In fact, the HS65 Surround is one of the best gaming headphones you can purchase in this price range if you work and play mostly on a PC. However, the HS65 has several glaring shortcomings if you want to use it as a regular headset or to play games on a console. It’s not a mobile peripheral, and the console audio quality isn’t nearly as consistent as on a PC.
Corsair HS65 Surround review: Design
Although the HS65 Surround’s suggested retail price of $79.99 (£79.99, AU$119, CA$99) is a touch expensive for a wired headset, it is still reasonably priced for most gamers. With this pricing, it competes with products like the HyperX Cloud Alpha ($99.99) and the Razer Kraken V3 X ($69.99), which are made for long-lasting quality, comfort, and immersive audio. The HS65 Surround’s pricing also appears excessive given that it lacks several of the extra features seen in other models with comparable price tags, such as RGB lighting and audio equalization settings. But I do believe that the headset’s degree of comfort and the excellence of its construction more than make up for the straightforward style. You can buy this headphone from its official website.
Corsair HS65 Surround review: Comfort
The headband and earcups were made out of a premium plastic with a smooth matte surface. In order to strengthen and optimize the HS65, the company only used aluminum for the bones. The headset contains memory foam, leatherette ear cushions, and a padded headband, so comfort is assured. These components are not only opulent and plush, but also cozy and breathable. Even the earcups may be taken out with a quick turn and twist. That implies that you can quickly replace these as needed, which is a benefit for us. The HS65 Surround’s adjustable earcup length and swivel add to its comfort. While playing strenuous video games, the band adjustment can hold, and there is enough resistance to keep it in place.
Corsair HS65 Surround review: Connectivity
The HS65 Surround can be connected to your computer or gaming console with a USB adapter or 3.5mm audio jack. For PC gamers who might not have enough USB ports to attach a headset, the 3.5 mm audio jack works wonderfully for connecting to controllers to allow for greater mobility or for more straightforward connectivity. Dolby 7.1CH surround sound system is made possible for the headset with the USB adaptor, which is excellent for games like Apex Legends where pinpointing auditory cues can make the difference between winning and losing.
Corsair HS65 Surround review: Noise cancelling
The Corsair HS65 has a great omnidirectional microphone that Discord has verified. The voice is crystal clear, and there is no distortion. It is also quite effective at eliminating background noise. Nothing can be heard through the hum of the AC, traffic, construction, etc. Even though we clapped directly in front of the microphone, nothing was picked up. However, it has excellent voice pickup. in fact, a little too well. The microphone will also pick up the voices of anyone else speaking in the same space as you. So, this could become a little bothersome. Other than that, we had no issues with the Corsair HS65 microphone.
Corsair HS65 Surround review: Audio performance
However, numerous attempts—including a complete reinstall using the most recent version of the iCue software—produced EQ presets that frequently made the music worse. Since experienced sound engineers would typically record and mix the audio for video games, the EQ and volume levels are already set to maximize the user experience. Fortunately, you don’t really need to experiment with this. The best option is to simply select “Pure Direct” under the Equalizer section of the iCue app and start playing, which sounds fantastic otherwise.
Corsair HS65 Surround review: Battery and charging
Corsair HS65 Surround review: Conclusion
The Corsair HS65 gives a lot more than I anticipated for a $80 headset, in a way. On a computer, the sound quality is outstanding, the earcups are cozy, and the microphone is crystal clear. The Corsair HS65, on the other hand, is about what I anticipated from a $80 headset. The fit could be better, the compatibility is restricted, and the console performance varies. Even so, there are many positive aspects of the HS65 Surround overall, especially if you spend some time experimenting with SoundID. The $50 Razer Kraken X might be a better option if you just intend to play on consoles. Likewise, the $130 Logitech G Pro X has greater sound quality if all you’re going to do is play on a PC.
