Latest news with #headset
Gizmodo
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Gizmodo
Razer BlackShark V3 Pro Review: The Sweatiest Gamers Will Love This Headset
'The best' of anything is already a misnomer, but throw 'pro' into the mix, as so many gamer peripherals tend to, and we're staring down the barrel of hyperbole. Which brings us to the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro, a gaming headset that Razer claims epitomizes low-latency sound for high-performance gaming, where hearing a footstep or missing your teammate's callout is the difference between triumph and rage-inducing defeat. So when I say Razer's BlackShark is 'the best' of its class, you have to remember this may not be the best for every game you may play. The $250 BlackShark V3 Pro is the company's latest in its long line of esports-focused wireless headsets. It's a purpose-built machine made for players so hardcore they need to pick out the tones of enemy footfalls amid the chaos of battle. The Call of Duty or Counter-Strike crowds—both pros and wannabes—have every reason to listen deep for every hint of an advantage, but what about everyone else who simply wants a device to be their one and only gaming headset for every situation? It's now $50 more than the Blackshark V2 was at launch, but with THX Spatial Audio, a relatively comfortable band, and the inclusion of active noise cancellation, the Blackshark V3 Pro makes a compelling case for itself. Consider its cost; having a headset designed for pros first means you won't receive the kind of 'oomph' you should demand for the most compelling single-player titles. Razer BlackShark V3 Pro The BlackShark V3 Pro is the premium headset for multiplayer games. Just know going "pro" means losing out on the best sound for some single-player titles. Pros Cons The BlackShark V3 Pro uses Razer's bio-cellulose 50mm drivers. Bio-cellulose normally offers smooth midtones—which helps it hone in on those small audio details like footsteps. Along with Razer's software suite, the headset hits the ears with a punch for every gunshot, a rattle for every reload, and the whining sound of your teammate complaining, 'Dude, where's my team at?' The closest approximation to that sound is the whine of a mosquito flicking near your ear. The headset is tuned for competitive games where sound is often more important than what you're seeing on screen. This means the audio is built not to be distracting nor—dare I say it—immersive. The drivers and audio software are tuned so you know where the bullets are coming from, rather than how punchy they are. I switched headsets during several games of Counter-Strike 2 and Halo Infinite. I noticed I would actually play better listening through the BlackShark V3 Pro compared to other expensive headsets like the Alienware Pro Wireless, the HyperX Cloud III S, or Razer's own Kraken V4 Pro (it's normally a $180 headset, but it costs $400 if you get it with the Control Hub and Razer Sensa haptics). The experience in games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 wasn't at all terrible, but it lacked the bass that helped the games' deep, dark soundscape come alive. In those games, I enjoyed a more dynamic sound from cheaper headsets. For $250, the BlackShark V3 Pro isn't the headset you want for every scenario. Razer has made some improvements over the BlackShark V3 Pro, most notably the huge 12mm detachable mic with its 48 kHz sampling rate. The higher-than-normal sampling rate means the gaming headset can recognize a wider range of frequencies, which helps your voice sound more like yourself or at least come through clearer to your friends or frenemies, depending on how well you're doing each match. The actual difference between the BlackShark V3 Pro and other headsets is minor, but still noticeably clearer through the golf ball-sized pop filter. Razer put a heavy emphasis on the gaming headset's low latency capabilities, so you can't blame your hardware for any time you choke in a match. The BlackShark V3 Pro uses Razer's own 2.4GHz 'HyperSpeed Wireless Gen-2' wireless codec, which requires an extra dongle wired to the PC so you can have it as close to you as possible. It has a stated 10ms connection latency, which is some of the lowest available, offering virtually no lag between your wireless headset and the game. For comparison, the high-end HyperX Cloud Alpha has a stated 15ms latency through its 2.4GHz dongle. Most modern headsets have below 40ms latency. You would only be able to tell the difference if you had expert ears. What the HyperSpeed dongle really means in a practical sense is you'll have one more wire clogging up your pristine desk space. The BlackShark V3 Pro has a level of customizability through the Razer Synapse software (as with all Razer products, Synapse is unavoidable) that competitors are still lacking. You can create your own EQ—or equalization—to make your favorite games sound as good as possible. Razer promoted that it has 12 games, including popular shooters like Valorant, Fortnite, and Apex Legends, with EQ profiles tuned by several esports stars. I wish it had access to something like SteelSeries' massive library of EQ options through its Arctis app, though what's available are perfect for each respective game. Users can store up to nine of their own profiles directly on the headset in case they need to take it with them. See BlackShark V3 Pro at Amazon The BlackShark V3 Pro is more physically customizable than Razer's previous gaming headsets as well. Taking a page from HP's HyperX lineup of headsets, the BlackShark V3 Pro lets you attach new plastic pads to the left and right earcups. Currently, Razer is only selling special caps that sport logos from various esports teams. If, like me, you're not religiously following the Los Angeles Thieves, you're wondering if you can get other customized pads. Razer told me it may consider releasing STL files for users to 3D print their own custom panels, but we don't doubt regular users will craft their own without Razer's help. At the same time, the BlackShark V3 Pro isn't very road friendly. The pads don't fold flat, and that massive 12mm detachable boom mic means it's