CORSAIR – HS80 RGB USB headset review – RGB, but not too much

Myrhdin finally put the RGB lighting of a peripheral in its list of positive points: for that alone, this test is worth the detour.

Disclaimer: if you read this review and you think “Yeah, that looks good, but I don’t want a cable…” The HS80 also exists in wireless mode, it’s exactly the same thing, except that you pay a third of the price more for less cable.

What we liked

A simple, sober, solid and efficient design

The HS80, available in two colors, black and white, offers the robust, high-quality construction that we associate with the Corsair headsets we have already had in our hands. The materials oscillate between thick, sturdy plastic and of themachined aluminum. We will also point out the shape of the ear cups, square, which recall the helmets from Astro and move away from the design of the round ear cups rather associated with the low-end models from Corsair.

While we’re talking about the earcups, we’ll mention that the bulk of the activity on the headphones is concentrated on the left one, where we find the microphone, which turns off when it is raised but which is irremovable, as well as a volume wheel and a Mute button to mute the microphone. We haven’t really understood the reason for this function, which is a bit duplicated with the now very common gesture of raising your microphone (perhaps to avoid any sound artifacts if you touch the microphone?), but it turns out that the Corsair’s proprietary software gives you the option, in its settings, to associate the key with other functions, including multimedia.

The ear cups are padded with a fabric covered memory foam, a real pleasure to put on your ears, even over long sessions of several hours, no problem with our esgourdes. Be careful though, they do not isolate you perfectly from the outside world and tend to let the sound of what you are listening to filter through in your direct environment, which does not make them not really ideal for an open space office for example.

Discrete RGB

Thank you Corsair. Thanks.

The only illuminated elements are Corsair logos on each earcup and a red LED ring on the microphone when you mute it. Everything is of course customizable in Corsair’s proprietary software.

To be completely honest with you, we even hesitated to say that it was not enoughbut we assumed our permanent criticism of RGB bling bling and this is clearly not the case here.

No, the real reason for the potential negative point linked to RGB is quite simply that this HS80 is called HS80 RGB USB, and that the RGB name for two diodes in each earpiece… It’s a bit light anyway.

Quality sound

The HS80 offers sound in stereo but also in Dolby Surroundall controlled in Corsair’s proprietary software, iCUE.

We tested the game on a recent FPS with Dolby Surround 7.1 enabled. A very nice experience, which gave a good sense of the position of the threats without the bass of the shots swallowing the whole soundscape. We tested an iCUE preset when we attempted a multiplayer adventure and wanted to give the in-game chat a little more emphasis, and our ill-fated partners’ voices were rendered totally crystal-clear at the cost of a very slight muffling of game sound.

We will also salute in passing the microphonewhich, if it is irremovable, is of a impressive clarity, without doubt one of the very best we have tested for JOL. Corsair claims “broadcast quality” on its packaging, and that’s no joke.

Proprietary software that does what is expected of it

Corsair’s iCUE software centralizes a slew of headset settings, ranging from surround sound options to an equalizer with presets to RGB lighting. The software is obviously common to the brand’s different products and you can, for example, synchronize the colors of your keyboard and your headset.

It is readable, very clear and easy to use.light years away from what some competitors offer.

What we liked less

The adjustable band

It was really THE moment that annoyed us to the highest degree with this helmet. I wish the worst for the designer of this tuning system and I curse his family over 40 generations. I don’t know if we’ve gotten too used to the self-suspended system that adapts directly to your skull, but here we are clearly in Back to the Future. Velcro. A scratch of families. Adjustable band fits with velcro. You have to adjust it manually, and when you finally have, after many attempts, you’re going to pray very, very hard that your wife or offspring doesn’t want to sit on your PC and adjust your helmet on their head. Back to square one, you will be happy. How does this feel like living? But what makes you say that?

The choice of USB as the only connectivity

The headset comes with a non-removable USB-A cord, which is quite a decent length (around 180cm). It’s the only connection option, and that’s a shame, we would have liked at least a dual USB-Jack. As it stands, this headset is more or less only intended for PC and Mac gamers (via a docking station or USB-A/USB-C adapter). The headset technically works on PlayStation consoles, but the cable is a bit short for living room use and the on-ear controls don’t work.

Spit your Surcouf, Myrhdin

Overall we are extremely satisfied with the HS80 as long as we focus on a use attached to a PC for a given user. Sound for both music and games is excellent, as is surround sound which seems particularly accurate. The helmet is also comfortable, but it takes a few moments to adjust the suspension band as it should. For 129.99€, you will buy a powerful helmet but also an excellent microphone. It’s not not the most versatile option for your home use (no consoles, no telephones or other jack ports), but if you’re looking for a headset to plug into your PC, it’ll do just fine.

This test was carried out by Myrhdin with a device provided by the manufacturer. Its writing is not the result of any financial transaction whatsoever between the writer or JeuxOnLine and the manufacturer or the companies representing it.