Corsair has set out to make a premium headset with everything you could possibly want without the matching price tag, the result, the HS70.
Product on Review: Corsair HS70
Manufacturer: Corsair
Street Price: £99.99 / $99.99 – (Special Edition) £109.99 / $99.99
Corsair is a highly acclaimed and well-established company within the gaming community and is known for making high quality and reliable products. Today we’ll be putting their HS70 wireless headset through their paces.
The HS70 is the newest addition to the HS lineup and sits above both the HS60 and HS50 in the range. They look very similar in terms of aesthetics but improve upon the feature set by introducing 2.4GHz low-latency wireless audio and precision-tuned 50mm audio drivers that are capable of producing 20Hz to 20,000Hz. That isn’t all on the audio front as they feature support for virtual 7.1 audio as well as a customisable equaliser that can be utilised in Corsair’s iCUE software.
Corsair’s attention to detail is also demonstrated as you’ll notice with the construction of the headset, contrasting grey stitching on the headband, metal grilles and complete lack of any visible wiring. The removable discord certified microphone and support for PS4 finally rounds out the impressive feature set. Setting the strong feature set aside, the HS70 will have to offer something special in terms of performance as the gaming headset market is not short on supply.
Corsair on the HS70:
The HS70 Wireless Gaming Headset provides exceptional comfort, superior sound quality, a fully detachable microphone, and up to 16 hours of battery life. Stay in the game with improved range up to 40ft through low latency, 2.4GHz wireless.
Technical Specifications
Headphones
Drivers – 50mm
Impedance – 32ohms @1kHz
Sensitivity – 111dB (+/- 3dB)
Frequency response – 20Hz – 20,000Hz
Type – Wireless
Wireless range – Up to 40ft (12m)
Built-in rechargeable battery
Battery life – Up to 16 hours
7.1 Audio
Microphone
Frequency response – 100Hz – 10,000Hz
Sensitivity – -40dB (+/- 3dB)
Impedance – 2.2k ohms
Type – Unidirectional noise cancelling
Weight
0.34kg (340g / 0.7lb)
System Requirements
Platform – PC, PS4
Internet access to download iCUE software
Drivers – 50mm
Impedance – 32ohms @1kHz
Sensitivity – 111dB (+/- 3dB)
Frequency response – 20Hz – 20,000Hz
Type – Wireless
Wireless range – Up to 40ft (12m)
Built-in rechargeable battery
Battery life – Up to 16 hours
7.1 Audio
Microphone
Frequency response – 100Hz – 10,000Hz
Sensitivity – -40dB (+/- 3dB)
Impedance – 2.2k ohms
Type – Unidirectional noise cancelling
Weight
0.34kg (340g / 0.7lb)
System Requirements
Platform – PC, PS4
Internet access to download iCUE software
Packaging & First Look
The HS70 arrive in a black box with yellow accents, this style carries across most of Corsair’s packaging and makes them easily identifiable as a Corsair product. On the front, there is the HS70 in the middle with sections of information placed in various locations.
Flip the box to the back, and there is a lot of information about the HS70 which is displayed in a variety of different languages.
Included in the packaging are the headset, one removable microphone, a 1.8m USB cable, a wireless transmitter, a microphone port cover and the documentation.
The HS70 is available in three different colours. There is the carbon, white and special edition. The carbon variant is really stealthy whereas the white is a bit more eye-catching. The special edition blends a predominately black finish with cream accents which is very classy.
Closer Look
The top of the headband is PU leather in style and features the Corsair name imprinted into it.
On the inner section of the headband there is some very nice grey stitching that creates a quilted effect, this adds a nice touch of class to the overall aesthetic.
Situated below the headband is the adjustment mechanism, this is constructed from metal and incorporates a numbering system to help make levelling out the sides easier.
The left and right side are identical and have a metal mesh design element with the Corsair logo in the centre. This is surrounded by a matte black finish that is soft coated.
Round the front side on the left earcup there is a singular port for the removable microphone. Flipping them around to the rear and here you’ll find all the controls and ports. On the left side are the volume control wheel, mic mute button, an LED indicator and micro USB port. The right side houses just the main power on/off button.
The earcups are crafted from synthetic leather that is quite smooth on the side that makes contact with your ears and also the outer side. The internal padding Corsair has opted for is memory foam which is quite plush.
The removable microphone is made from a combination of metal and plastic. The metal section is flexible and helps with microphone positioning, and the plastic areas are used for the microphone module and connector housing.
