INTRODUCTION

   Judging by what we've seen in the PC/console gaming peripherals industry it's a good bet that our quest for the ultimate wireless gaming headset may never come to an end, not when manufacturers keep releasing high-definition models made out of quality materials and featuring lag-free wireless technologies, impressive battery capacities and even RGB lighting. Personally, i thought that our quest came to an end when we reviewed the rather excellent Arctis Pro Wireless Lossless Gaming Audio System by SteelSeries (review here) a while back but it seems that the competition in this specific segment of the market is finally heating up since some of the top players have introduced new high-end models as well. CORSAIR is among them and today they released their flagship model called the Virtuoso RGB Wireless High-Fidelity Gaming Headset which reached our lab almost a week ago.

   Founded in 1994, CORSAIR has grown from pioneering the high-performance DRAM market into one of the world’s leading providers of high-performance PC peripherals and components. CORSAIR offers a complete range of products to equip gamers, enthusiasts and e-sports athletes, including mechanical keyboards, precision gaming mice, wireless headsets, high-performance components that gamers use to build gaming PCs, and the CORSAIR ONE fully-integrated gaming PC. With a company-wide commitment to quality, innovative design, advanced features and high performance, CORSAIR products have won thousands of media and industry awards, earning their place in gamers’ hands and PCs following years of development and engineering by a team dedicated to building great products they themselves would want to use.

   The brand new gaming headset by CORSAIR is available in two versions, the "regular" Virtuoso RGB Wireless model (available in carbon and white colors - this is also the one we have here with us today) which features a detachable omni-directional microphone with a 4mm capsule (discord certified with frequency response of 100Hz-10KHz, 2KOhm impedance and -40+-2dB sensitivity) and the Virtuoso RGB Wireless SE model (available in gunmetal gray color) which also features an detachable omni-directional microphone with an 9.5mm capsule (100Hz-10KHz, 2.2KOhm impedance and -42+-2dB sensitivity - thus offering superior voice clarity). The SE version also features aluminum earcup plates, aluminum microphone head and connector and aluminum accents on the wireless USB transmitter (RGB illumination is also enhanced due to the micro-perforation process of the aluminum earcup plates). Everything else remains pretty much the same however so both models feature specially tuned 50mm neodymium dynamic drivers (24bit/96KHz with a frequency response of 20Hz-40KHz, 32 Ohms impedance and 109+-3dB sensitivity), lithium-ion rechargeable battery packs (up to 20 hours), machined aluminum frame, dynamic RGB lighting on the exterior of both earcups (13 effects), foldable earcups with rich memory foam padding, on-ear controls, smart sleep function (internal accelerometer turns the headset on when you pick it up and off when you place it down) and 7.1 virtual surround sound via a built-in USB soundcard and an 2.4GHz wireless transmitter (60 feet range). Of course, much like most peripherals released by CORSAIR lately the Virtuoso models are completely compatible with the iCUE software.

SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES

PACKAGING AND CONTENTS

CORSAIR ships the Virtuoso RGB Wireless High-Fidelity Gaming Headset (at least the regular version) inside a black box that has a product picture at the front and their logo.

The specifications table is printed at the base of the box in 8 languages right next to a drawing showcasing the contents of the bundle.

Yet another product picture is placed at the rear of the box just over the features list also in 8 languages.

Once you remove the paper cover you will see a yellow and black box.

Along with the Virtuoso RGB Wireless High-Fidelity Gaming Headset and its detachable microphone inside the box you will also find the 2.4GHz USB slipstream transmitter, USB to USB type-C cable, 3.5mm to 3.5mm cable (with gold plated plugs), warranty guide, safety and compliance information paper, WEEE paper and the user manual.

THE VIRTUOSO RGB WIRELESS

CORSAIR has used machined aluminum for the frame of the headset, plastic for the earcups and faux leather for the earpads and headpad.

In terms of size as you can see from the above picture the Virtuoso RGB Wireless is a medium-sized model.

Both earcups feature RGB LEDs on the exterior right beneath the CORSAIR logo.

