Here I'm comparing the Razer Blackshark V2 Pro 2023 Edition and the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7. These are two great headsets, with some similarities and differences that make them worth talking about and comparing.
See my full reviews of each of these headsets here:
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 review - • SteelSeries Arctis Nov...
Razer BlackShark V2 Pro review - • Razer BlackShark V2 Pr...
The highlights of the Razer Blackshark V2 Pro include:
An impressive microphone
Lightweight headset design that makes it comfortable to wear for hours
Tuned EQ profiles for specific games as well as THX spatial audio
Earcups that block out a decent amount of noise without getting too hot
Decent battery life
Lowlights of the Razer Blackshark V2 Pro:
Lacks simultaneous dual connectivity (i.e. Bluetooth and wireless at the same time)
Earcups are scratchy
Price
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Products:
Products featured may also have been sent for free for review/testing purposes. Often these have to be returned by me, but not always. I endeavour to avoid bias in my videos wherever possible and try to give honest, subjective opinions. Unless otherwise stated, the videos are not sponsored financially.
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Razer - razer.a9yw.net/k0Wbgn
Amazon US - amzn.to/43Awy7v
NewEgg - newegg.io/nc5bca85f7
Best Buy - bestbuy.7tiv.net/Jz2QrR
Amazon UK - amzn.to/43TljYd
Amazon FR - amzn.to/3Kcl5Et
Amazon IT - amzn.to/3rMoR0H
Amazon DE - amzn.to/3rKAJjM
Amazon CA - amzn.to/43TlqmB
Amazon AU - amzn.to/3Q5PckJ
See my videos on the previous BlackShark V2 Pro here:
Razer Blackshark V2 Pro unboxing and review • Razer Blackshark V2 Pr...
Corsair HS80 vs Razer BlackShark V2 - Which is best? • Corsair HS80 vs Razer ...
Corsair Virtuoso XT vs Razer BlackShark V2 Pro - wireless flagships? • Corsair Virtuoso XT vs...
Razer Blackshark V2 Pro vs Logitech G Pro X Wireless • Razer Blackshark V2 Pr...
Specs of the Razer Blackshark V2 Pro
FREQUENCY RESPONSE 12 Hz - 28 kHz
IMPEDANCE 32 Ω
SENSITIVITY 100 dBSPL / mW @ 1 kHz by HATS
DRIVER SPECIFICATIONS 50 mm
DRIVER TYPE Razer™ TriForce Titanium
EARCUPS Oval Ear Cushions
INNER EARCUP DIAMETER 62 mm x 42 mm / 2.44 x 1.65 in
EARPADS MATERIAL Pressure-Relieving Memory Foam
NOISE CANCELLING Advanced Passive Noise Isolation
CONNECTION TYPE Type A Wireless (2.4 GHz), Bluetooth 5.2
CABLE LENGTH None
APPROXIMATE WEIGHT Approx. 320 g / 0.71 lbs
MICROPHONE STYLE Detachable Super Wideband
PICK-UP PATTERN Unidirectional
MICROPHONE FREQUENCY RESPONSE 100 Hz - 10 kHz
MICROPHONE SENSITIVITY (@1KHZ) -42 ± 3 dBV / PA, 1 kHz
VIRTUAL SURROUND ENCODING THX Spatial Audio
VOLUME CONTROL Volume up and down
OTHER CONTROLS 2.4 GHz Wireless and Bluetooth Toggle (SmartSwitch)
Volume up and down
Mic mute on/off toggle
Audio profiles switcher
BATTERY LIFE Up to 70 hours
LIGHTING None
COMPATIBILITY PC (Type A 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth 5.2)
PlayStation (Type A 2.4 GHz)
Mobile Devices (Supporting Type A or Bluetooth 5.2)
Android & iOS
Highlights of the SteelSeries Nova 7 wireless:
- Dual Connectivity with 2.4GHz and Bluetooth at the same time
- Decent battery life with plenty of warning when you're running low
- Multi-platform capabilities (but best on PC)
- Connections for 3.5mm on the headset
- Flexible and comfortable sound
- Highly customisable audio in SteelSeries GG and SteelSeries Sonar
- Mic AI noise cancellation and of your friend's mics too!
