Pros
- Neat design
- Dual 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth connectivity
- Overall ergonomics
- Fast charging
Cons
- Plastic is too present
The Corsair HS55 Wireless Gamer Headset is an entry-level wireless headset from Corsair. It has some of the same design elements as the HS80 RGB Wireless but is lighter and, above all, less expensive.
Technical Data
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Model
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HS55 WIRELESS
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|---|---|
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Form factor
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Over Ear
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Microphone
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Yes
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Surround
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Dolby Audio 7.1
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|
Battery life
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24 hours
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OS compatibility
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Android, iOS, Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
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Product Dimensions
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18.39 x 8.71 x 19.3 cm; 267.62 Grams
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DESIGN AND ERGONOMICS
Corsair remains constant in design and offers a new model that uses several existing elements in its predecessors. Once out of the box, the HS55 Wireless is surprisingly light, thanks to relatively light plastics. However, the latter does not make an illusion, and the headset struggles not to look cheap.
However, this lightness and the use of plastic should allow this model to remain resistant to falls. The headband is supple, and no unpleasant cracking noises are heard, even if the headset is abused and deformed beyond recognition. However, we did experience some plastic noises when the headphones were placed onto the head, and the head was turned.
The upper part of the headband is logically made of plastic, although it has a metal frame. The latter is covered with a generous amount of foam, which is housed under a grey leatherette cover. The white/grey colour scheme that the brand has been faithful to is as effective as ever.
The headband can be adjusted with large amplitude to encompass the largest craniums. However, we would have liked the notches to be a little more pronounced as it is not uncommon for the adjustment to change when the headset is handled.
The earcups are mounted on a swivel, keeping the headset around the neck comfortably. They also have the correct cross-axis travel to fit snugly around the ear. We found the foam in the ear cups to be a little too stiff, and it’s not helped by the coating, which makes it slightly uncomfortable.
Apart from the white plastic that makes up the earpieces, they also have a more elaborate area that displays the brand’s logo and gives the whole thing a bit more cachet. The RGB is absent from this model, which is not a problem.
The left earpiece houses the USB C connector, which will only be used to recharge the battery. There’s also a convenient and accessible volume control and a button to mute the microphone. Surprisingly, the retractable microphone can also be muted automatically when folded down along the headband.
The microphone boom is long enough to reach the mouth, but the design could be more convincing. Indeed, it is sometimes too rigid and only sometimes keeps its shape. It is worth noting that no windscreen is included in the box to reduce wind noise. Finally, the right earpiece is equipped with a button dedicated to powering up and a second one allowing the activation of Bluetooth.
FEATURES
While the Corsair HS55 headset is quite well-equipped regarding buttons, it is also compatible with the Corsair iCue driver. This compatibility initially allows quick access to NVIDIA Broadcast, which allows voice isolation when using the built-in microphone.
A ten-band equaliser and a number of pre-configurations for specific games and applications are also available. The user can also create their own profiles according to their preferences. The sound page can also be used to modify microphone levels.
Finally, the last menu provides information on the battery status (with the possibility of adding an icon in the Windows notification bar). There are also a few settings related to auto sleep and microphone audio boost.
BATTERY LIFE AND CONNECTIVITY
The HS55 Wireless’ wireless range is something that Corsair particularly emphasises and we confirm the brand’s claims. Without pushing our usage to extremes, we could see that the wireless link maintains a stable broadcast, even several meters from the PC and after passing through several walls. Apart from that, we didn’t experience any particular disconnection or problems with the 2.4GHz link.
Furthermore, the headset can connect to a device via Bluetooth, allowing it to be used with multiple devices and making it a multi-use headset. We only regret that it is impossible to remove the microphone altogether to give the HS55 a more “all-around” feel.
The announced battery life is 24 hours, and we won’t make Corsair lie on this point. We were able to use the headset for two full days before the battery reached a critical level. Better still, the headset has a quick charge feature, which allows you to regain several hours of battery life in minutes.
PERFORMANCE
Once we’ve passed the visual and functional discovery of the HS55 Wireless, we turn to its sonic performance. The 50mm transducers deliver a correct performance with a sound that flatters the ear overall without being exceptional.
The headphones clearly emphasise the low frequencies and are not neutral in their sound reproduction. However, this slight extra bass will affect games, where explosions and other rumblings will be more prominent than with a more neutral headset. The spatialisation is correct and it is still possible to activate the Dolby Audio sound to improve it in the software. The stereophony is also good and helps to localise the sounds.
While it flatters the user’s ear, notably thanks to the prominence of the bass, the HS55 is not necessarily the best student on the market for listening to music. The lower end of the spectrum tends to take precedence over the other frequencies, which could be more accurate. In short, this gaming headset could be more attractive.
It also suffers from a very slight permanent hiss when it plays sound. In practice, this is not a handicap, but the hiss can be heard during low-volume gaming sessions or on certain music tracks. On the other hand, the HS55 Wireless provides excellent passive isolation.
The built-in microphone could be better too, and although it allows you to talk to your friends, it is not comparable to the best models on the market. Moreover, it remains sensitive to breaths due to its positioning and the absence of a windscreen.
CONCLUSION
The Corsair HS55 Wireless headphones are alright, but they don’t stand out from the competition. Although it has a well-thought-out design and construction, its plastic appearance does not do it justice and impacts its use.
Similarly, its functionalities remain very concise, and although we appreciate its dual connectivity and battery life, it does not stand out from the crowd either. Finally, performance is also average, both in playback and capture.
If you’re looking for a Bluetooth-enabled gaming headset, the HS55 is a good option. However, it leaves a slight taste of “not enough”, considering the current market. It’s a shame.
