Razer BlackShark V3 Pro
Note: the original Japanese article can be found at:
https://www.4gamer.net/games/023/G002318/20251010074/
By Ryō Enomoto | 2025/10/15 08:00 (UTC)
A headset designed for esports pros, offering ultra-low latency and high sound quality that anyone can use.
Razer BlackShark V3 Pro
Text by Eimoto Ryō
This time, we’re taking a look at the “Razer BlackShark V3 Pro” headset from Razer. The BlackShark series has long been one of Razer’s staple headsets, but it is now positioned specifically as an esports-focused product line, with the BlackShark V3 Pro being especially tailored for professional esports use.
BlackShark V3 Pro Manufacturer: Razer Tax-inclusive direct price: 47,800 yen Thumbnail image No.002 / The Razer headset “BlackShark V3 Pro,” designed for esports pros, is a product with ultra-low latency and high sound quality that anyone can use. (Review)
According to the company, this headset was developed based on feedback from Razer-sponsored professional gamers. How does it perform in practice? Let’s take a closer look.
●Table of Contents
- Appearance similar to its predecessor, but internally upgraded BlackShark V3 Pro
- How the BlackShark V3 Pro appears from Windows
- Synapse 4 now more organized and easier to understand functions
- Headphone output is smooth through high frequencies, less tiring to use
- Microphone input quality features wide bandwidth with a “doncherry” characteristic
Appearance similar to its predecessor, but internally upgraded BlackShark V3 Pro
BlackShark V3 Pro in white model Thumbnail image No.005 / The Razer headset “BlackShark V3 Pro,” designed for esports pros, is a product with ultra-low latency and high sound quality that anyone can use. (Review)
The BlackShark V3 Pro features Razer’s proprietary ultra-low-latency 2.4GHz wireless connection, USB wired connectivity, and supports Bluetooth as well as analog connections. While it looks similar to its predecessor, the “BlackShark V2 Pro,” internally it has undergone significant upgrades. Color options are white and black; this review uses the black version.
A key update in the BlackShark V3 Pro is that its proprietary wireless connection has been upgraded to “Razer HyperSpeed Wireless Gen-2,” which aims to achieve even lower latency for wireless connections. The claimed minimum delay is 10ms—something we’ll test later.
Additionally, the BlackShark V3 Pro supports Bluetooth 5.3 and can now simultaneously connect wirelessly to a PC while also connecting via Bluetooth to a smartphone—a unique feature.
The speaker driver has also evolved to its second generation: “Razer Triforce BioCellulose 50mm Driver.” The frequency response is officially rated at 12Hz–28kHz, which is quite wide.
The microphone has also been updated with the larger-sized “Razer HyperClear Full-Band 12mm Microphone,” measuring 12mm in diameter. It’s claimed to have a broad frequency range of 20Hz–20kHz for capturing sound across a wide spectrum. We’ll test how this translates into actual audio quality.
Though not tested here, battery life is officially rated at up to 70 hours. Charging is done via USB Type-C; the headset can gain enough charge in just 15 minutes to last up to six hours of use.
The earpads are 22mm thick Thumbnail image No.007 / The Razer headset “BlackShark V3 Pro,” designed for esports pros, is a product with ultra-low latency and high sound quality that anyone can use. (Review)
Externally, the large enclosures are eye-catching and the entire headset is unified in a matte black finish. The actual dimensions measure approximately 90 (W) × 113 (D) × 50 (H) mm, with the earpad thickness measured at about 22mm.
The enclosure is made of plastic with Razer’s emblem printed centrally—though instead of the brand’s signature green color, it’s a sleek black. Interestingly, the central faceplate on the enclosure can be removed and replaced magnetically; future updates may allow users to swap these faceplates.
A distinctive feature is the large dial “volume control knob” located at the bottom of the left enclosure—this allows volume adjustment directly on the headset. It’s likely designed this way for intuitive use: it’s large, independent, and very easy to operate. Importantly, adjusting this volume knob also controls system volume on your PC.
The prominent volume control dial on the left side serves as a visual accent Thumbnail image No.008 / The Razer headset “BlackShark V3 Pro,” designed for esports pros, is a product with ultra-low latency and high sound quality that anyone can use. (Review)
Inside the earpads, measurements show approximately 50 (W) × 65 (D) × 20 (H) mm in size. The speaker nets have clearly marked “L” and “R” on either side for easy identification. However, while the product information page states that the part touching the skin is a “dual-layer memory foam cushion” with leather sides, the actual unit uses highly moisture-absorbent fabric (textile) material throughout. Could there be leather inside?
Earpads with “L” and “R” marked in the center—fabric-based, comfortable to touch Thumbnail image No.009 / The Razer headset “BlackShark V3 Pro,” designed for esports pros, is a product with ultra-low latency and high sound quality that anyone can use. (Review)
Note: The earpads are not user-removable, so we couldn’t inspect the speaker drivers directly. However, since they’re fabric-based, wearing comfort is excellent and, from our inspection, noise isolation appears high—suggesting low-frequency sound may be less noticeable. This will become clearer through frequency measurements and listening tests.
