Daily Use Experience
After using the headphones for almost a month, there are a few things to report on.
Upon unboxing the Corsair HS80 MAX, the first impression is its premium build quality and modern design. The headset feels sturdy, and the steel-reinforced headband and plush memory foam earcups covered in breathable fabric are immediately noticeable, promising a comfortable fit. The memory foam earcups are soft and adapt well to different head shapes, reducing fatigue during long gaming sessions. However, the ski-band headband, while innovative, can press down slightly too hard on the top of the head after extended use, leading to some discomfort. This might require occasional adjustments.
Connecting the headphones to any device was always easy. If you want to use the included 2.4GHz USB, then you have to connect it to your PC or Playstation and start using it immediately. The only problem I encountered was when I accidentally pressed the power button quickly, which resulted in the headset switching out of the RF wireless mode I was using. Reading through the online manual resolved the issue within a couple of minutes. Windows instantly recognized the device and passed through the audio to the headphones. You can then install iCue and start the setup if you’re using a computer. As for PlayStation users, some games support Sony’s Tempest 3D Audio. Games like “Demon’s Souls” and “Returnal” benefit from more accurate spatial audio, making it easier to detect directional cues and get immersed in the game. Unfortunately, the iCue customization of the EQ is lost on the PlayStation.
Software
Using the iCue software after the initial setup was a rare occurrence for me. I, of course, explored all the provided options for a couple of days. Then I decided it was time to check and set up SoundID, and I was immediately regretful I didn’t set it up earlier; however, this has served me well for this review as I had experienced the headphones long enough without it to be able to comment on it. When going through the setup process, I was skeptical of the difference it may make, but five minutes later, I was proven wrong. As it turns out, my hearing is a bit worse in one of my two ears, and the Corsair software has adjusted the sound output to counterbalance this difference. In addition, to my surprise, the sound profile was adjusted to my exact liking. I wish this difference were a bit easier to convey and maybe quantify.
Build Quality
Quality-wise, the headset feels sturdy, and the steel-reinforced headband and plush memory foam earcups covered in breathable fabric are immediately noticeable. Even during the warm summer days during the review, I felt minimal heat due to the breathable material. This is great for generally warmer climates and highly long sessions. The memory foam earcups are soft and adapt well to different head shapes. For my medium-sized head, the clamping force was ok for 3-4 hour long sessions, requiring slight adjustments over time that I believe I would have made either way to be comfortable wearing headphones for that long. It took me a couple of days to test different headband positions to reach the one I decided to keep. My adjustments were very minute but made a big difference in the long run.
Sound Quality
The only two words I need to describe the performance of the HS80 MAX Wireless are immersive and precise. Dolby Atmos for PC offers users a superior spatial audio experience. This technology allows for precise sound positioning, making detecting the direction of in-game sounds easy. It is crucial for gameplay in titles like “Call of Duty” or “Fortnite,” where audio cues can distinguish between winning and losing. In my case, I tested the headphones while playing Counter-Strike 2, and the experience was truly remarkable. The 50mm neodymium drivers contribute to a broad soundstage. Beyond gaming, this immersive quality extends to other media. When listening to music or watching movies, the headset’s high-resolution audio capabilities (up to 24-bit/96kHz) ensure that every note and sound effect is delivered with depth and fullness. This immersion is further enhanced by the comfort of the memory foam earcups, which create a physical barrier to outside noise. The closed-back design contributes further to the experience.
Battery Life
Battery life is exceptionally long. In my use case, I had the RGB brightness at around 20% throughout the testing period. I made sure the unit was fully charged before I started using it. After over one month of daily use, I had to recharge it once, using the 2.4GHZ USB dongle almost exclusively, which decreases the headset’s battery life. This is impressive. For the review’s sake, I tried charging it while playing, and I didn’t have much of an issue. The cable between me and the computer was certainly not the reason for my bad playing!
I should also add that I used the HS80 MAX Wireless for video conferencing. The microphone was exceptional, and I tested it in private before connecting to verify that I was being heard. Despite being a bit bulky, the device’s understated look made it fit in that setting.
