Corsair’s HS80 RGB USB takes the strong design and audio high quality of the HS80 RGB Wi-fi, strips out the radio, and cuts a 3rd off the retail worth. The result’s a headset that retains one of the best factors of the HS80 Wi-fi, reminiscent of its very good microphone high quality, however a number of the unhealthy as properly — notably, a unusual suspension band size-adjustment course of that makes getting a great match a chore. Additionally, its lack of wi-fi and analog assist means it’s not a great possibility for PC players who additionally play on consoles and tablets.
Quirks apart, this $100 headset options top-notch audio high quality, with 50mm neodymium drivers and Dolby Encompass that doesn’t require buying an extra-cost add-on, in addition to top-of-the-line built-in microphones I’ve used. It’s obtained a design that claims “gamer” — however does so quietly.
Corsair HS80 RGB USB Specs
| Driver Kind | 50mm Neodymium |
| Impedance | 32 Ohms @ 1kHz |
| Frequency Response | 20 – 40,000 Hz |
| Design Fashion | Closed-back |
| Microphone Kind | Omni-directional broadcast-grade, flip-out |
| Connectivity | USB-A |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs/ 373g |
| Twine Size | 71 inches |
| Lighting | 1x RGB zone |
| Software program | Corsair iCUE 4 |
Design and Consolation
The Corsair HS80 RGB USB has the sturdy, high-quality construct typical of Corsair headsets we have examined. The most important parts are a mixture of thick plastic and machined aluminum, with squarish earcups that give it a extra distinctive look than the spherical variations on Corsair’s lower-end headsets.
Regardless of the “RGB” within the identify, the gamer parts are delicate. The one RGB parts are light-up Corsair logos on every earcup and a crimson LED ring on the microphone that illuminates to point the mic is muted. The one RGBs could not make you the belle of the event, however you should utilize the iCUE software program to program results that sync with a number of Corsair gadgets. I created a cool multicolor strobe impact that began on my K95 RGB mechanical keyboard after which completed on the headset, for example. The one different branding is a tasteful “Corsair” throughout the highest of the scarf.
The earcups are hinged and rotate as much as 90 levels, which makes for each a conforming match and simple transport. They’re padded with cloth-covered reminiscence foam that is extremely comfy and comparatively cool, even throughout lengthy gaming periods. They do not do an important job isolating exterior sounds, although, nor do they absolutely stop others from listening to your audio — particularly in quieter occasions. These in all probability aren’t an important alternative for an open workplace atmosphere.
The entire motion takes place on the left cup. Right here you will discover a non-removable microphone, the Mute button (which is reprogrammable) and a quantity dial. If the Mute button feels redundant right here — you may as well mute the mic by flipping it up — you’ll be able to reprogram it utilizing the iCUE software program. For instance, I reprogrammed mine to start out/pause my media participant.
The one a part of the design I dislike is the suspension band adjustment scheme. As an alternative of the same old extendable headband, a stretchable band on the high of the body adjusts with velcro. It is arduous to get the scale excellent, and you may probably want a number of tries for a correct match. And if another person in your family adjustments the adjustment, you will get to repeat the method. The top consequence is not actually any extra comfy in apply than the foam-padded extendable headband on Corsair’s less-expensive HS65 Encompass, but it surely’s way more of a problem.
The HS80 RGB USB is barely heavier than its HS80 Wi-fi counterpart (regardless of missing a battery), due to the 71-inch lengthy non-removable USB-A twine. This cable is the one connection possibility, which suggests this headset is proscribed to PCs and (with a docking station or USB-A to USB-C adapter) Macs. Macs are absolutely supported by the macOS model of iCUE. I attempted the headset with a PS5 and it produced audio, but it surely wasn’t a great answer for that platform — you’d probably want a extremely lengthy USB extension cable to succeed in the console, and neither the amount dial nor the mute perform work with the console. Xbox and Swap aren’t even choices.
Audio Efficiency
The HS80 RGB USB helps each stereo audio and Dolby Encompass sound. Encompass assist is included in, and toggled by, Corsair’s iCUE software program. The massive 50mm neodymium drivers do a strong job of reproducing the lows of musical bass and battle sounds, in addition to higher-pitched environmental and musical cues.