Interface ports and buttons are located slightly behind each enclosure. On the left side, from front to back: a dedicated microphone boom connector port, USB Type-C port, power button, and mic mute switch. The LED between the USB Type-C port and power button functions as a “status indicator.” At factory default, it shows battery level via green (steady), green (blinking), yellow (blinking), or red (blinking).
Left enclosure interface & button section Thumbnail image No.010 / The Razer headset “BlackShark V3 Pro,” designed for esports pros, is a product with ultra-low latency and high sound quality that anyone can use. (Review)
On the right enclosure, from front to back: “ANC” (Active Noise Canceller) button, “Game/Chat Balance” wheel, and a multifunctional “SmartSwitch” button.
Right enclosure button section Thumbnail image No.011 / The Razer headset “BlackShark V3 Pro,” designed for esports pros, is a product with ultra-low latency and high sound quality that anyone can use. (Review)
The SmartSwitch button toggles presets on a single press, switches between HyperSpeed and Bluetooth connections with two presses, and enables simultaneous connection when held for 5 seconds (entering pairing mode). With many buttons and switches that differ in shape, accidental pressing is unlikely.
The plastic arm bridging the enclosure and headband has dual-point attachment at both ends of the left and right enclosures, allowing a visual range of about 30 degrees up and down. Although the arm uses a thin plastic material, it’s well-constructed—there’s little risk of easy deformation. The slider is black metal with a diameter of approximately 2mm, resembling thick wire—it appears strong enough. Length adjustment can be freely changed without memory or click points.
Slider in fully retracted (left) and fully extended (right) states Thumbnail image No.012 / The Razer headset “BlackShark V3 Pro,” designed for esports pros, is a product with ultra-low latency and high sound quality that anyone can use. (Review) Thumbnail image No.013 / The Razer headset “BlackShark V3 Pro,” designed for esports pros, is a product with ultra-low latency and high sound quality that anyone can use. (Review)
The joint between the slider and arm allows the enclosure to rotate forward and backward by approximately 15 degrees.
Joint allowing enclosure rotation front-to-back. This helps fit comfortably with different head shapes Thumbnail image No.014 / The Razer headset “BlackShark V3 Pro,” designed for esports pros, is a product with ultra-low latency and high sound quality that anyone can use. (Review) Thumbnail image No.015 / The Razer headset “BlackShark V3 Pro,” designed for esports pros, is a product with ultra-low latency and high sound quality that anyone can use. (Review)
The headband, embossed with the Razer logo in its center, connects to the slider via plastic and has a faux leather surface. The underside, which touches the head, is covered with memory foam cushioning made from fabric material similar to the earpads, measuring about 20mm thick. The maximum width of the headband measures approximately 38mm and is stitched around the perimeter.
Headband with Razer logo Thumbnail image No.016 / The Razer headset “BlackShark V3 Pro,” designed for esports pros, is a product with ultra-low latency and high sound quality that anyone can use. (Review)
The boom mic is about 67mm long excluding the microphone and connector parts, allowing precise positioning. Though it has no lock mechanism, it’s a U-shaped connector that fits securely without easily detaching.
The foam pop filter measures approximately 43mm in length and 33mm in diameter. Removing it reveals the microphone part, measuring about 20 (W) × 43 (D) × 18 (H) mm.
Boom mic of BlackShark V3 Pro (top). Bottom shows removed pop filter. The mesh-covered area is actually the microphone’s back (outer side) Thumbnail image No.017 / The Razer headset “BlackShark V3 Pro,” designed for esports pros, is a product with ultra-low latency and high sound quality that anyone can use. (Review) Thumbnail image No.018 / The Razer headset “BlackShark V3 Pro,” designed for esports pros, is a product with ultra-low latency and high sound quality that anyone can use. (Review)
A small icon on the mic base indicates which side is the microphone, so users can feel confident removing the filter Thumbnail image No.019 / The Razer headset “BlackShark V3 Pro,” designed for esports pros, is a product with ultra-low latency and high sound quality that anyone can use. (Review)
While the shape becomes less clear when removing the filter, the mic side has an embossed icon to help distinguish it.
The BlackShark V3 Pro’s microphone is slightly larger than average. According to product specs, it’s 47% bigger than typical headset microphones—indeed, among the largest we’ve seen in memory.
Internally, the microphone capsule uses a unidirectional supercardioid (heart-shaped) condenser mic with a nominal size of about 12mm. Based on its directional pattern, designed to have an even narrower pickup range than standard cardioids, it’s intended to minimize external noise capture.
The total weight, including the boom mic, is measured at approximately 381g. The mic itself weighs about 15g, so excluding the mic, the headset weighs roughly 367g—matching the product page specification.
