Corsair HS80 RGB USB: two minute review
The Corsair HS80 RGB USB is an excellent headset for its price, with rich and balanced sound quality well suited to a variety of tasks, from gaming to online voice and video meetings, or listening to some relaxing music on YouTube.
This is thanks to the high-resolution 24-bit/96kHz audio support, as well as 50mm neodymium audio drivers. For the uninitiated, this means that this headset is designed to mimic the original sound source as closely as possible.
While the microphone is very simple and almost aggressively simple in design, it is omnidirectional, allowing for solid coverage, picking up your voice clearly and with very little feedback or digitization. This is good news for gamers, office workers, students and more casual users.
Many comparable headsets are often missing in the comfort department. However, this is not the case with the Corsair HS80 RGB USB. This headset is extremely comfortable, thanks to the soft cushioning and large ear cutouts – something that makes this one of the best PC gaming headsets you can buy, even before moving on to the other features. You don’t have to worry about whether the Corsair headset can get you through even the longest gaming sessions; you’d almost forget it’s on.
However, there is one drawback to the Corsair HS80 RGB USB. The microphone and cable cannot be detached; but this is a minor complaint in what is otherwise an excellent headset.
Corsair HS80 RGB USB: price and availability
- Price is a bit steep
- Available in many regions
The Corsair HS80 RGB USB is available in multiple regions, including the US, UK and Australia. It will set you back $99.99 (£109.99, AU$159), which is quite a good deal considering the quality of the sound and build.
It’s competitively priced against rivals like the Razer Kraken V3 and HyperX Cloud Alpha, both of which are available for the same price as the HS80 RGB USB. There are cheaper Corsair gaming headsets available, such as the Corsair HS55 Stereo for $59 / £49 / AU$89. Meanwhile, the Corsair HS80 RGB Wireless costs a whopping 50% more than its wired counterpart, selling for $149 / £139 / AU$219MSRP.
Corsair HS80 RGB USB: Design
- Sturdy and comfortable
- Not very attractive
The Corsair HS80 RGB USB is a no-frills headset without any visual flair or style. There’s a dynamic RGB lighting feature, but it requires additional settings and isn’t the kind of feature you’ll actually see while using it.
Other than that, this is a very well-made accessory, so if the minimalist design and RGB features are what you’re after, this headset will definitely deliver what you need. For the rest, the comfort alone makes the HS80 RGB USB an exceptional gaming headset.
The ear cups themselves are made of hard plastic, which is reinforced with aluminum that won’t bend or break easily. The cushioning around the cups and the inner headband is soft and almost pillow-like. The notches for the ears are also well made and will fit most ear types without any problem.
Corsair HS80 RGB USB: Features
- The media control button is super handy
- Not much else
Corsair HS55 Stereo Key specs
drivers: 50mm neodymium
Depth and speed: 24-bit/96kHz
Microphone Polar Patterns: Omnidirectional
Compatibility: pc
Weight: 371g
cord length: 1,8 m
Colour: Carbon, White
Next to the microphone is a handy set of buttons on the back of the left earcup. One is a rotary knob that controls the volume for any media or applications that are currently using sound, and the other is a mute button to mute the sound to the microphone on the fly.
Such a shot seems insignificant, but it’s that attention to detail that makes the Corsair HS80 RGB USB such a solid product. If pressing a button on the back is too much work when you’re playing some of the best PC games, raising the microphone boom can also mute the headset.
The HS80 RGB USB also comes with Corsair’s iCUE software, which is used to enable sidetone control and dynamic RGB lighting for both the headset and other compatible Corsair devices.
Corsair HS80 RGB USB: Performance
- Amazing sound quality
- Works in a wide variety of applications
The performance of the Corsair HS80 RGB USB is by far the best feature of this headset. Dolby Audio 7.1 surround sound, 24-bit/96kHz high-resolution audio support and 50mm neodymium audio drivers combine to deliver incredible sound quality that few headsets can match.
The performance is well rounded here, with crystal clear sound showing through in a variety of scenarios, from gaming to movie streaming to work-related online meetings.
Surround sound support is great for gaming and streaming movies, and the microphone input ensures you can be heard clearly no matter what app you’re using.
Should you buy a Corsair HS80 RGB USB?
Buy it if…
Do not buy if…
Also consider:
| Where the | While expensive, it is competitively priced for its class. | 4 / 5 |
| Design | It may look rather simple, but it is insanely comfortable. | 4.5 / 5 |
| Functions | The virtualized surround sound is a fantastic feature, as are the onboard controls, but they’re pretty standard at this price point. | 3.5 / 5 |
| Performance | The sound quality of this headset is incredible, so your games and movies will sound better than ever. | 4.5 / 5 |
