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Razer has been helping gamers take their games to the next level for nearly 2 decades. With specialized gaming accessories for all types of games and purposes, Razer is one of the most recognized gaming accessory brands.
However, with the rise of competitors like HyperX, it can be difficult to get the best deal for the money spent, and that’s the case with these two headsets.
Luckily for you, we’ve put together a comparison between the HyperX Cloud 2 and the Razer Blackshark V2 to find out which headset is better and will give you more of an edge in your gaming experience. Let’s jump in!
HyperX Cloud II vs. Razer Blackshark V2: Side-by-Side Comparison
| HyperX Cloud Alpha 2 | Razer Blackshark V2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Surround | Dolby 7.1 | THX |
| Customizable Audio Settings? | No | Yes |
| Noise Canceling | Passive | Passive |
| Channel Mixing? | Yes | No |
| App Support? | No | Yes, Razer software |
- 15-25kKhz Frequency Response
- Designed for comfort
- Supreme audio quality
- 7.1 virtual surround sound
- Passive noise cancellation
- 12 Hz – 28 kHz Frequency Response
- THX 7.1 Surround Sound Capable
- Triforce Titanium 50mm High-End Sound Drivers: Outfitted with cutting-edge, 50mm drivers divided into 3 parts for individual tuning of highs, mids, and lows
- Oval, cooling gel-infused cushions that prevent overheating and pressure build-up
- Detachable Razer Hyperclear Cardioid Mic: Tuned to have a more focused voice pickup area, get the most out of the mic with advanced voice tweaking options via Razer Synapse 3
- Audio enhancer DAC connects via USB connector; THX Spatial Audio available on Windows 10 64-bit only
HyperX Cloud II vs. Razer Blackshark V2: What’s the Difference?
With a very similar price tag, the main difference is in audio quality, comfort, build quality, and overall gaming needs. Below, you’ll learn the biggest differences between these two headsets to figure out which one suits your needs better.
Build Quality and Comfort
Although both the HyperX Cloud 2 and Razer Blackshark V2 look very attractive and sturdy, we notice that the HyperX Cloud 2 headset is better made upon tests. We think the HyperX Cloud 2 headset is built very smartly. It’s sturdy enough not to break easily, but also flexible enough to withstand any force.
The Razer Blackshark V2, on the other hand, while decently built, isn’t as flexible as the HyperX Cloud 2 headset. It feels like the Blackshark V2 headset could break easily with a slight bend or drop.
Both headsets also share the same design, which is a closed over-ear back style. During the tests, the HyperX Cloud 2 feels a bit more comfortable, especially over a longer period of time. However, the Razer Blackshark V2 headset is much more stable when placed properly on the ears. So, if you expect sudden movements while gaming, the Razer Blackshark V2 might be a better choice.
The main difference in comfort is in the pressure that these headsets offer. The HyperX Cloud 2 headset puts a little less pressure on the head when in use. Therefore, it’s a little more comfortable than the Razer Blackshark V2 headset. Such a small difference can have a big impact after hours of gaming, so it’s definitely something to consider.
Audio Quality
The Razer Blackshark V2 has a very balanced and neutral sound profile. It has accurate mids and a very good bass that can highlight gaming sound effects. In addition to great midrange and bass accuracy, the Razer Blackshark V2 also has excellent treble accuracy.
The HyperX Cloud 2, on the other hand, has similar audio quality but still with some differences. The HyperX Cloud 2 matches the bass accuracy of the Razer Blackshark V2, but the Cloud 2 headset has much better midrange accuracy. However, the Cloud 2 headset has much worse treble accuracy than the Razer Blackshark V2.
Although it’s hard to tell much of a difference in audio quality between these two headsets, the Razer Blackshark V2 is slightly better in audio quality. Also, the Razer Blackshark V2 headset can be connected to the Razer software, which allows you to manually adjust the sound settings to your preferences for a customized sound experience.
But, you shouldn’t give up on the HyperX Cloud 2 headset just yet as it has a few better features that can make up for the poorer sound quality, which we’ll talk about below.
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Virtual Surround
The HyperX Cloud 2 features the popular Dolby 7.1 Virtual Surround System, while the Razer Blackshark V2 relies on a Razer-developed THX Surround System.
The THX Virtual Surround system promises advanced 360 surround sound and is considered an evolved version of the 7.1 surround sound system. This is most noticeable in games where you’re on a map and can actually hear everything that is happening in 360 degrees around your player.