Weight measured at around 381g. Not particularly light for a modern wireless headset Thumbnail image No.021 / The Razer headset “BlackShark V3 Pro,” designed for esports pros, is a product with ultra-low latency and high sound quality that anyone can use. (Review)
When worn, the pressure on the sides and headband is well-adjusted—despite a snug fit, it feels comfortable with minimal stress. Slight swaying occurs when moving your face left or right but no slipping. Also, it doesn’t feel heavy during wear.
BlackShark V3 Pro in use Thumbnail image No.023 / The Razer headset “BlackShark V3 Pro,” designed for esports pros, is a product with ultra-low latency and high sound quality that anyone can use. (Review) Thumbnail image No.024 / The Razer headset “BlackShark V3 Pro,” designed for esports pros, is a product with ultra-low latency and high sound quality that anyone can use. (Review) Thumbnail image No.025 / The Razer headset “BlackShark V3 Pro,” designed for esports pros, is a product with ultra-low latency and high sound quality that anyone can use. (Review) Thumbnail image No.026 / The Razer headset “BlackShark V3 Pro,” designed for esports pros, is a product with ultra-low latency and high sound quality that anyone can use. (Review)
The USB wireless adapter “Razer HyperSpeed Wireless dongle, 2nd Gen,” used to connect PC and headset, measures approximately 21 (W) × 35 (D) × 19 (H) mm in a trapezoidal shape with no port, weighing about 7g. It has one USB Type-C connector.
Second-generation Razer HyperSpeed Wireless dongle. Exclusively for BlackShark V3 Pro; cannot be used to connect other Razer wireless devices Thumbnail image No.022 / The Razer headset “BlackShark V3 Pro,” designed for esports pros, is a product with ultra-low latency and high sound quality that anyone can use. (Review)
It’s matte black, with a small circular LED on top that lights up white when connected to the PC. The back has rubber anti-slip material, but due to cable weight, it tends to slide easily—so the slip resistance isn’t very practical.
Let’s summarize the main specifications of BlackShark V3 Pro:
● Main Specifications of BlackShark V3 Pro
- Basic specs: Dedicated 2.4GHz wireless connection, Bluetooth, USB, analog wired connections; sealed enclosure
- Rated body size: Not disclosed
- Rated body weight: Approximately 367g (excluding mic)
- Connection interfaces: Headset body USB Type-C (for charging and USB connectivity), microphone input port
HyperSpeed Wireless dongle USB Type-C - Built-in buttons/switches: SmartSwitch button, microphone mute button, volume control dial, game/chat balance wheel, power button, ANC button
- Battery life: Up to 70 hours
Headphone Unit
- Speaker driver: 50mm driver (graphene)
- Frequency response: 12Hz–28kHz
- Impedance: 32Ω
- Output sound pressure level: 108dBSPL/mW
- Noise cancellation function: Available
Microphone Unit
- Method: Not disclosed
- Frequency response: 100Hz–10kHz
- Sensitivity: -42dB±3dBV/Pa, 1kHz
- Impedance: Not disclosed
- S/N ratio: Not disclosed
- Directionality: Unidirectional
- Noise cancellation function: Not disclosed
How the BlackShark V3 Pro appears from Windows
Let’s check how the BlackShark V3 Pro is recognized in Windows Sound Control Panel and what parameters like resolution are displayed.
First, during wireless connection using HyperSpeed Wireless dongle. In the “Playback” device list, two types of “speaker” devices appear: “BlackShark V3 Pro - Game” and “BlackShark V3 Pro - Chat.” Checking the resolution under the “Details” tab in BlackShark V3 Pro - Game properties shows that it’s initially set to “24bit/48kHz.”
The “Playback” tab has both “BlackShark V3 Pro - Game” and “BlackShark V3 Pro - Chat”
Details tab for BlackShark V3 Pro - Game
Meanwhile, checking the resolution in the “Details” tab of BlackShark V3 Pro - Chat also shows 24bit/48kHz as default.
BlackShark V3 Pro - Chat’s details tab Thumbnail image No.029 / The Razer headset “BlackShark V3 Pro,” designed for esports pros, is a product with ultra-low latency and high sound quality that anyone can use. (Review)
Next, let’s check the microphone properties during wireless connection via HyperSpeed Wireless dongle. In the “Recording” device list, it appears as “BlackShark V3 Pro - Chat.” Checking resolution under the details tab shows “1 channel (mono) / 16bit” with a fixed sample rate of “48kHz.”
BlackShark V3 Pro display in the Recording tab
Details tab for Chat in microphone properties
Let’s also check the USB connection scenario. In the “Playback” tab, we see two speaker devices: “BlackShark V3 Pro USB - Game” and “BlackShark V3 Pro USB - Chat,” with BlackShark V3 Pro USB - Chat set as default device. The resolution is unchanged from wireless mode—though it’s unclear why this happens.
