In the realm of gaming headsets, Corsair might not be the first name that springs to mind, but perhaps it should be. The company consistently delivers quality, reasonably priced headsets that deserve recognition. Case in point: the Corsair HS80 Max Wireless gaming headset that we’re dissecting today.
Priced at $279, the HS80 Max enters the ring against the formidable HyperX Cloud III Wireless. However, what sets it apart is its support for Bluetooth audio, a feature notably absent in the HyperX offering. If you happen to own the wired HS80 headset already, consider this as its wireless sibling without the tether.
Whether this matters to you depends on your preferences, but there’s a lot to like about the new Corsair headset, including superb audio quality, multi-platform compatibility, an enhanced headband design for all-day comfort, and impressive battery life.
Corsair HS80 Max Wireless Gaming Headset Review
The Corsair HS80 Max bears all the hallmarks of a Corsair headset. Its design features angular edges, a smoky metal finish, an RGB logo, and a robust, utilitarian style that exudes durability—assuring you it can handle your most intense gaming sessions. When you don these headphones, everyone will know you’re a dedicated gamer, and that’s precisely the statement Corsair intended.
The floating headband is a notable comfort-enhancing feature, making the headset’s 352g weight feel like half of that. The large polygonal ear cups boast plush memory foam, but they are covered with fabric. While this fabric choice might not be ideal for users in regions with warm climates like Australia, it’s worth noting that Corsair offers replaceable ear cushions in various colors to address this issue.
Speaking of colors, the HS80 Max is available in two options—Steel Gray and White. In addition, the ear cups feature customizable RGB-lit Corsair logos, adjustable through the iCUE software hub. The microphone, while not detachable, can be folded up and out of the way. It’s not the most ideal boom mic design, especially for a headset that supports Bluetooth and should offer versatility beyond the gaming setup.
Onboard controls are minimal but effective. The left ear cup houses the power and volume dial, with the volume dial doubling as a clickable button. There’s also a USB Type-C port for charging, although it curiously doesn’t allow you to use the headset in wired mode for Hi-Res audio like its wired counterpart, the HS80.
On the right ear cup, you’ll find a second button for Bluetooth pairing and switching since the HS80 Max doesn’t support simultaneous Bluetooth and 2.4Ghz connections. It’s a drawback, considering that this is becoming a standard feature in wireless headsets in 2023. Nonetheless, the headset’s wireless connection has proven solid, provided you keep the USB dongle visible and not hidden behind your gaming rig.
And the good news is, the HS80 Max isn’t limited to just PC use. It seamlessly works with both PlayStation 4 and 5, even supporting Tempest 3D Audio. However, there’s no 3.5mm connection for Xbox, which is a curious omission, especially when compared to other wireless headsets like Logitech’s G Pro X 2 that offer this compatibility.
Battery life is a concern for every gamer, but fear not. The HS80 Max boasts impressive endurance, offering up to 24 hours with RGB lighting in full swing. Turn off the lighting, and that number soars to over 60 hours. If you exclusively use Bluetooth, you’ll enjoy an astounding 150 hours of battery life. However, it’s worth noting that this isn’t low-latency Bluetooth, so it’s not ideal for fast-paced first-person shooters.
Sound and Performance
When it comes to sound, the HS80 Max doesn’t disappoint. Its 50mm Neodymium drivers deliver rich, expansive, and crystal-clear audio in both games and media. Out of the box, the headset provides a warm sound profile with deep bass and crisp details. However, the real magic happens when you install the iCUE software and activate the headset’s superpower—SoundID.
SoundID from Sonarworks is essentially a wizard that tailors the sound profile to your unique hearing through a series of tests. While this concept isn’t entirely new, Corsair’s implementation here is impressive. Personalized SoundID EQ significantly enhances the overall sound experience, to the point where you might not even bother with the optional EQ presets in iCUE.
It’s unfortunate that SoundID only works with iCUE software running. This means your SoundID profile won’t function over Bluetooth or with PlayStation. While this limitation is disappointing, it doesn’t detract from the remarkable sound staging and imaging during gameplay. In titles like Starfield, planets feel expansively spacious, and while wandering through New Atlantis, you can pinpoint the direction of surrounding conversations with precision.
Even during intense gunfights, identifying the source of sounds, even those above or behind you, is a breeze. The HS80 Max supports Dolby Atmos on PC and comes with a license for you to use. Although the list of supported games in 2023 is limited, notable titles like Call of Duty: MW2 benefit from this feature.
In terms of party chat, the boom microphone proves decent, delivering clear audio that avoids excessive compression or nasality. However, the microphone’s gain is relatively low, resulting in a slightly muffled sound. Unfortunately, adjusting the microphone’s gain in iCUE doesn’t yield significantly better results due to the stiff nature of the plastic arm.
Streamers will appreciate the built-in integration with NVIDIA Broadcast in iCUE, providing AI noise-cancelling and correction features to enhance microphone performance during streams.
Verdict
The Corsair HS80 Max Wireless is a top-tier headset. It excels in comfort, durability, audio quality for both gaming and media, and offers exceptional battery life. For a sub-$300 headset, it offers more than enough features to satisfy discerning gamers.
However, a few factors prevent it from earning a perfect 5/5 rating. First, the lack of simultaneous 2.4Ghz and Bluetooth connectivity, a common feature in wireless headsets today, limits its versatility. Second, the inability to use it in wired mode with USB or USB-3.5mm is a missed opportunity for a multiplatform headset. Lastly, while SoundID is impressive, its reliance on the iCUE software is a drawback. It would be more convenient if Corsair included onboard memory to store user preferences.
Additionally, the fixed microphone design feels outdated in 2023 and the lack of flexibility just exasperates the issues. Corsair should consider a better alternative like EPOS’s H3 headsets. Despite these minor drawbacks, the HS80 Max remains an excellent wireless headset that is sure to please gamers.
Corsair Australia kindly provided the HS80 Max to PowerUp Gaming for the purpose of this review
