Razer BlackShark V3 Pro Review: Excessive-Finish Gaming Audio

Despite together with Bluetooth and ANC, I do not consider this at the kind of do-everything headset you would possibly exchange noise-canceling headphones with, and never simply because the individual subsequent to you’ll surprise should you’re secretly speaking to the pilots. These are so cumbersome and clearly for gaming that you simply in all probability do not wish to put on them outdoors the home. You’d actually get some bizarre seems strolling the canine or working out of your native espresso store.

Comfort and Fit

Photograph: Brad Bourque

In order to suit all these options inside, the BlackShark 3 are noticeably heavier than a number of the different headsets I’ve examined not too long ago. The Pro model with ANC is available in at 367 grams, a full 100-plus grams heavier than the Arctis Nova 3 at 260 grams. If you go for the non-Pro mannequin with out ANC, it is a lot nearer to the SteelSeries at simply 270 g, which may be very interesting should you principally sport alone at residence as a substitute of in entrance of a crowd of adoring followers.

That weight would not make them uncomfortable, at the very least for a number of hours at a time, largely because of the ear cups, which have a nice mesh exterior and squishy inside padding. Razer says there is a layer of pleather beneath to assist the noise canceling, however I could not inform it was there, which is an efficient factor, as a result of I hate how scorching pleather can get.

Still, I miss the ski-goggle band discovered on most SteelSeries headsets, which distributes weight extra evenly throughout the highest of the headscarf. Especially throughout lengthy classes, and on larger craniums, it could actually assist rather a lot with consolation. Even the equally heavy Arctis Nova Pro, my earlier improve choose, has a softer top-of-head really feel.

Extra weight additionally means a much bigger battery. I measured near 50 hours with the lively noise canceling on, and proper round 60 with the function turned off. In apply, I solely needed to plug within the BlackShark V3 Pro as soon as every week or so to maintain them topped up. The one time they acquired low in the midst of a WoW raid night time, I used to be capable of cost them up on our 8-minute break from about 4 % to 11 %, which was greater than sufficient for the remainder of the night. They acquired a bit of confused if I plugged them into the pc simply to cost, however an exterior charger labored simply superb whereas taking part in.

The Best Microphone

Photograph: Brad Bourque

I rotate by means of lots of gaming headsets, and more often than not I’ve to ask for suggestions on my microphone high quality. Some are higher than others, however most are simply gaming headset microphones, with a recognizable, barely tinny vibe. The second I sat down for my weekly Dungeons and Dragons sport, my occasion members observed how sharp and clear I sounded.