Corsair HS65 Surround TEST: a gaming headset with 7.1 surround, light and comfortable to wear

The constructor Corsair Gaming is not the type to be original in the name of its products, but it always offers well finished and effective accessories. The Corsair HS65 Surround is no exception to the rule with a name still not sexy, but what about technically? This is what we are going to talk about in this test of this headset for gamers.

Datasheet Corsair HS65 Surround (Model CA-9011271-EU)

• Type: Wired Gaming Headset
• Speaker diameter: 50 mm
• Virtual 7.1 surround-compatible stereo (Dolby Audio)
• Compatibility: PC, PlayStation, Xbox
• Weight: 282g
• Wire length: 1.80 m (not removable)
• Bandwidth: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
• Impedance: 32 Ohms
• Microphone: folding on pivot (with mute)
• Microphone bandwidth: 100 Hz – 10 kHz
• Sensitivity: -41dB
• Connectors: 3.5 mm male stereo jack + USB adapter

Corsair Gaming is one of the manufacturers who have understood that offering sober and above all fully recyclable packaging is a very important point today. the Corsair HS65 Surround therefore comes in a bright yellow box with black and white prints. All the useful information – and even more – is present on the four sides and this is a very good point for anyone looking to find out what this helmet offers directly at a point of sale. No trace of plastic and apart from the presence – useless these days – of paper notices (warranty, safety and instructions for use), the “environmental friendliness” touch is at the top.

Once the box is open, the headset can be seen and, the least that can be said, is that it displays an unusual sobriety for gaming equipment. No garish colors, no RGBno futuristic cyber design, but just rounded curves, a matte coating, two small metal grilles highlighting the brand logo, a microphone on a swivel rod and a wheel on the back of the left earpiece. However, this absence of “bling-bling” will be appreciated by those who don’t like “Christmas tree” effects and see class in this refined approach. This simplicity is also found on the side of the connectors. A single wheel (the volume), a non-removable cable with a 3.5 Jack plug and a USB adapter to make it compatible with the software iCUE which allows you to configure the headphones (equalizer, Surround, profiles, etc.). As you have understood, here there are no quick access buttons to profiles or to various and varied settings like on some headsets intended for gamers, but again, this will only bother those who like to have lots of stuff to touch.

the Corsair HS65 Surround is a featherweight that comes in at 282g on the scale, which is great for aficionados of long gaming sessions. With its headband, its plastic body and its metal joints, it exudes solidity and it is very pleasant to the touch, which does not spoil anything. During our test, we – voluntarily – manhandled it by transporting it in a backpack or – involuntarily – jostled it by dropping it from the desk and the sofa without it being marked or damaged.

Sober and elegant, the Corsair HS65 Surround really has everything of a very good gaming headset, but wanting to be too minimalist on these options and its connections.

This is a good point which suggests that it is designed to be durable. Once on the ears, the memory foam cushions literally encompass both ears and properly isolate outside noise. Once in place, it does not move even during rapid movements and does not impose unpleasant pressure even for those with a large head. The mic is removable, but not detachable. It can be easily raised and this has the effect of automatically cutting off the sound recording. Handy if you have to answer the phone, for example. Following the same spirit of the helmet, its design is simple, i.e. a slightly thick flat rod. The microphone is slightly “bendable” to match the curvature of his face and be closer to the mouth. The sound recording quality is excellent and we were pleasantly surprised. Since there is no dedicated button on the headset, all settings must be made from the PC or the console. Note, if you don’t want to go through the USB adapter, you will have to find a splitter micro/HP for PC. On console, no such problem.

Once plugged in, the Corsair HS65 Surround does not disappoint. Basically, in Jack connection, it sends a clear sound with good bass without excess. For the most picky, the software iCUE allows you to create various profiles depending on the types of games (FPS, GST, RPG, simulation) and adjust the treble and bass equally. To do this, you must use the included USB adapter which, as a bonus, allows you to enjoy sound in Dolby Surround 7.1. Unfortunately, this model does not manage the sound in Dolby Atmos, which brings immersion a notch above. Whether in game, the initial target, or purely audio listening, this headset does the job and we haven’t found anything notable to complain about.

Sober and elegant, the Corsair HS65 Surround really has everything of a very good gaming headset, but wanting to be too minimalist on these options and its connectors, it seems obvious that it may not appeal to all players. The latter, which marketing feeds into RGB and the sometimes eccentric, sometimes more essential options (such as changing profiles) will undoubtedly find it much too “discreet”. Yet it is very good, it offers immersive sound and takes advantage of the multitude of precise settings offered by the software. iCUE with which it is compatible. Clearly, it is a quality helmet which, for a very reasonable price, offers a quality of sound and comfort which nevertheless deserves attention even if it does not shine with a thousand LEDs.