going to take up way too much room in your bag or luggage. You won't really care what you look like when these are wrapped around your noggin. I have plenty of problems with some gaming headsets rubbing my naked, bald head raw, but the BlackShark fit around my ears with just enough pressure that I wasn't stuck listening to my own staccato heartbeat. I could wear them for hours without an issue, though I feel the headset would feel slightly more comfortable with slightly firmer memory foam around the top band and softer cups. The BlackShark V3 Pro also lacks swappable cups that may have alleviated any small pain points. Being a 'pro'-level gaming headset also implies more than the ability to survive several rounds of gamer sweats. The wireframe holding the cups to the main body has some give, but not enough that they stayed bent as I gave them a strong twist in my hands. So is this the headset built for the huddled desktop denizens who don't want to leave the comforts of their gamer hole? Razer's own $180 Kraken V4 is filled with glowing RGB lights and THX spatial sound. That pair of headphones does not include noise cancellation, but the pleather earcups do a better job of dampening sound without the addition of the active noise cancellation (ANC) software. With ANC turned on, it manages to hinder background chatter and the sound of my office's HVAC on a sweltering New York summer day, but I could still pick up on the sounds of deskmates typing and sniffling. That's still good enough for when you're deep into a gaming session, but it may not replace your high-quality ANC headphones for pure listening bliss. The headset gets a stated 70 hours of battery life—which is expected for this price—but ANC will deplete that faster. That doesn't matter much considering how in the several days and multiple play sessions testing the device, I never saw it dip below 80%. There are few gaming headsets that can go toe-to-toe with the BlackShark V3 Pro. It's a lithe, lone aquatic killing machine swimming in a pond full of pretty, glowing fish destined for some rich man's aquarium. It's a more expensive headset than the last go-around, though those who want the best gaming headset for multiplayer won't find much better. If you want something that will be your one and only headset for every game under the sun, you should look for more well-rounded alternatives. See BlackShark V3 Pro at Amazon
CNET
6 days ago
- CNET
These $130 Asus Gaming Headphones Get Almost Everything Right
CNET's expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise. Asus ROG Pelta $130 at Amazon Pros Sound great Comfortable Customizable sound Affordable Three connection modes Cons No noise cancellation No Xbox support Minimal headband adjustment Asus ROG Pelta $130 at Amazon After reviewing the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 headset last year, I was impressed by just how much a good headset can improve the gaming experience. While headsets like the Stealth 700s are great, they're also expensive. The ROG Pelta headphones from Asus, on the other hand, nail the basics while being more affordable. I've been testing the Pelta's for several weeks now and I'm quite impressed. They get just about everything right and only cost $130. That's still a fair amount of money, but much of what you get with the Pelta is often only found on headsets that cost twice as much. What I like about the Asus ROG Pelta CNET/Jason Cockerham For starters, the 50mm titanium-plated drivers sound great. No matter what game I played, I heard everything clearly. Both music and movies sounded fantastic, almost as good as my $300 Sony XM3 headphones. The best part is that with the Asus Armory Crate app you can customize the sound profile in detail. Asus gives you lots of options for tuning the headphones precisely to your liking, which is a welcome touch at this price. There are some custom profiles as well for those who just want to pick one and leave it. To be honest, I never felt the need to switch from the default settings during my entire time with the Peltas. They're also comfortable to wear. The earcups fit well over my ears, and the cushions are comfortable -- more so than the Stealth 700s. They're made of soft mesh material that gives them greater breathability than others I've used. They're also very lightweight. There's no carrying case, which is disappointing. CNET/Jason Cockerham Microphone quality is also solid. I never had any teammates complain about not being able to hear me, and I even took a few video calls with them and didn't have any issues. The mic is also removable, which is convenient, so it doesn't get in the way when you're not using it. The 70-hour battery life (90 on Bluetooth) is quite decent, and you can get 3 hours of usage with 15 minutes of charging. The Pelta's can connect to PC, Mac, PlayStation, Switch and mobile devices via Bluetooth or a 2.4GHz USB-C dongle. There's also an included USB-C cable with an adapter if you want to go the wired route. The odd part is that there's no Xbox support. What I didn't like about the Asus ROG Pelta CNET/Jason Cockerham The only real downside is that the headband is not telescoping, which means there are only three predetermined positions for adjusting the headset. This may not be a problem for most, but I have a small, weirdly shaped head and the Pelta never quite fit as snugly as I would have liked. I always felt like they would slip off at any moment. They never did, but it always felt like they were about to. There's also no 3.5mm headphone jack. I get that this is becoming more common these days, but it's still annoying. There are still those of us who want a good analog connection from time to time. Noise cancellation also doesn't make an appearance, but that's not uncommon on gaming headphones, especially at this price. Should you buy the Asus ROG Pelta? Overall, for $130, there's really not much to dislike about the ROG Pelta headphones. They work with almost any device, sound great, have good battery life and are quite comfortable. If you're looking for a good gaming headset that won't have your wallet complaining, and you don't have an Xbox, the Pelta's should be high on the list.
