There is a quiet tension in the console headset market. PlayStation players want a headset that pairs instantly with the DualSense, sounds good in big single player games, and does not require a separate dongle that can disappear into a couch. The Razer BlackShark V2 X for PlayStation answers that wish in the most direct way possible: it is a wired headset with a 3.5mm jack, a proven pair of 50mm drivers, and a cardioid microphone, all tuned to serve a PlayStation first living room. I played through a mix of shooters, adventures, and open worlds with it, and this is the full account of what it offers.
Before the review, the disclosure. This article contains affiliate links, and if you purchase through any of them the site earns a small commission at no extra cost to you. That commission never changes what I test or recommend. The headset used in this review was purchased for testing.
The appeal is straightforward. A headset that connects to the controller you already hold, no charging cradle, no pairing menu, no batteries to remember. This review covers the design, the audio quality in games and music, the microphone, comfort for long play sessions, and the trade offs of choosing wired over wireless.
Design and Build
Razer keeps the BlackShark V2 X deliberately light. It weighs barely over a quarter of a kilogram, and that restraint pays off in how quickly you forget it is on your head. The construction blends a metal core with reinforced plastic arms in a matte black finish, and the whole frame feels reassuringly sturdy without adding bulk.
The closed back ear cups isolate outside noise and keep your game audio to yourself. They swivel and tilt to match your head, and the fit is snug but never punishing. The headband has plush padding across the top, and the clamping force is balanced enough to hold the headset steady during an intense boss fight without leaving pressure marks afterward.
Key Features
The 50mm drivers are the headline component. They are the same driver size found in the premium BlackShark V2, and Razer tunes them for clarity over boom, which matters in games where dialogue and direction both carry information. The closed back design helps the isolation, and the detachable cardioid mic rejects noise from the sides and rear so your voice comes through clearly.
The 3.5mm connection is the quiet feature that ties everything together. It works with the PS5 controller directly, and the same cable reaches an Xbox Series X controller, a PC, a Nintendo Switch, or any device with a headphone jack. There is no proprietary wireless protocol and no app required, which makes it one of the most dependable headsets you can buy for a multi console household.
Real-World Performance
I began with the game most PlayStation players care about: a cinematic single player adventure. The BlackShark V2 X handled it beautifully. The score swept around the sound stage, dialogue stayed crisp against the orchestration, and environmental sounds like wind and distant chatter gave the world depth. The balanced tuning is exactly right for this genre, where excessive bass would bury quiet dialogue under every explosion.
A competitive shooter came next, and this is where the 50mm drivers showed their positional skill. Footsteps, reloads, and gunfire all arrived with a clear sense of direction. I could hear an enemy approach on stairs above me and track a flank around a building, which is the kind of audio awareness that wins games. For a wired headset at this price, the accuracy genuinely surprised me.
Music gave me the second surprise. The sound signature is not the aggressive, bass heavy tuning many gaming brands use. It is even and natural, with vocals forward and enough low end for electronic and rock tracks to feel full without overwhelming. I reached for the headset for album listening and video calls as often as I reached for it for games, which is the real test of a versatile headset.
The microphone was a highlight. In party chat my voice arrived clear and warm, and the people I played with commented on how natural I sounded. The cardioid pattern kept my keyboard and the room noise out of the channel, so I never had to repeat myself over background chatter. Detaching the mic for single player nights is a two second job that keeps the headset looking clean.
Comfort was consistent across the weeks. I played in sessions stretching past four hours, and the memory foam cushions plus the light frame kept pressure low. There were no hot spots on my ears and no creaking in the headband during quick head turns. The noise isolating earcups also made it possible to play without bothering anyone else in the room, which matters in a shared household.
The limitations are the flip side of the wired design. Over the 3.5mm jack the headset is stereo, so any virtual surround processing comes from the console rather than dedicated hardware. There is no volume wheel on the cable, so you adjust audio through the controller or system menu. And the package is minimal: headset and cable, with no carrying pouch or USB adapter included.
On the PS5, the 3D audio feature worked as intended. The console's Tempest engine handled the spatial processing and the headset delivered it faithfully, which gives PlayStation players the immersive sound they want without needing a proprietary wireless headset. That combination, console processing plus a solid analog headset, is the quiet logic behind this product, and it holds up in practice.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Clear and balanced 50mm audio with good positioning
- Lightweight frame with memory foam cushions
- Cardioid microphone with strong noise rejection
- Works with PS5, Xbox, PC, and Switch from one cable
- Detachable microphone
- Dependable wired connection with no pairing
Cons:
- Stereo only, relying on console surround processing
- No in line volume control
- Barebones box with no accessories beyond the cable
How It Compares
The clearest comparison is against the Xbox edition of the same headset and the standard PC focused BlackShark V2 X. They share hardware, so the differences are about packaging and platform emphasis. The table below shows how they line up.
| Feature | V2 X PlayStation | V2 X Xbox | V2 X Standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drivers | 50mm | 50mm | 50mm |
| Connection | 3.5mm jack | 3.5mm jack | 3.5mm jack |
| Platform emphasis | PlayStation | Xbox | PC and general |
| Microphone | Cardioid detachable | Cardioid detachable | Cardioid detachable |
| Cushions | Memory foam | Memory foam | Memory foam |
| Surround support | PS5 3D Audio | Console software | Software based |
If you live mostly in PlayStation's ecosystem, the PlayStation edition is the version that matches your platform out of the box, and its interaction with PS5 3D Audio is the defining detail. If you share your games across consoles, any V2 X variant does the job, since the hardware is identical. The right choice comes down to which console is the center of your setup.
Who Should Buy It
This headset is for the PlayStation player who wants reliable audio without managing a second wireless device. It suits anyone with a PS5 who values the 3D Audio experience, households with multiple consoles that want one headset to cover them all, and gamers who simply prefer the dependability of a cable over the anxiety of a dying battery.
Skip it if you need hardware surround sound or you cannot accept a wire running from your controller. For everyone else, this is a strong value in wired PlayStation audio. You can check the current price of this Razer BlackShark V2 X PlayStation headset on Amazon when you are ready.
How We Test
I used the BlackShark V2 X for a month across PS5 single player and multiplayer games, music listening, and voice calls. I evaluated directional audio in competitive play, the interaction with PS5 3D Audio, microphone clarity in party chat, and comfort across extended sessions. I compared it against the Xbox and standard variants of the same headset to confirm the differences.
This was a real world listening test rather than a lab measurement, so all audio impressions are subjective. For a deeper look at gaming headset performance across platforms, PCMag has a comprehensive guide to the best gaming headsets that pairs well with this review. The Razer BlackShark V2 X PlayStation listing on Amazon shows the current price and buyer feedback.
Razer BlackShark V2 X PlayStation: Questions People Ask
How does the headset connect to a PS5 controller?
It uses the 3.5mm audio jack on the DualSense controller, so you just plug in and the headset is ready for game audio and chat.
Can I use it with the Xbox Series X?
Yes, the 3.5mm cable works with Xbox Series X and Series S controllers, PC, and Nintendo Switch as well.
Is the microphone removable?
Yes, the cardioid mic detaches for listening only, and the flexible arm keeps it positioned right at your mouth.
Are the earcups comfortable for long gaming sessions?
The plush noise isolating earcups and lightweight frame keep pressure low, making several hour sessions comfortable.
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