Razer Blackshark V2 X VS HyperX Cloud 2
Surround sound won’t suddenly improve your performance, but it is definitely nice to have. Razer Blackshark V2 X vs HyperX Cloud 2 are budget-friendly gaming headsets that can give you a more immersive experience and perhaps some competitive advantage with their surround sound. So, between the two, which one is better for you?
The following comparison will inform you further about Razer Blackshark V2 X vs HyperX Cloud 2:
- Whether Razer Blackshark V2 X and HyperX Cloud 2 have good build quality and durability
- How comfortable are Razer Blackshark V2 X and HyperX Cloud 2 for long gaming sessions
- The features of Razer Blackshark V2 X and HyperX Cloud 2
- How good are the microphones of Razer Blackshark V2 X and HyperX Cloud 2
- The sound quality of Razer Blackshark V2 X vs HyperX Cloud 2
- Whether you should get Razer Blackshark V2 X or HyperX Cloud 2
Razer Blackshark V2 X vs HyperX Cloud 2: Design
Razer Blackshark V2 X actually has a good build quality. It is light and not really bulky. The oval ear cups have plastic shells that are held in place by metallic arms. The cable and mic are permanently attached, but they feel pretty solid. The mic button and headphone volume dial are located on the left ear cup. Besides the usual black color, this headset is available in white and blue versions.
However, Razer Blackshark V2 X is not as tough as HyperX Cloud 2. The metallic arms that hold the ear cups are rather thin. So, if you are not careful, you may accidentally break them.
In terms of comfort, Razer Blackshark V2 X is good but once again not as great as its competitor here. It uses soft memory foam with a leatherette cover. The earpads and headband padding are pretty thick, comfy enough for extended gaming sessions, but they are not really plush.
HyperX Cloud 2 is much tougher and more durable. This headset has a sturdy aluminum frame, with thick arms that are truly solid to hold the ear cups. The mic is detachable so that it won’t bother your view when not in use. In-line controls are available, with separate headphone and microphone volume dials and a mic mute button.
HyperX Cloud 2 is incredibly comfortable to wear. The headset is not too heavy, and the fit is snug without being too tight. The soft memory foam earpads have leatherette covers that feel really comfy. If you don’t like leatherette, you can swap them with the included velour earpads, which provide extra breathability.
| Razer Blackshark V2 X | HyperX Cloud 2 | |
|---|---|---|
  |   |
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| Product Dimensions | 7.6 x 6.76 x 3.86 inches | 6.69 x 4.72 x 2.76 inches |
| Shipping Weight | 7 ounces | 9.7 ounces |
| Best offer | Check price | Check price |
Razer Blackshark V2 X vs HyperX Cloud 2: Features
Razer Blackshark V2 X uses a 3.5mm cable connection, so it can work pretty much any computer, gaming console, and mobile device. However, it also comes with a USB sound card, which can give you THX Spatial Audio when used with the Razer Synapse 3 software on a computer.
Besides enabling surround sound, the software will also give you various adjustment options. There is a 10-band EQ with various built-in presets. There are also functions like Bass Boost, Voice Clarity, and Sound Normalization that you can toggle. Meanwhile, the microphone has its own options, with a dedicated equalizer, sensitivity adjustment, Ambient Noise Reduction, Vocal Clarity, and Voice Normalization.
The USB sound card alone actually already provides surround sound, but THX Spatial Audio provided by the software can give more accurate directional imaging. There are even THX-tuned profiles for popular games that you can use right away if you don’t want to manually adjust everything.
HyperX Cloud 2 is similar. It uses a 3.5mm cable that can plug into any computer, gaming console, and mobile device. It also comes with a USB sound card that can provide surround sound.
However, you don’t need to install any software to use this feature. There is a button on the USB sound card to toggle surround sound directly. It is very convenient, as it won’t clutter your computer with software, and it will allow you to get surround sound on any computer.
Indeed, there is the HyperX Ngenuity software, but you should just skip this software anyway. It does not provide any real benefit, as headphone and microphone volume controls are available on the USB sound card already, and it is buggy. The headset works perfectly without the software. Read also : Logitech G Pro vs G Pro X here.
Razer Blackshark V2 X vs HyperX Cloud 2: Microphone
Razer Blackshark V2 X does not have a detachable mic, and this can be a small annoyance because the mic is rather large and obvious. On the positive side, the mic quality is quite good. It has a very minimal proximity effect. The arm is pretty long and flexible, so you can position it easily.
The microphone of Razer Blackshark V2 X generally sounds clear and crisp, but it is not perfect. It has an obvious bass roll-off which may make people with a deep voice sound muffled and distorted. This is a common issue with integrated mics.
HyperX Cloud 2 is slightly better because it has a detachable mic. You can remove the mic if you just want to play a single-player game or listen to music. The mic also has a long, flexible arm.
That said, the mic quality of HyperX Cloud 2 is similar. There is no significant difference. It generally gives clean and articulate sound, but it doesn’t work really well with people with a deep voice.
Razer Blackshark V2 X vs HyperX Cloud 2: Performance
Again, Razer Blackshark V2 X is actually quite good in terms of performance, but it can’t beat HyperX Cloud 2. This is because of the boosted bass, which causes Razer Blackshark V2 X to sound not very detailed or accurate.
To be fair, the boosted bass is not excessive. It is quite subtle so that it can make low-frequency sound effects like rumbles and explosions pop in your ears, without muddling the other sounds too much. It also has good separation so that you can hear clearly dialogues and musical soundtracks. The surround sound works well, giving you a good sense of direction to footsteps and gunshots.
Razer Blackshark V2 X also works quite well for music. The boosted bass is actually great for some tracks, such as those that have plenty of bass synth and drums, but it has minimal resonance and soundstage.
HyperX Cloud 2 is superior because it is noticeably more detailed and more accurate. There is no bass boost in the frequency response, so you can hear important audio cues very easily. Dialogues and voice chats are very clean and articulate. Footsteps are easy to hear. Musical soundtracks come out crisp and very pleasing.
The surround sound is quite similar – it will give you a rough idea of where a sound is coming from, but it won’t give you pinpoint accuracy. Still, it is quite nice and useful. HyperX Cloud 2 is great for listening to music, too, as the balanced sound can highlight subtle details from musical instruments and create a pretty good soundstage.
Conclusion
In the end, HyperX Cloud 2 is more recommended. It is superior in terms of comfort and sound quality. The earpads are really comfy, and the sound is much more detailed and accurate. You will also appreciate the in-line controls on the USB sound card, which provides a button for toggling the surround sound on any computer as well as separate dials for headphone and microphone volume.