The relatively emphasized high-end works great for listening to precise movements and environmental noises though. Kaza (UK) Limited acts as a credit intermediary and offers credit products provided by Klarna Bank AB (publ). The safest bet is to just choose “Pure Direct” under the Equalizer function in the iCue software and jump right into the action, which otherwise sounds amazing.

We are a credit broker not a lender - credit is subject to status and affordability, and is provided by Mitsubishi HC Capitol UK PIC. Surround sound virtualized audio, and with the audio in the best PC games becoming increasingly sophisticated, this headset will let you hear battlefield carnage exactly the way that the developers intended.The headset microphone offers an incredibly crystal clear response with an omni-directional polar mic pattern. This is probably due to the shape of my head and upper jaw, and I expect that someone with a wider face or jaw may have little to no issues here. I’ve seen “Discord certified” applied to many mediocre microphones, but this time, it’s well deserved. I love the design overhaul Corsair has given its gaming headsets, and this boasts that same new look.

Apparently, it’s green if it’s got 100% to 80% of juice, orange if it’s 80% to 20%, and red if it’s below 20% – which I do admit is a somewhat useful indicator. The only option that is useful here is “Mic Boost”, which gives your microphone some added sensitivity. If you’re not, then know that it’s a comfortable, elegant and modern yet still gaming-forward design paired with a good though not quite premium build. Playing a game like Dredge, the orchestral backing track comes through clearly, without overshadowing any in-game sound, and directional cues indicating things like the approach of water spouts or eldritch horrors approaching from the depths of the ocean come through clearly.

While the wired version only has a volume wheel, the HS65 Wireless comes with a mic mute button, a Bluetooth button, and a power button. The Corsair HS65 has a very bass-heavy frequency response compared to our target curve, and it also has a big emphasis on the highs between 2-11kHz. Even after wearing this headset during ten hours of continuous game playing and then three more hours of intense FPS play after a break, the HS65 Surround stayed comfortable throughout. When you first open the SoundID menu, it will play a series sounds, and build an EQ profile based on which ones you prefer (it functions like a short AB test).

Nevertheless, it’s comfortable and feels lightweight, and the ear pads never press too hard against my glasses. When I play Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild on Nintendo Switch, sounds like the clanking of Link’s sword and shield, raindrops, and wind all feel a bit too loud.I gave the HS65 Surround’s Dolby surround sound audio a go in Overwatch, and instead of improving my awareness, it threw me off. However, one of the headset’s standout features – SoundID – didn’t quite live up to the hype of a tailored audio experience when it comes to gaming. Personally, I took the Movie Theater preset, copied it, and made a couple of tweaks to get the settings that I currently use.

Generally, a game that’s got good sound design will make it possible to pick up on the direction of things even with stereo headphones, and some games will have their own special surround sound modes available. You still get Dolby Surround and SoundID options like the HS65 Surround, but the wireless version comes with an inferior mic, and a bloated bass-heavy sound profile that makes the overall audio appear to be quite muffled. PCMag is obsessed with culture and tech, offering smart, spirited coverage of the products and innovations that shape our connected lives and the digital trends that keep us talking. This apparently studies how you hear sounds and takes your preference in accordance to create a personalized equalizer preset.Once you’ve selected your music style, the sample will play on loop and you’ll have the ability to toggle between an “A” and “B” version, a bit like an eye exam. That wire will let the HS65 Surround headphones connect to just about anything else that supports an analog audio connection, and it also can let them tap into software surround sound like Windows Sonic or the PS5’s Tempest 3D.