We put Corsair’s HS80 Max Wireless headset through its paces to see if it’s worth adding to your gaming setup.
When it comes to gaming headsets, Corsair’s HS80 has been a winner with many gamers for some time now. But around two years since its debut, Corsair have decided to beef up its winning formula and deliver the HS80 MAX Wireless headset. But is the upgrade worth your attention?
At $279 (available via Amazon) the HS80 Max certainly leans towards the more premium headset category, but from the moment you rip the device out of the box the uptick in quality is instantly noticeable. The aluminium reinforced frame, for example, might make the unit feel a little weightier in the hand, but it thankfully that never translates to extra stress on your head. In fact, it ends up strengthening the HS80 Max, especially around the earcup joins which are going to see the most amount of wear and tear due to the flexible movement they allow.
Likewise, the memory foam cushions are incredibly fluffy, meaning they are perfect for extended gaming sessions and provided us just enough padding to prevent our ear from touching the internal drivers – a real bugbear with some of the HS80’s biggest competitors. That said, while Corsair does claim the cloth fabric is breathable, we can see them getting a little warm with the upcoming summer months, especially if you naturally run a little warm.
When it comes to audio quality though, much like its predecessor, the HS80 Max delivers in spades. Across gaming on laptop and PS5 (delivered via a 2.4GHz wireless connection thanks to a USB dongle included in the box) the headset managed to deliver a well-rounded soundscape that delicately balanced dialogue and larger spectacles.
Even after jumping across to a Bluetooth connection for some Pikmin 4 on the Switch we were still pretty happy with the moment-to-moment output that never faltered in connection or presented any nasty distortion. Similarly, the in-built microphone continues to shine with a wonderful clarity that’ll likely see you throw on the HS80 Max for the occasional work call as well (the stylish black or white finish does well to blend gaming and office vibes).
Throw in the addition of Dolby Atmos support for experiences that allow it, and the ability to customise EQ presets via Corsair’s iCUE software and you’ve got some pretty decent bang for your buck. Sure, the HS80 MAX is by no means perfect, and does lack extra features like multipoint connection or active noise cancellation, but should still be an appealing option for most gamers.
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If you’re looking for sleek looks, a good battery life and plenty of flexibility without breaking your bank, the Corsair HS80 MAX Wireless headset is worth looking into.
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