Corsair HS1 Gaming Headset

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Introduction

Spread to other areas seems to be currently very fashionable among hardware manufacturers of all kinds. You stand on one leg just bad, an old wisdom that is apparently just from the manufacturers. Especially Corsair is now developing slowly from the former two-legged (RAM and power supplies) to the spider. The already wide range of RAM, power supplies, coolers and cases will now also expanded steadily to the audio sector. As we have in testing the brand new Corsair SP2500 have noted, Corsair has to do so by the renowned competition even some staff being recruited, the more directly with the know-how to enter. After all, Corsair in the PC area known for high quality products and brand that you want bonus then of course in the same sector and continue and not risk such as audio. In addition to the new speaker boxes SP2500, Corsair recently to a headset. The HS1 have gaming headsets, for a test is concerned, that is another audio product that will convince us with their qualities.

CES Corsair has also introduced a Version with jack that is aimed at users who already have a good sound card in the PC and use it well do. Before we go to the canned, we come first to the specifications of the Corsair HS1:

Headphones:

• Frequency response: 20 Hz - 28 kHz
• Impedance: 32 ohms at 1 kHz
• Driver Diameter: 50 mm
• Cable length: 3 m
• Connector: USB Type A
• Virtual 7.1 Surround Sound

Microphone:

• Pick up pattern: Unidirectional
• Sensitivity: -45 dB
• Extensible

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Detail view

The HS1 is on design rather reserved, with a black and silver paint and a few real visual highlights. But the headset is a bombastic quality that we have seen so far are still no headset. Often stressed parts, such as the hinges of the ears are made of metal and therefore very robust, and the rest of the device is made of lightweight, yet high quality plastic. Ear cups and headband are padded generously of HS1, the temple with leather, the large ear cups with soft fabric. On the left ear is the pivoting microphone arm, which was also implemented in a very robust, in the middle but still contains a flexible element to the position of the microphone is more attuned to their needs.

On three-meter long USB cable is also included even the obligatory wired remote to control volume and mute the microphone. Since it is a USB headset volume regulation is achieved by software. The whole thing is very simple with only three buttons, but it offers exactly what you need. The software also no potentiometer control on the cord is necessary, what is often a cause of much noise or dropouts even in the worst case in the channels.

Software

The HS1 is a USB headset, of course, Plug and Play ready, so it can be easily plugged in and used. As with any other USB headset and any sound card you get the best result but only if you installed the appropriate software and used. Under no circumstances should the headset just plug it in and run in standard mode. This involves a lot of wasted potential of HS1.

The software offers a lot of HS1 setting option to adjust the sound of the headset to your own taste. It starts with the setup and the volume of each channel. Also can change the complete setup with one click surround or stereo, for example, for music that rarely is a multi-channel stereo source and therefore often sounds better.

Another important point in the software of HS1, the equalizer, the headset is innately good balance, therefore, unlike other headsets, which tend to be very bass-heavy. Here you feel at the SP2500 speaker set recalls, in which also already has a very balanced sound targeted.

Also in HS1 can thus use the equalizer adjusted without many of the characteristics that are the default headphones in your way. Of course there are also presets for certain types of music such as jazz or rock. Moreover, can be adjusted even playing various effects, such as the acoustics of a concert hall. These settings can be as usual with sound cards fit into the category of nice gadgets. A real big benefit they offer is not really.

As befits USB headset is now obviously, there are also special effects for the microphone. So there is distortion that change your own voice, about the opposite sex. On the more useful side, there is a karaoke effect, the fairly well removed from the voice of a track. Although this is not nearly good as a real karaoke song, but it is always sufficient.

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Sound impressions

In the comfort of the HS1, there is nothing to criticize. The size of the ears is suitable for all ears and they never press on the ear. Due to the tight and very narrow construction of the headband, it also sits perfectly well on small heads. But on larger heads too much pressure is applied, make sure the soft and thick cushions. Even in absolute term use can not for the HS1 in comfort and is always comfortable, not many headsets can say of itself. In a video presentation on the development of the HS1, is to Corsair for testing the headset on the staff to have selected those with the biggest ears to go so certain that mutants are also well below the ears HS1 place.

At the sound of the HS1 is somewhat different than other headsets. The very homogeneous basic setting, it is used in films or games not quite so huge over here has to turn the user to the equalizer adjustment screw, if it wants to have brightly colored (and exaggerated) bass. This attitude helps the HS1 but in the area where others falter music. Of course you can readjust with other headsets, but if a vein of deep drowned there, you do not get this position control. Click on one has the HS1 do not worry, it sounds even the basic setting wonderful, and if you're a little know what you have to adjust the equalizer, can get out to even more, because the hardware and the software is not in the way. A point which we otherwise address of surround-sound headsets are the balance of the individual channels. Since the HS1 has only virtual surround sound, this property is entirely dependent on the user, since the headset itself has only two large, single driver, is here distorted by the hardware nothing.

The most important thing for players, the directional positioning, is unfortunately not the ideal HS1. This problem, all virtual surround devices because they surround the location of real quality hardware with a simple stereo setup is not optimal luxus. You can locate enemies in a shooter, although relatively accurate, it must focus but quite a bit more. Some virtual surround headsets compensate for the poorer ability to locate, recover by the height. Because these are better places, but this will also significantly distort the sound. Another important point for players is the implementation of EAX, which is absent in a USB device of course, but at least in recent versions of 3.0. Here one is still dependent on Creative X-Fi cards. Here, then, only the jack version of the HS1 be used. Unfortunately, we must make this selection before you buy, because there is a combined USB / jack version of HS1 does not exist. The microphone Corsair has done a great job, a better test we have not yet allowed to set, clear transmission and not so sensitive that every little noise with it transmits.

PROS and CONS

Positive:

• very good sound, both in games and in music
• perfect finish
• very comfortable in all positions
• clear voice transmission
• convenient wired remote control
• functional, user-friendly software

Negative:

• Direction detection slightly worse than in true surround equipment
• USB or headset jack
• no current EAX

Conclusion

Our conclusion on the Corsair HS1 is in large part is positive and agrees with the conclusion on the SP2500 speaker system. The storage specialist is a very good debut in the headset market successfully and it is evident that Corsair has accordingly been covered with know-how. It is quite rare that a manufacturer must present their first try in a new area just as mature products on the table. On the positive conclusion of help, especially superior comfort and excellent sound and balanced. They are joined by another top workmanship and good software. The HS1 is a completely sealed headset and here one finds such a comfort only very rarely. The criticisms that can be found, can be all on the design decision for a USB stereo headset back to them. Falls worse by the stereo-structure of the opponent and location of the USB connector prevents provide a connection to sound cards, then the newer versions of EAX for games.

The second point can be counteracted by itself for the latch-decision version of the HS1 and uses a sound card equipped accordingly. Too bad that the HS1 here does not offer both versions in one. Presumably this would also have the headset again made more expensive and more vulnerable. If you look at one of the forms - in our case, the USB version - may determine the HS1 is a definite buy recommendation. With nearly Rs.5000, it is not cheap, in our view, worth the money, however, many better players Headets which are also great to also hear music, there are currently few.