Geek Tyrant
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Tyrant
Audeze Maxwell Headset Makes Gaming Premium — GeekTyrant
Audeze recently sent me what is possibly the best gaming headset I have ever had the chance to try out for Xbox. The Audeze Maxwell headset is available now in two varieties (one for PlayStation with MSRP of $299 and one for Xbox with MSRP of $349) and I'm in love with it. Before I really get into it, I want to talk about some of the specifications. The Maxwell features over-the-ear and closed back headphones with 90mm drivers. It has a suspension headband instead of the more typical adjustable headband and is advertised to have a battery life of 80+ hours. As far as connectivity, the Maxwell can use Bluetooth 5.3, wired USB, wired 3.5mm, and a USB dongle with ultra low latency wireless. It also has Xbox Wireless via the USB dongle. Maxwell also offers integrated A.I. noise filtration for the microphone as well as microphone EQ controls. In addition, the Xbox version comes with an embedded license to Dolby Atmos for the optimal audio experience while gaming. That's enough boring talk. The Maxwell is absolutely incredible. The audio quality is absolutely fantastic. Everything sounds so clear and crisp. Combined with the fact that it is very comfortable to wear, and it's just a fantastic headset. The padding they use for the cups is just very comfortable yet secure. The use of the suspension headband actually works better for staying on my head when I bend over versus pretty much any adjustable headband headset. Before the Maxwell, my only other Xbox headset was the Razer Kaira Pro. This was a decent headset, especially for the price. However, it's safe to say that the Maxwell blows it out of the water (albeit with a price tag over double). I recorded a few samples using the Kaira Pro, the Maxwell, and my go-to PC mic the Dark Matter Sentry. I had fairly loud music playing in the background as I recorded each sample and tested external and internal microphones on both headsets and various levels of noise suppression on the Maxwell. In my opinion, the Sentry gives the best audio quality, but it also lets a lot of the background music through. The Maxwell is definitely in second place though with the external boom mic and has much quieter background noise, even with the noise suppression turned off.
CNET
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CNET
The $39 SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 Gaming Headset Has Rarely Been Cheaper
Whether you're playing with your friends or getting competitive with strangers, a good gaming headset is vital. It means you can hear what's going on around you, and a built-in mic means you can talk to your friends (and foes) at the same time. Wireless headsets are cool, but sometimes you just want the ease of use -- not to mention the reliability -- of a wired solution. They're often cheaper as well. That's definitely the case with this StealSeries Arctis Nova 1 deal, with Amazon slashing the price of the black version to just $39 . This headset would normally sell for around $60, so you're saving 35% here without the need to enter any of those irritating codes or clip any easy-to-miss coupons. Just place your order as normal and your new headset will be with you in no time at all. Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. When it does arrive, your new Arctis Nova 1 will work with just about anything you point it at. That includes your PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch, thanks to the use of the universal 3.5mm headphone jack that's been around for decades now. Just plug it in and it works -- you can't always say that about Bluetooth now, can you? The headset itself supports 360-degree spatial audio, and its retractable mic has noise-cancelling features so everyone will be able to hear your words of "encouragement" or, more likely, clearly. It's also designed to be comfortable for long play sessions thanks to a lightweight construction, too. Why this deal matters Gaming with headphones means that you can crank up the volume without bothering the people you live with. And if you're serious about your games, you'll already know how much easier it is to pick out threats when you can better hear where they're coming from. At this price, why struggle when you can pick up a wired headset that'll work with everything you own?
The Verge
14-07-2025
- Sport
- The Verge
These are Sony's new noise-canceling headphones for NFL coaches
Sony is finally debuting the headset that it developed specifically for NFL coaches, after teasing it almost a year ago as part of a new partnership with the NFL. The headset features technology and engineering borrowed from Sony's popular consumer-focused wireless headphones, such as the WH-1000XM6. That includes the same noise-canceling technology that Sony uses in its 1000X headphone series, although it's been optimized for use on the sidelines. Sony tested the headset using real crowd noises at 100 decibels to fine-tune its active noise cancellation for use in NFL stadiums. The headset will be available in two configurations featuring either one or two ear cups. It features a new oversized microphone that helps keep the coach's voice clear while concealing their lip movements so that other teams can't easily see what play they're calling. (They usually hide their mouths anyway.) Sony designed the new headsets to handle most of the weather teams face during the season, including extreme heat and cold conditions, as well as snow, sleet, and rain. They were drop tested to ensure they can endure the 'physical demands of the sidelines'— cut to a scene of a coach tossing a headset to the ground after a bad play. All 32 teams in the NFL will use Sony's new hardware. The headsets will be wirelessly connected through a belt pack using a Verizon private 5G network in each stadium to ensure secure communications. Sony was announced as an official technology partner of the NFL in July 2024. In addition to replacing Bose as the official headset provider for the league, the use of Sony's Hawk-Eye tracking technology was also expanded this past season. The technology will be used to assist with important calls on plays.