Low lights:
- Scratchy ear pads
- Not as snazzy as the Nova Pro Wireless
Amazon US - amzn.to/3nxzy5N
NewEgg - newegg.io/nc0552c4b4
Best Buy - bestbuy.7tiv.net/NkGk5v
Amazon UK - amzn.to/3M0VjEd
Amazon FR - amzn.to/3nxzy5N
Amazon IT - amzn.to/3nxJUTb
Amazon DE - amzn.to/3HJlltc
Amazon CA - amzn.to/3LYPqaS
Specs of the Nova 7 Wireless:
Neodymium Drivers 40 mm
Headphone Frequency Response 20-22,000 Hz
Headphone Sensitivity 93 dBSPL
Headphone Impedance 36 Ohm
Headphone Total Harmonic Distortion 1%
360° Spatial Audio Supported
Microphone Type ClearCast Gen 2 - Fully Retractable Boom
Microphone Polar Pattern Bidirectional Noise Cancelling
Microphone Frequency Response 100-6500 Hz
Microphone Sensitivity -38 db
Battery Life 38 Hours - 2.4GHz Quantum 2.0 Gaming Wireless (26 Hours - 2.4GHz Quantum 2.0 Gaming Wireless + BT)
USB-C Fast Charge 15 mins for 6 hours play
🏆Big thanks to my super awesome KZhead members:
SirSpawnsALot, Meatykeyboard, Rawrr483, Aaron Yarden, Space Cannons, Riggs79, Mike S, Jay Shank 007, Jason Morgan, Starastin, Charles Latrom, McFarty, Chief Hao, Kraken Tortoise, Chris Thompson, Dazed Bengone and Megan Schafer.
loving your vids man, would love to see you do a comparison between the hs80 max and the g pro x 2
Well, you're in luck as I did that a few days back kzhead.info/sun/e5GiobauZ6mYd3k/bejne.html
Just dont mention one of the best features on the blacksharks👍 it has a few pre loaded eq's on the headset itself that you can switch between, great for console users
thank you for the video. i was torn between the two and now i know which i will be purchasing. great work!
Glad I could help!
Which is it and why bro?
I still can't decide between those two
@@juangabrieljamirosuter622get the steel series trust me.
These are the two headsets I'm considering to replace my GPX Wireless which is quite literally becoming a pain. I get so much head fatigue with the GPX Wireless now
My buy wish u made these videos a bit early i waited alot so that u compare these none on youtube compared these two properly and i bought the blacksharls few weeks ago😭 and then u reviewed it
Got my BSV2Pro 2020 dropped it around 10x in a span of 3 yrs still in one piece battey still holding up, this is the most comfortable headset I ever used, I always reach out for this even if my Penrose sounds better .
I downloaded the THX software yesterday after your video. I have been using the Dolby Atmos software. I couldnt tell there was spacial audio much at all with the THX software when compared to the Dolby Atmos software. Even in the THX demo example it was barely noticeable. Makes me curious how the Blackshark would sound with the Atmos software. My everyday headset has been the Sony wh1000xm5.
You use them for PC gaming??? I have the XM5's but have been looking for a gaming headset
Great video thanks. Could you tell me if the Razer has also the game profile of Rainbow 6 included in the software and also which one has the best spatialisation on FPS games? 😊 Especially for Rainbow 6. Thanks a lot.
Any update to this comment?
Which one would you recommend for ps5? I know nova 7 one has sound settings that can be changed via pc and it will save it and works for ps5.
Definitely using the mic from the BlackShark.
Is it better? Blackshark v2 pro ?
One thing i love about Steelseries tho is the Sonar software. Not sure about Razer Synapse as I don’t own a Razer headset but I know with Sonar you can route your game, media, and chat/mic audio to different tracks if you plan on streaming or making gaming videos. I just wish it had a better mic and better bass
Sonar is excellent for sure
Hello, can you help me create a collection of games? I don't know whether to buy for 550 or for 650. The budget allocated for buying a complete assembly with the screen is 2000 euros. Thank you
Did you have any issues with the mic of the Razer where there seems to be a very aggressive noise gate even when noise gate is turned off?
After my 2nd blackshard v2 pro poppped the same issue with my first one after some months of use . right speaker would stop working on full volume and would only work while im playin with the volume wheel at around 50% volume..still comfort and mic is insane ..im actually considering on gettin the nova now...but i might just go for blackshark again :/
How is the audio quality and static noise?!? Have seen too many people complaining about these
Razer BlackShark V2 Pro (2023) and Razer Kraken V3 Pro Which one is better!
