Razer Announces BlackShark V2 and BlackShark V2 X Gaming Headsets

by Hilbert Hagedoorn on: 07/31/2020 06:46 AM | source: | 0 comment(s)

Razer announced the definitive esports headset with the Razer BlackShark V2. Featuring the all-new Razer TriForce Titanium 50 mm Drivers, Razer HyperClear Cardioid Mic with USB Sound Card, advanced passive noise cancellation, and with THX Spatial Audio's new Game Profiles feature making its debut.

In esports, clarity of sound and communications is everything. Being able to hear the slightest audio cue and communicate clearly with teammates makes the difference between the glory of the win or being a footnote on the tournament roster. For the Razer BlackShark V2, Razer has developed an entirely new 50 mm audio driver which, coupled with a new custom-tuned microphone and superior passive noise cancelling earcups, creates the ultimate triple threat in esports - clear sounds, clear communication, and minimal external noise - a deadly audio trinity.

"Working with pro-players, we identified key areas where esports headsets needed to improve - positional audio, clarity of communications and noise cancellation," said Alvin Cheung, Senior Vice President of Razer's Peripherals Business Unit. "By addressing these three areas and implementing the solutions into the BlackShark V2, we've created a formidable headset. And by adding in the new THX Game Profiles, we've made the formidable into the unbeatable."

Tuned drivers for esports excellence

The Razer BlackShark V2 is equipped with an all-new, patented 50 mm driver, the Razer TriForce Titanium. Using titanium-coated diaphragms, in a cutting-edge, proprietary design, the TriForce Titanium drivers separate the audio frequencies and allow for the individual tuning of the high, mid and low ranges, resulting in clearer trebles, a rich midrange and powerful bass.

The TriForce Drivers are complemented by THX Spatial Audio - an advanced positional audio solution for pinpoint accuracy and lifelike, immersive in-game sound that is compatible with stereo, 5.1 and 7.1 sources. The advanced THX spatial algorithms and world modelling technology, combined with unprecedented user-customization options, deliver a 360-degree soundscape tuned to each player's ears. THX Spatial Audio makes locating enemies, avoiding whizzing bullets, and detecting nearby threats easy and natural, giving gamers and esports athletes the infamous Razer 'unfair advantage'.

Call the shots without interference
Clear communications in the heat of battle are the key to victory, so for the BlackShark V2, Razer developed the HyperClear Cardioid Microphone with USB Sound Card. The HyperClear Cardioid Mic has been tuned for a more focused voice pick-up area, eliminating sounds from the back and sides for speech clarity. The open housing design of the removable microphone offers minimal pick-up interference for a more accurate capture and recreation of your voice.

The additional USB Sound Card provides advanced microphone controls for even further tuning. With features such as Mic Boost, Voice Gate, Volume Normalization, Microphone Equalizer and Ambient Noise Reduction, players can customize their voice output to minimize the noise from their surroundings interfering with crucial team communications.

Cut the noise, increase the comfort
In tournament play, be it at home, a LAN or on the main stage of a tournament finals, outside noise can be an unwelcome distraction. The subtle audio cues from other players and the environment in game can be lost when the noise of real-life seeps into the headset. The advanced passive noise cancelling properties for the BlackShark V2 are due to full-ear enclosing design of the oval ear cups, surrounded by a plush leatherette-lined foam cushion. This forms a consistent seal between the BlackShark V2 and the wearer's head, minimizing intrusive external sounds.

Using an ultra-soft breathable memory foam, the ear cushions also minimize heat build-up and perspiration, for comfort even in long, intense play sessions. A soft, well-padded headband over a lightweight stainless-steel frame ensures a flexible and extremely durable design with minimal head clamping at just 262g.

Tried and tested by the Pros
Team Razer, the esports division of Razer, works with many of the world's best teams and players to develop new high-performance, esports-focused peripherals, striving to push the performance boundaries and deliver that competitive edge. From the start of creating the BlackShark V2, Team Razer engaged with multiple esports athletes to test the headset, with their feedback helping hone the design and features.

