Published: January 11, 2024 | Source: Corsair | Author: Tom Logan

Corsair HS80 MAX Wireless Headset Review

Conclusion

If you’re a regular reader of OC3D you’ll probably be familiar with the first edition of the Corsair HS80 Max headset. We reviewed the Corsair HS80 RGB under the words there.

The Corsair HS80 Max is very much an evolution of that design. All the main elements are still in place. The build quality is excellent as one would expect from Corsair. The headset combines the robustness that gives you assurance it won’t smash if you accidentally drop it, and yet is flexible enough to mould to your personal head shape. Speaking of which the memory foam earcups do a fantastic job at insulating the sound, giving you all the thumping bass and no noise-leakage you would expect from a closed back design. Whilst the OG RGB headset had Dolby Atmos and 20Hz-40kHz response, the Corsair HS80 Max instead strides forward with 20Hz-20kHz and Sonarworks SoundID. The 20-20 frequency response is very much par for the course with headsets, and more than adequate for all but the most devoted audiophile.

Whilst we adored the Dolby Atmos on the original HS80 we understand the costs involved. Moving to the SoundID from Sonarworks will be very familiar to anyone with a recent phone. Via a few simple “can you hear this tone” type questions you’ll be generated an EQ profile which will be perfectly tailored to your ears. It might seem obvious to say, but the amount we each can hear varies wildly from person to person and even within ourselves as age takes hold. I spent a few years as a roadie and one of my ears is definitely deafer than the other. The SoundID takes note of that and gives a more rounded listening experience. Fantastic.

What else is new?

Battery life is generously increased from the original. With that model we got low battery warnings after 10 hours, this one lasted the whole day of loud listening without complaining. Corsair state the HS80 Max has triple the battery of the first model. We don’t disbelieve them. With Type-C fast charging getting back in the fight is fast too. We still have the minor complaint that the connector is specific to this headset, despite being a Type-C, so you can’t grab any nearby cable unless it’s got a very thin end indeed. Connectivity is aided by the inclusion of Bluetooth to the options. If you are tight for cash and want a one and done solution, the Corsair HS80 Max is the choice. After all, it can connect to anything that receives Bluetooth signals. These days, that’s practically everything. It is very helpful to have such flexibility.

With quality audio, a raft of improvements, and plenty of connection options, the Corsair HS80 Max is a sublime headset and wins our OC3D Gamers Choice Award.