Razer BlackShark V2 Pro (2023) Review - Great Sound, Middling Build

Razer’s BlackShark V2 Pro has been one of the more interesting headsets in the competitive gaming space since its original release, occupying the middle ground between the clinical accuracy that esports players want and the richer sound that helps immersive single-player games land properly. The 2023 revision improves the wireless performance and refreshes the driver design without dramatically changing the formula. At £179, it is priced as a premium product and mostly justifies that, with one or two exceptions that Razer should have done better.

Build and Design

The BlackShark V2 Pro 2023 does not look dramatically different from its predecessor. The design is understated for a Razer product: there is RGB on the logo, but it is restrained rather than the full underglow spectacle of some of their other hardware. The headset is predominantly black plastic with green accents, clearly identifiable as Razer without being garish.

And that plastic is where the first caveat lives. At £179, the build materials feel average. The headband and earcups are constructed from the same lightweight plastic you find on headsets costing significantly less. There is no flex point that feels structurally weak, and the headset does not feel fragile in use. But it does not feel like premium hardware when you hold it, and at this price, it should.

The earcups use memory foam padding with a soft leatherette covering, which is comfortable and seals reasonably well against external noise. The clamping force is moderate and well-judged: secure enough to stay in place during active sessions without becoming uncomfortable over a couple of hours. The headband uses a similar foam-padded approach and distributes weight evenly.

The microphone is detachable, which is one of the better decisions Razer has made here. The boom arm stores magnetically when not in use (or just pulls out entirely), and the cardioid design does a solid job of focusing on your voice while rejecting background noise. It is not a studio condenser, but for voice communication in competitive games and Discord calls it is clear and natural-sounding.

The charging port is micro-USB. In 2023, this is a genuine problem. USB-C is the standard on every reasonably priced wireless peripheral at this point, and using micro-USB on a £179 headset is a cost-cutting decision that should not have been made.

Audio Performance

The TriForce Titanium 50mm drivers are the strongest part of the V2 Pro, and they are genuinely impressive. Razer designed these with three separate frequency zones rather than a single diaphragm covering the full range, which allows the bass, mid, and high frequencies to be tuned somewhat independently. The result is a headset that handles both the detail-oriented sound design of competitive shooters and the broader cinematic audio of story-driven games without obviously compromising either.

Clarity in the high frequency range is the standout. Footsteps, distant shots, environmental cues in games like Valorant and CS2 are rendered with precision that aids gameplay in a way that bass-heavy gaming headsets simply do not. The imaging is wide enough to give solid directional accuracy, which matters more in FPS titles than raw bass impact.

Bass response is present and satisfying without dominating. In more action-oriented titles like God of War or Doom Eternal, the low-end punch from explosions and heavy attacks feels appropriate. However, in certain titles, particularly those with heavily bass-boosted sound design, the low frequencies can push slightly into the midrange and obscure some of the detail in dialogue and ambient audio. It is not a significant problem in most games, but worth noting for players who prioritise audio clarity above all else.

THX Spatial Audio is available via Razer’s Synapse software on PC. It is one of the better software-based surround solutions available, producing a convincing sense of directional audio that expands the perceived soundstage beyond the standard stereo image. For competitive gaming and certain atmospheric single-player titles, it adds genuine value. For music listening and titles with pre-mixed surround tracks, it is optional.

Wireless Performance

The 2023 model introduces HyperSpeed wireless, which is Razer’s improved low-latency 2.4GHz solution also used in their mice and keyboards. The improvement over the previous model’s wireless is meaningful: connection stability is excellent, range extends to a comfortable 10 metres without obstacles, and latency is low enough that no sync issues were noticed in any tested scenario including fast-paced FPS titles.

Battery life is rated at 70 hours and broadly accurate in testing at moderate volumes. This is among the better battery performances in the wireless gaming headset category, and at typical gaming volume levels you will realistically get several days of heavy use before needing to charge. The charge time from flat is around 2.5 hours.

For PlayStation use, the headset connects via the included USB dongle and works with the PS5’s built-in audio output, which makes it a viable cross-platform option even if PC is clearly the primary target.

Spec Overview

Worth Knowing

• The charging port is micro-USB, not USB-C. This is a significant annoyance at this price point.
• The build quality feels below the price. The plastic construction is functional but not premium.
• Bass can overpower mids in certain titles with heavy low-frequency sound design. Players who prioritise dialogue and ambient clarity may notice this.
• THX Spatial Audio requires Razer Synapse software on PC and does not function on console.
• The detachable microphone is a genuine plus. It is one of the better built-in mics at this price.
• HyperSpeed wireless works across PC and PlayStation via the USB dongle. Xbox requires the 3.5mm connection.
• At 320g, it is not the lightest headset in the category. For longer sessions this becomes noticeable for some users.

Who Is This For

The BlackShark V2 Pro 2023 suits PC-primary competitive gaming players who want wireless without sacrificing audio accuracy. It handles FPS titles particularly well due to the clarity in high frequencies and directional imaging, and the detachable microphone is a bonus for players who also stream or use the headset for calls.

It works on console and can function as a reasonable all-rounder, but the THX Spatial Audio software dependency and micro-USB charging make it a more natural fit for a PC setup.

Players primarily using console, or those who put build quality at the top of their priorities, should also look at the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless and the Sony Pulse 3D before committing.

Verdict

The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro 2023 delivers on the things that matter most in a gaming headset: audio accuracy, wireless reliability, and comfort over long sessions. The TriForce Titanium drivers produce clear, well-balanced sound with genuine directional performance in competitive titles, and HyperSpeed wireless is among the most stable 2.4GHz implementations in the market.

What lets it down is the execution around the periphery. Micro-USB charging in 2023 is not acceptable at £179. The plastic build quality does not match the premium pricing. These are not dealbreakers for a product that sounds this good, but they are hard to overlook when competitors at similar prices are doing better on both fronts.

If audio performance is your primary concern and you can live with the build compromises, this is a very capable headset. If you want the full package at this price, look at the alternatives.

Score: 8/10 - Recommended