INTRODUCTION

   Due to its rather unique looks RGB lighting may have taken over the entire gaming industry lately (and in large part the entire electronics industry) but understandably there are many people out there still looking for gaming peripherals that don't stand out as much (and why not even more affordable ones). Granted we don't see many gaming peripherals released into the market that don't feature RGB lighting (that applies even for gaming chairs lately just not in the same degree) but there are many manufacturers out there which do their best to cater to the needs of most (if not all) consumers. CORSAIR happens to be one such manufacturer and so today we'll going to be testing their recently released HS60 Stereo Gaming Headset With 7.1 Surround Sound.

   Founded in 1994, CORSAIR supplies high-performance products purchased primarily by PC gaming enthusiasts who build their own PCs or buy pre-assembled customized systems. The company's award-winning products include DDR3 and DDR4 memory upgrades, computer cases, PC cooling products, gaming headsets, gaming keyboards, gaming mice, power supply units, USB flash drives, solid-state drives and system monitoring and control devices.

   As clearly stated by its name the HS60 is a gaming headset based on two 50mm neodymium dynamic drivers (feature a frequency response of 20Hz-20KHz with 32 Ohms impedance and 111+-3dB sensitivity) which thanks to the addition of a compact external USB sound card/adapter can produce 7.1 surround sound (virtual that is). The HS60 also feature a detachable and very flexible unidirectional noise-canceling microphone (discord certified with frequency response of 100Hz-10KHz, 2.2 KOhm impedance and -40+-3dB sensitivity), rugged metal frame and can be used with virtually any device out there that has an available 3.5mm port (however since the 7.1 surround sound adapter uses a USB plug and requires CORSAIR's latest iCUE software that function is limited only to PC's).

SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES

PACKAGING AND CONTENTS

A large product picture is placed at the front of the box right beneath the company logo and above the main product features.

A few words about CORSAIR's iCUE software are placed on the right side in 6 languages.

Moving at the rear of the box a product image is used to showcase its features which are placed just over the specifications table (printed in 6 languages).

The package contents and device compatibility can be found at the base of the box again in 6 languages.

CORSAIR bundles the HS60 (headset, microphone and USB sound card/adapter) with the quick start guide and two warranty information papers.

THE HS60

The 319g heavy HS60 is a medium sized gaming headset made out of plastic, metal and PU leather.

Our mannequin head may not be as large as a normal head but you get the idea.

Metal grills with the CORSAIR logo on them are placed on the exterior of both earcups.

The microphone 3.5mm port is placed on the lower front of the left earcup.

At the rear of the left earcup we find the volume control knob and the on/off mute button for the microphone.

I may be more into retractable microphones but the one CORSAIR has used is also extremely flexible.

As usual left and right markings are placed on the interior of the headset just over both earcups.

Both the large earpads and the headpad are made out of memory foam and dressed with PU leather.

CORSAIR has placed their logo on the exterior of the headband.

The 1.8 meter long cable has a gold plated 3.5mm mini jack plug at its end.

The USB sound card/adapter only has a 3.5mm port on one end and the CORSAIR logo at the top.

ICUE SOFTWARE

The HS60 require the latest iCUE software version by CORSAIR which you can get from their downloads page as seen above.

First screen you will see once you install and launch the software will have your compatible product listed on the right (the HS60 in this case) and the used profile on the left.

By pressing on the HS60 you can choose between Stereo and 7.1 Surround Sound and you can also use the microphone volume level bar.

There are 5 available EQ presets (Pure Direct, Movie Theater, FPS competition, Clear Chat and Bass Boost) in the iCUE software but you can also create your very own.

From the settings top menu you can access various product settings which for good or bad almost have nothing to do with the HS60 (mostly with other products by CORSAIR).

CONCLUSION

   Although we never got our hands on the HS50 we know that it’s basically the same headset as the HS60 minus the USB 7.1 surround sound card/adapter and so we know for a fact that CORSAIR released both models as more “affordable” alternatives to their VOID Pro RGB line of headsets (thankfully without sacrificing build quality). Still although the HS50 and HS60 both lack the “looks” of their VOID Pro RGB cousins they are doing very well in terms of audio quality (largely thanks to the 50mm drivers) not only because they produce clear and accurate mids and highs but also because they offer plenty of bass. Virtual surround sound is also good while playing games since you can hear shells and even planes flying around you in games like World of Tanks and World of Warships. Unfortunately the positioning audio offered by the HS60 is not as impressive when watching movies but that’s something that happens with most headsets in that class.

   Since the HS60 Stereo Gaming Headset With 7.1 Surround Sound was launched as a more affordable alternative to CORSAIR’s VOID Pro RGB headsets it retails for just USD49.99 inside the US (Amazon.com / as supplies last) and for 77.99Euros inside the EU (Amazon.de). Thanks to this “promotion” by CORSAIR (in the US that is) we can’t complaint and certainly we can’t say that there are other headsets that can compete with the HS60 in that price range. As for everyone else even though that price doesn’t apply the HS60 Stereo Gaming Headset With 7.1 Surround Sound by CORSAIR still deserves our Golden Award.

PROS

- Build Quality
- Comfortable (Large Earpads / Memory Foam Padding)
- Good Mids & Highs
- Good Bass Levels
- Detachable Microphone (Easier To Replace)
- Price (US)

CONS

- Design (Too “Plain”)