Razer Blackshark V3 Pro Review – Soaring to New Heights

Design and Features

The Razer BlackShark V3 Pro maintains a design that's familiar to those who have used previous iterations of the BlackShark lineup. It features thin, aluminum yokes that extend outward as telescoping arms for fit adjustments. The headband is made of flexible aluminum wrapped in a leatherette upper with a padded sports mesh cushion underneath for comfort. Despite its weight of 376g, it feels lighter due to its thoughtful design.

The earcups are oval-shaped, giving the headset a pilot-like appearance but with a slim profile and rounded edges that prevent it from feeling bulky. The earpads are made with dense memory foam and wrapped in a velvety sports mesh for breathability. This combination ensures comfort during long gaming sessions without causing fatigue. Unlike some other headsets, the sports mesh minimizes sweat around the ears, making it ideal for extended use.

On the right earcup, there are buttons for cycling through EQ presets, adjusting chat volume, and toggling ANC and ambient modes. These settings switch quickly, eliminating the need to hold a button or wait for changes. On the left side, there is a mic mute toggle, power button, USB-C charging port, and microphone jack. A master volume knob protrudes from the left earcup for easy access, allowing digital volume control on the platform being used.

The BlackShark V3 Pro also includes a 45-degree inward swivel for the earcups, which makes it easier to store when not in use. While not as wide as some other headsets, this feature adds convenience. Additional features include active noise cancellation, simultaneous audio, and a wired analog input. The ANC is strong at its highest setting, though it can affect sound tuning if overused. Simultaneous Bluetooth allows for an additional audio feed, useful for mobile devices. A USB-C to 3.5mm converter is included for compatibility with various devices.

Software and Battery Life

Razer Synapse remains a crucial part of the BlackShark V3 Pro experience, offering customization options for EQ settings and other features. While the software can be finicky, it works well enough to bring out the best in the headset. Customization is primarily focused on EQ settings, which are essential for optimizing performance. Synapse includes built-in profiles for popular games like Counter-Strike 2, Valorant, and Call of Duty Warzone. Users can also create custom EQ settings across 10 bands.

Other settings include ANC/ambient noise control, simultaneous audio mix, and audio enhancements such as bass boost and vocal clarity. Features like sidetone and noise gate levels are available, along with microphone tweaks. All settings are saved on the headset itself, ensuring preferences are maintained even without Synapse.

Battery life is rated at 70 hours, and real-world usage typically matches this. Factors like ANC, HyperSpeed latency, and simultaneous audio affect actual battery life. From personal testing, a full charge lasted about 50 hours over a week, which is more than sufficient for most users.

Sound Quality and Performance

Sound quality is a key highlight of the BlackShark V3 Pro. It delivers balanced and punchy audio, with spatial audio performance that enhances the gaming experience. While not as bass-heavy as some competitors, the default EQ settings offer good bass response. Users can adjust the EQ to suit their preferences, with many finding a universal profile for both music and games.

Testing across different games, including Call of Duty: Warzone and Counter-Strike 2, showed improved soundstage and audio cues. The positional audio and overall sound quality reflect improvements in the 50mm drivers, which reduce distortion and enhance detail in both games and music.

The microphone, while not as strong as the previous model, still performs well compared to other premium headsets. In recordings, the voice came through clearly and warmly, rivaling models like the Audeze Maxwell and SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro.

Purchasing Guide

The Razer BlackShark V3 Pro is available for $249.99 at retailers like Amazon and directly from the Razer Store. It comes in a white color scheme to match the PlayStation 5 and a black variant with green stitching for Xbox users. The latter is recommended for Xbox players due to wireless connectivity requirements.

