Editor’s Word
• Unique assessment date: Could 2022
• No new model out
• Launch value: $79.99 / £79.99 / AU$119
• Official value now: $69.99 / £79.99 / AU$119
Up to date: January 2024. The Corsair HS65 Encompass could also be nearly two years outdated, nevertheless it stays one of many finest PC gaming headsets in our opinion. Regardless of all the brand new rivals that got here after its launch, this wired headset stays the very best worth out of all, delivering that distinctive 7.1 encompass sound you wouldn’t anticipate at its value level. It additionally ticks some of the essential components when selecting a gaming headset – consolation. You’ll be able to recreation with it for hours while not having a break. What’s extra, it is barely cheaper now within the US at simply $69.99. The remainder of this assessment stays as beforehand printed.
Michelle Rae Uy
Corsair HS65 Encompass: One-minute assessment
The Corsair HS65 Encompass gaming headset is the corporate’s new high-powered and cost-conscious gaming headset that delivers distinctive 7.1 encompass sound efficiency for PC avid gamers.
The 50mm Neodymium audio drivers present exceptionally clear stereo audio and seven.1 Encompass sound virtualized audio, and with the audio within the finest PC video games changing into more and more refined, this headset will allow you to hear battlefield carnage precisely the best way that the builders supposed.
The headset microphone affords an extremely crystal clear response with an omni-directional polar mic sample. Anybody who is aware of microphone polar patterns is likely to be fearful that the omni-directional sample (versus a cardioid sample) would choose up an excessive amount of ambient noise when you’re utilizing the mic. Fortunately this hasn’t been a difficulty throughout Counter Strike: International Offensive periods or chatting over Zoom.
The encompass sound functionality of the headset requires you to obtain Corsair’s iCue software program off the corporate’s web site. As soon as put in, merely plug your headset into the USB to three.5 mm adapter and join it to a USB port in your PC or Mac.
There are positive to be different 7.1 Encompass Sound gaming headsets hitting the market over the subsequent few months, however preserve the Corsair HS65 Encompass gaming headset on the prime of your wishlist. It’s a improbable, versatile headset that may please any critical gamer on a funds and is well one of many finest PC gaming headsets round for 7.1 encompass sound audio.
Corsair HS65 Encompass: Value and availability
- How a lot is it? MSRP is $79/£79/AU$119
- When are you able to get it? The Corsair HS65 Encompass is on the market now
- The place can you purchase it? You will get it within the US, UK, and Australia
The Corsair HS65 Encompass gaming headset is available in at $79/£79/AU$119, and is on the market globally. It is a good bit cheaper than some competing gaming headsets just like the Razer Kracken V3, which is about 20% dearer, whereas nonetheless providing the identical audio high quality.
Corsair HS65 Encompass: Design and options
- Excellent consolation
- Adjustable mic
The Corsair HS65 Encompass is exceptionally constructed, that includes an adjustable headband that matches comfortably on any gamer’s head.
The ear pads and the top cushion each function smooth and cozy reminiscence foam beneath breathable leatherette materials. Even after sporting this headset throughout ten hours of steady recreation enjoying after which three extra hours of intense FPS play after a break, the HS65 Encompass stayed snug all through.
The headset appears to be like nice, stays snug, and the closed ear headphones reject distracting noise. The body is machined out of top quality aluminum and different supplies to offer a robust and strong system that may final you for years. A quantity management wheel is positioned on the left ear cup for fast quantity degree changes as properly.
The microphone growth arm is adjustable and might bend to fit your face. It stays in place upon getting set it to your liking. A fast flip up on the growth arm mutes the microphone and a fast flip down unmutes the mic, making muting and unmuting extremely intuitive within the warmth of the second.
The iCue software program itself has three capabilities to mess around with: Equalizer, SoundID Personalization and Machine Settings. The Equalizer operate means that you can select between 5 EQ presets in addition to create your personal. Until you realize what you’re in search of, set the EQ to “Pure Direct”, as this preset fits every thing properly.