I honestly do not recommend Steel;series Arctis Nova. With all steelseries headsets I've ever had, has the same issue wtih automatically muting microphone, or just the mute button on the headset which constantly was muting my voice... Would never do the same mistake and this time I am considering Razer as the microphone sounds so gooood.
In terms of audio quality is the steel series better option compare to blackshark?
Steel Series
Where can I find such a red skull ?
I keep hearing the the Blackshark has some sort of hissing noise/white noise when no sound is coming through Did you find the same experience .
Usually a firmware update fixes that
Every time I turn on the nova7 and connect to pc, the headset will default to 100% volume and cannot be adjusted through the computer. Only plugging and unplugging the 2.4G dongle can solve the problem. Is there anyone who is the same as me?
Why don't you just turn down the volume dial on the headset first?
Had my Nova 7 for about 5+ months, I do not have this issue. As @garethg8226 has stated, I keep my computer volume to 85%-100% and control volume through the headset.
For PS5 what’s better the BlackShark, HS80 max or Cloud 3 wireless?
nova pro
Astro A30 or Nova 7p
Blackshark mic for sure
I got the V2 pro yesterday. Sound quality is ok but when you’re gaming and you try to put music, it’s like using a 5€ headset
Will the new update that they just made will work on the seventh
Pardon
@@TheProvokedPrawn The new update that they did to the pro headset will it work on the seventh to hear footsteps for the games like the dock?
I bought arctis nova 7x a couple of days ago and returned it the next day. I absolutely hated the sound on them. Super artificial and muffled - I've tried all sorts of different settings on their GG app. Comparing to my old g935 they're night and day. I wonder if it's due to the fact that arctis nova 7 do not have DTS and g935 does...
Returned my g935 due to the swith problem and now i have to choose between nova 7 and cloud 3, is the nova that bad for fps?
Why man? I thinking to pay nova for xbox one 😮,
@@q8madrid98 in the end i didnt like the nova7, and got myself real headphones(wired) epos/sennheiser gsp601 Much more stable and better sound
I have the Nova 7P for the PS5 and it sounds very clean and detailed but the mic isn’t good. I get a lot of background noise like it’s a condenser mic. I get a annoying echo that I noticed especially when I play in a party hearing my voice echo and dominate the chat
The only thing preventing me from buying the Nova or other steelseries wireless headset is the ugly dongle 🙄 like maaan it'll take away other ports 🤦 btw nice video. Keep it up 💪🏾
You get an adapter so you don’t lose any ports. It’s a cable adapter USB-C to USB-B
I have the old Blackshark v2. Have never been blown away by the sound quality but the comfort is on another level. I now have the JBL Quantum 910 on my desk. Haven't tried them yet but I do miss 3D head tracking (don't care what anyone says, 3D headtracking is great because of how precisely it captures footstep locations, not because you game with your head sideways). I'd pay $300+ for a Razer Blackshark Extra Pro with improved audio and 3D headtracking. They are just so damn comfortable. These Quantum 910s better blow me away with sound and the 3D headtracking because they are heavy AF in comparison. If not, I'm returning them and getting the 2023 pros.
How did you find the JBL Quantum 910 did you keep them
@@benjaminhunter3157 oh man, Best Buy must be hating me because I have gone through several headsets now. Music was very good. Headtracking/spatial audio/footsteps were the best I've used in the forthcoming bunch. Found them too heavy, but no pressure points and clamping force was fine. Returned and got the Stealth Pros - best sounding headset I tried but not quite as good with footsteps locations. Heavy and got pressure points on the head. Returned. Picked up the Arctis Nova Pro wireless. Worst of the 3 and clamping force was super uncomfortable. Otherwise quite light and much better than previous gen for large heads because of the adjustable length. Very mediocre sounds in comparison to the Stealth Pros and JBL Quantum 910s if you ask me. And the most expensive. Returned. Now waiting on the Audeze Maxwell to arrive. Will be heaviest but I hear the weight distribution on the strap is great. If the Maxwell fails, I'm just going to pick up the BlackShark V2 Pro 2023 or the Arctis 7 which has lighter clamping force and is half the price of the Nova Pro (I don't mind spending money on something I like but the Nova Pros were so mediocre. If you don't mind the weight of the 910s (not uncomfortable but just felt heavy) I'd say they were the best for competitive FPS and second best with music.