Software
Corsair’s iCUE software is essentially an intelligent interface system that can control lighting, audio, manage power, monitor your system and so much more. It also not only works with Corsair gear but some other brands too. For example, the rig used to test the headset has a Ryzen CPU, MSI motherboard, Nvidia GPU and Corsair RAM, all of which can be monitored using the iCUE suite.
One addition we would like to see is a battery level OSD for compatible headsets like the HS70 as at the moment this doesn’t appear to be an option, but it would be very useful to be able to monitor the level while gaming or simply using the headset for multimedia.
Performance Testing
Setup & Observations
Setting up the HS70 requires a spare USB port and internet access if you plan on downloading the iCUE software. Pairing the headset is very straightforward and takes barely anytime at all. To start, you insert the wireless transmitter into an empty USB port and let windows install it. Next turn on the headset via the power button and wait for them to automatically pair. Once done you can then download the iCUE software which provides some further customisation options for both the headset and your PC.
Using the HS70 daily has been a very nice experience – for the most part. Corsair has crafted a very well constructed headset that utilises high-quality materials that exceed what you’d expect from a headset at this price point. The levels of comfort on offer are good as the earcups are spacious and are well padded. The headband padding is not the softest we’ve ever encountered, but it didn’t cause any noticeable fatigue. The heat build-up is quite minimal, and we noted that they didn’t get overly warm, even after a few hours of use. Clamping force is nicely judged and is not too strong nor too loose.
One other notable observation we did make was with the volume control, it’s very smooth but highly sensitive and can easily be adjusted with the lightest of touches. For example, when making a simple adjustment to the headsets position, the volume control is quite easily knocked and can in-turn drastically reduce or increase the volume. We found that holding the earcup support frame instead of the earcups helped solve this minor issue. So keep this in mind if you find yourself making slight adjustments on a regular basis. The rest of the controls are ideally positioned, nicely weighted and feel very tactile. Noise isolation is strong as they block out a considerable amount of noise, so if you sit in close proximity to your PC, you won’t be able to hear it when gaming or consuming media. Battery life is quoted at up to 16 hours by Corsair; our continuous music playback testing revealed that this was quite accurate as they lasted just over 15 hours at 100% volume on the headset and 40% on the PC. However, the battery life will vary depending on how loud you have them set. Another big plus is that when the battery does get low, you can still use the headset while it’s charging, this is great as you don’t have to switch audio sources when they run out. They also have an auto shut off feature, which turns off the headset automatically when not in use, this can be set using the iCUE software.
Multimedia
For multimedia use, we understand that headsets are used for more than just gaming, which is why we test them for movies as well as music. For music and movie playback we noted that the HS70 get very loud and we found that even at 45% volume on the PC and 100% on the headset they were easily loud enough to enjoy. When listening to music we used a flat sound profile with the HS70 set to stereo mode and with those settings we found that the HS70 produced superb bass which is tight and controlled as well as being powerful and punchy. Bass detail is very good, and it remained clean sounding even with the heaviest of basslines coursing through them. Another strong point is that the bass never overpowered or tarnished the treble and remained composed even when the bass was pushed down to its lower limits. The treble is plenty detailed and is quite vigorous making the sound quite dynamic and lively. The soundstage is solid, and the HS70 offers good instrument separation. Vocal production is great for providing strong levels of clarity and detail with a nice tone. We did, however, note that when pushed the HS70 did over accentuate certain areas causing some noticeable sibilance, this can be slightly subdued by adjusting the 4K and 8K sliders in the 10-band EQ that can be found in the iCUE software.
Watching movies, we noted that the flat profile wasn’t quite cutting it. The bass was strong and provided solid levels of punch, but it was the treble that was not up to par. We can’t argue that the treble was good as it offered a detailed delivery with a decent amount of spatial awareness, but it was missing the same spark that they expressed when listening to music and we just felt that the HS70 had more to deliver and we were right. Switching the profile from flat to the Movie Theater preset opened the headset up and made the treble more detailed with a broader sense of space. Bass was also slightly elevated offering, even more, punch and potency. We also tried the 7.1 mode, and it did make some slight improvements where it further opened the treble offering increased spatial awareness. Bass stayed pretty much the same, however.
