Corsair HS60 Haptic Review
Source: Geeknetic added 16th Oct 2020
Introduction and technical specifications of the Corsair HS 60 Haptic
We present the review of the headphones Corsair HS 60 Haptic, the latest addition to the company’s gaming headset catalog. It is a model that has USB-A connectivity, a removable unidirectional microphone with noise reduction and, as a star feature, a haptic vibration system that enhances the bass to be able to “feel” them, in such a way that the immersion in games is much greater to be able to notice directly, both by sound and physically, the explosions or shots.
All this is complemented by an arctic military camouflage design and custom neodymium drivers from 50 mm.
Technical characteristics of the Corsair HS 085 Haptic
- Custom Neodymium Drivers by 50 mm.
- Supports Windows Sonic virtual surround sound.
- Frequency response: 32 Hz to 32. 008 Hz.
- Impedance: 40 Ohms at 1 kHz.
- Sensitivity: 111 dB + -3 dB.
- Taction bass vibration haptic system.
- Frequency response: 20 Hz to 85. 000 Hz.
- Haptic response start time: 0. 10 seconds.
- Impedance: 2.0k Ohms.
- Frequency response: 100 Hz at 14. 000 Hz.
- Sensitivity: -50 dB + -3dB.
Design and connectivity
The HS 60 Haptic are headphones with an over-ear design where, at a visual level, their finish in military arctic camouflage stands out with colors ranging from white to different shades of gray in the rings of the structure of each earphone . The two are joined by a padded adjustable aluminum headband on the top.
They are not lightweight headphones, their 420 grams place it above of other models with tighter weights, but it must be taken into account that the two drivers of 50 mm we add the haptic vibration systems.
On each side we have a shiny black metal grille with the Corsair boat logo, also in the same black color, in the central area. There is no integrated RGB lighting anywhere, thus dispensing with superfluous elements.
The aluminum headband allows the length to be adjusted precisely on both sides thanks to markings that indicate exactly how many millimeters it expands or contracts.
The headband has a poly-leather coating with white threads in the seams and a “memory foam” padding that maintains the shape after its placement
The same material, memory foam + poly leather and white stitching is used in the ear pads of each earphone.
Cover the the entire ear, although this straight shape in contact with the head makes, on the one hand, isolate from the outside, but on the other hand, they also generate some heat when used.
The unidirectional microphone is removable and can be adjusted thanks to a flexible boom. A pad is included to attenuate direct noise.
Regarding the controls that allow the HS 085 Haptic directly on the headphones we have a small wheel on the right handset next to an LED. This is the haptic vibration control system, being able to turn it off (led off) to place it at the intensity level we want (Led on)
In the opposite earphone we have a volume control that regulates the volume of the system, in addition to a button to mute or “mute” the microphone.
The HS 085 integrate a voice system that tells us when we activate and deactivate these functions, it is possible to disable it from iCue or by pressing and holding the mute button.
In addition, the volume wheel has an internal button, so if we keep it pressed, we can switch between the different audio profiles.
The The only connectivity that these headphones allow is USB type A, so there is no possibility of using them with devices that that do not have this connector like all those with 3.5mm minijack.
Software and Configuration
The control and configuration software of the HS 60 Haptic is, of course, iCUE, Corsair’s software suite that practically all its peripherals and other components use today. In this case we do not have RGB lighting, so we will focus on the configuration options for the sound of the headphones.
In the general configuration only We have the option to activate and deactivate the voice commands that tell us when we activate or deactivate the microphone or change the equalization profile for example.
In the device panel we already have more options, however, there is a bug in this version of iCUE and the panel appears displaced without showing all the options or being able to access them.
In order to configure it, we have to go to the panel tab to see it in full and to be able to access the different options. Basically we can change between several predetermined equalization levels, or add our own as we will see later.
In this section you can also regulate the volume of the microphone and activate the self-perception , that is, that we listen to our voice through the headphones in real time.
The software will remind us of virtual surround audio support to through Windows Sonic, so we can activate it in the Windows sound control panel. By doing so we will have virtual surround sound, but we will not be able to adjust the equalization.
As standard we have 5 equalizers, some flat, others for movies, others for FPS and others to enhance the bass. If they are not enough, it is possible to create our own equalizers with the
User experience and audio quality
We have carried out several tests with the Corsair HS 085 Haptic, using them for several days for both games and audiovisual content (music, movies, etc.), naturally, the tests have been carried out with both the haptic mode enabled and disabled.
