If you have around $150 to spend on a gaming headset then there are almost boundless options out there, but PC gamers especially will be familiar with Corsair's offerings. Enter the Corsair HS80 Wireless - which retails for exactly that and is head and shoulders in price above Corsair's previous headsets such as the HS70 Wireless, which cost just $90.
I've flitted between them myself and a few other headsets as well as in-ear bluetooth types over the last month or two and for casual listening, wireless is definitely way to go. The HS80 RGB Wireless can do both wired and wireless, with an included USB Type-C to Type-A cable allowing this should you run out of battery power, or just prefer the slightly better audio quality compared to Corsair's wireless slipstream technology.
Two points to make there - firstly that battery life was reasonable at between 15 and 18 hours per charge, which is a tad shorter than the 20 hours claimed by Corsair. Thankfully, you do have the option of going wired, which also charges the unit, and 15 hours is going to enough for all but the most die-hard workaholics and gamers.
The trouble is, though, that Corsair's slipstream technology prioritises low latency rather than audio quality and busy, explosion-filled scenes in games and louder music did seem to suffer from a little compression loss in wireless mode. Maybe not obvious to all to your average human ears, and quieter, more delicate scenes didn't seem to suffer at all. If you're gaming, it's also unlikely you'ld notice either.
There's also the issue that they're not Bluetooth-compatible, so if you forget your dongle, there will be no wirelessly hooking the headset up to your laptop or smartphone instead, which does limit flexibility. Overall, though, sound quality was excellent, although the impressive range and clarity wasn't quite backed up by a level of bass I'm used to with other headsets around this price. You also get Dolby Atmos support and I'd highly recommend installing Corsair's iCUE software, which gives you control over the included RGB lighting, but more usefully the auto shutdown duration as well as a percentage indicator for battery life.
Physically there have been a number of changes compared to previous HS-series headsets from Corsair too. The angular design is more in keeping with its Void headsets and I'm also used to Corsair's more premium units offering thick, plush headbands and circular faux leather ear cushions.
Here, though, the HS80 RGB Wireless has a floating headband support that's adjustable with Velcro straps. It's an interesting design that ultimately proved very comfortable, even for long periods, although it did take longer to adjust than you're typical extending headband design.
Unlike the Virtuoso headsets from the same company, the HS80 RGB Wireless doesn't have a detachable microphone, but you can at least flip it up out of the way, which I actually prefer as I lost the detachable one on the Virtuoso headset a few times during its several years of use. I also like the fact the ear cups rotate flat for easier storage as this always makes them easier to throw into a rucksack.
Despite my early concerns about the headband contraption, this is one seriously comfortable headset. Anyone that's used one of Corsair's previous Void headsets will instantly feel at home with the ear cushions, the microphone provided decent sound quality as well as providing a flip up to mute function that makes it flexible for use at a hard-core gaming headset or something to allow you to listen while you work.
There's no doubt the sound quality and build quality are a degree above sub $100 headsets and for me there are only a few niggles. First is that to get the best sound quality, you need to use it in wired mode with the included cable. Second, there's no Bluetooth, which just adds a degree of flexibility and third, some may prefer the microphone to be completely removable rather than sitting at the side of your head like an antenna.
Apart from those issues, this is a very well-rounded headset that scores highly in every single area and the only thing I'd like Corsair to change would be an easier way to charge it, although that will only likely come from a charging headphone stand. How about it Corsair?
