Razer is well-established in the PC accessories space, producing some of the best keyboards, mice, and more for gamers. It comes without the USB sound card that you won't be able to use anyway. It's basically the same headset but costs less. If you play PC and console then this is a strong shout, but if you're a console only gamer you should buy the regular Kraken instead. Passive noise cancelation is also good thanks to the chunky foam earcups providing a great fit around your ears. The microphone is a bit underwhelming and needs more volume, but it's serviceable for party chat and does a decent job at isolating your voice. The included USB sound card adds the icing on the cake with THX Spatial Audio, and while it's the older version without the new game profiles you find on the BlackShark V2, it's still exceptionally good and gives you that infamous Razer "unfair advantage" in competitive games. Since it has a regular 3.5mm, connection you can use it with consoles and mobile, but it's PC gamers who get the most from this headset. It's a pretty large headset, but still not too heavy so there's little fatigue over longer sessions, The Kraken is one of the most iconic gaming headsets in the world and the Tournament Edition combines an attractive price with supreme comfort and awesome sound quality. The party piece is the THX Spatial Audio, which in conjunction with the dedicated game profiles created by THX in partnership with game developers, helps deliver either an immersive or a competitive edge - the so-called Razer "unfair advantage." But if you're a competitive gamer, this is the headset to get right now above all others. The microphone has also been given some upgrades, with a new focused pickup pattern that rejects more sound than ever before from the back and sides.
Inside, Razer's all-new TriForce driver has dedicated tuning for highs, mids, and lows, ensuring best-in-class clarity and volume. Sound quality is also essential, and that starts with superb passive noise cancelation provided by creating a tight seal around your ears. Paired with large memory foam cushions and breathable flowknit fabric, you can wear it for up to 14 hours at a time without feeling any fatigue. That starts with being comfortable to wear for long periods, and luckily, the BlackShark V2 is about the lightest headset you'll ever put around your ears.
The BlackShark V2 has been designed in partnership with some of the leading professional gamers to ensure that this headset captures everything that the competitive scene is looking for. It was something of a game-changer back then, and eight years on, Razer has revived the iconic design and brought it up to scratch for the needs of the PC gamer in 2020. Razer has been making gaming headsets longer than most, and the BlackShark was one of the very first, way back in 2012.