This phenomenal gaming headset proves some companies DO listen to us — and it’s totally awesome when they do

by

In my assessment of the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro (2023), I identified it as one of the top-notch wireless gaming headsets you could purchase. A year down the line, a console-compatible model emerged, maintaining the same level of quality, but certainly with room for improvement.

At long last, we’ve got our hands on the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro, and let me tell you, it’s a massive leap forward! When Razer unveiled its latest top-tier gaming headset designed for esports, I was left speechless by the endless list of enhancements and updates, all while maintaining that classic design aesthetic.

The Razer BlackShark V3 Pro, while slightly costlier and heavier, stands almost flawlessly in the realm of gaming headsets. What makes it even more appealing is that there’s no need to anticipate releases tailored for Xbox and PlayStation systems.

Instead of my usual approach, I’d like to emphasize my suggestion. If you have a budget of $250 for a top-tier wireless gaming headset, I strongly advise you to consider the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro. You can find it for just $249.99 at BestBuy.com.

This version maintains the original meaning while using different words and phrases to provide a fresh perspective.

Yeah, let’s just summarize those upgrades real quick

To avoid any misunderstanding about the enhancements Razer has made with the latest BlackShark V3 Pro, let me begin by highlighting all the significant upgrades you’ll notice right away.

  • Upgraded audio. The BlackShark V3 Pro upgrades to Razer’s new TriForce Bio-Cellulose 50mm Gen-2 drivers, which are basically bigger and better versions of the drivers in the ultra-premium Razer Kraken V4 Pro I reviewed.
    • Not content with just that, Razer also added THX Spatial Audio 7.1.4 support, which adds four virtual speakers above your head when you want that surround sound effect. The BlackShark V3 Pro supports the Xbox and PlayStation spatial audio equivalents, too.
  • Bigger microphone. The BlackShark V2 Pro already had one of the best microphones on any headset, but Razer made it even better by increasing the physical size of the HyperClear Super Wideband microphone from 9mm to 12mm.
  • Improved performance. This headset is designed with competitive gaming in mind (especially first-person shooters), so improved performance was a guarantee.
    • The greatest performance upgrade comes from Razer’s new HyperSpeed Wireless Gen-2. Yes, Razer HyperSpeed actually got a next-gen upgrade with greater efficiency and stability, but Razer also reduced the wireless latency to a mere 10ms — easily the best in the industry.
    • Razer has continued working with esports athletes to develop professionally tuned audio profiles for six of the most popular FPS games, and you can now store a total of 9 unique audio profiles on the BlackShark V3 Pro.
  • Refined ergonomics. Razer may have kept the same overall design language, but the BlackShark V3 Pro is still a lot more refined in a lot of ways.
    • The yoke design has returned, but it’s further reinforced and now has a 15-degree swivel joint to provide a better fit to everyone’s unique head shape.
    • The Memory Foam ear cushions are just as comfortable as ever, but Razer designed a new dual-layer fabric that uses leatherette for superior noise isolation underneath cloth for improved breathability.
    • The design has been refined in other ways, too, like more distinct textures for the onboard controls and adding swappable magnetic faceplates (which have nothing to do with comfort, but could be great for customization).
  • Better support. Unlike the BlackShark V2 Pro, Razer’s latest flagship gaming headset is coming out of the gate with PC, Xbox, and PlayStation versions — all available in black or white.
    • Not only do we already have console-specific versions, but they also fully support Razer Synapse on PC this time, so you don’t have to choose one or the other.
    • The BlackShark V3 Pro can also do simultaneous Bluetooth and 2.4GHz audio mixing, so you can have a voice call on one and your game on the other, or whatever combination you need in the moment.
    • If you’d rather plug in, the BlackShark V3 Pro supports USB wired audio and even comes with a 3.5mm adapter for more traditional headphone jacks.
    • You can customize your BlackShark V3 Pro using the Razer Audio App on Android and iOS, the Razer Headset Setup app on Xbox, and the Razer Synapse app on PC — and the increased onboard memory will remember all your changes.
  • More features. The BlackShark V3 Pro also gains some brand-new features. I already mentioned the simultaneous Bluetooth and 2.4GHz audio, but there are a couple more, too.
    • Razer has brought hybrid active noise cancellation to the BlackShark, with 4 microphones (2 internal and 2 external) dedicated to filtering out unwanted background noise to keep you in the game.
    • In addition to the new ANC button for cycling through modes, Razer also added a customizable roller to the BlackShark V3 Pro, which handles chat balancing by default, but can also uniquely increase just the sounds of footsteps to give you a competitive advantage.

Whoo, that’s a lot. Let’s actually talk about my experience using the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro now.

It’ll be difficult for Razer to impress with the BlackShark V4

It’s worth noting that I’ve detailed the enhancements Razer made to the BlackShark V3 Pro. However, the crucial point to consider is whether these improvements truly matter in terms of performance. Indeed, they do.

Initially, the BlackShark V3 Pro might not seem significantly different from its predecessor, but upon closer inspection, it offers a significantly enhanced user experience, particularly in terms of comfort during extended use. A significant part of this improvement is attributed to the introduction of a new swivel joint, which plays a crucial role in fitting and additionally boosts noise isolation.

The BlackShark V3 Pro carries forward its predecessor’s distinctive look, yet boasts numerous enhancements and improvements throughout.

