The Corsair HS80 Max has almost everything you could want in a gaming headset for an enjoyable gaming session -- clear high-resolution audio, a comfortable and stylish design, and good cross-platform compatibility.
As someone who has the non premium hs80s, unless the physical shape has changed they aren’t comfortable for all head types.
My ears are large enough that the tops or bottoms chaff depending on band settings and imo the pads aren’t thick enough because my ears press against the drivers.
The headset has no hardware profile so you need icue if you want equalizer or for it to remember your settings. Icue itself for headset constantly reset my settings on restart until I reinstalled and registry wiped all traces of it, something that Corsair itself recommends.
Their lights have… Issues remembering your settings when turned on.
You’ll definitely want equalizer since frequency response will need some changing.
The volume wheel sticks out and if I lean back into my headrest it will actuate.
My battery life isn’t 18 hrs. If you’re actively using it all day 13 is about right. I can totally believe it’s improved on the premium model though as this is a common complaint. You can use it while charging.
The best thing about the hs80s is the mic is almost as good as the virtuoso, which has the best mic I’ve ever used on a headset. It’s not broadcast quality but it’s honestly close.
I got my hs80s for $80 and for that price I’m done with it.
Hard to imagine paying $180 for these. Grabem on sale or if you can tolerate less comfort the virtuoso is better. If you want comfort steel series is what your after, their headband is noticeably better than the hs80s (more comfortable material).
Can confirm. Got an absolute pumpkin head, never had a hat that’s fitted in my life, and the HyperX Clouds fit like a dream. Battery lasts days as well.
My ears are not big all around but they are “long” meaning top edges never fit properly to regular headsets. I found razer barracuda x is very comfy to use for hours as well, only starts hurting like after 6 hours of straight usage.
Razer seems to make some comfy headsets, i wish other companies cared about comfort too already. Big heads, big ears… we exist! :(
I have a large head, and I returned mine the next day because it feels like the cans are clamping tight against my head. Ended up with a migraine after only 30 minutes of use. Went back to my HS70 Pro’s and ordered some new cushions.
I got my HS80 max for 140$ which is a great deal imo. I really doubt it’ll go for 180$ in many places anymore. Amazon has it for 150$ right now
And the batterylife was the main reason why I opted for this model and that part has definitely delivered, it makes all my other wireless products look really bad in comparison and soundID is a huge deal actually.
For $140 I could see it. SoundID as well sounds interesting and would not only save someone the hassle of finding a good EQ preset but actually be better in theory.
I’d note there’s definitely other wireless headsets with comparable battery life and good reputations. Turtle beach is a good example and I tried the stealth 700 gen2 max for a few weeks.
It did everything better than the HS80s except the mic but it also cost $200, although I paid $140. Huh… makes me suspicious about all these MSRPs honestly.
As someone who has the non premium hs80s, unless the physical shape has changed they aren’t comfortable for all head types.
My ears are large enough that the tops or bottoms chaff depending on band settings and imo the pads aren’t thick enough because my ears press against the drivers.
The headset has no hardware profile so you need icue if you want equalizer or for it to remember your settings. Icue itself for headset constantly reset my settings on restart until I reinstalled and registry wiped all traces of it, something that Corsair itself recommends. Their lights have… Issues remembering your settings when turned on.
You’ll definitely want equalizer since frequency response will need some changing.
The volume wheel sticks out and if I lean back into my headrest it will actuate.
My battery life isn’t 18 hrs. If you’re actively using it all day 13 is about right. I can totally believe it’s improved on the premium model though as this is a common complaint. You can use it while charging.
The best thing about the hs80s is the mic is almost as good as the virtuoso, which has the best mic I’ve ever used on a headset. It’s not broadcast quality but it’s honestly close.
I got my hs80s for $80 and for that price I’m done with it.
Hard to imagine paying $180 for these. Grabem on sale or if you can tolerate less comfort the virtuoso is better. If you want comfort steel series is what your after, their headband is noticeably better than the hs80s (more comfortable material).
The reviews I read said they don’t fit large heads at all.
For anyone with large heads, some that fit well are:
Can confirm. Got an absolute pumpkin head, never had a hat that’s fitted in my life, and the HyperX Clouds fit like a dream. Battery lasts days as well.
I’d also recommend the Steelseries Arctis 7 line. I wear a 7 3/4 fitted hat and my Arctis 7+ fit great and have really decent sound.
I have a large head and these are just fine on me. I use them for hours at a time for conference calls every day.
Blackshark V2 mic is amazing as the HS80 and 100x more comfortable than Corsairs.
I wear the blackshark for work 8 hours a day due to WFH and it is insanely comfortable
My ears are not big all around but they are “long” meaning top edges never fit properly to regular headsets. I found razer barracuda x is very comfy to use for hours as well, only starts hurting like after 6 hours of straight usage.
Razer seems to make some comfy headsets, i wish other companies cared about comfort too already. Big heads, big ears… we exist! :(
What exactly constitutes having a large head?
Agreeing on the non universal comfort, my head snapped the main bracket in half because it needs to flex
Thanks for that. I saw the picture and I instantly thought that would be uncomfortable as hell.
Makes me want to open a store that custom fits them for people or something.
I have a large head, and I returned mine the next day because it feels like the cans are clamping tight against my head. Ended up with a migraine after only 30 minutes of use. Went back to my HS70 Pro’s and ordered some new cushions.
I got my HS80 max for 140$ which is a great deal imo. I really doubt it’ll go for 180$ in many places anymore. Amazon has it for 150$ right now
And the batterylife was the main reason why I opted for this model and that part has definitely delivered, it makes all my other wireless products look really bad in comparison and soundID is a huge deal actually.
For $140 I could see it. SoundID as well sounds interesting and would not only save someone the hassle of finding a good EQ preset but actually be better in theory.
I’d note there’s definitely other wireless headsets with comparable battery life and good reputations. Turtle beach is a good example and I tried the stealth 700 gen2 max for a few weeks.
It did everything better than the HS80s except the mic but it also cost $200, although I paid $140. Huh… makes me suspicious about all these MSRPs honestly.
Thanks big ears.