"We've tested the Razer BlackShark V2 prototype and were quickly convinced of its advantages in games," said Tal "Fly" Aizik from Evil Geniuses. "Using it in many training sessions, it was comfortable to wear, and both the game and mic sound quality are excellent - it really let me stay focused on my game."

The Razer BlackShark V2 is just one of many products designed using feedback from esports athletes during the creation process. By listening to players and implementing their feedback into new products, Razer has established itself as the market leader in professional quality, esports gaming peripherals.

THX Game Profiles for the Winning Edge
Making a debut on August 6, THX Game Profiles further deepen the gaming experience. With games-specific, customized profiles, certified by the game developers, THX Game Profiles allow players to enjoy their games the way they were truly meant to sound, providing a realistic and immersive experience.

THX Game Profiles feature two distinct modes: THX Environmental Mode for lifelike sound and the most immersive experience or THX Competitive Mode, with more emphasis on spatial awareness and directional cues, for the quicker and more accurate locating of enemies.

THX Game Profiles currently support 18 of the most popular multiplayer and competitive titles, including Apex Legends, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Valorant, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, and others - with more titles due over the coming months. Working directly with the game designers, Razer is using the THX Game Profiles to allow developers for each game to create custom room and environment specifications in advance, from echoing hallways to large outdoor areas. Add to this the user-customization available through the THX Spatial Audio technology itself and players can tune their game sound to perfection.Multi-platform compatibility
With its wired 3.5 mm audio jack connection, the Razer BlackShark V2 is compatible with any 3.5 mm jack enabled device, including PC, Mac, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and many mobile devices. The additional USB Sound Card is compatible with Windows 10 PCs only.

ABOUT THE RAZER BLACKSHARK V2
Headphones

Frequency response: 12 Hz - 28 kHz
Impedance: 32 Ω @ 1 kHz
Sensitivity (@1 kHz): 100dBSPL/mW,1KHz
Drivers: Customized Dynamic 50 mm Driver
Inner ear cup diameter: 65 x 40 mm / 2.56 in x 1.57 in
Connection type: 3.5 mm with USB sound card
Cable length: 1.8 m / 5.91 ft.
Approx. weight: 262 g / 0.6 lbs
Oval ear cushions: Breathable memory foam cushions

Microphone

Frequency response: 100Hz-10 kHz
Signal-to-noise ratio: 60dB
Sensitivity (@ 1 kHz): -42dB V/Pa,1 kHz
Pick-up pattern: Unidirectional

On-earcup Controls

Volume up and down
Mic mute on/off toggle

Audio Usage

Audio Usage: Devices with 3.5 mm audio jack
Audio Usage + USB Sound Card: Devices with USB port

PRICE & AVAILABILITY
$99.99 USD / €109.99 MSRP

Razer BlackShark V2: Razer.com and authorized resellers including Amazon and Best Buy - July 30, 2020

THX Game Profiles for Razer BlackShark V2: Available via Razer Synapse - August 6, 2020 (other headsets/headphones following soon)

Razer BlackShark V2 X: The Entry Level Esports Gaming Headset
Also announced today is the BlackShark V2 X, an entry-level version of the BlackShark V2, retaining many of the tournament grade features, and aimed at the price-conscious gamer. The BlackShark V2 X uses the non-titanium version of the Razer TriForce 50 mm Driver and relies on a single 3.5 mm jack instead of a USB sound card, but has the same HyperClear Cardioid Mic and Advanced Passive Noise Cancellation features as the BlackShark V2.

Weighing in at just 240 g and with cross-platform system compatibility, the BlackShark V2 X is ideal for the gamer needing a single headset for all the systems they own.

$59.99 USD / €69.99 MSRP

Razer.com and authorized resellers including Amazon and Best Buy - July 30, 2020