Accessories

Razer BlackShark V2 Pro (2023) non-eSports player review

I suck at first-person shooters

Published

July 14, 2023

I already own one of the best pairs of cans from the last 3-4 years – the Sony WH-1000XM4. But I prefer having that on-hand and ready to go when I’m out and about. Greedy as I am, I also wanted over-ear headphones that can stay on my work desk. Thankfully, Razer came knocking with the BlackShark V2 Pro (2023) in hand.

An eSports headset

Razer made these headphones specifically for the type of gamer that I am not – a gun-slinging, slick-swervin’, first-person shooter. I felt it was important to declare that from the get-go as I had neither bandwidth nor interest to try the specific games it was made for.

That said, I still did use it playing the games I like. Those being RPGs, some action games, and NBA 2K.

So, this isn’t a review of the BlackShark V2 Pro (2023) for eSports players. This is a review by someone who is everything but.

2020 vs 2023

The particular unit I have isn’t the first version of the BlackShark V2 Pro. The first one actually came out in 2020. Here’s a table to show what’s different.

BlackShark V2 Pro	2020	2023
Connectivity	USB-A Dongle Bluetooth (with SmartSwitch)	USB-A Dongle 3.5mm Analog
Microphone	Razer HyperClear Super Wideband Mic	Razer HyperClear Supercardioid Mic
Driver	50mm Drivers	50mm Drivers
Surround Sound	THX Spatial Audio	THX Spatial Audio
Audio Profiles	Pro-tuned FPS Profiles On-Headset	Via THX Spatial Audio
Weight	320g	320g
Ear Cushion Type	FlowKnit Memory Foam	FlowKnit Memory Foam
Ear Cushion Dimensions	62mm x 42mm	65mm x 40mm
On-Earcup Controls	Volume up/down Mic mute on/off SmartSwitch button Audio Profiles switcher	Volume up/down Mic mute on/off
Lighting	No	No
Color Options	Black, White	Black, White, Six Siege Editon
Battery Life	Up to 70 Hours	Up to 24 hours
Charging	USB Type C 15 minutes charge for 6 hours of play	Micro-USB

On paper, the upgrades seem minimal. But looking at it now and basing on my couple of weeks with the device, the improvements are focused on quality of life things that make a huge difference in the long run.

Audio Profiles

By default, the BlackShark V2 Pro (2023) has four audio profiles. Each profile is tuned slightly differently to cater to a specific listening activity. The profiles are: Game, Movie, Music, and Custom. These profiles are pretty straightforward.

The custom one has a flat equalizer or EQ which you can tune when you connect the device via Razer’s Synapse desktop app. More on this later.

Holding the Audio Profiles button will shift the selection from the general profiles to the eSports one. These are: Fortnite, Valorant, Apex Legends, Call of Duty, and CS Go. Again, these are pretty straightforward. Just pick the profile for the game you’re playing and it should be optimized for that particular game.

I didn’t get to play these particular games during testing for a couple of reasons. One, I don’t really play them because I am terrible at these games. Two, my windows laptop was under repair for the majority of the review period.

But I did play.

Game

I am primarily a PlayStation gamer. And most of my game time using the BlackShark V2 Pro (2023) was split between two games: Final Fantasy XVI and NBA 2K23. I did try a couple of other games for good measure. These include Returnal, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart: Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered. The first two are games I often go back when testing accessories. Returnal is especially good for audio. The other two, coincidentally from Insomniac Games, are titles I feel are easy to hop back into.

Anyway, on Game profile with the included USB-A dongle connected to the PS5, the BlackShark V2 Pro delivered clear, crisp, and full sounds. I dare say 3D Audio was in effect too. In Final Fantasy XVI, there is plenty of side chatter from NPCs. Depending on where you position main character Clive relative to NPCs having a lively banter, that’s where you’ll hear the sound from.

Let’s be real. Yes, I was just pretending to play here.

This was even more true with Returnal. I regard this game as the best for testing audio accessories with the PS5. Its sound design is top notch and actually helps you with identifying the general location of enemies. I imagine this is how it goes with the eSports audio profiles.

For the rest of the games, I got the same clear, crisp, and full sound.

