At Razer, we know a lot about headsets. As a major player with many years of experience in the field, it's a safe bet that a large number of you have already at least seen, or even owned, the brand's products. With hardware designed and developed primarily for gaming, it's only logical that we've already been able to test a few Razer headsets in the past, such as the Kaira Pro, or more recently the Blackshark V2 Pro. Today we're staying with the Blackshark family for the test of the entry-level model in its version designed in collaboration with PlayStation: the Blackshark V2 X PS5 edition.
The albino black shark
For this occasion, the V2 X is adorned with a white and black dress in perfect harmony with the Sony console. An elegant shade, which is a change from the often usual predominantly black tones used on most headsets, whether from Razer or other manufacturers. A long-standing reference range from the three-headed snake, the Blackshark series is distinguished in particular by its design which seems to have been borrowed straight from the aviation industry. The V2 X is no exception, following the lines of its predecessors exactly.
The headset's two-tone headband is made of a foamed leatherette covering, white with the Razer logo on the top, and black on the inside. A color code that can also be found across the entire device. An aesthetic detail, certainly, but not only that, it prevents the inevitable yellowing of the surfaces in contact over the long term. Okay, I don't have a hair on my head so that doesn't help, but I can see you, the hairy ones in the fishbowl, sniggering, this concerns you too. With its soft and cushiony feel, the headband is particularly comfortable to use, making you forget it's there quite quickly. The headset's overall weight of only 240 grams is also no stranger to this sensation.
The earpieces are attached to this extension, suspended by a thin metal frame system with two anchor points. Light and airy, this design choice might seem fragile, but it is not. The choice of materials and their finish inspire confidence, despite our repeated handling during our weeks of intensive use... On the condition that we always handle the whole thing with a minimum of delicacy, of course. The height of each appendage is simply modified via sliding pistons, offering a travel of 4.5 centimeters.
Combined with an adaptable vertical inclination, the Blackshark will fit all body shapes. The only notable feature is the absence of a lateral pivot point, a shortcoming that has no real impact thanks to the thick memory foam covering the oval white plastic shells, large enough to fully accommodate your ears. Also pleasant and soft to the touch, the foams are covered with imitation leather on their exterior, while the contact surface is made of fabric. Here again, this choice goes beyond the simple visual effect by bringing with it several advantages: maintaining excellent sound insulation while effectively limiting the risk of perspiration in contact with the skin.
Simple but effective, a good way to summarize the Blackshark V2 X
In use, as in its general offering, the V2 X aims to be as simple as possible. The low price of €49.99 obviously conditions everything, without ever compromising its final quality. This is evident with the two adjustment buttons, one for the volume (with a notch in the middle of its rotation), and one to deactivate the microphone with a single press. A wired headset designed primarily for use on consoles, it has a 3.5 jack cable with a length of 130cm. It's short, you might say, but more than enough to connect to a Dualsense. Its universal plug can be used on all types of devices with the same connectors, such as an Xbox controller, a portable console, certain smartphones, etc. Using an extension cable or adapters can increase the range of possibilities. However, it is important to remember once again that the Blackshark V2 X is designed for gaming, an important point when discussing the sound rendering.
A sound rendering tailored for gaming
Yes, the headset can be used in multiple situations, but it is very difficult to recommend it for use other than gaming. Make no mistake, the audio quality is there, and even impressive for an accessory in this price range. Razer's 50mm titanium drivers feature proprietary TriForce technology, which is supposed to precisely isolate the highs, mids, and lows. And it does! But in practice, it must be said that the bass is much more emphasized.
Punchy and deep, they pair perfectly with the world of video games, the V2 X's primary target audience. Video use, particularly for Blu-ray movies, will also be suitable. However, don't expect the headset to be the perfect ally for your music sessions. This observation is not new; we already raised it in our previous tests. But can we blame a gaming headset designed primarily for console use for a lack of versatility? There is no deception on the merchandise, the Blackshark announces the color via its PlayStation 5 branded packaging.
Finally, the headset offers a directional but non-removable boom microphone, a regrettable point but not surprising at all for the price displayed. Overall, the cardioid microphone fulfills its role in a very linear way, without any superfluous. The voice reproduction is clear, but with a slight "distant" effect. The windshield equipping the appendage helps to reduce background noise. Here too, a very classic design, but which respects the specifications.
Technical characteristics:
- Recommended price: €49.99
- Weight: 240 grams
- Adjustments: Adjustable and padded headband
- Ear cups: Memory foam ear cushions
- Sound: 50mm Razer TriForce titanium drivers
- Microphone: Razer HyperClear cardioid microphone
- Connectivity: Wired, via a 3.5mm audio jack + microphone
- Interface: Volume control and mute button of the microphone
- At home: Designed for the PS5, but also compatible with Xbox, PC, Mac, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android
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