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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
If you want a complete surround-sound gaming headset you can wear straight out of the box — with a retractable noise-cancelling mic and on-ear audio controls — choose Lenovo Legion H500; if you need a desk stand that adds 7.1 surround sound to the headphones you already own while charging your gear, choose Razer Base Station V2.
• Lenovo Legion H500 — biggest strength: It's a full 7.1 surround-sound headset with a 50 mm dynamic driver, a retractable noise-cancelling mic, and a single-piece stainless steel suspension headband — everything you need to game, in one box.
• Lenovo Legion H500 — biggest trade-off: It's wired, so you're tethered to your PC, console, or controller, and its "surround" is delivered through USB or a single 3.5 mm jack rather than a software-heavy ecosystem.
• Razer Base Station V2 — biggest strength: Its built-in DAC and 3.5 mm combo port turn any compatible headset into a 7.1 surround-sound setup, plus two USB 3.1 charging ports and Chroma RGB on your desk.
• Razer Base Station V2 — biggest trade-off: It makes no sound of its own. If you don't already own a decent headset, this stand does nothing for you.
• Pick the Lenovo Legion H500 if you want one purchase that handles audio, voice chat, and controls.
• Pick the Razer Base Station V2 if you already like your headphones and want surround sound, charging, and a tidy desk.
The Legion H500 Pro is the all-in-one answer to surround sound. The 7.1 processing is built in and delivered over USB 2.0 or a single 3.5 mm connector, so you don't need a separate DAC or stand to get positional audio. Around your ears you get angular over-ear cups wrapped in PU leather with memory foam padding, and a metal suspension headband that self-adjusts to your head. The 50 mm dynamic drivers cover a 20 Hz–20 kHz range at 32 ohms and 96 dB sensitivity — an easy load for a motherboard jack or a controller.
It's also built to be used, not just worn. The retractable noise-cancelling mic tucks away when you're not on comms. On the headset itself you get a 7.1 surround toggle, preset equalizer profiles, mic mute, and volume control, so you're not alt-tabbing into software mid-match. Passive noise cancellation (from the sealed PU leather cups rather than electronics) helps block room noise. Lenovo rates the battery at up to 12 hours, and it covers Windows, Mac, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch — so the same headset works across your desk and your console.
Buy it if you want surround sound, a mic, and controls in one wired package, and you play across PC and console. Skip it if you already love a specific pair of headphones and only want to upgrade the audio chain — the H500 is a replacement, not an accessory.
The Base Station V2 is a different kind of product entirely: it's a headphone stand that happens to be a surround-sound hub. On the back you get two USB 3.1 charging ports and a 3.5 mm audio combo jack wired to a built-in 7.1 surround sound DAC. Plug a compatible headset into that jack and the DAC handles the surround processing — no sound card required. That's the core reason to buy it: it upgrades the headphones you already own instead of replacing them.
The stand side is well thought out. It's aluminum, 278 mm (10.94 in) tall with a 120 mm (4.72 in) base, and Razer built it taller and wider specifically so larger headsets hang without their cups resting on the desk. The rubber base has a low center of gravity and a high-friction grip so a docked headset doesn't slide around, and there's an anti-slip ledge to keep it seated. The base detaches from the upright, which makes it easy to pack for a LAN or move between setups. Chroma RGB adds 16.8 million colors and multiple lighting effects if you want the desk to match your rig. It weighs about 460 g (1 lb), so it stays put.
Buy it if you have a headset you like and want surround sound, USB charging, and a proper home for it. Skip it if you need a microphone or you're starting from zero on audio gear — this stand won't give you either.
• Best for surround sound out of the box → Lenovo Legion H500. The 7.1 processing, drivers, and jack are all in the headset.
• Best for upgrading headphones you already own → Razer Base Station V2. Its built-in DAC adds 7.1 surround over a 3.5 mm combo port.
• Best for voice chat → Lenovo Legion H500. It's the only one of the two with a microphone — a retractable, noise-cancelling one at that.
• Best for desk organization and charging → Razer Base Station V2. Two USB 3.1 charging ports plus a stable, anti-slip stand.
• Best for multiplatform play → Lenovo Legion H500. It's listed for Windows, Mac, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch.
• Best for on-the-fly control → Lenovo Legion H500. 7.1 toggle, EQ presets, mic mute, and volume all sit on the headset.
• Best for a tidier, more customizable setup → Razer Base Station V2. Chroma RGB lighting and a detachable base make it as much furniture as hardware.
• Best for a single, self-contained purchase → Lenovo Legion H500. Everything you need to hear and be heard ships in one box.
If I had to pick one, I'd buy the Lenovo Legion H500. In my opinion, it's the more complete product: a 7.1 surround headset with a mic, on-board controls, a steel suspension headband, and compatibility across PC and consoles. It solves the whole problem in one purchase. The Razer Base Station V2 is the smarter buy only in a specific situation — you already own a headset you love and want surround sound, charging, and a stable stand without replacing your audio gear. If that's you, the V2 is excellent. If you're starting fresh, the H500 gets you gaming faster.
FAQ
how to get surround sound headphones
You either buy headphones with 7.1 processing built in, like the Lenovo Legion H500, or add a surround-sound DAC to the headphones you own. The Razer Base Station V2 does the second job with its built-in 7.1 DAC and 3.5 mm combo port.
"Making" surround sound usually means routing your headset through a surround-capable source. The H500 has a dedicated 7.1 switch on the headset and connects via USB 2.0 or 3.5 mm. The Base Station V2 handles the processing on the stand side for any compatible headset you plug in.
how to test surround sound headphones
Play a game or clip with clear directional cues and check whether you can place sounds left, right, in front, and behind. On the H500 you can toggle the 7.1 switch to compare on and off. On the Base Station V2, the surround processing comes from its DAC, so verify your headset is plugged into the 3.5 mm combo port, not your PC directly.
how to fix surround sound headphones
Start with the connection: confirm a USB or 3.5 mm jack is fully seated, and on the Base Station V2 that your headset is in the combo port so the built-in DAC is actually in the chain. Make sure 7.1 is switched on where applicable, and check that your source device is outputting to the correct device. If a mic isn't working, check mic mute on the H500.
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