Corsair HS65 Wireless review: No wires, same great gaming headset

Putting the proverbial pen to paper for our Corsair HS65 Wireless Review It feels like deja vu on a gaming headset as the new cans on the block look like a familiar friend. The company’s headphone performance effectively removes the cord from the HS65 Surround, a move that frees one of our favorite wired headphones from its tethers. While this ultimately provides a fantastic wireless solution, it seems my claims to the original have been largely ignored.

The Corsair HS65 Wireless costs $119.99, and that’s not exactly cheap, as it sits firmly in the elite circle alongside the best gaming headsets of 2023. Its price isn’t exorbitant though, and you won’t be disappointed in what it offers. configuration compared to more expensive alternatives. It’s worth considering if you really need a wireless solution though, as the wired HS65 Surround offers a similar, but much lower level of quality.

Don’t get me wrong, Corsair’s new HS65 has a lot going for it as it cuts the cord, avoiding traditional wireless caveats. Again, my issues with this build apply to the original hardwired as well, but I prefer to call them minor issues rather than actual issues. Both stand out from the competition in style and content, and the HS65 Wireless brings a new wave of gamers who need to ditch the cords with a headset.

Characteristics

The Corsair HS65 Wireless has 7.1 surround sound capabilities like its predecessor, but replaces wires with low-latency 2.4GHz and Bluetooth. It also features the same 50mm neodymium drivers that have already proven their worth on the gaming PC audio battlefield, combined with that omnidirectional rocker-switch microphone we admire (and dive for its design).

In the box, you’ll get a 2.4GHz adapter and a USB-C cable, the latter for charging only. Perhaps that’s to be expected given the headphones’ wireless name, but I think it’s one of the reasons Corsair misses a trick in terms of versatility: one of those “little things” I’ll discuss in a moment.

Design

Corsair clearly gets the point when it comes to headphone aesthetics, as the HS65 Wireless embodies the same subtle approach to style as the Surround model. I’m a big fan of the mesh grill design on the cups, and the white option helps combat my inner goth that lives inside a gaming PC. The black model also looks quite classy, ​​but I personally think that the white and gray colors work well.

The rotating cups again give the HS65 a sense of movement, as I currently wear the headphones as if they were an accessory. Getting rid of the cables means I can get away from my desk this time, and the durable combination of high-quality aluminum and plastic ensures the headphones can withstand bumpy trips around the neck or in a bag.

Unfortunately, I think the same commendable on-the-go vibe is limited, as the headset’s flip-up mic still can’t be removed. Personnellement, je n’aime pas vraiment l’idee de marcher dans la rue en ayant l’air de pouvoir rejoindre un appel Microsoft Teams à tout moment, alors que je veux vraiment utiliser les banques pour écouter des listes de lecture emo du Midwest dans train. Being able to remove the microphone boom is a small thing that will make a big difference in versatility, as it can appeal to both desktop users and those looking for a stylish pair of headphones.

Despite this, Corsair has made small changes to some parts of its headset, including the left volume wheel. The dial now has clickable steps instead of the smooth feel of the HS65 Surround. It’s a small adjustment, but it helps add clarity to the headphone volume controls and creates a more premium feel.

Now that the HS65 is no longer tied down by built-in cables, the power and Bluetooth buttons connect to the aforementioned volume wheel and are easy to access while in use. Also, there’s now a dedicated mute button on the left earcup, which feels a bit redundant given that the mic button rotates to mute. During use, I memorized neat mic tips or hit the on-screen mute button instead of using the extra button.

Although I don’t use the mute button, I’m not a big fan of the flip mechanism. In theory it should be smooth, but like the wired version, it hits the forehead when it bends towards the mouth. I usually leave the mic down when I’m at my desk or take it off and put it back on. It’s true that neurodivergent traits mean I’m a bit more sensitive to that sort of thing, and your personal experience may differ.

Unsurprisingly, the weight of the HS65’s wireless interior has shifted, but the comfort level of the wired version remains the same. You won’t want to take the headset off after a long gaming session and it won’t pinch your head like some of the other options. Although my ears are quite small, some of you may find the narrow cups a little tight.

The HS65 really commits a deadly sin when it comes to connectivity, foregoing wired functionality entirely. The lack of a spare 3.5mm jack or even USB audio playback is certainly a sore spot for me, as it means I’m at the mercy of a dead battery. I say “loaded” but in fact, I often forget to do it, and this time rescue ropes won’t save the day.

Quality

The Corsair HS65 Wireless shines in the gaming headset quality department, delivering balanced sound across the board. Windows Spatial Sound super powers provide the highest fidelity in FPS games like Overwatch 2, allowing me to stay ahead of curious gamers by listening to their footsteps.

It also provided a sinister added level of immersion during my recent Dead Space Remake review, with 7.1 surround sound serving up an extra plate of horror as I explored USG Ishimura. I stupidly started gaming using the Razer V3 Hypersense, but Corsair’s cans helped deliver wireless with wonderful horrors of haptic feedback.

Naturally, the HS65 meets the demands and needs of gaming, but it’s really adequate for everyday Spotify use. As I’ve said in many other headphone reviews, while you should never expect audiophile levels of fidelity, listening to Fall Out Boy’s new singles with Corsair cans is pure bliss across well-balanced lows, mids, and highs.

Using 2.4GHz headphones with a Windows PC means you’ll be able to use Corsair’s iCue software, which offers equalization settings and “SoundID personalization.” This latter feature is intended to create a finely tuned profile using feedback, but as with the HS65 Surround, I can’t seem to please my ears with it. I prefer to use the regular EQ presets, but that doesn’t mean I don’t like this tool.

Of course, the quality of the microphone is just as important, although a headset can never compete with the best gaming microphone. I’m willing to eat my words with a final statement, but the HS65’s wireless is definitely not going to embarrass you in your fancy streaming setup. . This time, I’m not disappointed with the Corsair microphone, and it offers excellent capture quality for chat and team calls. It lags a bit behind the HS65 Surround though, as it’s a bit stiffer than its wired counterpart.

I usually use the original HS65 when playing Steam Deck, so I switched it for a week to test the Bluetooth capabilities of the wireless version. Fortunately, it provided a similar experience, so I didn’t have to sacrifice quality when browsing my Steam library on the go. You’ll miss the low latency that 2.4GHz provides, but I’d say it’s not really necessary when you’re gaming on a laptop or other devices like your phone.

Battery duration

Using the HS65 wireless headset on the Steam Deck gave me a chance to test Corsair’s battery life, as the device’s manufacturer claims it will last for a full 24 hours of gameplay. Steam Deck had a few hiccups over the weekend and I still have a supply of juice, so the company facts seem to line up.

Battery life is also maintained when using the 2.4GHz wireless dongle, and I’ve yet to feel cheated by the headphones’ day-to-day durability. As someone who regularly forgets to plug in devices, I’m also happy with the power the headphones get after a 15-minute charge time, as it gives me a chance to regret my forgetfulness.

I can say with a good conscience that while the Corsair HS65 Wireless isn’t perfect, it deserves a place on our list of the best wireless gaming headsets. Not only does it pack all the best of its sleek wired counterpart, it also offers excellent gaming sound quality and respectable battery life.

I think Corsair can take headphones to new heights by introducing small tweaks like a detachable microphone, as the HS65 Wireless pretty much has what it takes to challenge out-of-the-box alternatives. However, the new version is still great and will appeal to anyone who hates cables.