BlackShark V3 Pro’s playback (left) and recording devices (right) during USB connection Thumbnail image No.032 / The Razer headset “BlackShark V3 Pro,” designed for esports pros, is a product with ultra-low latency and high sound quality that anyone can use. (Review) Thumbnail image No.033 / The Razer headset “BlackShark V3 Pro,” designed for esports pros, is a product with ultra-low latency and high sound quality that anyone can use. (Review)
Synapse 4 now more organized and easier to understand functions
Let’s examine settings in “Razer Synapse 4” (hereafter, Synapse 4), the software that manages and configures Razer products collectively. After installing Synapse 4 on your PC, turn on the headset’s power and connect either the HyperSpeed Wireless dongle or the headset body via USB to enable use.
Dashboard screen displayed after launching Synapse 4 and logging in Thumbnail image No.034 / The Razer headset “BlackShark V3 Pro,” designed for esports pros, is a product with ultra-low latency and high sound quality that anyone can use. (Review)
Clicking the BlackShark V3 Pro image brings you to a detailed settings page, where you can switch tabs and configure settings.
Clicking the “Sound” tab lets you set output options. You can choose between “Stereo” or Razer’s virtual surround audio software, “THX SPATIAL AUDIO,” then select presets in the “Audio Equalizer” screen or customize your own equalizer.
BlackShark V3 Pro Sound tab Thumbnail image No.035 / The Razer headset “BlackShark V3 Pro,” designed for esports pros, is a product with ultra-low latency and high sound quality that anyone can use. (Review)
For example, if you just want to cycle through presets without going into the app, a single short press of the headset’s SmartSwitch button is sufficient. The preset name will be announced via voice, so there’s no risk of selecting the wrong one.
Below the “Audio Equalizer” section are three items: “Game Profiles,” “Volume,” and “Game Chat Balance.” Game profiles automatically load when you have a game installed with its corresponding “THX Game Profile.”
BlackShark V3 Pro Sound tab bottom Thumbnail image No.036 / The Razer headset “BlackShark V3 Pro,” designed for esports pros, is a product with ultra-low latency and high sound quality that anyone can use. (Review)
Volume and game chat balance are linked to the headset’s Game/Chat Balance wheel. Note: The game chat balance only works if your default output device in Windows sound settings is set to “Game”—be sure to verify this. Clicking “Sound Properties” opens Windows’ sound settings, so you can access it directly.
The “Enhancements” tab lets you check and modify the BlackShark V3 Pro’s features. For example, “Ultra-Low Latency” enables ultra-low-latency communication at around 10ms during wireless connection—this should be kept on by default.
BlackShark V3 Pro Enhancements tab Thumbnail image No.037 / The Razer headset “BlackShark V3 Pro,” designed for esports pros, is a product with ultra-low latency and high sound quality that anyone can use. (Review)
“Active Noise Cancellation” enables or disables noise cancellation and allows switching between four preset levels (initially set to 1–4), as well as toggling “environmental awareness” that lets in external sounds. Pressing the ANC button on the headset cycles through your selected preset, enabling/disabling ANC, then activating environmental awareness.
The “In-Call Audio Mix” feature on the right side of the Enhancements tab sets how the headset handles simultaneous HyperSpeed (2.4GHz) connection and Bluetooth connection to a smartphone. You can choose from three options: “Combine” (both audio sources play simultaneously—e.g., gaming while on a call), “Reduce Volume” (lower volume on HyperSpeed side), or “Mute” (mute HyperSpeed side).
“Audio Enhancement” lets you select one of three options—“Volume Normalization,” “Bass Boost,” or “Clarity”—and adjust intensity using the slider. Volume normalization uses AGC (Auto Gain Control) or DRC (Dynamic Range Control) to balance volume; Bass Boost is a base enhancer. Clarity likely refers to a “dialogue enhancer” that improves voice clarity. As long as you keep these settings below the default value of 55, there’s no significant sound distortion—so feel free to use them safely. Try it and if you like it, enable it.
The “Mic” tab displays microphone-related settings. The “Mic Level” slider starts at 80 by default. Clicking the “Mic Test” button below allows real-time monitoring of your mic’s audio correction while adjusting.
BlackShark V3 Pro Mic tab Thumbnail image No.038 / The Razer headset “BlackShark V3 Pro,” designed for esports pros, is a product with ultra-low latency and high sound quality that anyone can use. (Review)
“Mic Enhancement” lets you choose one of four input audio processing options. “Volume Normalization” uses AGC/DRC to keep your volume consistent; “Vocal Clarity” is a dialogue enhancer on the input side, and “Mic Noise Cancellation” is the mic’s noise cancellation feature. Voice Gate mutes silence or low-volume inputs—“Low” allows smaller voices to be captured more clearly, while “High” mutes soft speech.
The “Mic Equalizer” applies an equalizer with presets directly to the input signal. We recommend “E-Sports” and “Flat,” which slightly reduce lower frequencies. Use these presets along with Mic Noise Cancellation from “Mic Enhancement” for clearer voice and less noise—give it a try.
“Mic Monitoring (Side Tone)” allows you to monitor your own microphone’s sound directly through the BlackShark V3 Pro. Enable only when needed; by default, it’s set to “0,” meaning direct monitoring is disabled.
