Cheap isn't always cheerful. I was reminded of this recently when , a $19 blue-lit ultra-budget unit that provided me with one of the most frustrating product testing experiences I've ever had.
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One of the best
Razer BlackShark V2 X | 50 mm drivers | 12-28,000 Hz | Wired | Passive noise cancelling |
The Razer BlackShark V2 X is a remarkably good gaming headset for the cash, so much so that I'd say it was absolutely worth its full asking price, never mind the $20 discount you'll find here. Razer's 50 mm titanium drivers are nicely punchy and capable of plenty of volume without distortion, it's well-made, comfortable to wear all day, and the mic is pretty good, too. Plus, it's got a green cable, and we all know that makes wired gaming headsets better by default.
Let's start out with the good. Razer might be known for some expensive (and often quite excellent) gaming laptops, keyboards and mice, but its budget gear is often brilliant, too. The Razer BlackShark V2 X is a perfect example of this, stripping the feature set back to just what you need for a very attractive price.
For a start, Razer hasn't skimped on the drivers. These 50 mm titanium units sound remarkably good, and the [[link]] fact you can pick up a pair in a handsome black chassis for right now is pretty fantastic.
Speaking of the chassis, the BlackShark V2 X is a very comfortable thing to wear. The earcups are nicely padded, the headband is well-judged, and the weight is mercifully low without tipping into "so light it feels breakable." The mic is decent, too, wrapping up a package that gives you just about everything you could want in a cheap wired gaming headset with very few drawbacks.
Sure, it'd be nice if it was a for the same money, and the neon green cable (along with a splash of green or two on the headset furniture itself) won't be for everyone. But otherwise, if your gaming headset is rapidly turning to dust and you need a cheap but excellent replacement, this is the one I'd recommend.
The worst
Bengoo G9000 | 40 mm drivers | 15-20,000 Hz | Wired [[link]] | Passive noise cancelling |
Look, I know this is cheap. But take it from me—you don't want it. I mean you really, really don't. The Bengoo set is capable of delivering a fair whack of bass, but when it comes to audio chops, that's just about it. Otherwise, it's a very cheap-feeling, muddy, mushy gaming experience. The microphone is fairly decent, mind, but our test unit required a screwdriver and a good dose of silicone spray before it worked at all. Avoid.
Ah, my nemesis. We meet again, so soon after I sent you off to the charity shop for your sins. While it might be tempting to think that I leant into hyperbole for comic effect in my week-long test of the Bengoo G9000, I really do have a bone to pick with this particular model.
It's got a 4.3 out of five star rating on Amazon with over 100,000 reviews, which may trick the unwary into thinking it's a bit of a budget banger for the cash. But while the G9000 isn't entirely uncomfortable—and its 40 mm drivers are capable of putting out some chunky bass—it's otherwise a complete bust.
Putting aside the goppingly-awful looks for a moment, I found the mid and treble response of those drivers to be truly horrid. Plus, the microphone in my test unit wouldn't work until I took apart the control box to jiggle the frayed cables inside, and the padding felt like polystyrene.
Perhaps you might like to buy one for yourself just to see and hear what I'm talking about, but I'd advise against it. The Bengoo might be half the price of the BlackShark, but as far as I'm concerned, it's far less than half the headset. Stay far, far away.
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