Under the ‘Key Assignments’ tab, you can customize how the volume scroller button press behaves. The HS80 MAX uses the Corsair iCUE software to provide some levels of customization, however it is not really required if you will not be tinkering around with the equalizer all that much. If you find the LED too distracting, it can thankfully be disabled from the iCUE software. It has a rather strong LED light wrapped around the tip of the boom arm which indicates whether it is hot or not. There is also a non-detachable boom microphone on the left side of the headset, which can be flipped up to mute. This is a bit of a bummer for sure, but with Discord now available on the PS5, the lack of simultaneous playback shouldn’t hurt as much. When paired with a Bluetooth device, the headset will only be able to take calls while on the wireless mode, so chatting with your friends on Discord from a mobile device while playing games on your PC or console will not be possible. Unfortunately, the headset doesn’t support simultaneous playback between Bluetooth and 2.4Ghz wireless. The right cup is mostly vacant except for the Bluetooth button, with which you can pair to compatible devices, as well as control media (even while using the 2.4Ghz wireless connection) and take calls. In terms of I/O ports, the left ear cup features a power button, an infinite volume scroller (which can be clicked to cycle through equalizer presets), a power indicator light, and a USB-C port for charging. Whether or not the headset can take the beating of time remains to be seen, but first impressions are of a well-built device that feels premium in the hands and around the head. I have twisted and turned the headset in ways a headset shouldn’t be and the HS80 MAX didn’t let out a groan or a creak during the procedure. The overall construction of the headset is solid and well befitting of a device that cost $179.99. If you do not wear glasses, I do not believe the clamp force would be of any concern for you. It doesn’t interfere with the comfort levels all that much, but it does squeeze my glasses and slightly pushes them up which causes a tiny bit of discomfort and the need for constant adjustment. That said, the clamp force is a tad bit too harsh - at least for my taste. The fabric is breathable, too, which helps keep your ears cool even if the air conditioner is off - which is a boon in this absolutely hellish weather in the Middle East. The cushion stays firm throughout, with the soft cloth fabric covering the ear pads providing that premium feel around the ears. I have worn the headset for multiple 2-3 hour sessions, and I did not find the need to remove them at any point. The headband is fitted with velcro straps to aid in height adjustment, which when combined with the plush memory foam ear pads makes for quite a comfortable headset. The HS80 MAX, like the previous iteration, uses a floating headband design popularized by Steelseries. This addresses one of the issues with the standard HS80, where the glossy sides proved to be a fingerprint magnet and became harder to keep clean overtime. You still have the smooth gun-metal plastic covering the majority of the body, however the glossy sides on the earcups on the standard HS80 have been swapped out for more of the same plastic that makes up the rest of the headset. However, judging from the pictures on the official website, not much has changed between it and the HS80 MAX in terms of design. I have never used the previous Corsair HS80 wireless headset, so I don’t have a reference for direct comparison. At $179, it is certainly pricey but the HS80 MAX makes a solid case for its value with excellent audio quality and a feature-rich package. The comfort is beyond excellent, the wireless range is shockingly good, the battery life has seen a massive improvement, and the sound signature - while still quite bass heavy - is wonderfully smooth and detailed. From its harsh comfort level, poor wireless range and battery life, and a below-average sound signature that requires heavy tuning to get it right, the HS80 might have made some sales for Corsair, but it didn’t seem like it gained much favor from users otherwise.Īfter using the upgraded version of the headset, the HS80 MAX, for the past week, I can say with relative confidence that Corsair has addressed all of those issues to produce a quality headset that is among the best I have tried so far. However, a cursory glance at Reddit for user opinions on the HS80 doesn’t paint an entirely rosy picture. The Corsair HS80 gained popularity for its above-average microphone, at least for a wireless headset.
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