The next “Power” tab can be skipped—it simply controls LED behavior on the HyperSpeed Wireless dongle and sets how long until power-off after inactivity.
The “Demo” tab lets you toggle between THX SPATIAL AUDIO and stereo output modes, allowing comparison via a demo movie.
Note: When connecting BlackShark V3 Pro to PC using an analog adapter cable, even if the headset is powered on via HyperSpeed Wireless dongle, Synapse 4 will register it as off. While power can be kept on during analog connection, Synapse cannot control it.
Razer Audio app Thumbnail image No.040 / The Razer headset “BlackShark V3 Pro,” designed for esports pros, is a product with ultra-low latency and high sound quality that anyone can use. (Review) Thumbnail image No.041 / The Razer headset “BlackShark V3 Pro,” designed for esports pros, is a product with ultra-low latency and high sound quality that anyone can use. (Review)
While you can control the BlackShark V3 Pro via Synapse 4 on PC, when connected to smartphone via Bluetooth, you can also use the “Razer Audio” app. While not all settings are supported, you can change equalizer presets or adjust ANC.
Headphone output is smooth through high frequencies, less tiring to use
With all the above in mind, let’s now test the BlackShark V3 Pro. It supports HyperSpeed wireless, USB, Bluetooth wireless, and analog wired connections—so testing is done on PC as usual.
However, it should be noted that Bluetooth connectivity with this headset is meant for general use across devices like smartphones, not optimized specifically for gaming low-latency processing. Since we wouldn’t recommend using it actively in gameplay, no test was conducted for this mode.
The tests will involve connecting the BlackShark V3 Pro to a desktop PC via: HyperSpeed Wireless dongle; USB cable; and analog connection through the Sound Blaster ZxR audio card (hereafter “ZxR”). For detailed information on each test, refer to the respective related articles below:
- Headphone Output Test: Delay and frequency response measurements with dummy head, plus listening tests (related article)
- Microphone Input Test: Frequency response and phase measurement of microphone input, plus listening tests (related article)
For output delay testing, the audio recording/editing software “Audacity” version 3.3.3 is used again. As in past tests, using WASAPI exclusive mode results in measurement errors with this version—so we are conducting only DirectSound API-based testing.
First, let’s check delay measurements for USB-connected headsets. Following the method introduced during our test of Sony’s wireless headset “INZONE H9,” we adjusted internal latency on RME’s Fireface UCX audio interface to achieve minimal delay results.
For analog connection tests, we use EPOS’s gamer-focused analog headset “GSP 600” connected via PCIe sound card “Sound Blaster ZxR” as the reference. We compare BlackShark V3 Pro’s HyperSpeed Wireless dongle and USB connections’ delays. The internal latency was set to 48 samples on both Fireface UCX for BlackShark V3 Pro and GSP600 + ZxR. Results are summarized in the table below.
Thumbnail image No.043 / The Razer headset “BlackShark V3 Pro,” designed for esports pros, is a product with ultra-low latency and high sound quality that anyone can use. (Review)
The HyperSpeed Wireless dongle connection shows 88ms, 10.67ms slower than the reference; USB connection is 102.53ms, 25.20ms slower than the reference. The wireless HyperSpeed connection offers lower latency than wired USB—almost matching the claimed value. It’s rare to see a product achieve such low delay close to its advertised figure, making this an exceptional result.
Therefore, if you prioritize ultra-low latency when using BlackShark V3 Pro, it’s better to use wireless (HyperSpeed) rather than USB connection.
Reference waveform for headphone output quality test Thumbnail image No.044 / The Razer headset “BlackShark V3 Pro,” designed for esports pros, is a product with ultra-low latency and high sound quality that anyone can use. (Review)
Next, let’s examine the BlackShark V3 Pro’s frequency response. The headphone output characteristics are displayed as measured data from Waves’ analyzer “PAZ Analyzer,” overlaid with a reference waveform on one image. Frequency ranges in this article are defined as follows:
- Sub-bass: Below 60Hz
- Bass: Around 60–150Hz
- Low-mid: Around 150–700Hz
- Mid: Around 700Hz–1.4kHz
- Upper mid: Around 1.4–4kHz
- High: Around 4–8kHz
- Ultra-high: Above 8kHz
The equalizer, switchable via Synapse 4 and headset buttons, was set to the “Flat” (≈bypass) preset for stereo mode testing. This review does not include individual equalizer preset measurements.
First, HyperSpeed connection results:
BlackShark V3 Pro’s headphone output characteristics during HyperSpeed connection. The red line is the reference waveform [Thumbnail image No.045 / The Razer headset “BlackShark V3 Pro,” designed for esports pros, is a product with ultra-low latency and high sound quality that anyone can use. (Review)
The graph has few peaks and valleys—very smooth. It’s a “doncherry” type with peaks in the bass and treble regions, as shown by differences: the bass peak is around 125Hz (slightly high), and the treble hill appears between 4–8kHz.
