TechRadar Verdict
There are things that the Corsair HS65 Wireless does really well, and there are things that I really wish it did well. The sound quality just isn’t up to par with its wired counterpart. However, you’re also getting an incredibly immersive soundstage, long-range connectivity, and a 10-band EQ to fix its colored sound quality. Plus, it’s not too shabby for the price.
Immersive soundstage
Long-range wireless connectivity
10-band EQ
Not bad, price-wise
Overwhelming bass
Dull high-end
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Corsair HS65 Wireless: One-minute review
Very few people were probably more excited about the Corsair HS65 Wireless than me. I’ve been a fan of theCorsair HS65but have always wanted it in wireless form, so this newgaming headsetrelease is me getting my wish.
The question is, does thiswireless gaming headsetlive up to the original? Having tested both side by side, I found that that isn’t quite the case. While the wired version delivers a more balanced sound — one of the many things I love about it, this wireless model’s low end is overwhelming, and its high end is duller.
Why exactly is there such a noticeable difference in sound quality — apart from the obvious fact that one is wired and may, therefore, be better equipped to deliver higher-quality audio? At this point, I can really only speculate.
Still, just because its audio quality isn’t as good or as balanced, that doesn’t take away from the fact that the Corsair HS65 Wireless is a pretty good gaming headset in its own right, particularly due to its immersive soundstage and the 10-band EQ on iCue, and is worth taking a look at. And, that’s despite the wireless tax.
Corsair HS65 Wireless: Price and availability
Interface:2.4Ghz wireless, BluetoothPlatforms:PlayStation, PC/MacMic:Omnidirectional boom micSurround sound:Dolby Audio 7.1Weight:275g
One of the best things about the original Corsair HS65 is its affordability. However, Corsair has upped that price on the Corsair HS65 Wireless due to the wireless tax, which most wireless gaming headsets have. The good news though is that Corsair keeps that price affordable, asking $119.99 / £119.99 / $229 from US, UK, and Australian customers respectively.
That might put the Corsair HS65 Wireless out of the budget range, but considering the competition, it’s not actually that bad. Granted they are more versatile and can moonlight as regular headphones, but both theAstro A30and theSteelSeries Arctis Nova 7are pricier. Even theAsus ROG Delta S Wireless, which does come with the benefit of having a USB-C transmitter as opposed to a USB one, has a steeper asking price.
Factor in the HS65 Wireless’ Dolby Audio 7.1 digital surround sound and lightweight design (it’s the lightest of the four) to start, and you’re really getting more bounce to your ounce.
Corsair HS65 Wireless: Design and features
The Corsair HS65 Wireless has inherited the same aesthetic and build as the original, down to the flip-to-mute mic. But, while it’s a look that I’m very glad Corsair went with, I won’t be getting into the specifics of that. If you’re already familiar with the brand’s new look, you won’t need me to. If you’re not, then know that it’s a comfortable, elegant and modern yet still gaming-forward design paired with a good though not quite premium build.
What is different here are the buttons. While the wired version only has a volume wheel, the HS65 Wireless comes with a mic mute button, a Bluetooth button, and a power button. That’s on top of the volume control wheel that moonlights as an EQ select button. These controls are also intuitive to use.
Another thing that’s different is the weight. The HS65 Wireless isn’t just more lightweight than the other wireless gaming headsets I’ve tested recently, but it’s also lighter than the wired version. Because the boom mic isn’t actually removable, I likely won’t be using it as a pair of headphones with my mobile devices. However, the fact that it is lightweight means that you can take it with you on the go to use with your laptop for consuming media and/or jumping on video calls with colleagues.
It does have support for Corsair’s iCue software, which affords its users a lot of customizations and control. The app essentially allows you to finetune the sound, toggle the surround sound, and set up Corsair’s SoundID as well as select from the five sound presets. The most useful bit here is the 10-band EQ, which while not parametric is still pretty powerful – so powerful, in fact, that it’ll actually help you fix the headset’s annoying audio quirks, which I’ll talk about in performance.
When testing gaming headsets, I usually do so with as little processing or EQ adjustments as possible, but I did try Corsair’s SoundID feature, which allows iCue to help you personalize your headset’s sound profile based on your audio proclivities. It’s not a new one and something I’ve tested before, but it is one of the HS65 Wireless’ marquee features so I gave it another try.
Sadly, as with my previous experience with it, I was not a fan of the sound profile that the software “custom-made” for me, which it designed based on a series of sound tests I had to answer. That isn’t to say you shouldn’t try it yourself. The feature itself, I think, works well and created a very unique EQ for me. I just did not like the sound itself as it was very unbalanced, and I personally tend to lean more towards balanced audio.
