multi-Device Pairing
No
NFC Pairing
No
Line Of Sight Range
N/A
PC Latency (SBC)
N/A
PC Latency (aptX)
N/A
PC Latency (aptX HD)
N/A
PC Latency (aptX-LL)
N/A
iOS Latency
N/A
Android Latency
N/A

These headphones aren't Bluetooth-compatible. If you're looking for Razer headphones that support Bluetooth, check out the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro Wireless 2023 or Razer Barracuda Pro Wireless.

8.1
Connectivity
Non-Bluetooth Wireless
Non-BT Line Of Sight Range
257.00 ft (78.33 m)
Non-BT Latency
71 ms

These headphones have great connectivity over non-Bluetooth wireless. While their latency is a lot higher than the Razer Barracuda Wireless' latency, lip-syncing issues shouldn't be too noticeable, as it still falls within good limits.

9.5
Connectivity
Wired
Analog Audio
Yes
USB Audio
No
Detachable Yes
Length 4.50 ft (1.37 m)
Connection
1/8" TRRS
Analog/USB Audio Latency
0 ms

The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro come with a 1/8" TRRS cable as well as a USB-A to Micro-USB charging cable.

Connectivity
PC Compatibility
Analog
Audio + Microphone
Wired USB
No
Non-BT Wireless
Audio + Microphone
Connectivity
PlayStation Compatibility
PS4 Analog
Audio + Microphone
PS4 Wired USB
No
PS4 Non-BT Wireless
Audio + Microphone
PS5 Analog
Audio + Microphone
PS5 Wired USB
No
PS5 Non-BT Wireless
Audio + Microphone
Connectivity
Xbox Compatibility
Xbox One Analog
Audio + Microphone
Xbox One Wired USB
No
Xbox One Non-BT Wireless
No
Xbox Series X|S Analog
Audio + Microphone
Xbox Series X|S Wired USB
No
Xbox Series X|S Non-BT Wireless
No

Update 03/23/2021: We have retested these headphones for Xbox Series X compatibility and updated our review to reflect these changes.

You can only plug these headphones into your Xbox One or Xbox Series X controller for full audio and microphone compatibility. They can't be used wirelessly on Xbox One or Xbox Series X consoles.

3.4
Connectivity
Base/Dock
Type
Wireless USB Dongle
USB Input
Yes
Line In
No
Line Out
No
Optical Input
No
RCA Input
No
Dock Charging
No
Power Supply
USB

These headphones don't have a dock. However, they come with a wireless USB dongle that works on PC, PS4, and PS5.

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Comments

  1. Product

Razer BlackShark V2 Pro Wireless 2020: Main Discussion

Let us know why you want us to review the product here, or encourage others to vote for this product.

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    Why is the soundstage portion given a lower weight in 1.5?

    I assume the answer is that all IEMs have lousy soundstage, and a high weight would inflate the significance of tiny differences between terrible and awful but marginally less terrible soundstages between IEMs. It seems like ideally there would be separate scoring formulas for headphones and IEMs, but I think they’re trying to do a balancing act with a single formula.

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    GriffinSilver216, gotta say, Test Bench 1.5 looks like a measured but real shift towards what you suggested. If they took another 7% off FRC and put it on Imaging, it’d be basically your proposal.

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    Hey there,

    So, the Apple AirPods Pro have an H1 chip, which allows you to seamlessly pair them with other Apple devices. Features like Spatial Audio and their companion interface are also only available when using an iOS device (Spatial Audio only works on iOS/iPadOS 14 or higher). They also charge via lightning, which, if you already use an Apple device, makes it so that you don’t need to have a different cable in order to charge them. Aside from Apple-specific features, they also have an ANC, which does an excellent overall job of cutting down noise around you. Simply put, they’re definitely both compatible with the opposing devices, but there’s some features that are specific to the ‘matching’ device, which definitely plays a role in the recommendation here! :)

    Thanks for explaining. How does Rtings weight things like Lightning cable vs. higher bass accuracy scores here? Is there a formula like there is for neutral sound? If so, is ANC given more weight for iPhone users than in the general “Best Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds” category?

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    I think the answer is that a very large part of RTings’ neutral sound score just measures the extent to which an earbud’s tuning matches the Harman In-Ear Target. Because the Buds Pro have a warmer tuning than the Buds+ (and the Hartman Target), RTings registers that as a lower score. In my view, this isn’t ideal, because the Buds Pro tuning actually addresses complaints some audiophiles have about the Harman Target’s midrange. But RTings’ focus is on objective measurement (which is cool and unique, in my view), and I’m not sure if there are better proxies for sound quality that are objectively measurable (at reasonable cost).

    Edited 3 years ago: Factual correction
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    If you look up Oratory1990 on Reddit, he/she has posted how to EQ a ton of different products to get to his/her perception of a neutral tuning, which is very popular. I think it’s basically Harman with the upper-mids reined in a bit, similar to Crinacle’s preference curve.

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    As thomaslmusic55 mentioned, our dummy head is different from the one used in Harman’s research so even measuring the same headphone would give slightly different results between the two dummy heads. That’s why the target also looks a bit different.