Beyond that, frequencies gradually decline but remain noticeable even above 16kHz. The deepest valley occurs between approximately 800Hz–1.8kHz.
Next, we measured changes when ANC is enabled:
BlackShark V3 Pro’s headphone output characteristics during HyperSpeed connection with ANC on [Thumbnail image No.045 / The Razer headset “BlackShark V3 Pro,” designed for esports pros, is a product with ultra-low latency and high sound quality that anyone can use. (Review)
With ANC turned on at maximum strength (initial value 4), changes occurred from bass to mid frequencies: the bass peak shifted from 125Hz down to around 60Hz, and the frequency valley expanded from about 250Hz up to near 1.8kHz. This suggests lower frequencies will sound stronger, increasing that “doncherry” feel.
We expected ANC might reduce low or high frequencies—but it didn’t at all.
Next, let’s test USB connection:
BlackShark V3 Pro’s headphone output characteristics during USB connection [Thumbnail image No.047 / The Razer headset “BlackShark V3 Pro,” designed for esports pros, is a product with ultra-low latency and high sound quality that anyone can use. (Review)
Overall similar to HyperSpeed connection but not identical—there’s a subtle difference. The peak and valley bands are roughly the same, yet slightly different results emerged. We don’t know exactly what causes this, so we’ll analyze differences later.
Finally, analog connection (power on) was also tested:
BlackShark V3 Pro’s headphone output characteristics during analog connection [Thumbnail image No.048 / The Razer headset “BlackShark V3 Pro,” designed for esports pros, is a product with ultra-low latency and high sound quality that anyone can use. (Review)
Interestingly, it’s closer to the ANC-off state than the ANC-on state in HyperSpeed connection. The bass peak is around 125Hz, treble hill at 4–8kHz, and valley bottom near 800Hz–1.8kHz. We’ll also analyze differences from HyperSpeed later.
First, compare graphs of HyperSpeed connection with ANC off vs on:
BlackShark V3 Pro’s headphone output characteristics: ANC Off (red) vs ANC On (orange) during HyperSpeed connection [Thumbnail image No.049 / The Razer headset “BlackShark V3 Pro,” designed for esports pros, is a product with ultra-low latency and high sound quality that anyone can use. (Review)
The high-frequency bands differ slightly—but the most noticeable difference appears below 500Hz. Looking from right to left, ANC-on is weaker between 90–500Hz, then rises sharply with its peak near 60Hz—after which frequencies below 30Hz become weaker.
Next, compare HyperSpeed and USB connection graphs (both ANC off):
BlackShark V3 Pro’s headphone output characteristics: HyperSpeed Connection (red) vs USB Connection (orange) [Thumbnail image No.050 / The Razer headset “BlackShark V3 Pro,” designed for esports pros, is a product with ultra-low latency and high sound quality that anyone can use. (Review)
The graphs don’t match exactly but show only slight variations—no significant deviation overall. The most divergent point is around 190Hz, yet the difference remains minor. From this graph alone, we can say HyperSpeed and USB connections have nearly identical frequency response.
Now compare HyperSpeed connection (ANC off) with analog connection:
BlackShark V3 Pro’s headphone output characteristics: HyperSpeed Connection (red) vs Analog Connection (orange) [Thumbnail image No.051 / The Razer headset “BlackShark V3 Pro,” designed for esports pros, is a product with ultra-low latency and high sound quality that anyone can use. (Review)
The deviation across almost the entire band above 45Hz is nearly nonexistent—meaning there’s no significant difference in frequency response between HyperSpeed and analog connections.
However, below 45Hz, the analog connection shows weaker output. Generally, analog connections tend to have stronger bass—but this result is somewhat surprising. Still, the difference isn’t drastic.
With that said, let’s move on to listening tests. First, stereo music playback was tested with HyperSpeed (ANC off/on), USB, and analog connections—all with power on for analog connection.
● HyperSpeed Connection, ANC Off, Audio Equalizer Default, Audio Enhancement Off This setting best showcases the Razer Triforce Drivers’ performance. Immediately noticeable is the very low distortion in mid-high to high frequencies. Many products exhibit distortion in cymbals (metal percussion), but not here—smooth and consistent with the product page description: a sleek, non-fatiguing sound.
The bass peak at around 125Hz feels solid without being excessive. Slightly boosted on lower end, yet frequency balance is excellent—no single band overly peaks or dips as shown in the graph. However, be careful during wear: low frequencies may seem to disappear. Tip: slightly move the headband forward until you feel bass clearly.
Localization isn’t “super obvious” but still clear without conscious effort.
● HyperSpeed Connection, ANC On, Audio Equalizer Default, Audio Enhancement Off With ANC on, as expected from frequency measurement results, high-frequency perception remains unchanged compared to ANC off. No noticeable audio quality degradation. Meanwhile, the bass peak shifts from 125Hz down to around 60Hz, and the valley starts at about 250Hz—giving a stronger sub-bass feel. Some might prefer this version.
