For some time now, Corsair has remained at, or close to, the highest of the PC peripheral meals chain. Whether or not or not it’s keyboards, headsets, mice, or in any other case, it’s powerful to learn by way of any “better of” listing with out seeing its merchandise. The corporate is again once more with one other new product for evaluation, this time concentrating on the mid-range gaming headset market with the Corsair HS55 Wi-fi Core.
As a $99 USD headset with scaled again options, the Corsair HS55 Wi-fi Core seems to be to be, on paper a minimum of, one thing geared extra in direction of those that need one thing easy that’s good on the go. That includes 50mm drivers and a 20Hz – 20kHz response the intention of the headset is to offer high quality sound at an inexpensive value, however how does it carry out? Is it a headset that may compete for a prime spot throughout the huge mid-range market?
A bit gentle on options
What you get within the field is fairly easy. Clearly, you get the HS55 Wi-fi Core headset itself, the two.4GHz receiver, and a 1.8m USB-C to USB-A charging cable. Connecting the headset requires both the aforementioned receiver or a connection by way of Bluetooth 5.2. This permits it to be paired with just about any trendy system given the widespread help today for Bluetooth.
On the headset itself you’ll discover just a few choices. The left aspect options the amount dial, a mute button, and the microphone. The correct aspect has the facility and Bluetooth buttons. There’s no RGB on the headset, simply the Corsair brand on the aspect of every ear cup.
Talking of the ears, this can be a headset that’s admittedly made for these with small-to-medium sized ears. These with bigger ears are prone to discover it to be a decent match that may be uncomfortable.
Corsair HS55 Wi-fi Core specs
Audio driver
Customized 50mm Neodymium
Frequency response
20Hz – 20kHz
Impedance
32 Ohms @ 1kHz
Sensitivity
114dB (+/-3dB)
Mic sort
Omni-directional
Mic frequency response
100Hz – 10kHz
Mic sensitivity
-41dB (± 2dB)
Dimensions
184mm(L) x 87mm(W) x 193mm(H)
Guarantee
Two years
One main optimistic is simply how gentle the headset is. Weighing in at simply 266g, it’s fairly straightforward to place the headset on and considerably neglect you’re even sporting it. You don’t get that weighed-down feeling that different headsets give off after hours of use. It’s comfy sufficient as an entire you could put it on, lounge again, and loosen up.
The mic itself includes a flip-to-mute performance that’s good for fast muting once you don’t want to speak. What I discover odd is that the headset additionally features a mute button above the amount dial. It does the identical precise factor because the flip-to-mute. It might be higher suited as a quantity mute button versus a mic mute.
One other missing function with the HS55 Wi-fi Core is iCUE integration. The one actual integration is connection to the two.4GHz receiver, which it already connects to mechanically. So, until you’ve a third-party audio equalizer, you received’t have the ability to set customized sounds with the headset. What it does supply, nonetheless, are 4 presets that may be chosen by pushing the amount dial.
As talked about, the HS55 Wi-fi Core options Bluetooth 5.2, permitting it to be related to your laptop by way of the receiver and your telephone on the identical time. That is good for not lacking calls when you’re in the course of a sport session and wouldn’t have the ability to hear your telephone in any other case.
(Picture credit score: Corsair).
How does the Corsair HS55 Wi-fi Core carry out?
All of the options on the headset are good, however the greatest query is how does it carry out? For my part, it’s a mixture of strengths and shortcomings.
The audio itself sounds nice for a mid-range headset. Clearly, you shouldn’t anticipate to get the identical audio high quality {that a} $400-$500 USD headset would offer you. However that doesn’t imply the HS55 Wi-fi Core is a slouch. Music, motion pictures, and video games have a pleasant heat sound to deliver every thing to life. Even with out the flexibility to have encompass sound, I nonetheless discovered the sound in video games like Escape From Tarkov and Insurgency: Sandstorm to be simply pretty much as good as after I’m utilizing my regular audio system. It additionally does a pleasant job of conserving noise from the encompassing atmosphere out of your ears due to how cosy the ear cups sit.
Whereas listening to music, I made a decision that was the time to check the vary over each Bluetooth and a couple of.4GHz. On the field, vary is marketed as 50ft over 2.4GHz, and 30ft over Bluetooth. The vary utilizing the receiver was correct, as I used to be capable of stroll round my house with no points. Bluetooth, alternatively, lower out with interference very often. It’s finest to make use of the receiver if you wish to be additional away out of your laptop for no matter purpose that could be.
Transferring on to the mic, I used to be fairly upset. The sound is evident sufficient, but it surely simply feels a bit too condensed for my liking. In actual fact, it made my higher-pitched voice sound deeper than what different mics do when recording. It additionally isn’t one of the best at filtering out ambient noise, which means you’ll choose up each click on of the mouse, faucet of the keyboard, and no matter different reasonable background noise you are inclined to have.
Lastly, we should point out the battery life. Corsair advertises a 24-hour battery life for the HS55 Wi-fi Core, however I discovered it to be extra within the 18-20 hour vary. That stated, that’s not a nasty lifespan on a single cost. In addition to, it costs quick sufficient that you simply’ll be up and operating once more for hours once more in as little as half-hour.
(Picture credit score: Corsair).
Corsair HS55 Wi-fi Core gaming headset evaluation verdict
Like I stated earlier, the Corsair HS55 Wi-fi Core yields blended outcomes and emotions. This might not be a headset you’d use for livestreaming or podcasting, but it surely’s definitely not a nasty one for the cash. The options it has present helpful multi-device performance, which is nice when touring or wanting only one headset at house.
Whether or not gaming, watching a film, or listening to music, the audio high quality is stable regardless of the shortage of customized EQ choices. The mic may very well be higher, and the redundancy of the mute operate doesn’t make a lot sense to me.
In case you are searching for one thing extra inexpensive you could simply purchase, open, and use instantly with none points, the Corsair HS55 Wi-fi Core could be what you’re searching for. If you need extra options out of your headset, although, look elsewhere.
