Last month, the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro made its debut as the successor to the 2023 edition of the BlackShark V2 Pro. The Esports-focused headset comes in three variants tailored for specific platforms, which differ in terms of built-in spatial audio support and design. For the purposes of this review, we’re looking at the PC model.
Overall, the headset doesn’t just refine the features present on its predecessor, but also brings some new ones to the table. In theory, this makes for a product with a lot of utility, but how does it stack up in reality?
What Am I Looking At?
As the latest addition to the Razer BlackShark lineup, the headset retains many of the same design elements as its predecessor, while also introducing some upgrades. The headphones are sturdy with a no-frills, no-nonsense build that maximises functionality. You get soft memory foam cushions for the earcups for passive noise isolation and comfort, a detachable mic, and the sliding yoke design as the BlackShark V2 Pro.
The earcups feature removable plates, allowing for easy access to the internals if necessary. The left earcup remains mostly unchanged, as you have your USB-C port, power button, microphone mute button, and volume control knob right where they should be. There are some slight tweaks, like textures on the power button and the volume knob.
On the right, you have a SmartSwitch button for swapping between EQ profiles and wireless connection modes, as well as a dedicated ANC button. Between the two controls is a roller for Game/Chat balance. This lets you control how loud your game is relative to the chat and vice versa. You also have the option to change the roller’s function via Razer Synapse.
Yes, you need Razer Synapse (or the Razer Audio app if you’re using it with a mobile device) to get the most out of the headset as you can’t access some of the features without it, THX Spatial Audio included.
What’s Good About It?
The innate noise isolation you get from the earcups is pretty good as is, but the ANC is certainly a welcome addition. You have your choice of four noise cancellation levels plus an Ambient setting for when you do need to pay attention to your actual surroundings and not just your game. Overall, the ANC does a good job of silencing most outside noise, which helps with immersion. It’s especially good at quieting air-conditioning units and similar offenders. That said, though, you can still make out voices, so your mileage may vary if you have any other angry gamers in your vicinity.
As mentioned previously, you do need the dedicated software to access THX Spatial Audio and your EQ settings, but you do get quite a bit of control here. You also have the option to amplify quieter sounds like footsteps, making them come through with more clarity. This helps a lot with identifying specific audio cues, especially in chaotic games like Warframe.
Additionally, Razer has upgraded the wireless connection on these headphones. You can now connect to two devices at a time via 2.4GHz and Bluetooth. Aside from that, the BlackShark V3 Pro offers wired connectivity through 3.5mm and USB, which is helpful should you forget to charge the headset.
That said, you probably won’t need to reach for the charger so often. The battery life is pretty impressive, as I managed to get close to five days’ worth of use on a single charge, and that’s with ANC enabled.
What’s The Catch?
Before delving into the other drawbacks, we do need to address the elephant in the room. The headset comes with an undeniably hefty price tag. RM1,229 is a lot to ask to begin with, and worse, it’s also costlier than the BlackShark V2 Pro, albeit slightly.
With that out of the way, what sticks out the most is how snug these headphones are. Sure, they need to fit around your ears properly for the ANC to work its magic, but they do have a pretty tight grip on your head. It’s not immediately apparent, and you’ll only really notice it after you’ve had them on for a while.
On the software side, Razer Synapse is pretty janky still, as it tends to bug out every so often and needs to be restarted. Granted, this isn’t necessarily a mark against the headset itself, but given how many of its features require the software, some improvement would go a long way to make the experience smoother.
Should I Buy It?
Given how much the headset costs, it’s a pretty heavy investment even without considering the fact that it is more expensive than the last generation’s model. That said, the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro is a premium product jam-packed with features, and said features cost a pretty penny.
The real question is whether you require all the bells and whistles. Make no mistake, this headset is tailored for gamers in the competitive space. So, if you take gaming seriously and have the funds to spend, these headphones are just the thing you need.