Overall, low-frequency impact increases while mid-high frequencies remain smooth with very little distortion. Frequency balance feels more “doncherry” than ANC off. Also, ANC noise cancellation is extremely effective: even typical room noise is completely blocked at default setting 4—low and high frequency alike—with no ear-piercing effect, making it easy to use.
● USB Connection, ANC Off, Audio Equalizer Default, Audio Enhancement Off Next, we tested the USB connection. As shown in the earlier frequency deviation analysis, there’s little difference from HyperSpeed connection.
● USB Connection, ANC On, Audio Equalizer Default, Audio Enhancement Off Even with USB, bass remains strong—overall, sound characteristics between HyperSpeed and USB connections are nearly identical. However, note that how you wear it greatly affects low-frequency output—pay attention to your fit.
● Analog Connection, ANC Off, Audio Equalizer Default, Audio Enhancement Off For analog connection (power on), we tested both ANC off and on. Interestingly, features like volume control, preset switching, and ANC on/off work even when the headset isn’t visible in Synapse 4 during analog connection—provided power is on.
Due to ZxR’s good high-frequency response, compared to HyperSpeed or USB connections, highs feel stronger. However, low-end output appears similar to other connections.
● Analog Connection, ANC On, Audio Equalizer Default, Audio Enhancement Off With ANC on, sub-bass enhancement matches other connections. High frequencies still sound strong—similar to the ANC-off case.
Preset settings apply identically across all connection methods. We display graphs for the four non-default presets (besides flat) and summarize overall tendencies below:
Game preset
Movie preset
Music preset
E-Sports 1 preset
The BlackShark V3 Pro’s presets aren’t ones that “sound worse when disabled”—they’re well-balanced and practical. Especially the “Movie,” “Music,” and “E-Sports 1” presets seem best suited to their respective uses.
Now, moving on to listening tests with PC-based surround games. Note: The “THX Spatial Audio” feature on BlackShark V3 Pro only works on Windows 11 23H2 or later. Thus, we used a separate Windows 11-equipped PC instead of our test PC still running Windows 10. Since HyperSpeed and USB connections showed nearly identical sound characteristics, the surround listening test was done solely with HyperSpeed connection. Unless otherwise noted, ANC is on, audio equalizer is default, and audio enhancement is off.
● Fallout 4 First, “Fallout 4.” As usual, we circled around a helicopter (Berkut Bird) to check spatial effects. THX Spatial Audio, being one of the latest-generation virtual surround processors, makes source movement localization very precise. The BlackShark V3 Pro fully demonstrates this capability.
While flying, rotor sounds positioned forward-right and low engine tones at the rear are heard exactly where they should be. Landing impacts with metallic effects or sub-bass elements feel much stronger than in stereo listening—likely due to THX Spatial Audio’s design. During strong bass moments, in-game voice chat can become slightly masked—but otherwise remains clearly audible without drifting into the background. The overall sound is rich: low frequencies are powerful and highs aren’t harsh on ears.
● Project CARS 2 Next, we tested “Project CARS 2.” Alongside THX Spatial Audio, we also tried stereo mode with E-Sports 1 preset. This title suits such tests best because it has intense lateral motion, making it ideal for distinguishing sound source positions left or right.
Let’s start with THX Spatial Audio. The front-back separation is extremely high—enemy vehicle positioning is easy to grasp. Especially vehicles behind are immediately identifiable. Enemy cars passing by horizontally are smoothly perceived through audio alone. Possibly the rear and surround speaker volumes are slightly boosted? Pothole impacts don’t feel different, but wiper sounds have a slightly heavier sub-bass presence.
Next, we tested stereo mode: front-back sound disappears—only left/right is heard. Enemy vehicles move right to left—but this is still easy to perceive. As expected from an E-Sports preset: the audio isn’t annoying and remains practical even for non-eSports racing games. This clarifies how localization works in stereo mode.
● MONSTER HUNTER: WORLD The final listening test uses the PC version of “MONSTER HUNTER: WORLD.” It’s the only title among our tests with dedicated THX presets—THX Immersive Mode and THX Competitive Mode.
First, set to THX Immersive Mode and walk around the village. Since this game only plays sound when near a source, ambient sounds don’t persist indefinitely. Rotating in place while standing by a sound makes it clear where it’s coming from.
Also, localization of audio sources moving straight forward from front L/R channels is extremely accurate—giving a very solid sense of direction. This differs significantly from the “Project CARS 2” surround experience—it feels truly “immersive,” offering rich spatial immersion fitting its name.
Meanwhile, THX Competitive Mode shows subtle differences. After multiple switches, we noticed lower bass components compared to Immersive Mode and sounds feel closer—possibly a narrower soundstage. This may help hear smaller or distant sounds more clearly. For esports, being able to distinguish and pick up every detail is crucial—and heavy bass often hinders this. Thus, the design likely reflects this priority.
