Corsair HS80 V2 MAX & VOXARA Microphone Review

Today we are taking a look at a dual-audio release from Corsair, testing both the new HS80 v2 MAX Wireless headset (£169) and the Voxara USB Condenser Microphone (£159). The headset promises to fix the battery woes of its predecessor while packing upgraded 50mm drivers and dual wireless connectivity. Meanwhile, the Voxara aims to bring premium Elgato Wave integration into a standalone USB microphone. But with both devices demanding a premium price tag, are they worth the investment, or does intrusive software ruin the experience once again?

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro
00:58 Meet the HS80 V2 Max
02:08 Connectivity improvements
03:06 Microphone + quality test
04:16 Some weirdness…
05:05 Sound discussion
07:21 Dolby Atmos support
08:08 Nitty gritty details
11:11 Let’s talk about the Voxara mic

Specifications:

Corsair HS80 v2 MAX Wireless Headset:

• Drivers: 50mm non-Newtonian laminate drivers (20Hz – 20kHz).
• Connectivity: Simultaneous 2.4GHz Wireless and Bluetooth (no support for audio over USB.)
• Battery Life: Up to 110 hours via 2.4GHz (RGB off) / ~70 hours tested with RGB on.
• Microphone: 10mm broadcast-grade capsule (Flip-to-mute).
• Features: Dolby Atmos (PC), NVIDIA Broadcast support, Memory foam ear cushions.
• Weight: 370g.

Corsair Voxara USB Microphone:

• Type: USB Condenser Microphone.
• Controls: Multi-functional dial (Gain, Headphone volume), Tap-to-mute ring, RGB control dial.
• Connectivity: USB-C to PC, 3.5mm headphone jack for zero-latency monitoring.
• Software: Elgato Wave Link integration (Compression, routing, AI noise reduction).
• Accessories: Included aluminium desk stand (Shock mount built-in).

Closing Thoughts

Testing these two Corsair products side-by-side presented a fascinating contrast. Starting with the £169 HS80 v2 MAX, Corsair has significantly improved the underlying hardware. The battery life is now significantly longer, easily lasting over a week of heavy use even with the RGB left on. The simultaneous 2.4GHz and Bluetooth connectivity is also flawless, allowing you to seamlessly take phone calls while gaming. I also tested the range around my house and saw no dropouts up to 15 meters with some walls in the middle. We were also happy to see that the earpads are removable (even if they take quite a bit of force to release the twist to lock mechanism).

However, the HS80 v2 MAX is hurt by its software integration and confusing sound profiles. If you use it over Bluetooth, it sounds compressed, a little sibilant, whilst also requiring 70% volume from my phone to reach a good volume. If you plug it into your PC and open iCUE, the volume is boosted so aggressively that anything over 20% Windows volume is screeching, resulting in a harsh sound signature even on the stock flat EQ profile. Bizarrely, closing iCUE changes the sound profile entirely yet again, cutting the volume in about half and making the sound signature significantly more balanced (albeit still a little too V-shaped to my personal taste). Throw in software bugs where opening iCUE breaks the flip-to-mute function, a floppy non-removable microphone arm, and the inability to use Dolby Atmos alongside custom EQs, and it becomes a bit of a frustrating experience.

On the other hand, the £159 Corsair Voxara is a brilliant piece of hardware. The microphone quality is leagues ahead of any gaming headset. It features incredibly useful on-device controls, a highly responsive tap-to-mute ring, and clever RGB level indicators. Best of all, it works perfectly without relying on software, though it fully supports the excellent Elgato Wave Link app if you want to dive into routing, compression and its own flavour of AI noise reduction. While the included desk stand picks up a bit too much vibration (we highly recommend mounting it to a boom arm), the microphone itself is fantastic.

Ultimately, for the combined price of these two items, you would be much better off buying the Voxara microphone and pairing it with a budget set of IEMs, skipping the frustrations of modern wireless gaming headsets entirely.

You can buy the Corsair HS80 v2 MAX for £169.99 HERE. You can buy the Corsair Voxara USB Microphone for £159 HERE.

HS80 v2 MAX:

Pros:

• Massively improved battery life (up to 110 hours) and flawless dual-device wireless connectivity.
• Earpads are fully removable and replaceable.

Cons:

• Confusing, inconsistent sound profiles that drastically change depending on if iCUE is open or closed.
• The microphone is floppy, non-removable, and affected by an iCUE bug that breaks the flip-to-mute function.
• No USB audio passthrough; it is strictly a wireless headset.

VOXARA USB Condenser Microphone:

Pros:

• Exceptional audio quality that's leagues better than built-in headset microphones.
• Great on-device controls, including a tap-to-mute ring and zero-latency audio monitoring.
• Operates perfectly without requiring background software, but supports Elgato Wave Link for power users.

Cons:

• The built-in pop filter is not as effective as it could be.
• At £159, it is an expensive investment, and the included aluminium desk stand picks up desk vibrations easily.

KitGuru says: The Voxara is a fantastic standalone microphone that just works, while the HS80 v2 MAX is a hardware upgrade completely bogged down by confusing sound profiles and iCUE software bugs.

Become a Patron!