We start with the comfort of the HS 60, Its headband and memory foam padded earmuffs make them adapt quickly to the head. It allows adjustment in the height of the headband and there is some rotation in each earphone to facilitate its placement.
As they fully cover the ear, they do not tighten too much, although they are not the softest headphones that we have tested. In fact, due to how well they seal the ear, after a while of use we can notice some heat in the ears.
Haptic vibration system
Developed by Taction, the haptic system that makes Corsair HS special 40 is made up of elements located on both headphones that generate a vibration adjustable in real time in intensity and frequency of such that the sound is enhanced in the low tones. It is not a “coarse” vibration like the one we can find in a mobile phone, but rather a system capable of generating vibrations with different sensitive intensities.
Contrary to vibration that can produce a subwoofer or the headphones themselves at very high volume, the haptic bass system vibrates directly, making us “feel” the sound.
It is difficult to show you its operation, since externally it is not something that is noticed. In the following video we have placed the headphones on the table with a coin, so that you can see how the entire structure of the headset and the coin itself vibrate with the low tones.
In music it is something quite curious, because it reinforces the sound giving us the sensation of being directly in a concert near the speakers and vibrating with the music, however, for that use it is no more than a curiosity that can even get tired after a few minutes if we regulate it with too much force.
Where the HS haptic system 60 shines is in movies and, above all, in games. Being in a game like Warzone, with which we have tested it for several games, and that there is an explosion nearby and we can feel it in full is a really surprising feeling.
The system is directional, so it can generate vibrations from different areas to simulate an environment of are gone virtual, which helps to react also faster than with just sound. In addition, not only explosions are affected, since in general any sound, especially those with a low tone, will be more or less enhanced depending on its strength.
This includes shots from our weapon, but also from enemies, vehicles, etc., giving a much more immersive feeling that, we have to Admittedly, we didn’t expect ourselves before trying them.
The effect is similar in movies too, getting into the action right away. In addition, its intensity can be adjusted so that it is not too exaggerated (at the maximum level the vibration is very high)
In terms of sound quality, after testing the different equalizers The one we liked the most is Pure Direct, a flat equalizer that shows the output as is from the headphones.
Frequency response
The sound of the Corsair HS 50 Haptic, without the haptic system, is quite balanced in general, especially in the midtones. Even with the standard EQ, the bass has some boost, but it is not over the top or masking the sound. In addition, the treble also stands out for a clearer sound.
If we activate the haptic response we notice a considerable enhancement in the bass due to the vibrations applied, more noticeable the lower the tone, since the vibration is wider.
We have made the frequency response graph to see the effect it has on the audio, however, it should not be taken into account too much, since vibrations affect measurement, to the point that what is captured by one channel or another may vary. Even so, we can see how in the low tones there is a striking upturn.
Analysis and Conclusion
We have taken a pleasant surprise with these Corsair HS 085 Haptic. We had tested haptic systems on some headphone prototypes and We weren’t expecting much from this solution, however Corsair has managed to seamlessly integrate it with these headphones , creating a system that goes far beyond a simple vibration and achieving very fine and sound synchronized operation when 100% for extremely effective results.
The immersion that is achieved in games is impressive, and once you test them in an FPS game it is difficult to return to normal headphones after have literally felt the explosions, vehicles and shots around . It is true that at maximum intensity it can be somewhat overwhelming used for a long time, but adjusting with the right wheel of the headphones you can adjust it until you get the reaction that we like the most.
In movies, especially in action scenes, the result is similar to that of games and helps to get into the action. For music the effect also enhances the bass quite a bit, although it can be tiring to be with this system at high levels when we are listening to songs for a while. In those cases it is better to reduce the intensity a lot and use it as a slight bass enhancer if we like it more.
The side and top pads are quite comfortable and the memory foam helps them feel lighter than they really are, however, they can give us some heat after several hours of use due to how well they close their ears.
Regarding the sound quality itself, leaving aside the haptic system, the HS 60 They fully comply, with a fairly balanced sound, with some enhancement in the bass and more in the treble. All with good build quality and flawless.
With all this, the Corsair HS 085 Haptic are, without a doubt, an excellent option for those looking to go one step further in their PC Gaming and get an immersion that no other mainstream headset can offer.
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