Razer headsets are widely regarded as some of the best in the industry, exemplified by their excellent sound quality, supreme designs and great value for money. The entry-level Blackshark V2 X headset is an affordable jumping in point for Razer's catalogue and while it doesn't always measure up to the brand's high standards, it excels in other notable areas.

Razer released the Blackshark V2 X in 2020 and while you may be thinking that other headsets have since overshadowed it in the last couple of years, you might be wrong. The first and most noticeable thing out the box is the lightweight build. The box image made it seem a lot heavier than it actually was, which was pleasantly surprising but also made the build feel a bit on the cheap side.



In addition to the light weight, it's also not a particularly good-looking headset. I reviewed Razer's trademark green colour variant and while it's easier on the eyes than the black or white models, it's clunky frame with a bizarre exposed wire on its metal fork design is still a bit unappealing. The lack of RGB will also be a deciding factor for many depending on which end of that argument you fall on. Nevertheless, where it falters in build and looks, it more than makes up for it with quite literally everything else.

Here's a quick rundown of the Blackshark V2 X specs:

Driver Type: Customized dynamic 50mm (Razer Triforce)
Impedance: 32 Ohms
Frequency Response: 12 Hz – 28 KHz
Microphone Type: Razer HyperClear Cardioid
Connectivity: 3.5mm
Cords: 4.2 feet / 1.3m
Weight: 0.5 pounds (240g)
Lighting: None
Software: Razer Synapse

The Razer Blackshark V2 X is almost unmatched in its comfort, and I say that as someone who frequently rotates dozens of headsets a year. It's one of the best. The headband and earcups are covered in soft leatherette with light compressible memory foam on the inside of the earcups, making it an extremely comfortable fit for long periods of gaming or usage. Thanks to the super lightweight design, it only adds to that comfort.



On the subject of non-detachable mics, they've always been a bit of a nuisance, personally. The Blackshark V2 X comes with a non-detachable mic and a rather intrusive one at that as it's constantly in your peripherals at any given time. The sturdy wire holding the mic in place isn't very flexible, meaning it'll constantly sneak up you regardless of how much you adjust it.

As for audio performance, the Blackshark V2 X delivers a pleasant and absorbing experience. The idea behind the Triforce 50mm drivers is to focus on making three key areas sound more distinct: treble, mid and bass. The results are fantastic. Thumps, booms and kicks land with ferocity, all the while never sounding like it took anything away from clarity.

In this instance, I tested it on a variety of consoles and PC, including gaming, music and movies to see how it handles itself as an all-purpose device. While playing Deathloop, the sound of recoil and punch of guns stood out, though it became difficult to hear dialogue unless you fiddled with the settings a bit to find that sweet spot. Likewise, Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 sounded just as impressive with its high-quality sound production providing crisp audio quality through the headset.



Music was an area that the Blackshark V2 X excelled in. I initially anticipated adjusting the settings a lot depending on the type of genre I listening to, from hip-hop where the lyrics had to be balanced out with the beat, to rock and heavy metal where the roaring guitars and booming drums could very easily overpower other sounds. This was not the case at all. There was a terrific balance to all aspects of music and it required little to no tinkering. Movies, on the other hand, had me bringing up the settings menu frequently to properly recalibrate between the over-bearingly loud action-heavy scenes and quieter dialogue in Inception and Prey.

For gaming, the headset will certainly find its home. The light weight and comfortable earcups are well-suited to long, intense hours of gaming. To be honest, it didn't even feel like I was wearing a headset most of the time. The mic quality was decent as well, though friends told me they heard an odd clicking sound now and then that couldn't be explained. On single-player games like Ghost of Tsushima and A Plague Tale: Innocence, the headset's clear audio shone bright. The clashing of swords in the latter with the wind howling in the distance provided beautiful soundscapes, while the latter's scattering of mice could be heard through the walls and faint echoes in long, dark hallways, elevating the terror.



Because the Blackshark V2 X is the baby cousin of the superior V2 model, it's worth noting that it does lack in some areas, including Razer's Synapse software. The virtual 7.1 surround sound on the headset is standard, but it doesn't have the V2's THX Spatial Audio either (which is a feature that can be upgraded on the X). Overall, the software on offer here is almost non-existent as it seems like that wasn't Razer's priority for this less-costly model, which is understandable but not something I can recommend to people who like to tweak every element of their listening experience.

Razer's Blackshark V2 X is a versatile headset that provides superb audio quality, a lightweight build and comfortable earcups for long hours of use. All-purpose usage across gaming consoles, music and movies will get you plenty of value (especially at a price point of around R1099). It may not have the most appealing design, the "premium" sturdiness nor the software capabilities, but it's easily one of the best entry-level headsets that I've personally used.