Corsair HS65 Surround

"READY TO GAME: The HS65 Surround is made from premium materials for long-lasting comfort, reinforced with metal construction and details for a quality look and feel while weighing in at only 282g."

The HS65 is lightweight and comfortable, making it a solid choice for long gaming sessions. The build quality is decent for the price, with a nice mix of metal reinforcement and plastic components that strike a good balance between durability and weight.

"PLUSH COMFORT: Adjustable headband with breathable microfiber and leatherette-wrapped memory foam ear pads."

The memory foam ear pads and adjustable headband are highlights, offering a good, comfortable fit for most users.

"IMMERSIVE SURROUND AUDIO: High-quality, custom-tuned 50mm neodymium audio drivers deliver excellent sound with the range needed to hear everything on the battlefield. The included USB adapter enables multi-channel Dolby® Audio 7.1 surround sound, putting you right in the middle of your game."

The surround sound feature is a gimmick. Dolby Audio 7.1 is just a virtual surround sound HRTF and you can download software that works with any headset and does the exact same thing for free with far greater customization. As for the sound quality, it is more "good for the price" than "excellent".

"CRYSTAL-CLEAR COMMUNICATION: Captures your voice with terrific clarity thanks to an omni-directional microphone with a flip-to-mute function, Discord Certified for crystal-clear communication and outstanding sound."

The microphone quality is surprisingly good. It sounds better some of the mics I have heard on $300 headsets. However, you will need to put in work to prevent the mic from picking up mouse clicks and keyboard clacking. The flip-to-mute functionality is simple and effective.

Comfort and Build

The Corsair HS65 excels in comfort, with its lightweight design and plush memory foam ear pads. These features make it a suitable choice for extended gaming sessions, though the ear pads may not fully seal around the ears, which could affect noise isolation. The build quality is solid for the price, with a mix of metal and plastic that balances durability and portability. Its minimalist design is both stylish and functional, avoiding the over-the-top aesthetics often found in gaming peripherals.

Sound

The HS65 delivers a V-shaped sound signature, emphasizing bass and treble. The bass is punchy, though the mid-bass can feel bloated, reducing overall clarity. Sub-bass rolls off noticeably, limiting depth and rumble in low frequencies. The mids are recessed, giving the sound a colder tone that detracts from vocals and mid-focused instruments. The highs are bright, with harshness in the mid and upper treble that can cause listener fatigue. EQ adjustments—such as reducing mid-bass, boosting mids, and taming treble—are highly recommended to achieve a more balanced sound profile.

Soundstage, Imaging, and Gaming Performance

For a closed-back headset, the HS65 offers decent soundstage width and good verticality, making it immersive for single-player and casual multiplayer gaming. Imaging is accurate enough for positional awareness in competitive games. The addition of Dolby Audio 7.1 surround sound enhances spatial audio performance at the cost of accurate sound reproduction, adding depth to compatible titles but isn't unique to this headphone.

Overall Impressions

The Corsair HS65 is a comfortable and budget-friendly gaming headset with a stylish design and useful features like surround sound. While its sound profile needs EQ adjustments to shine, it offers good value for the price. For gamers on a tight budget or those upgrading from basic headsets, the HS65 is a solid pick, however if you are planning on buying one of these new I would strongly recommend paying a little extra for a used LucidSound LS35/50X, or a little more than that for the Corsair Virtuoso Pros instead.

Yes, if the price is right.

For gamers seeking comfort, style, and basic surround sound on a budget, these are a compelling choice when found for under $50~.