Corsair not only brings a new design concept with the HS80 headset, but also an update for the sound quality. We have tested the new headset and report about it today.
Technical data
The Corsair HS80 is a wireless headset that can be connected to the Windows PC / Mac or Playstation 4 / 5 via Corsair’s own standard “Slipstream”. The range is specified as 20 meters, which is also realistic without walls, but of course not achievable with obstacles. However, you can move freely in the room where the headset is connected without any problems.
Besides the wireless variant, the headset can also be connected via the included USB cable.
The headset cannot be connected via jack.
The built-in battery allows a runtime of up to 20 hours.
The headset offers a frequency spectrum of 20 Hz – 40 kHz, but we’ll get to the exact sound of the headphones later.
The microphone cannot be removed, but it can be folded up. It is then automatically muted.
The Corsair logo on both sides can be illuminated in color, which can be controlled via the company’s own iCUE software, just like all other Corsair products. Note, however, that Corsair has been offering the fourth version of iCUE for some time, this is not automatically rolled out as an update, but is a requirement for the HS80.
Besides the wireless dongle and the USB cable, you will have to do without other accessories. For example, a bag or similar is not included.
Design and workmanship of the Corsair HS80
Corsair is gradually introducing a new design language for its own products. This includes a new somewhat simpler lettering, which is now only written in capital letters. You can also notice a new design language in other places.
The HS80 is the first headset from Corsair that follows the new design lines, it looks much more futuristic than you were used to.
Nevertheless, the HS 80 is probably not the new top model, but rather a mid-range model. The choice of materials is correspondingly. The headset is largely made of plastic, which is, however, manufactured to a high standard.
A special feature of the headset is the new head padding. Classically, the headset headband can often be adjusted in length to allow for an ideal fit for different head sizes. With the HS 80, Corsair instead relies on a relatively large overall headband that narrows inward with an elastic band. This looks futuristic in pictures and actually wears reasonably well, but did not really convince us in practice. The length of the band can be adjusted on the inside of the headband, but this can lead to flaps on the outside of the headphones that don’t really look good, especially for larger head shapes.
If you also want to hang the headset on a stand, the question always arises whether you’d rather hang it on the actual headband or on the strap. And no matter what you decide, it always happens that you hit the wrong one.
How long the band remains taut, we can not currently say of course, but we can already imagine that is the time will eventually begin to wear out.
Another thing worth mentioning is that the ear pads are not made of typical artificial leather, but of fabric. It’s actually quite comfortable to wear, as it’s a bit more airy than leather.
How does the HS80 sound?
The microphone
The microphone of the Corsair HS80 is definitely one of the better wireless microphones in headsets. Unfortunately, however, it is still the case that the voice quality of the microphone cannot be compared to a proper wireless microphone, which can be clicked externally, for example.
The volume of the microphone can be controlled via the iCUE software, where it is also possible to set a crosstalk ratio. However, the beside speech ratio is significantly quieter than we are used to from other Corsair headsets.
The headphones
The sound of the headphones is, as always, a rather subjective opinion, but we liked it very much. Especially for headphones in this price range, you fully meet the requirements. This is remarkable, since even the more expensive other headsets from Corsair sometimes sound much worse (see Virtuoso RGB).
Additionally, the headphones also support Dolby Atmos, so simulated 3D sound makes sense in some games and less so in others.
Conclusion of the Corsair HS80
The new Corsair HS80 is a headset in the quality, which we would have already expected from other headsets from Krause, but did not get. In this respect, we can say that this headset is just the right mix of not too expensive, but very good sound and tone. Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