While Dolby 7.1 is a very good virtual surround system, THX is slightly better for gaming and can provide pinpoint reproduction, which is great in competitive games like Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.
Even though THX is a really good virtual surround technology, Dolby 7.1 is still a good choice. We like both systems and the choice will probably come down to personal preference. The good thing is that both headsets have a virtual surround system, which is a must for gaming headsets.
Noise Isolation and Microphone
Both the HyperX Cloud 2 and the Razer Blackshark V2 lack active noise cancellation. However, due to their design and dense ear cups, they can block out some noise and isolate you from ambient sounds.
According to the tests, the HyperX Cloud 2 headset is much better than the Razer Blackshark V2 when it comes to passive noise isolation. While the HyperX Cloud 2 doesn’t block out heavy bass, it does block out some ambient noise, which is still better than nothing when you need to fully concentrate, while the Razer Blackshark V2 seems to only do a good job of blocking out conversations in the room.
The HyperX Cloud 2 also has a better microphone than the Razer Blackshark V2. Both microphones are integrated and not removable. Even though the Blackshark V2 has a slightly worse microphone, you can play with the settings in the Razer software to try and adjust the microphone performance. But, if you’re like us and don’t like playing around with too many settings, the HyperX Cloud 2 headset is better right out of the box.
Compatibility and App Support
The HyperX Cloud 2 and Razer Blackshark V2 are compatible with PCs. Both headsets have a USB sound card. These USB sound cards aren’t integrated into the cable, so you can decide for yourself if you want to use them or not. Using the USB sound card does introduce some latency, but it’s hardly noticeable.
However, you can also use both headsets with a ⅛” TRRS cable. Thanks to this versatility, you can use both headsets on PCs, but also on gaming consoles like PS4, PS5, and Xbox.
As for app support, the HyperX Cloud 2 cannot be connected or configured via the HyperX NGENUITY app as it’s not supported. The Razer Blackshark V2, on the other hand, is compatible with the Razer software, which lets you adjust many audio settings that can actually affect audio performance.
HyperX Cloud 2 vs. Razer Blackshark V2: 6 Must-Know Facts
- The HyperX Cloud 2 and the Razer Blackshark V2 have a similar design, but the HyperX Cloud 2 is better manufactured and more comfortable to wear.
- The Blackshark V2 headset has slightly better audio quality, but not many users will notice the difference.
- The Blackshark V2 headset offers great customization options to adjust the sound to personal preferences or set it up for a specific game.
- The HyperX Cloud 2 uses the Dolby 7.1 Virtual Surround system, while Blackshark V2 uses the THX system.
- The HyperX Cloud 2 has better passive noise isolation than the Blackshark V2.
- Both headsets have a replaceable USB sound card and are compatible with PCs and game consoles
- 15-25kKhz Frequency Response
- Designed for comfort
- Supreme audio quality
- 7.1 virtual surround sound
- Passive noise cancellation
- 12 Hz – 28 kHz Frequency Response
- THX 7.1 Surround Sound Capable
- Triforce Titanium 50mm High-End Sound Drivers: Outfitted with cutting-edge, 50mm drivers divided into 3 parts for individual tuning of highs, mids, and lows
- Oval, cooling gel-infused cushions that prevent overheating and pressure build-up
- Detachable Razer Hyperclear Cardioid Mic: Tuned to have a more focused voice pickup area, get the most out of the mic with advanced voice tweaking options via Razer Synapse 3
- Audio enhancer DAC connects via USB connector; THX Spatial Audio available on Windows 10 64-bit only
HyperX Cloud 2 vs. Razer Blackshark V2: Which One is Better for You?
The two main differences between the Cloud 2 and Blackshark V2 headsets are in the design/build quality and audio quality. Although the difference in audio quality is minimal, the Razer Blackshark V2 offers slightly better audio quality that can be further tweaked to improve performance.
The HyperX Cloud 2 headset is better designed and built, so we believe it’ll have a long lifespan. It’s also more comfortable and can passively block out ambient noise better than the Razer Blackshark V2 due to its design.
Therefore, with a minimal difference in sound, but a big difference in design and build quality, we think the HyperX Cloud 2 is the better headset. Considering the minimal price difference, the HyperX Cloud 2 still offers a better value for the price you pay.
