Corsair’s lineup of gaming peripherals includes some of the most well-received gaming headsets in the market. The Corsair HS80 is an affordable gaming headset with wireless connectivity, surround sound support and of course, RGB. Going up one level in the price bracket affords you the Corsair Virtuoso line, which offers features similar to that of the HS80, but with a more robust build. If you are planning on getting a Corsair gaming headset, which of these two should you pick? Below is our Corsair HS80 review and comparison against the Corsair Virtuoso.
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Corsair HS80 vs Virtuoso Comparison Chart
Design
The build quality of the Corsair Virtuoso is a step above the HS80.
Build quality is excellent on both Corsair headsets. They feel sturdy enough that they will survive accidental drops. That said, the Corsair Virtuoso has the better construction since its yokes and hinges feel sturdier and it also features aluminum in its construction. Both of them have a metal frame for reinforcement, though, so they are very durable.
In the comfort department, the Corsair HS80 is better than the Virtuoso since it is slightly more breathable due to its ski-band headband and fabric covered earcups. That said, for those with larger ears, the Corsair Virtuoso might be more comfortable since it has circular ear cups that can accommodate larger ears better. They aren’t very heavy and the clamping force is not that tight, so these can be used for long gaming sessions without issues.
As for looks, these are gaming headsets but they don’t come with exaggerated gamer aesthetics. They have a small Corsair logo on the ear cups, but they are done tastefully. The Corsair logo can be customized with various lighting patterns within the iCue app.
You can get the Corsair HS80 in carbon or white, while the Corsair Virtuoso is available in pearl, carbon and white.
Features
The Corsair HS80 and Virtuoso share many features.
These headsets have similar features, and they can be accessed within the Corsair iCue software. The companion app is compatible with both Windows and Mac, so you can use these headsets with either OS. Inside the app, you are given access to various settings and features such as graphic EQ and EQ presets, mic adjustments, RGB customizations and surround sound settings.
Both Corsair headsets come with surround sound support. The Corsair HS80 comes with Dolby Atmos surround sound support, but you’ll need to download Dolby Access in order to enable the feature. Meanwhile, the 7.1 surround sound feature of the Corsair Virtuoso is accessible within the iCue app. The Virtuoso does not officially support Dolby Atmos, but you can still enable it by uninstalling the iCue software and getting the Dolby app. Needless to say, you’ll lose access to all the iCue features and settings if you go this route.
More gaming headset comparisons here
Sound
Both headsets have prominent mid bass, which can be good for gaming, but less so for music.
If you’re familiar with gaming headsets, then you already have an idea of how these two will sound. They are bass-boosted devices that provide a punchy and boomy sound that’s great for videogame sound effects. Surprisingly, though, the sub-bass on both headsets is slightly recessed, so they don’t have much rumble. But that’s the only similarity in their sound profile.
The Corsair HS80 has more forward mids, so they sound good with dialogue and speech. However, the highs are recessed to the point that they sound dull and lifeless. On the other hand, the Corsair Virtuoso’s mids are slightly recessed, so dialogue and speech are slightly pushed back so they may sound a bit distant. The highs are slightly recessed as well, but not as much as the highs on the HS80. The highs on the Virtuoso provide better clarity and detail, but overall, they still sound veiled.
Due to how they sound, they are good for gaming, but not so much for listening to music.
Battery and Connectivity
The Corsair Virtuoso is more versatile than the Corsair HS80 when it comes to connectivity.
Battery performance is similar with these headsets. They both last just short of the 20 hours that they are advertised to have. Charging them takes a little under four hours, which is quite long, but they can be used while charging, so it’s not that bad of an issue.
When it comes to connectivity, the Corsair Virtuoso has the upper hand since you can connect it to any device with a 3.5mm jack, in addition to its USB and Slipstream wireless connectivity. Meanwhile, the Corsair HS80 only supports wired USB and Slipstream wireless. Needless to say, the Virtuoso is more versatile as you can use it with your mobile device.
Verdict
The Corsair Virtuoso sounds better and offers more connectivity options than the HS80.
Corsair HS80 RGB Wireless
Best for those on a budget
Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless
Better sound and more versatile
If you are set on getting either the Corsair HS80 or Corsair Virtuoso, we recommend that you pay extra for the latter. They have similar features, but the Corsair Virtuoso is better built, sounds slightly better and also offers more connectivity options. The increase in price is worth it if you want to get the best value for your money.
FAQs
The Corsair HS70 has a more neutral sound profile and longer battery life, but it’s a wireless only headset. On the other hand, the HS80 doesn’t sound as good as the HS70 and has a slightly shorter battery life, but it can be used wired (USB) and wirelessly.
Yes, the Corsair Virtuoso can be used wirelessly and wired (3.5mm) on PlayStation consoles.
Yes, the Corsair HS80 supports wired USB audio.
It has passive noise cancelling if you get a good seal.