The BlackShark V3 Pro primarily uses plastic, but it’s constructed with great care and attention, showcasing premium qualities. For instance, the headband features authentic stitching that aligns with your chosen color option – black for PC, green for Xbox, or blue for PlayStation.

Razer designed the faceplates on their products to be quickly changed using magnets; however, currently, they don’t offer personalized options for customizing your BlackShark V3 Pro. Yet, given Razer’s innovative approach, I suspect they have plans to capitalize on this design choice in the future.

One potential rephrasing could be: Although the BlackShark V3 Pro weighs approximately 47 grams more than its previous version, it’s an appreciable difference. Despite this, it remains incredibly comfortable to use, but the extra weight is something to keep in mind.

I’ve noticed a substantial enhancement in performance, mainly due to two key factors. Firstly, the introduction of the second generation Bio-Cellulose 50mm Drivers has noticeably altered the sound profile, making it warmer and deeper, reminiscent of the Kraken V4 Pro headset. However, these drivers also bring about improvements in precision, soundscape, and responsiveness.

The BlackShark V3 Pro delivers exceptional sound quality for gaming, music, films, and more, boasting robust bass and sub-bass tones along with clear mid-ranges. Its generous onboard memory and reliable equalizer allow you to customize the BlackShark V3 Pro for various applications.

The BlackShark V3 Pro pulls out all the stops, investing heavily to deliver top-tier performance in areas like audio and wireless connectivity.

I observed some distortion in higher pitches, particularly with active noise cancellation (ANC) activated, and occasionally this headset has trouble transitioning between audio settings, resulting in a generally hollow sound for several extended seconds. Nevertheless, the BlackShark V3 Pro is significantly better than its 2023 counterpart overall.

As a tech enthusiast, diving back into the world of gaming peripherals, I’ve been eagerly anticipating the latest upgrade – Razer HyperSpeed Wireless Gen-2, which made its debut alongside the Razer DeathAdder V4 Pro gaming mouse that I recently delved into. Unfortunately, the BlackShark V3 Pro doesn’t embrace the new wireless receiver design, but it certainly reaps the rewards of enhanced stability (even amidst a barrage of interference from rival wireless signals) and reduced latency, offering an even smoother gaming experience.

Razer mentioned that they might have been able to decrease latency further than 10 milliseconds, but it was unnecessary since 10ms is roughly how long a healthy brain takes to perceive audio, as I understand. Personally, I can’t say for sure if there’s a difference, but I can assure you that the BlackShark V3 Pro delivers sound with an almost immediate feel and performs exceptionally well in competitive gaming.

In one aspect, the BlackShark V3 Pro doesn’t quite match up to its predecessor in terms of battery life. I penned an editorial some time ago expressing how it seemed like an eternity to drain the BlackShark V2 Pro. Despite the new headset offering similar endurance… if you utilize its novel features, such as active noise cancellation and concurrent audio mixing, you can indeed drain its battery more swiftly.

https://w.soundcloud.com/player/

Regarding Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), the BlackShark V3 Pro employs four microphones distinct from its main microphone for voice calls to eliminate background noise effectively, though the effect may be somewhat subtle. While the BlackShark V3 Pro might not dethrone Sony or Bose as the best ANC headphones anytime soon, it does offer noticeable improvements in sound quality with ANC activated. Additionally, you have a reasonable degree of control over the ANC settings, including an ambient mode that functions admirably.

In simpler terms, I get why they made a PC-exclusive BlackShark V3 Pro for marketing purposes, but it seems unnecessary this time since both Xbox and PlayStation versions offer the same features and compatibility as the Windows PC version, except for the PlayStation version lacking the Halo-centric audio profile. So, there’s no significant incentive to opt for the PC-only version.

BlackShark V3 Pro review: My final thoughts

✅You should buy this if …

  • You want a high-quality gaming headset that works across platforms.
  • You want the best performance possible out of a wireless headset.
  • You value features like ANC and a class-leading microphone.

❌You should not buy this if …

  • You won’t take advantage of this headset’s competitive performance.
  • You need a headset for exclusively one platform (and want to save money).

It seems there isn’t much room for improvement in the Razer BlackShark V4 Pro. Maybe it could be made slightly lighter, have a longer battery life, offer improved sound quality, and better noise cancellation, but overall, this model appears to be quite polished – Razer has seemingly perfected it with this version.

Razer addressed each valid critique from all reviews (including mine) diligently, working tirelessly to improve those areas with this headset. It’s a testament to years of continuous improvement and technological advancement, resulting in a product that is undoubtedly one of the top-tier Xbox and PC gaming headsets available today.

The BlackShark V3 Pro might initially set you back an extra $50, but it’s a worthy investment regardless of your competitive gaming skills. If you’re looking to save some cash, the standard Razer BlackShark V3 appears to be an upgrade from the BlackShark V2 Pro, offering features like simultaneous Bluetooth and 2.4GHz audio for only $150. However, I haven’t had the chance to test that particular headset myself.

The enhanced audio quality, active noise cancellation, and numerous other improvements make the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro an effortless choice for $249.99 at BestBuy.com or Amazon.com. Be it Xbox or PC, this headset is my go-to from now on, thanks to Razer taking our feedback into account.

Read More

2025-08-01 16:11