Music, Movie, and Custom

Other than gaming, I used the BlackShark V2 Pro (2023) mostly to listen to music. On days that I worked out of a café I just cycled through a few R&B and mellow tracks like Jesse Barrera’s “Strawberry Soju,” “Flower” by Johnny Stimson, and even “Thirsty” by aespa. I like to feel smooth while I work.

The Music audio profile doesn’t sound too different from Game quality-wise. For some reason, it does sound a little louder and you tend to hear higher sounds better. The audio still sounds clean and tracks with great mixing tickle your ears like any good headphones do.

I tried the Movie profile but during a game. It only mildly boosted the dialogue parts. It’s my least favorite audio profile. Even when just watching YouTube videos, I shifted to the default which is Game.

Custom, like I mentioned earlier, is just a flat EQ. And this is something I found out only after I was able to finally connect the headphones to Synapse.

Synapse and PC-isms

The Razer Synapse apps is software that’s used to configure Razer’s hardware lineup. Connect your Razer device to the computer where Synapse is open and it’ll detect it. Eventually.

I primarily use a MacBook Pro daily. That’s where I do most of my work. And as I mentioned earlier, my Windows laptop was under repair for the majority of my review time with the BlackShark V2 Pro (2023). Unfortunately, the version of Synapse that works on Macs isn’t compatible with the headphones.

Fast forward to when I finally got my windows laptop back. I was excited to fire it up, pair the headphones and see what settings can be tweaked. But I ran into what I will call PC-isms.

PC-isms is my personal catch-all term for all the inconvenience I have to deal with in setting up a PC. It took me until the wee hours of the morning just to get everything ready. And by that time I was too tired and sleepy to tinker with the headphones.

I don’t have a picture that matches the narrative so here’s this instead.

The following day, I finished some work and got to tinkering. Except, the BlackShark V2 Pro just wouldn’t show up on Synapse right away. It took around three to four restarts before I got the thing to work. Perhaps PC users will have more patience in this regard, but for someone like myself who juggles a lot in his schedule, this was a non-starter.

That said, I still managed to make it work. But I skipped the Audio profiles altogether and went ahead to test the mic.

Talk to me

I hopped on three different calls to test the mic. Which, by the way, is one of two accessories that are easy to misplace. The other one being the USB-A dongle.

I’ll do my best to not lose these accessories.

Anyway, the first two calls all happened before I got my Windows laptop. So, the mic was just set to default. I got two different feedback.

The first call was with the headphones connected to my MacBook Pro. I was told my voice was audible but sounded muffled.

The second call, the headphones were connected to my phone. This time around, I was told I sounded clear.

Lastly, the third call was connected to the Windows laptop with me switching among the different voice equalizers. And the general feedback are:

Default — Is loud but does sound a little muffled
Mic Boost — Likely the best at every call scenario. Boosts the voice and overall clarity.
Broadcast — Sounds almost like Mic Boost but less loud and more clear.
Conference — Sounds literally like being on one of those conference phones in corporate offices. Skip this one.

Since then, I’ve had the mic on Mic Boost. Personally, I feel it works best in most settings.

Let’s get physical

I am absolutely in love with all the physical buttons on the BlackShark V2 Pro (2023). My personal favorite is the volume knob. It’s easy to grab and turn for instant volume control. It rotates fully and just beeps if you’re at the lowest or highest volume option.

It’s such a welcome change coming from headphones and TWS earphones that are purely touch controls that can be hit or miss. In some cases, the TWS ones don’t even have volume control at all.

It isn’t the best looking since it sticks out like a sore thumb. But functionally, I am absolutely in love with it. I need better volume controls in other headphones now.

The power button sits on the left cup and is hard enough to press that you won’t mistake it for the mute button sitting right above it. That one’s a lot more tactile, making it easy to toggle between mute and unmute.

Still on the left cup, you’ll find the slot for the mic. It looks like a 3.5mm jack, but I had trouble using it with my desktop mic. If you’re hoping on quick calls, just use the included mic to make sure. And as you can see, alongside it is the USB-C port.