    Sorry to resurrect an old thread, but I’d suggest including something like– the following language in your Test Results & Methodology pages for Bass Accuracy, Mid Accuracy, Treble Accuracy: “[Bass/mid/treble] accuracy measures how closely headphones follow RTings’ target curve between [X] and [Y] Hz. Our target curve complies with the latest research by Harman. For over-ear headphones, our target curve seeks to reproduce the _____[Harman 2018 Over-Ear Target?]. For in-ears, our target curve mimics the Harman 2019 In-Ear Target. Our dummy head (HMS) is different from the one used by Harman, so our target curve differs slightly from Harman’s, mainly at [frequencies where differences are most notable] for over-ears and [same thing] for in-ears. In most cases, the differences between RTings’ curves and Harman’s should be relatively minor for both over-ears and in-ears.”

    For the Sound Profile page, I’d explain that you’re showing the frequency response compensated for the RTings target curve, and add the same explanation about its relationship to Harman’s targets.

    Edited 4 years ago: Fixing typos, adding OE language
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    If the suggestion (which if I understand is allowing users to customize target curves) isn’t feasible, one alternative could be to just have a selection of curves (Harman, Diffuse Curve, Oratory1990, warm Harman, etc.). Sounds like Danegraphics might want something like the Etymotic curve.

    That said, I realize the fact that in-ear and over-ear curves are different adds some work here.

    Edited 4 years ago: Realized in-ear and over-ear require different curves
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    Thanks for the consideration! I do understand the desire for consistency, but consider that in-ears are different from over-ears/on-ears enough that they are basically different products with different use cases. Almost as different as speakers are from headphones in general. If there were an overall headphone score, I wouldn’t weigh the Sports/Fitness category the same between in-ears and over/on-ears. In fact, Sports/Fitness really can’t be reasonably looked at for over/on-ears almost at all (except for in like, I dunno, cycling classes or something). So I think that different weights should be used between different product types depending on the features that customers tend to reasonably look for in them. Regardless, I’m happy that I can at least create my own ratings chart to filter out what I am and am not looking for. But thank you again for at least considering it!

    It looks from the ratings, though, that while all in-ears have lousy soundstage, some are slightly less lousy than others. That strikes me as relevant to sound quality if I’m picking between two in-ears. If the downside of that is that there’s a functional ceiling on how high an in-ear can realistically score, yeah, that’s slightly inelegant, but isn’t what matters the relative score of two in-ears?

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    Hey danegraphics, nice to see you again! Thanks again for such detailed recommendations! I think you raise some good points and it does seem to be a good idea to add a test of how to measure how faithful they are to the original signal. We’ve also been considering adding a Cumulative Spectral Decay test! That said, I’ve added this to our TB suggestions for future consideration in a TB update! It’s worth mentioning though that it’s unlikely to be included in TB 1.5 as this test bench has been dedicated to fixing an issue! With regards to overshoot/ringing amplitude, I’ve passed on this information to our test devs and they mentioned that it’s an interesting idea. It’s something they’ll be looking into! :) Thanks again for always being so active! :)

    Love this idea!

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    Well, with in-ears, FRC becomes a lot more negligible so the same applies but even moreso. Imaging should still be upgraded in importance in place of Distortion, and Soundstage (as measured on RTINGS) should have no bearing on scores for an in-ear, as it bypasses the pinnae. As far as Treble Accuracy being nerfed, as described in the end of the OP, I still think that’s a good idea due to individual anatomy of the inner ear playing a potentially huge part in causing personalized deviations, though it’s possible treble deviations would be minimized due to lack of interaction with the pinnae.

    Interesting, so like Bass 27%, Mid 27%, Imagine 24%, Treble 17%, WHD 5%? Something like that? I take it peaks/dips aren’t an important factor?

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    I’m a lot less knowledgeable, frankly, but insofar as FRC is more a matter of taste than are “technicals,” I think there’s a lot in these suggestions that sounds right to me.

    GriffinSilver216: Would your recommendations be the same for in-ear truly wireless as well as for other types of products?

    Edited 4 years ago: Adding a question for OP
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    Seems like a no-brainer.

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    Hey! Thanks for asking! It just has to do with the total number of headphones. We are a small team with limited resources and we retested 216 headphones with that update. We try to select the models we think most users are searching for and this pair just didn’t make the cut.

    That makes sense generally, and appreciate how many headphones are out there. But ER4XR seems like a pretty high-profile item in the audiophile world (not that everyone loves it, but everyone’s aware of it and has opinions about the sound).

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    Actually, to put a finer point on this, I would not only test attack and fade/decay, but would make weight technical ability more heavily than tonality (i.e. frequency response), since preferences for tonality (Harman, Diffuse Field, etc.) is probably much more diverse than preference for speedy attack and a graceful, concave decay.

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    This seems like a pretty good idea. Attack and also decay.

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    Strongly agree re the headphone comparison. I think the feature is a great idea, but as implemented, it’s not very usable.