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M.A.C. Lip Collection Delivers a J.T.-Worthy Pout

A New Collaboration from M.A.C. Cosmetics That Brings Back Nostalgia

M.A.C. Cosmetics has always been a go-to for makeup lovers, but it’s been a while since I felt the urge to check their website for new releases. However, their latest collaboration has brought me back to the days of excitement over a new product launch. In celebration of National Lipstick Day, the brand partnered with two celebrities—model Alex Consani and rapper J.T.—to release limited edition lip combo kits. These kits are designed to be versatile and easy to use, offering a complete lip look without needing other products from your collection.

Each kit includes a variety of lip formulas in shades that both Consani and J.T. favor. Consani's selection features a lip pencil in Whirl, the Macximal Silky Matte Lipstick in Warm Teddy, and the Squirt Plumping Gloss Stick in Clear. However, J.T.'s bundle caught my attention immediately. It includes nostalgic items like the Chestnut Lip Pencil, the Macximal Silky Matte Lipstick in Lipstick Snob, and the Clear Lipglass. The combination is not only stylish but also practical for everyday wear.

As a limited edition, J.T.’s collection has already sold out online, thanks to the buzz on social media platforms like TikTok. While it's no longer available at most online retailers, you can still find it at select freestanding stores. The good news is that all the products included in the kit are part of M.A.C.'s permanent collection, so you can purchase them individually if you missed the drop.

If you're thinking about visiting your local M.A.C. store, I highly recommend it. I've been wearing this lip combination non-stop, and I don't plan on stopping anytime soon. Here are some of the standout products from the collaboration:

• MAC M·a·cximal Silky Matte Lipstick in Lipstick Snob
• MAC Lip Liner Pencil in Chestnut
• MAC Clear Lipglass Lip Gloss

The Formula: What Makes These Products Stand Out

The main highlight of J.T.’s kit is the Lipstick Snob lipstick. This light, neutral pink comes in M.A.C.'s "macximal" matte formula, which delivers a high concentration of pigment without any shine. Compared to the brand's retromatte formula, which can sometimes feel dry, this version glides smoothly onto the lips without tugging. It also has excellent staying power, making it ideal for long days.

Another key product in the set is the Clear Lipglass. Known for its thick and tacky texture, this gloss is a bit controversial among users. Some may find it challenging, especially if they have long hair, as it can stick to strands. However, I believe it's one of the glossiest lip products on the market, and its viscosity ensures long-lasting wear. I recommend trying it in person at a M.A.C. counter before purchasing, as it's best to experience the product firsthand.

The Chestnut Lip Pencil is another staple in the collection. This deep brown shade enhances lighter lip colors, giving them a more refined appearance. It works well with the Lipstick Snob, transforming the pink into something more sophisticated.

Application Tips for the Perfect Look

When applying the kit’s products, I start with the lip pencil, outlining my lips using an overlining technique. I then blend the liner out to create a soft gradient. Next, I apply the Lipstick Snob to the center of my lips and pat it in with my fingers. I avoid applying too much, as it can overpower the lip liner.

Finally, I add the Clear Lipglass to the center of my lips and blend it outward. This helps keep the colors from blending too much and allows me to control where the gloss ends up.

Wear Time and Longevity

This combination is one of my longest-wearing lip looks. I usually get around three hours of perfect wear before needing to eat, and even then, the color only fades slightly in the center. I typically reapply the lipstick and gloss myself to keep the look fresh, not because the formula becomes uncomfortable or patchy.

M.A.C. has truly mastered the art of comfortable, long-wear lip products. Their attention to detail and quality make these items a must-have in any makeup bag.

Additional Recommendations from M.A.C.

Beyond the collaboration, there are several other M.A.C. products that I always recommend. These include:

• MAC Skinfinish Sunstruck Matte Bronzer Powder in Matte Deep Golden – A favorite bronzers for warm summer months.
• MAC Powder Blush in Melba – One of the best powder blushes on the market.
• MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Powder Highlighter in Global Glow – Ideal for those with neutral undertones.
• Hyper Real Serumizer – A top-tier skin prep product that I consider a personal favorite.
• Strobe Beam Liquid Blush – A recent favorite with the shade Unsweetened being my go-to choice.

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