@@benjaminhunter3157bad. Very bad
Should i get the Nova 7 which is $140 or should i go for the older black sharks v2 pros 2020 $120????
Definitely Nova. I will buy SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7x. I have seen a lot of videos about comparison.
thx
If only logitech pro headset had this mic quality
80K subs Congratulations! I have a question about AIO placement, if you place it on the side, don't the air bubbles leak into the pump?
Thanks! I have a video on that :) kzhead.info/sun/pLWcqb2AfqZ3pas/bejne.html
I just bought the turtle beach 700 gen 2 max. Its pricey but works great on all platforms. Have you done a review on the turtle beach headsets?
I've got the Stealth Pro to review at some point soon. TB headsets are decent
That was also first my idea to buy, but then found from a lot of people in the comments that it breaks really easy or even the plastic starts to fall off after some years of use, which is a really downside imo. If the built qualitiy and durability on this headset was better, I think it would have been a very good seller.
To bad the Turtle beach is the worst fitting headset.
@@bashfullJ88True, the 700 G2 Max feel like putting a heavy vice on your skull. And they have a ton of firmware issues with volume and connecting.
I would advise caution. My 700 gen 2’s, after a year, started to break at both of the hinges connecting the band to the ear piece. The plastic is extremely brittle and unreliable around that part of the headset. Theyre really great otherwise, just not durable and I took extremely good care of them.
Teh Razer blackshark has also dual connectivity 5:08
Razer mic for sure
Correct
so I got the black shark 2023 about 2 months ago, and I found when listening to any type of audio, even after the sound was muted, the headphones would emit a soft ocean hissing sound constantly, and I thought this could be a defect, so I got a replacement, even tried Bluetooth with my phone, same thing, hissing, clearly there’s some mass manufacturing problem with the headphones, and the reason it’s not a big talking point is because most people probably can’t hear the frequency, but man it’s super irritating, I can’t stand it
That was fixed by a firmware update.
@@TheProvokedPrawn I made sure both were updated in the synapse software, the first one already said up-to-date, then second one said the last firmware update was the 17th of October, and even after that the issue persisted, it sounds like when you turn on the sidetone, except slightly quieter
@@sycom- do you still have this problem? Did you solve it?
@@Lukaan97 I returned the headsets and got the audeze Maxwells, definitely the next best option, or the steel series arctis nova is good too
if razer black shark v2 pro 2023 vs SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless which one is better ?
Nova Pro it is a $150 more
The Nova Pro costs $150 more and adds active noise cancellation if that’s important to you. With that however comes the issue the the bumps inside the earcups for the ANC touch some users ears and make the headset quite uncomfortable to wear. Unless of course you swap to Wicked Cushions ear pads which only adds to the price. Microphone on the Nova Pro still cannot touch that of the Blackshark 2023 edition.
It’s clear that you were using Razer mic 👌
Correct
Steelseries arctis nova 7 is better but not all Razer Blackshark V2 PRO has a good microphone
On the Nova 7s the design is horrible, that hinge always breaks. It might be flexible and it's lovely in the begging but over time they ALWAYS break. I've been through 3 sets and I'm absolutely done with'em. thust me they're not worth the money. You can always find them used for sale because ppl know they Have to be sold after a certain period. The BlackShark v2 2023 version cost less and are better imo.l
@@AphillyatedYTno kidding. I’ve had headphones for decades that are like new. People that have broken stuff just abuse their stuff.
Dude I think you're the problem. Take better care of your stuff lmao
I have still my first one since 2 years
I own Steelseries headsets, my oldest about 4 or 5 yrs old, really good condition, I think you simply don't know how to handle headsets.
100% right ! We have the Arctis 7, the Arctis 9 and the Nova 7 and all looking like new, even we use them all the time. @@DefinitelyNotMyRealName
Man. These 2 headsets are sitting on my desk. Couldn't decide so I bought both and going to test them.
Which one do you like more? Does the Razer work while charging? If yes, is there a difference in sound and mic quality?
@@Julia-ug5oeyh i want to know too
You got an update? Brought the nova 7 but I feel like the audio is trash, I'm not even an audiophile.
Returned both units. Didn't open them. Realized I don't need headphones. Impulse purchases.
@@cgrf45 looooooooooooooooooooool
first!