Tested Corsair HS80 RGB Wireless Gaming Headset: A High Quality Microphone

The HS80 RGB Wireless introduces a new direction of design for the Corsair that tries a dual loop system with an adjustable elastic band, while choosing cleaner and more modern lines. Despite this option for modification, the manufacturer took the opportunity to give some leeway to its older series of vacuum headphones by placing a pair of tripodal earpieces fitted with RGB lighting (customizable and deactivating).

In addition to this aesthetic consideration, the HS80 RGB Wireless mainly features excellent crafted plastic components, while the aluminum hinges reinforce the strong look of the whole. The ear pads, which are covered with a fluffy cloth, and the strap that forms part of the headband are very easily removed from the headset for maintenance or replacement. So the quality of the assembly is there and there is no structural weakness … or almost. In fact, the two small connecting cables that go between the headband and the ear cups may be weak, especially when carrying the helmet – and the protective sheath is not provided elsewhere. In addition, the Gooseneck microphone is inseparable.

Thanks to the design of its dual headband and its ear cups, the HS80 RGB wireless generally offers good comfort. The strap contributes to the good distribution of contact points and the weight of the helmet, while the ear cups provide particularly smooth contact while providing a good sound insulation / ventilation ratio. Unlike the tripodal earpads of vacuum headsets, the HS80 RGB wireless earpads, regardless of width, height or depth, provide ample space for their ears, which we welcome.

Some points still need to be improved. First, the weight of the helmet is very heavy (367 g) and can be felt during prolonged use; Especially at the tip of the neck. In addition, the helmet is not very suitable for large heads because the adjustment of the main curve and the lack of a small gap between the two curves allows the top of the head to be tackled very quickly. Against the main curve, effectively destroys the strap interest. Finally, to a lesser extent, we would also appreciate that the atria on the vertical axis rests exactly evenly around the ear a little more liberally; These are a little more openly supported in the temple.

As a logical consequence of the change in sound design, the HS80 RGB Wireless takes very little of the sound characteristics of its predecessor, the HS70 Wireless. However, its performance is not very impressive: the rendering certainly gains a little accuracy, but unfortunately loses balance.

The biggest drawback of this HS80 RGB wireless is actually the treatment reserved for high referees: very wide and clear retrieval in the reserve zone (approximately 2 to 5 kHz) – and a minimal amount of treble shyness – overall. Definitely giving a very soft, but very dull and blunt sound. This behavior also has an effect on the perception of the resources at the front, which always seems to be somewhat distant: for example, it is difficult to intuitively estimate the distance and path of a source approaching us in the game. Some may also blame the small depth on the headphones and the lack of impact on the bass. Often, the balance of ancillary application comes to the rescue, allowing the user to compensate for some of these various weaknesses and obtaining acceptable results, but not yet giving true satisfaction.

Although the overall accuracy is slightly higher than the previous model, it is not yet a prototype. Mits breeding is purer and more resilient, however, the bass is still very confusing and sometimes silencing events are heard in the voices.

On the surround virtualization side, the HS80 RGB Wireless is fortunately one of the most robust virtualization algorithms currently available, providing Dolby Atmos for headphones with selectively unreliable solutions over earlier models of the Corsair. The inherent performance of the headset, the rendering of the said soundstage is not really appreciated, but this virtualization of the month deserves to be natural unlike the others.