Gaming performance is paramount when considering a headset like the HS70, and without capable performance, a gaming handset isn’t worth its salt. The HS70 is no such headset, and they do not disappoint at all. For competitive titles the bass isn’t as overly prominent but still does provide a bit of kick when needed, this is great as it helps you focus more on the treble which is more important. Speaking of, the treble is very clean and the detail is again strong, this is superb as it allows you to hear the minute details very well. Spacial audio again impresses, and the sense of space on offer is brilliant. Switching to 7.1 audio didn’t really offer much in terms of a performance increase and at times felt a bit more like a hindrance as it sometimes clouded the detail in the treble. For solo titles, we are impressed as the HS70 delivered an experience that was both engaging and immersive. Detail is again strong, and the sound design in the game could be very much appreciated. We did try the 7.1 audio again, but like with the competitive titles, we felt that it didn’t improve the performance. It did, however, make the games more immersive and more enjoyable as it created a great sense of atmosphere.
Microphone
The microphone on the HS70 is removable and connects via a 3-pole 3.5mm connector. The microphone feels solid in its construction and has a flexible section in the middle to help with positioning. The mic has a frequency response of 100Hz – 10,000Hz and uses a unidirectional pickup pattern with built-in noise cancelling. There is also a built-in mute switch on the headset if you need to quickly turn off the mic while using in-game chat or streaming.
To test the microphone, we set the mic volume to 100% in the iCUE software. During our testing we noted that the volume of the microphone is a little low and can be quiet at times, moving the microphone closer to your mouth does solve this, but it also introduces more plosives. We also found that the microphone is a touch nasally, but it is quite clear with decent detail. Bass pickup isn’t the strongest, and this results in the microphone sounding a bit thin. It’s okay for in-game voice chat and for Skype, but if you plan on streaming, we’d suggest opting for a dedicated microphone.
Conclusion
For just shy of £100 the Corsair HS70 appears to offer it all, the styling is attractive, and they come in three different variants to suit different tastes, this is then backed up by how the headset is constructed and these are genuinely better built than some headsets that cost considerably more. The HS70 also offers impressive wireless connectivity that has a range of up to 40ft and is highly stable when moving away from the transmitter, as long as you stay within the range and don’t place too many thick walls or doors between you and the transmitter. The battery life provided by the headset is strong and should last a few days of light gaming or one really long streaming session on one of the main platforms. The built-in controls and comfort further enhance the overall package and make the HS70 really strong when it comes to price to performance. The icing on the cake though has to be the audio performance, and we were highly impressed by the quality on offer. The overall sound is punchy, vigorous and detailed which makes them not only enjoyable for multimedia but also for gaming.
The HS70 isn’t flawless though, and there are one or two things small things that are wrong and prevent them from being the perfect headset. The first thing is the connectivity, with the supplied transmitter the headset is limited in compatibility and only works with PC or PS4. For some people that won’t be an issue, but for those that would like to use them on XBOX, they are unfortunately out of luck. The second minor issue is the volume control dial, it works great, but it is too over sensitive, and we found that when making adjustments to the headset it was too easily knocked resulting in big volume changes in the audio. A simple hand placement change does help solve this, but if you didn’t know that, then it could be a little bothersome. The lack of RGB illumination could also be a negative for some, but in reality, RGB on a wireless headset isn’t the best idea as it can heavily drain the battery, thus resulting in shorter use times. The microphone on the HS70 is solid enough for in-game chat, but not strong enough to be used for streaming. But when thinking about it, very few headsets offer a microphone solution that would be perfect for streaming, especially at the price point.
Even with the faults, the HS70 is an extremely impressive headset that offers pretty much everything you could want from a gaming headset. The lack of XBOX support could likely a deal breaker for some, but if you just plan on using them for PC or PS4 or even both, then the HS70 is a superb gaming headset and is one that we can easily put our stamp of approval on.
The Corsair HS70 punch well above their weight and offer a full-featured performance that is rarely seen in a wireless headset at this price point.
Pros
+ Attractive and stylish design
+ Brilliant build quality
+ Comfortable
+ Built-in controls
+ Excellent sound performance
+ Integrated rechargeable battery with strong battery life
+ Great software
Neutral
+- Volume wheel is a touch over sensitive
+- Microphone could be stronger
Cons
– Limited connectivity
+ Attractive and stylish design
+ Brilliant build quality
+ Comfortable
+ Built-in controls
+ Excellent sound performance
+ Integrated rechargeable battery with strong battery life
+ Great software
Neutral
+- Volume wheel is a touch over sensitive
+- Microphone could be stronger
Cons
– Limited connectivity
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