Corsair HS65 Surround: Honest Review

The finest gaming headsets must balance many factors: The speakers must sound good. The mic must record your voice well. They must be lightweight and pleasant for hours. They should appear attractive and be built well. Of course, they must be competitively priced. For $80, Corsair’s HS65 Surround gaming headset (Amazon $65.44) performs many of these things well, but it needs to nail the balance.

Corsair HS65 Surround Specs

PROS

• Crystal-clear mic
• Super comfy
• Stable construction
• A great microphone
• 7.1 virtual surround sound comfortable

CONS

• Low-key surroundings
• Bass and treble issues

How is the Corsair HS65 Surround?

Comfortable leatherette memory foam ear cushions make the 282g (9.9oz) Corsair HS65 Surround lightweight. However, it’s lightweight and comfortable, and the ear pads never rub against my glasses. Each headphone folds flat for easy storage. The headset features one physical control: a volume wheel on the left ear cup. The headset’s microphone mutes when flipped up. Corsair iCue software adjusts microphone loudness and sidetone (more on that later). The Corsair HS65 Surround works with consoles and devices with 3.5mm or USB-A ports. This means it works with PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, phones, and PCs. Since iCue can only be installed on Windows or macOS, the Corsair HS65 Surround is best used on those operating systems.

Do you need Corsair iCue for HS65 Surround?

If you want headset-specific software, download Corsair iCue. iCue allows you to enable 7.1 virtual surround sound, alter your sound profile, adjust mic settings, and more on PC and Mac. The 10-band equalizer lets you customize iCue’s EQ presets. Bass increases are incredibly bassy, while FPS competition enhances mids and highs to hear environmental sounds and footfall better. SoundID guides you through a range of sound profiles and lets you choose between them to create a personalized sound, but I don’t find it useful. Pressing the bottom left “Stereo” button changes it to “Dolby” to enable surround sound. The surround sound is enjoyable but useless for games.

How to link Corsair HS65 Surround

The Corsair HS65 Surround contains a 3.5mm TRRS connection and a 3.5mm to USB-A adaptor for iCue software. To utilize the microphone with the headset on a PC, use the USB adapter or plug the 3.5mm connector into a headphone/microphone combo jack.

Does the Corsair HS65 Surround reduce noise?

Our research showed that the Corsair HS65 Surround isolates sound well above 2 kHz but not below. There will be conversation, cars, and noisy objects like vacuum cleaners. Because the HS65 Surround’s ear pads don’t seal well, outside noise can get in. This is probably related to my head and upper jaw form, but someone with a wider face or jaw may not have this issue.

Corsair HS65 Surround Design and Features

Customer complaints about the HS60 Pro Surround undoubtedly influenced the HS65’s straightforward, traditional Corsair design. It now has a flip-to-mute non-detachable mic instead of a detachable mic and a separate mute button, making it easier to use. Everything else is bland and boring save the Corsair ship sail grille on each earcup, which I like. Too many gaming peripherals have “gaming aesthetic” frills, but the Corsair HS65 Surround’s white-and-silver colorway (a carbon one is available if you prefer all-black) is a refreshing change.

Corsair chose high-quality plastic with a soft matte feel for the earcups and headband and metal in the bones to stiffen the headset to keep its price low without sacrificing performance. Do not worry about comfort. The memory foam leatherette ear cushions and headband cushioning are comfortable and breathable. The headband size is the only factor affecting comfort. Compared to the three other headsets I possess, it looks narrower. An average-sized woman’s head feels squeezed around the headband.

That and the headset’s good grip make me wonder if this is the best option for gamers with larger heads than mine. The headband’s narrowness and flexibility put a lot of pressure on the top of the earcups, offering users more grip than on the bottom. However, that does not affect its fit or performance.

Also Read –Jabra Evolve2 75 Review

Corsair HS65 Surround Software

The Corsair HS65 Surround uses the same simple, sound-focused iCue software as most of their gaming peripherals. The headset works without the program; however, if you wish to use Dolby Audio 7.1 surround sound or change the sound profile, you should have it. At least turn on surround sound. Three main tabs are available on iCue. The Equalizer offers a 10-band EQ, five audio presets, mic tweaks, a stereo/Dolby 7.1 toggle button, and the option to create audio profiles.

Verdict

The Corsair HS65 Surround may be too simple for those who want frills. It delivers comfort, sound quality, and versatility where it matters most. This gaming headset is comfy and one of the best-sounding I’ve tested, especially for around $100. Music listening is as good as gaming and movie watching.

FAQs

Has CORSAIR HS55 surround sound?

Black CORSAIR HS55 WIRELESS Multiplatform Lightweight Gaming Headset with Bluetooth and Dolby 7.1 Surround Sound for PC, PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, and Mobile. Amazon’s Choice features popular, affordable items that ship instantly.

Has CORSAIR HS80 7.1 surround sound?

The CORSAIR HS80 RGB USB Gaming Headset’s custom-tuned 50mm neodymium audio drivers and Dolby Audio® 7.1 surround sound produce exceptionally detailed sound.

Has CORSAIR surround sound?

Due to its lightweight design, the CORSAIR HS55 SURROUND Gaming Headset provides all-day comfort and sound quality with memory foam leatherette ear cushions and Dolby® Audio 7.1 surround sound on PC and Mac.