If you’re curious concerning the EQ presets, the presets are self-explanatory and really intuitive to work with. Presets resembling “FPS Competitors” will sound nice to your aggressive shooters like Counter Strike: International Offensive or Valorant, whereas “Clear Chat” sounds distinctive throughout Zoom or Groups conferences.
Corsair HS65 Encompass: Specs
Drivers: | Customized 50mm Neodymium Driver Frequency |
Response: | 20Hz – 20kHz |
Mic Polar Patterns: | Omni-directional Mic |
Frequency Response: | 100Hz – 10kHz |
Compatibility: | Home windows, Android, MacOS, iOS, PS5, PS4, XBox sequence X | S, Nintendo Change |
Weight: | 282 grams |
Twine Size: | Approx. 6 toes |
Coloration: | Black or White/Gray |
The one actual criticism right here is that the SoundID operate is underwhelming. The SoundID expertise makes an attempt to create a custom-made EQ setting for the person primarily based on how the person charges their enjoyment of sure sound clips. When you undergo the SoundID setup course of, you need to have a custom-made EQ preset to your optimized listening preferences.
Nevertheless, a number of makes an attempt – together with a full reinstall with the newest iCue software program – resulted in EQ presets that usually made the audio worse. Audio for video games will normally be recorded and combined by skilled sound engineers anyway, so all of the EQ and quantity ranges ought to already be optimized for the person’s expertise. Thankfully, this is not one thing you actually need to dabble with. The most secure wager is to only select “Pure Direct” beneath the Equalizer operate within the iCue software program and bounce proper into the motion, which in any other case sounds superb.
The ultimate operate within the iCue software program can be the Machine settings. That is the place you possibly can allow Voice prompts, enhance microphone response and alter the Case colour of your headphones throughout the iCue software program. The one choice that’s helpful right here is “Mic Increase”, which provides your microphone some added sensitivity. In any other case, this rounds out the options of the iCue software program.
Corsair HS65 Encompass: Efficiency
- 7.1 Encompass Sound is excellent
- Nice bass response
- Nice mic efficiency
These drivers on the Corsair HS65 Encompass haven’t any downside pushing sound by the 20hz-20khz audio vary whereas its bass frequencies carry actual weight. The mids and highs of dialogue and numerous sound results come by extremely clear.
The headset mic captures frequencies from 100Hz to 10 kHz, and whereas this looks as if a restricted vary of frequency response, it’s tailor-made particularly to seize the human voice rather well.
The 7.1 Encompass Sound functionality is accessible by Corsair’s iCue software program with Home windows Spatial Sound energetic, discovered beneath the properties menu of your output system in Home windows’ sound settings.
Any media that was recorded and combined for 7.1 Encompass will play exceptionally properly over the HS6 Encompass. Fortunately, most video games and exhibits presently document for 7.1 Encompass Sound, however remember the fact that not all video games or media are or have. With these older video games and media, the headphones themselves received’t flip a recreation recorded in 5.1 encompass into 7.1 encompass, however it can nonetheless sound beautiful.
Because the iCue program itself is what creates the 7.1 Encompass Sound virtualization for the headset, you possibly can’t entry that function on PC or Mac with out it.
The Corsair HS65 Encompass stands up properly in opposition to opponents just like the Razer Kraken V3 Hypersense and the HyperX Cloud Alpha. Many competing headsets supply choices which you don’t really want, like removable mics or the Kraken V3 Hypersense’s haptic performance. These choices aren’t excessive on the checklist of requirements with avid gamers, so why pay extra for choices you don’t want?
Older units, screens, and gaming consoles nearly at all times have a 3.5mm enter jack, however not each gaming headset does. With the HS Encompass, you possibly can plug in and on the very least get crystal clear stereo audio, even when you need to skip the encompass sound function.
There are exceptions, although, the place you will get 7.1 Encompass Sound with trendy next-gen gaming consoles. The XBox Sequence X makes use of Dolby Atmos and the Sony PS5’s Tempest 3D Audio virtualizes the sound of seven.1 Encompass Sound by the gaming console itself, and the Corsair HS65 Encompass simply helps the audio capabilities of each of those consoles, making it a winner for PC avid gamers and past.