I performed Halo Infinite with 7.1-channel Dolby Encompass enabled and the FPS Competitors equalizer preset enabled. I used to be in a position to get good positional audio cues with out the bass of gunfire and explosions overwhelming the audio, and I might clearly make out the wisecracks from the Grunts throughout heated battles. I chatted throughout a multiplayer match and swapping to the Clear Chat preset muffled the sport audio a bit however clearly introduced out the voices of different gamers.
The Dolby Encompass audio additionally sounded nice once I watched films and TV exhibits. The house battle motion sounded wonderful within the second episode of Star Trek: Unusual New Worlds; I used to be additionally in a position to decide up on environmental audio on the Enterprise’s bridge that I hadn’t seen once I was utilizing my TV’s soundbar.
Musically, the 24-bit/96 KHz audio assist shined once I listened to high-definition FLAC Pink Floyd tunes bought from HDTracks, with very good element in psychedelic songs reminiscent of Shine On You Loopy Diamond. The metal guitar and vocals in Larkin Poe’s Holy Ghost Hearth sounded nice, and the bass and drum beats in Kendrick Lamar’s Purple Hearts weren’t overemphasized like they’re with another gaming headphones.
The non-removable mic routinely mutes if you swing it upwards into the storage place. It has very good readability with a frequency response of 100-10,000Hz; Corsair payments this mic as “broadcast-quality,” and it’s not an exaggeration — I’ve by no means heard clearer recordings from a headset mic. The mic additionally does an important job with directional pickup, capturing my voice clearly whereas solely choosing up the loudest environmental sounds.
Options and Software program
To allow encompass sound, configure RGB colours, and regulate equalizer settings, you’ll use Corsair’s iCUE software program. This is similar software program bundle utilized by different Corsair gadgets, so you may as well use it to regulate the RGB settings on Corsair keyboards and Asus Aura-enabled gadgets. Having a Cylon-like gentle pulse begin on myPC’s Asus motherboard by the case window, sweep throughout my Corsair K95 RGB keyboard, and finish on the HS80 won’t be helpful, but it surely’s undeniably cool.
The equalizer module enables you to toggle Dolby 7.1 Encompass assist and regulate the microphone quantity. There are 5 EQ presets, and you may as well create customized presets. Pure Direct doesn’t modify your audio; I discovered music sounded finest with this flat profile and with Dolby Encompass turned off. The opposite presets have been best with encompass energetic. Clear Chat emphasizes voices, FPS Competitors is tuned to make these enemy footsteps in 3D clear, and Film Theater and Bass Increase just do what you’d anticipate.
As I discussed earlier, you may as well use iCUE to reprogram the redundant Mute button. I mapped it to Play/Pause in Spotify, however you may as well have it do issues reminiscent of coming into keyboard/mouse macros or adjusting settings within the optionally available Voicemod add-on voice changer app.
Backside Line
I used to be very happy with the HS80 as a PC companion throughout the board: Music and films sound nice and encompass gaming audio is obvious with positional cues that work very well. It’s comfy, and since I don’t share the headset, the suspension band adjustment was solely annoying in the course of the preliminary setup. I wouldn’t select this headset to be used with a number of gadgets or a number of wearers, however for those who’re searching for a great-sounding set of cans to go away plugged into your PC, it’s a strong possibility with unexpectedly nice audio high quality for simply $100.
In the event you just like the design of the HS80 RGB USB, however you need one thing that additionally works with a PS5, it’s price spending the additional $50 for the HS80 RGB Wi-fi model, which features a dongle that’s extra sensible with that console. If there’s additionally an Xbox, Swap, or different gadget with a headphone jack in your life, Corsair’s inexpensive HS65 Encompass is a superb possibility that helps each USB and three.5mm plugs, and sacrifices little or no in fashion or audio high quality. On the opposite finish of the pricing scale, the Asus ROG Delta S provides equally wonderful audio readability, extra connectivity choices, and flashier RGB lighting.