The Corsair HS65 Surround is a mid-range headset designed for gaming. It offers quality construction, excellent sound and seamless connectivity.
It is compatible with Windows and macOS computers, mobile devices and most game consoles, so you can connect it to everything you usually use to play.
See the HS65 Surround on Amazon
And while it doesn’t offer as many options as some other headsets on the market, it makes up for its lack of features with a comfortable gaming experience.
Specifications
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Audio :Dolby 7.1CH surround -
Connectivity : USB Module, Aux 3.5mm -
Color : Black White -
Material : Plastic, faux leather -
Weight : 127.5 grams -
Dimensions : 50 x 200 x 75mm -
Compatibility : Windows, MacOS, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One/Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android -
Cable length : 1.8 meters -
Speaker size : 50mm
Photo: Taylor Clemons/ZDNET.
Price
The HS65 Surround retails for $89.99, which is a little high for a wired headset, although it’s still affordable for most gamers.
It is on par with other headsets like the Razer Kraken V3X (€79.99) or the HyperX Cloud Alpha (€69.99). Both are also designed for listening quality and long-lasting comfort.
The price of the HS65 Surround is high given the absence of certain features that are usually found on other headsets in the same range. These include RGB lighting and audio equalizer settings. But the level of comfort offered by the helmet and its quality of manufacture largely compensate for these defects.
Comfort and construction
Taylor Clemons/ZDNET
The HS65 Surround is incredibly light, weighing only 127 grams. It’s not too constricting at the earcups, so if you wear glasses – or have a large head – you’ll be quite comfortable. The earcups and headband are heavily padded with foam and finished with a leatherette shell that gives the whole thing a serious feel. The imitation leather also makes it very easy to keep the helmet clean. The earcups also pivot outward, allowing the headphones to lay flat. Ideal when you need to wear it around your neck or store it.
Taylor Clemons/ZDNET
The built-in microphone elegantly disappears when you don’t need it. We would still have liked it to be simply removable for those who use a dedicated microphone. The microphone does not come with the pop filter which is used to prevent clipping. But that’s quibbling, because it’s possible to find these accessories on Amazon for not too expensive if you really need to filter out unnecessary sounds.
The entire helmet is constructed from plastic, which contributes to its lightness. Despite everything, it still gives the impression of being a solid and reliable helmet, especially compared to, for example, the Turtle Beach Recon 500. The latter has a similar construction, all in plastic, but seems quite cheap and fragile. I wore the HS65 Surround for about 10 hours every day, at work and during quick gaming sessions on both PC and consoles (PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch), and the headset always felt snug and very comfortable. .
Audio and Connectivity
Image: Taylor Clemons/ZDNET.
The HS65 Surround connects to your computer or console via a 3.5mm jack or USB adapter. The headphone jack is ideal for plugging into controllers for greater freedom of movement, or simplified connectivity for PC gamers who may not have enough USB ports to plug in a headset .
Dolby 7.1
The USB adapter enables Dolby 7.1 surround sound. This is useful when you need more precise and spatialized audio, such as for games such as Apex Legends where the precision of the audio cues can be the difference between victory and defeat.
Unfortunately, virtual surround sound is only compatible with Windows and Mac computers, which means gamers who primarily play on consoles won’t enjoy one of the main draws of the HS65 Surround.
Image: Taylor Clemons/ZDNET
However, even when Dolby is not activated, the audio quality you get through headphones is excellent. Bass, mids and even highs are crystal clear, even at high volume levels. Even when the volume is pushed to its maximum, the speakers never emit harsh or garbled sounds. So even if you have to turn your game audio up high, you’ll never miss a line of dialogue due to distortion.
Truth be told, we left the surround sound feature off for video watching, audio calls, and gaming. While virtual 7.1 surround sound makes it easier to spot cues like gunshots and footsteps, it also adds an echo effect to most sounds, which can be irritating after a while. a moment, especially for the dialogues.
Dolby Surround sound works best for listening to music because the echo effect makes songs and albums sound similar to high-end studio recordings. This makes it easier to hear layered harmonies and backing vocals, allowing you to enjoy your favorite Spotify playlists with new eyes.
Application
Corsair’s iCUE app is only useful for enabling and disabling Dolby surround sound. So you don’t necessarily need to download the app to use the headphones. I wish Corsair had taken a cue from the HyperX Cloud Alpha S, which has in-line controls for virtual surround sound, eliminating the need to download the manufacturer’s app. Since the HS65 Surround only uses the iCUE app to turn 7.1 surround sound on and off, it would have made more sense to have built-in or in-line controls, rather than requiring users to download an app they will use very rarely.
Taylor Clemons/ZDNET
Interestingly, the iCUE app is also the only way to set up custom audio profiles with SoundID. The app lets you choose a music loop, then presents you with a series of filters and settings to let you fine-tune your preferences. However, the results are sometimes a little confusing. Some settings don’t really seem to make any difference, and instead of explaining how your choices affect the final render, the app just displays a series of shapes – one of which is highlighted. highlight – to view your personalized profile.
Conclusion
Image: Taylor Clemons/ZDNET.
The Corsair HS65 Surround is a reliable and solid mid-range gaming headset, ideal for PC and consoles. Simple connectivity makes it easy to set up the headset with your devices, while the 3.5mm audio jack lets you use the headset with smartphones or mobile consoles. With the included USB adapter, you can enable Dolby 7.1 virtual surround sound for more immersive sound, though it only works with PC and Mac computers, not consoles. And while you don’t necessarily need to download the iCUE app to use the HS65 Surround, audiophiles should consider doing so, as it allows for the creation of a custom sound profile.
Alternatives
The HyperX Cloud Alpha is an excellent mid-range gaming headset. The aluminum frame gives it strength and durability without adding a ton of weight, making it comfortable enough to use even during long gaming sessions. The included microphone is detachable, allowing you to use a separate mic for streaming, in-game chat and Discord. It is also compatible with most consoles, mobile devices, PCs and even Macs.
The Logitech G432 is very similar to the HS65 Surround. With 50mm speakers, DTS Headphone:X audio, and a flip-up mute microphone, the G432 delivers clear vocals as well as rich sound. The ear cups and headband are made of soft leatherette for a premium look and long-lasting comfort.
The Kraken V3 X is designed to deliver a quality gaming experience without breaking the bank. It also features virtual 7.1 surround sound for more immersive sound, and a lightweight design for comfort. The built-in microphone features a cardioid pickup for crystal-clear conversations. It can easily be moved out of the way when you don’t need it.
Source: “ZDNet.com”