Wide bandwidth with “doncherry” microphone input quality
Reference waveform for microphone input quality test Thumbnail image No.057 / The Razer headset “BlackShark V3 Pro,” designed for esports pros, is a product with ultra-low latency and high sound quality that anyone can use. (Review)
Let’s now test the BlackShark V3 Pro’s microphone input quality via HyperSpeed, USB, and analog connections. For measurement: Synapse 4 input correction is off, preset set to default flat, mic enhancement off, side tone at “0.”
As noted earlier, the BlackShark V3 Pro’s microphone has a frequency range of 20Hz–20kHz—no sampling rate limitations common in typical wireless or USB connections. The directional pattern is unidirectional cardioid—but significantly narrow pickup range—so minimal noise can be expected even without input correction.
First, let’s examine the HyperSpeed connection’s microphone input characteristics:
Microphone input characteristics during HyperSpeed connection. Red line shows reference waveform [Thumbnail image No.058 / The Razer headset “BlackShark V3 Pro,” designed for esports pros, is a product with ultra-low latency and high sound quality that anyone can use. (Review)
The bass peak appears around 150Hz, treble peak near 7kHz, with a valley between 1–2kHz—showing a “doncherry” sound profile. When using the 1.1kHz valley as reference, frequency response spans roughly 50Hz–15kHz—with slightly higher levels in the 2.5kHz–10kHz range than bass. As a monaural mic, phase is perfect.
For USB connection, the frequency characteristics are generally similar to HyperSpeed.
Microphone input characteristics during USB connection [Thumbnail image No.059 / The Razer headset “BlackShark V3 Pro,” designed for esports pros, is a product with ultra-low latency and high sound quality that anyone can use. (Review)
However, the difference between bass and treble is smaller—closer to even. Though slightly different: bass peak and mid valley are nearly identical; treble peaks around 3–8kHz. Phase remains perfect.
Now let’s analyze differences between HyperSpeed and USB connections:
Microphone input characteristics comparison: HyperSpeed (tan) vs USB (red) [Thumbnail image No.060 / The Razer headset “BlackShark V3 Pro,” designed for esports pros, is a product with ultra-low latency and high sound quality that anyone can use. (Review)
As visible: above 2kHz, USB connection shows lower levels than HyperSpeed; however, the valley around 1–2kHz is deeper in HyperSpeed. Below 60Hz (sub-bass), USB has slightly stronger output—but this range isn’t relevant to voice.
Next, microphone input characteristics during analog connection:
Microphone input characteristics during analog connection [Thumbnail image No.061 / The Razer headset “BlackShark V3 Pro,” designed for esports pros, is a product with ultra-low latency and high sound quality that anyone can use. (Review)
Again, similar to HyperSpeed connection. Bass peak around 150Hz, mid valley at 1–1.8kHz; treble hill from about 1.8kHz to 9kHz—appears as frequency response roughly between 30Hz–20kHz when using the valley as reference. Treble peaks are slightly higher than bass. Phase is perfect here too.
Now let’s analyze differences between HyperSpeed and analog connections:
Microphone input characteristics comparison: HyperSpeed (tan) vs analog connection (red) [Thumbnail image No.060 / The Razer headset “BlackShark V3 Pro,” designed for esports pros, is a product with ultra-low latency and high sound quality that anyone can use. (Review)
Below 60Hz (sub-bass) and above 16kHz (ultra-high), analog connection shows higher output. Also, the band around 1.8–2kHz is stronger in analog. Conversely, 1–1.8kHz range shows slightly higher values in HyperSpeed.
Now, we recorded our own voice to listen back. All connections show similar frequency response—differences are negligible and resemble errors when comparing; hardly noticeable differences. Assuming minimal variation across connection types, the audio profile leans toward “lower strong, upper weak” with little “doncherry” feel—a sound reminiscent of a bass-heavy condenser mic.
The low noise level without input correction is noteworthy. While analog connection shows slight hiss, HyperSpeed has almost no audible noise—impressive even in environments with moderate air conditioning noise.
However, during noisy gameplay chats, the voice may seem slightly soft. In that case, as previously mentioned, use Synapse 4’s mic equalizer to select “E-Sports” or “Flat” preset to reduce bass—the recommended fix. Audio quality is undoubtedly excellent—feel free to experiment in Synapse without worry.
Headset suitable for esports—but also great for other gamers
Razer markets the BlackShark V3 Pro specifically as an esports pro headset. In theory, users would avoid surround modes and rely on stereo for distinguishing left/right audio in games. However, this model supports THX Spatial Audio—the latest virtual surround processor—making it usable beyond just esports.
The second-generation HyperSpeed Wireless dongle delivers low latency exactly as claimed, making wireless connection practical for competitive gaming.
Both headphone and microphone performance feel smooth and non-fatiguing over long gameplay sessions—a clear focus of the product. This suggests that Razer, in collaboration with professional gamers, prioritizes reducing fatigue as a key factor when designing esports headsets.
Though the current yen weakness makes it somewhat expensive, its high-end quality justifies at least one test drive.