On the right cup, you’ll find the Audio profiles switcher. By default, you have the general selection. Hold it down and when you hear a beep, you’ll switch over to the eSports profiles.

Stay on longer

In my one week with the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro (2023). I only ever charged it once. And that’s from zero all the way to 100% too. I couldn’t take note of the charging time but I’m pretty sure I had plugged in for at least about an hour.

But going back to charging it only once, that’s with using it for about 4-5 hours daily. This thing lasts long and can more than keep up with you in extended play or listening sessions.

Should non-eSports players get the BlackShark V2 Pro (2023)?

The BlackShark V2 Pro (2023) retails for US$ 199.99 in the US and PhP 13,990 in the Philippines.

If you plan to use these Razer headphones for plenty of gaming – whether on PC, PS5, or even mobile – I think you’re gonna get your money’s worth. It’s lightweight, sounds great, and is made for extended play sessions. That’s true whether you play any of the especially tuned eSports titles or not. The eSports features, to me, function as sort of an icing on top of what is already a delectable cake.

For general lifestyle, music, and movie use. Perhaps you’re better off getting something else. But if it’s gaming along with all the activities I mentioned, this is a fine set of cans to own.

Accessories

Peak Design’s new City Line combines minimalism and color

Less padding, more personality

Published

August 6, 2026

Chay Lazaro

Known for its camera-friendly bags with generous padding to protect photography gear, Peak Design is taking a different approach with the City Line.

The new collection prioritizes lightweight construction and everyday functionality, stripping away unnecessary bulk while still delivering the thoughtful organization the brand is known for.

The new collection includes the City Backpack in 15L and 22L sizes, the 15L City Tote, the City Crescent in 6L and 12L options, and the compact 2L City Sling. While each bag serves a different purpose, they all share the same minimalist aesthetics and intuitive organization.

To achieve that lighter design is Peak Design’s new weather-resistant MonoShell material, along with a seam-reduced construction that cuts down on unnecessary bulk.

It also comes with Peak Design’s built-in BagLev hook, allowing you to hang your bag from a table instead of placing it on the floor.

Beyond the neutral and muted finishes we’ve seen in the past, Peak Design is also introducing brighter options that add more personality to the collection.

The vibrant Lapis blue, in particular, stands out as a fun alternative for anyone looking to move beyond the usual black everyday bag.

The City Line is now available through peakdesign.com and authorized retailers worldwide.

Accessories

DJI Osmo Mobile 8P: From a videographer’s perspective

Better tracking, fewer buttons

Published

August 4, 2026

Deric Claveria

DJI’s smartphone gimbals have always chased one goal: delivering cinema-smooth footage without forcing you to carry a heavy rig.

The Osmo Mobile 8P (OM 8P) makes its priorities clear right out of the box. This is not a simple refresh. DJI rebuilt how you control the gimbal, and that decision shapes the entire shooting experience.

Freedom behind the lens

The biggest change is the FrameTap remote, and it’s the kind of upgrade that fixes a problem you didn’t realize was slowing you down until it’s gone.

On the standard OM 8, adjusting your framing meant reaching for your phone every time, which broke the flow of shooting and pulled you out of the moment.

FrameTap puts that control back in your hand. You can reframe shots and manage the gimbal without touching your phone at all, and for anyone shooting solo, that alone changes how usable the whole setup feels. Tracking has taken a real step forward too.

ActiveTrack 8.0, paired with Module 2, held onto its subject even after they stepped out of frame for a moment, then picked them back up without much fuss.

It also lets you sit off-center in the shot instead of forcing you into the middle every time, which gives you more room to compose something that doesn’t look like every other gimbal video.

None of that would matter much if the gimbal itself wasn’t solid, and it still is. The OM 8P holds onto the same foldable design, magnetic phone clamp, and built-in tripod that made the OM 8 easy to live with.

And it remains one of the better compact options for stabilization, tracking, and portability in one package.

The tripod legs are a touch wider this time, and that extra width does make a noticeable difference on uneven ground.

The trade-offs in touch

The trade-off for all that new remote functionality is a control scheme that takes more getting used to. More of the gimbal’s functions now live on the FrameTap touchscreen, the joystick is smaller, and switching between shooting modes takes a few extra taps compared to the OM 8. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s a learning curve you’ll need to budget time for.