Corsair HS65 Wireless: Performance
Sadly, the Corsair HS65 Wireless’ sound quality isn’t as balanced as its wired counterpart’s. Its audio is very colored.
It’s very bass-heavy, for one, which tends to overwhelm the rest of the frequency range, especially the mids. The highs are present and do not sound veiled, but also a little dull – inKena: Bridge of Spirits, the sparkly sounds from chimes don’t have their usual brilliance. And, finally, the mids are strange. They don’t seem to be recessed, and when not overwhelmed by the low end, they don’t sound thin, just a little quieter. However, whenever there’s a lot of bass, the mids seem to pull back.
There is still a lot to like here, however. The HS65 Wireless does give you plenty of rumble in games and makes explosions and power sounds have a bit more body to them. InKena, the background music’s low drums are massive on it, while inControl,the background low-end sound is also very present.
There’s also a lot of volume on tap, more than I’ve experienced on most wireless gaming headsets, in fact.
Finally, there’s also the impressive soundstage and sound imaging, both of which it inherited from the wired HS65. The soundstage is already good on its own, but activate the Dolby Audio 7.1 surround sound, and it’s even wider. Meanwhile, its sound imaging is incredibly precise. InControl, even something as mundane as a movie projector is accurately represented, so much so that even when I swing my point of view around, I could hear the projector sound swirling around me.
Its battery life performance, unfortunately, isn’t quite so. Corsair’s battery life rating seems decent at 24 hours at full charge. However, during testing, it seems to only last about four days, with about two to four hours of use per day, which certainly doesn’t tally up to Corsair’s rating. This rarely happens with wireless gaming headsets, however, so I’m chalking this up to my test unit possibly being slightly faulty.
Don’t be alarmed if that battery indicator light starts blinking orange. I’ve asked our Corsair contact about this, and he says that the light goes from green to orange to let you know that the battery is about 80% or lower. Apparently, it’s green if it’s got 100% to 80% of juice, orange if it’s 80% to 20%, and red if it’s below 20% – which I do admit is a somewhat useful indicator.
Finally, the boom mic is great. Your voice will come through loud and clear, and is really good at minimizing sibilance and plosives – though you might sound a little compressed. It’s also good at minimizing background noise. Although people might still hear you typing on your keyboard, for example, it’s not going to be too loud to be distracting. And, when you’re talking, background noise sounds quieter.
Should I buy the Corsair HS65 Wireless?
Buy it if…
You want an affordable wireless gaming headsetAs far as wireless gaming headsets go, the Corsair HS65 Wireless is actually fairly affordable and has some nice features to go with it.
You need a 7.1 surround sound experienceIt also boasts an expansive and immersive Dolby Audio 7.1 surround sound that gives you a wide soundstage and precise sound imaging.
You like to finetune and personalize your soundThanks to the iCue software support, there’s a 10-band EQ available to you so you can personalize the sound profile as well as the SoundID feature if you’d rather it be done for you.
Don’t buy it if…
You want more balanced audio out of the boxAt default, it’s not the most balanced-sounding headset. It’s too bass-heavy, the mids are weird, and the high end is on the dull side.
You hate charging your devicesCorsair gives it a 24-hour battery life rating, but my test unit has given me less than that.
Also consider
If our Corsair HS65 Wireless review has you considering other options, here are two more to consider…
Astro A30The Astro A30 is yet another proof that a new breed of gaming headsets is taking over – one that sounds great, looks great, and is versatile enough to be used at and away from your desk.
Read our fullAstro A30 review
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless sounds very good, has the kind of battery life that should last you through many gaming sessions, and comes with a number of great gaming-centric features.
Read our fullSteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 review
Corsair HS65 Wireless: Report card
How I tested the Corsair HS65 Wireless
We pride ourselves on our independence and our rigorous review-testing process, offering up long-term attention to the products we review and making sure our reviews are updated and maintained - regardless of when a device was released, if you can still buy it, it’s on our radar.
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Michelle Rae Uy is the former Computing Reviews and Buying Guides Editor at TechRadar. She’s a Los Angeles-based tech, travel and lifestyle writer covering a wide range of topics, from computing to the latest in green commutes to the best hiking trails. She’s an ambivert who enjoys communing with nature and traveling for months at a time just as much as watching movies and playing sim games at home. That also means that she has a lot more avenues to explore in terms of understanding how tech can improve the different aspects of our lives.
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