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The Corsair HS80 line has always been a popular choice for gamers, thanks to its modern design, comfortable fit for long gaming sessions, good sound quality, a decent microphone, and Corsair’s advanced technology, all at a relatively affordable price. However, as the gaming headset market evolves with increasing demands for versatile connectivity, longer battery life, and improved audio technology, meeting the basic needs of the original HS80, along with its minor existing issues, has become less compelling.

So, what improvements does the Corsair HS80 Max Wireless bring to the table while retaining its familiar design? Let’s dive in and find out.

Corsair HS80 Max Wireless Box

Corsair HS80 Max Wireless: Welcome Improvements

The Corsair HS80 Max Wireless packaging retains the modern black and yellow color scheme inherited from its predecessor, the HS80 RGB Wireless, with a more prominent product image and highlighted key features. At first glance, the HS80 Max Wireless appears almost identical to the HS80 RGB Wireless, with few discernible differences.

Corsair HS80 Max Wireless Packaging Back

The back of the box reveals important specifications, including memory foam earcups, Sonarworks SoundID personalization, 2.4GHz and Bluetooth connectivity, and an improved battery life of up to 65 hours. Corsair has also equipped the HS80 Max Wireless with Dolby Atmos spatial audio, which is becoming increasingly prevalent in new games and music releases.

Corsair HS80 Max Wireless Contents

Inside, the package includes a 2.4GHz wireless adapter and a USB-C charging/data cable. The HS80 Max Wireless feels sturdy without being overly heavy. It features a primarily plastic construction, 90-degree rotating earcups, a flip-to-mute microphone, and a floating headband design.

Comfort and Fit: A Mixed Bag

The most striking impression is the headset’s comfort and breathability, thanks to the fully breathable fabric earcups and headband, along with the memory foam that doesn’t exert excessive pressure. The adjustable headband with its hook-and-loop system provides a decent range of fit options, catering to various head sizes.

Corsair HS80 Max Wireless On Head

However, this lightweight comfort comes with a significant drawback for gamers with larger heads or those who wear glasses. The headband is relatively narrow, and the earcups don’t distribute pressure evenly enough to provide adequate noise isolation. The fabric earcups also contribute to poor noise isolation, allowing external sounds to leak in. This makes the headset less suitable for noisy environments, like competitive gaming tournaments.

Corsair HS80 Max Wireless Earcups

Connectivity and Battery Life: A Significant Upgrade

Compared to its predecessor, the HS80 Max Wireless boasts significant improvements in connectivity, battery life, and sound customization, addressing some of the shortcomings of the HS80 RGB Wireless.

The addition of Bluetooth connectivity alongside the 2.4GHz wireless adapter expands the headset’s usability beyond the PC to mobile devices. However, unlike the SteelSeries Arctis 9, it doesn’t support simultaneous Bluetooth connections for calls while gaming, nor does it offer the higher-end Qualcomm aptX HD codec found in the Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless XT.

Corsair HS80 Max Wireless Controls

The 2.4GHz wireless connection offers an impressive battery life of up to 65 hours with RGB lighting disabled or 24 hours with RGB enabled. Bluetooth extends this even further to a staggering 130 hours.

In addition to manual EQ adjustments within the iCUE software, the HS80 Max Wireless utilizes Sonarworks SoundID technology to personalize the audio experience through a short quiz, saving the results in a custom EQ profile.

Corsair HS80 Max Wireless Software

Sound Quality: Tailored for Different Uses

Using the default settings, the HS80 Max Wireless delivers the familiar HS80 sound signature with a relatively warm bass, detailed low-bass, and punchy mid-to-high bass, making in-game footsteps precise and easy to pinpoint. The separation between the low-mid and high-bass is a strength, making both ranges clear without feeling congested. However, the sub-bass lacks detail, making the rumble of engines and explosions less impactful. The treble feels somewhat compressed, impacting the accuracy of instruments and vocals.

Surprisingly, the Bluetooth connection offers a different sound profile compared to the wireless dongle, with more detailed and elevated bass and treble and more accurate mids, better suited for music listening. This suggests Corsair has implemented different sound profiles for gaming (via PC) and music/movies (via Bluetooth).

Corsair HS80 Max Wireless Microphone

The microphone performs well, capturing clear, natural vocals without excessive compression. However, initial firmware may impact microphone quality, so updating through iCUE is recommended.

Conclusion

The Corsair HS80 Max Wireless is a valuable addition to Corsair’s headset lineup, solidifying their product segmentation. While it may not offer the premium features and materials of the Virtuoso RGB Wireless XT, it addresses the weaknesses of its predecessor and provides a solid option for most gamers’ needs.