CORSAIR has placed their name just over both earcups.

The detachable microphone mini USB port is located on the lower front end of the left earcup.

Although very flexible the microphone doesn't stay still wherever you want it to.

A mute button is placed on the base of the microphone while at the front we find an RGB LED (turns red when the microphone is muted).

At the rear of the left earcup we also find a 3.5mm port, charging LED and the USB type-C port.

Both the wireless switch and the volume control roller are placed at the rear of the right earcup.

The large memory foam earpads are dressed with faux leather and are very comfortable.

You can fold both earcups to reduce the size of the Virtuoso RGB Wireless making them easier to store and carry.

Left and right markings are placed on the interior of the headset right over both earcups.

Dressed with faux leather just like the earpads and with a good amount of memory foam padding the headpad is also very comfortable.

The headband extends up to 37mm on either side (74mm total) via 11 increments (5 visible ones).

This 2.4GHz slipstream transmitter is made out of plastic and is almost the same size as a USB stick.

ICUE SOFTWARE

As always you can download the iCUE software from the CORSAIR website seen above.

Typically, once you launch the iCUE software it will detect your compatible peripherals and list them on the right.

The first tab after you click on the Virtuoso RGB Wireless allows you to change the volume for the microphone, adjust the sidetone feature (allows you to hear yourself as well) and enable 7.1 virtual surround sound.

From the lighting effects tab, you can change colors and use one of the 13 available effects.

The iCUE software also comes ready with 5 equalizer presets.

Under the device settings drop down menu you can change the brightness levels of the RGB LEDs, enable/disable sleep mode and more.

Here you can see some of the available colors of the Virtuoso RGB Wireless (according to CORSAIR the illumination of the SE model looks better).

CONCLUSION

   Having reviewed a good number of CORSAIR headset and a good number of gaming headsets in general i can say that the Virtuoso RGB Wireless model was a good surprise. Not only is it worlds apart in terms of build quality (largely thanks to the machine aluminum frame) compared to both the Void and HS series by CORSAIR but they are also a log better than most gaming headsets to ever reach my hands (always when it comes to build quality). When it comes to audio quality things are not as clear, certainly the Virtuoso RGB Wireless does outperform the Void and HS series (as it should for a flagship model) but the difference in clarity and bass levels is far from tremendous when playing games and/or watching movies (positioning audio on the other hand sounds far more accurate). The good news is that the Virtuoso RGB Wireless does much better when listening to music and it’s there where it excels when compared to the Void and HS series. As for wireless range the Slipstream technology by CORSAIR does very well and so even from a distance of 7 meters and a concrete wall in between we still had crystal clear signal. According to CORSAIR the internal lithium-ion battery pack gives the Virtuoso RGB Wireless up to 20 hours of playback time but as expected we weren’t able to reach that number (probably with all lights turned off). Instead we recorded just over 17 hours which is not a bad number at all especially for a headset with RGB lighting and with its volume set at roughly 80% (this is actually a very loud headset).

   CORSAIR officially announced the Virtuoso RGB Wireless Gaming Headset just hours ago with an attached price tag of USD179.99 inside the USA (Amazon.com) and for 169Euros inside the EU (Amazon.co.uk) a price tag which feels just right for a flagship model. Certainly, the Virtuoso RGB Wireless doesn’t aim to be the best wireless gaming headset in the market but thanks to its build quality, audio performance, battery life, wireless signal and RGB illumination it’s not only a potential best-seller but also worthy of our Platinum Award.

PROS

- Excellent Build Quality
- Comfortable (Large Earpads / Memory Foam Padding)
- Accurate Mids & Highs
- Volume Levels
- 2.4GHz Slipstream Wireless Connectivity (Up To 60 Feet Range)
- Wired & Wireless Connectivity
- Up To 20 Hours Of Battery Life
- Detachable Microphone (Easier To Replace)
- RGB Illumination
- PlayStation 4 Compatible
- Available In 3 Colors (Carbon / White / SE)

CONS

- Price (For Some)