Koss KPH40 vs Razer BlackShark V2 X

Short answer: the Koss KPH40, though neither ranks well in its class. It ranks #115 of 134 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 2.8/5, at $32.99; the Razer BlackShark V2 X ranks #134, rated 1.0/5, and costs $34.99, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 134 over-ear headphones, and the Koss KPH30i, ranked #67 at $23.99, is a better place to start if sound quality matters.

The Koss KPH40 is the better-sounding option. It is one of the cheapest options in its class, and the open-back design gives a more airy, spacious feel than most closed budget headsets. Watch for: Sub-bass rolls off about 7 dB below target under 60 Hz, so kick drums and synth bass lack rumble.

The case for the Razer BlackShark V2 X: A built-in microphone makes it usable for voice chat without a separate headset. The catch: Crinacle’s measurement gives a Harman score of just 1, so the tonal balance is a long way from what most listeners prefer.

Buy the Koss KPH40. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Razer BlackShark V2 X and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.

Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.

Specifications Side By Side

Related Headphone Comparisons

More top alternatives to Koss KPH40:

• Koss KPH30i vs Koss KPH40
• HyperX Cloud II vs Koss KPH40
• Koss KPH40 vs Koss KSC75
• Koss KPH40 vs Koss Porta Pro
• Koss Porta Pro vs Razer BlackShark V2 X

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The Two Headphones In Full

Koss KPH40: $32.99 Amazon eBay

Pros: It is one of the cheapest options in its class, and the open-back design gives a more airy, spacious feel than most closed budget headsets. Bass between 60 and 200 Hz sits about 2 dB above target and the lower mids are slightly full, which suits a warm, relaxed listener. Sensitivity of 101 dB at 60 ohms means a phone can drive it.

Cons: Sub-bass rolls off about 7 dB below target under 60 Hz, so kick drums and synth bass lack rumble. A 14.5 dB dip near 4.4 kHz makes vocals and instrument detail sound distant, and treble is about 4 dB low overall, so the sound is dark and muffled. Open backs also leak sound and offer no isolation.

Full Koss KPH40 review and specifications →

Back	Open
Connection	Wired
Deviation From Target	3.35 dB standard deviation
Driver Type	Dynamic
Form Factor	Over-ear
Frequency Response	15Hz - 25kHz (Manufacturer specified)
Harman Preference Score	54 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ)
Impedance	60 ohms
Sensitivity	101 dB SPL/1mW
Tonal Tilt	-1.21 (negative is warmer, positive brighter)

EQ preset to match the Harman target

Set a preamp of -6.1 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.

Filter	Frequency	Gain	Q
Low shelf	105 Hz	+7.5 dB	0.70
Peak	79 Hz	-7.6 dB	0.37
Peak	3,725 Hz	+4.9 dB	3.94
Peak	614 Hz	+1.5 dB	2.05
Peak	37 Hz	+3.9 dB	1.16
High shelf	10,000 Hz	+1.9 dB	0.70
Peak	7,429 Hz	+4.0 dB	0.78
Peak	5,445 Hz	-7.7 dB	4.24
Peak	1,941 Hz	-2.0 dB	2.35
Peak	1,012 Hz	+0.3 dB	1.84

• Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
  • AutoEQ results for the Koss KPH40 (oratory1990 measurement)
• Head-to-Head Comparisons
  • Koss KPH40 vs Koss KSC75
  • Koss KPH40 vs HyperX Cloud II
  • Koss KPH40 vs Koss Porta Pro
  • Koss KPH40 vs Koss KPH30i

Razer BlackShark V2 X: $34.99 Amazon eBay

Pros: A built-in microphone makes it usable for voice chat without a separate headset. The 32 ohm impedance suits PC, console and phone outputs with no amp needed, and the closed back keeps game audio from leaking into the room. At 240 g with 50 mm drivers it is a straightforward wired gaming option at a low price.

Cons: Crinacle’s measurement gives a Harman score of just 1, so the tonal balance is a long way from what most listeners prefer. The response is uneven, with a deviation of about 5.4 dB and a warm tilt, which tends to cloud vocals and detail in music. It is better suited to casual gaming and chat than to critical listening.

Full Razer BlackShark V2 X review and specifications →

Released	Aug 2020 (6 years ago)
Back	Closed
Built-in Microphone	Yes
Connection	Wired
Deviation From Target	5.39 dB standard deviation
Driver Type	Dynamic
Drivers	1 x 50mm dynamic
Form Factor	Over-ear
Frequency Response	12Hz - 28kHz (Manufacturer specified)
Harman Preference Score	1 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ)
Impedance	32 ohms
Sensitivity	100 dB SPL/mW
Tonal Tilt	-2.96 (negative is warmer, positive brighter)
Weight	0.5 lbs (240 g)

EQ preset to match the Harman target

Set a preamp of -5.6 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.

Filter	Frequency	Gain	Q
Low shelf	105 Hz	-3.9 dB	0.70
Peak	158 Hz	-13.0 dB	0.91
Peak	825 Hz	+8.9 dB	0.18
Peak	7,600 Hz	+3.5 dB	3.10
Peak	808 Hz	-10.8 dB	0.68
High shelf	10,000 Hz	+0.5 dB	0.70
Peak	312 Hz	+3.1 dB	3.28
Peak	477 Hz	-1.6 dB	2.83
Peak	4,275 Hz	+1.7 dB	4.98
Peak	216 Hz	-1.8 dB	3.70

• Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
  • AutoEQ results for the Razer BlackShark V2 X (crinacle measurement)
• Head-to-Head Comparisons
  • Razer BlackShark V2 X vs Koss Porta Pro