DJI also removed the zoom and focus wheel, so if you leaned on that dial for quick adjustments, you’ll feel its absence here. Module 2 no longer lets you plug a DJI wireless mic in directly either.

You’ll need to connect it to your phone instead, which adds a step to a setup that used to be simpler. Phone compatibility is still a limiting factor as well. DJI lists support for phones up to around 300g and 11mm thick, so bigger phones or ones in chunky cases may not clamp in properly.

Finding your ideal workflow

The OM 8P makes the most sense for solo creators who want dependable tracking and the freedom of remote framing without stepping up to a dedicated camera like the DJI Osmo Pocket.

If you’re already shooting on a phone with a solid camera, this fills the gap nicely. It’s a tougher sell if you prefer physical buttons over touchscreen menus, or if your phone runs on the larger and heavier side, since fitting it onto the clamp might be a problem before you even get to shooting.

Price, availability

DJI is offering the OM 8P in three combos, so how much you pay depends on how much of the ecosystem you actually need.

Standard Combo (PhP 7,499): the gimbal itself, with 8th-gen stabilization and the detachable FrameTap remote included.
Advanced Tracking Combo (PhP 9,199): adds the Multifunctional Module 2 for the improved subject tracking we tested.
Creator Combo (PhP 11,099): the full kit, built for creators who want everything DJI bundles in from the start.

Is the DJI Osmo Mobile 8P your GadgetMatch?

The DJI Osmo Mobile 8P asks you to relearn a few habits in exchange for a gimbal that finally lets go of your phone. If hands-free framing and steadier tracking matter more to you than a dedicated zoom dial, this is worth the adjustment.

If you’d rather keep things exactly as they were on the OM 8, that learning curve might be the deciding factor.

Swipe right if you shoot alone often and have been waiting for a gimbal remote that actually works. The FrameTap remote alone justifies the upgrade if reaching for your phone mid-shot has been slowing you down.

Consider this if reliable tracking matters to you, especially if you’ve had a subject wander out of frame and stay lost on older gimbals.

And of course, get this if you already own a capable phone under the weight and thickness limits, and you’d rather invest in a smartphone rig than jump to a dedicated camera like the Osmo Pocket.

Swipe left if you lean on physical dials for zoom and focus, and moving those functions to a touchscreen sounds like a downgrade rather than an upgrade.

This is not for you if you use a DJI wireless mic and want it plugged directly into the module without routing through your phone first. Or, your phone runs heavier or bulkier than DJI’s limits allow, since no amount of enthusiasm fixes a clamp that won’t close.

Accessories

Sony WH-1000XM6 gets a new Olive Gray colorway option

The new color launches today.

Published

August 4, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Last year, the Sony WH-1000XM6 quickly became our favorite pair of noise-cancelling headphones. The audio quality pairs remarkably well with its ANC capabilities. Now, a year into the accessory’s life cycle, new colors are still coming out. Today, the acclaimed WH-1000XM6 is getting an Olive Gray variant.

A few months ago, Sony expanded the WH-1000XM6’s colorway options with a Sandstone version, launching alongside the Sony 1000X THE COLLEXION. At the time, the new color added a splash of life to an already blossoming lineup.

Now, much like the rest of the lineup, the new Olive Gray version is a subdued mashup between olive green and gray. Though it stands out on its own, the color is still cool enough to mix well with the contours of the user’s head.

Other than that, the new version is still identical to the inner workings of the original device. The Sony WH-1000XM6 comes with a new HD Noise Canceling Processor QN3, providing 12 microphones for effective noise cancellation. In terms of audio quality, the headphones support High-Resolution Audio and High-Resolution Audio Wireless, thanks to LDAC support.

Also, the accessory sits comfortable on the head with a high rigidity carbon fiber composite material dome, cushioned well with synthetic leather.

As always, the Olive Gray version, launching today, will sell for US$ 459.99.

In Singapore, the Sony WH-1000XM6 in Olive Gray is available starting today through Sony Stores, the Sony Store Online, and authorized dealers for S$649, matching the pricing of the existing color options.