Introduction

Judging by the name alone, you couldn’t be blamed for thinking that the Corsair HS80 MAX is a direct successor to the HS80 RGB Wireless gaming headset (reviewed here), which was (and still is) one of the best choices in Corsair’s wireless portfolio. However, they come in at different price points and they’ll coexist on the market for the foreseeable future.

The $179 HS80 MAX is $30 more expensive and offers three features that are unavailable on the HS80 RGB Wireless. First and foremost, it comes with both 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity (the latter is absent on the HS80 RGB Wireless). Then there’s the Sonarworks SoundID sound personalization technology, which has you “test your hearing” and apply a DSP profile tailored for your ears. Last (and probably least), the HS80 MAX is equipped with a clickable volume wheel, to which you can assign a desired device function (such as EQ selection) or a custom macro.

Like its predecessor, the HS80 MAX includes the Dolby Atmos license, so its owners can enjoy the best virtual surround sound experience on the market. It promises a 65-hour battery life – a significant step up from the HS80 RGB Wireless – although, bizarrely, omits the wired connectivity, which was possible (and sometimes very useful) on the HS80 RGB Wireless.

Specifications

• Drivers: 50-mm dynamic (neodymium magnet)
• Impedance: 32 Ω @ 1 kHz
• Frequency Response (specified by the manufacturer): 20-20,000 Hz
• Design: Closed-back, over-ear
• Microphone: Omnidirectional (pivotable)
• Battery Life: Up to 65 hours (2.4 GHz Wi-Fi) / Up to 130 hours (Bluetooth)
• Connectivity: 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi (USB dongle supplied), Bluetooth
• Charging: USB-C
• Weight: 325 g