Corsair HS50 Gaming Headset Review

1. Introduction2. Unboxing and First Look3. Testing4. Closing Thoughts5. View All Pages

It is fair to say Corsair products don't usually come cheap. With its new HS50 headset, however, Corsair is appealing to the gamer on a budget as the device costs less than £55. At this price, the HS50 is understandably lacking things like virtual surround-sound, detachable cables and there isn't even any RGB lighting! Instead, the focus for the HS50 is very much on impressive sound and premium build quality – so just how good is it?

We've reviewed plenty of Corsair headsets over the last couple of years, with the most recent being the wireless Void Pro that launched towards the end of the summer. Most of those headsets are packed to the rafters with features, so it is actually quite refreshing to look at the Corsair HS50 – a simple analogue headset that just works. With that in mind, the quality of the sound, mic and build become of paramount importance, so without further ado, let's dive right into the review.

Specification:

Headphones 

• Frequency Response: 20Hz – 20 kHz
• Impedance: 32 Ohms @ 1 kHz
• Sensitivity: 111 dB (± 3 dB)
• Drivers: 50mm

Microphone

• Type: Unidirectional noise cancelling
• Impedance: 2.0k Ohms
• Frequency Response: 100Hz – 10kHz
• Sensitivity: -40 dB (± 3 dB)
• Dimensions: 160mm x 100mm x 205mm / 6.30” x 3.94” x 8.07”
• Product Weight w/o cable and accessories: 319 g / 0.70lb
• Warranty: Two Years

The Corsair HS50 ships in a familiar-looking black box with yellow accents. A large product photo dominates the front.

Inside, accessories are thin on the ground: we find a warranty guide, the detachable microphone and a y-splitter cable.

The headset itself is all-black, though there are a couple of other models which have green or blue stitching around the back of the ear cups. The model we were sent is the ‘carbon' SKU, and I think it looks great – stealthy and minimalistic, it should fit in on any desk.

Moving in for a closer look, we start with the ear cups. Made of a sturdy plastic, Corsair has opted to cover the back of the cups with a mesh grille which may fool some into thinking these are open-back cans – they're not. A metallic grey Corsair logo sits right in the middle of the grille.

On the other side, the ear cushions are relatively soft though the faux-leather finish may not appeal to everyone. Unfortunately, the cushions aren't removable either, which is probably one of the only downsides to the design.

Elsewhere, the inside of the headband sports about half an inch of foam cushioning, and that is also covered with more faux-leather with a stitched pattern to add some interest.

The top of the band is covered with yet more faux-leather, while the Corsair branding is printed right in the centre of the band.

Having a metal headband slider is good to see, too, and I am also appreciative of the size markings that are printed onto the slider itself.

Back to the ear cups, the left-hand cup features a couple of on-ear controls – namely, a volume wheel and a mic-mute button. I am a big fan of on-ear controls – they're very handy but are often overlooked by manufacturers, so it is good to see Corsair including them here.

 

On the other side of the left-hand ear cup, there is also a small rubber flap which can be removed to reveal the 3.5mm microphone jack.

The boom itself is obviously fully detachable and is very flexible, so feel free to bend it however you want. The mic uses a unidirectional pattern with a frequency range of 100Hz – 10kHz.

Lastly, the integrated cable measures 1.8m long and ends with a 4-pole 3.5mm jack – great for use with phones or consoles. PC gamers will likely want to use the included y-splitter to have separate mic and headphone connectors.To test the HS50, I used it as my daily driver for one week. During this time, I used the headset while gaming, listening to music and watching videos.

While we usually start our headset reviews with a look at the software, the HS50 is obviously an analogue device so there is no software to go with it.

Comfort and build quality

Starting with comfort, then, I do think that the HS50 is overall pretty comfortable. The headband is nicely padded and didn't cause any discomfort or ‘hot spots' to the top of my head, so that is a plus. I did initially find there was a bit of clamping pressure to the sides of my head, though, but even after a week of use the pressure has certainly reduced.

In terms of the ear cushions, I didn't have any issues with those either. They are large enough to sit completely around my ears, instead of being on-top, which is something I definitely prefer. The foam inside is pretty soft but it isn't the thickest stuff around, but considering the £55 price it is hard to complain.

I would've liked to see removable ear cushions, though, as I typically find faux-leather cushions make my ears quite warm. I do understand Corsair has built the HS50 to a price, but I don't think removable cushions is that big of an ask.

However, build quality is stellar considering the price. The plastic ear cups are very solid and could withstand a knock or two, while the metal yoke that is used to attach the cups to the headband is also very rigid. Overall, I think Corsair has done an excellent job to get the HS50 to be as comfortable and sturdy as it is without bumping up the price.

Sound quality

So, comfort levels are good, what is the sound quality like? On the whole, very impressive for the price.

Starting off with the bass, this is definitely a bass-heavy headset – as are most gaming headsets. However, the bass isn't overpowering or that loose, as is all too common with other headsets. Instead, the bass is punchy but definitely distinct from the mid-range, so it doesn't muddy up vocals or other instruments. You definitely won't miss it, but the strong bass isn't to the detriment of the other musical elements, and that is no mean feat for a budget headset.

Now, the mid-range isn't particularly forward or overly smooth, but it isn't recessed either so vocals are pretty clear and easy to catch on to. This is crucial for in-game dialogue and when chatting with friends using VOIP software, so it is good to see the HS50 do well in this regard.

What most impresses me with the HS50, though, is the amount of detail in the high-end. Unlike many other budget headsets, the is a definite crispness to the treble and that works for games and music. In CS:GO I was able to pick out footsteps and other clues to the whereabouts of my opponents, while I was also able to pick-out cymbals and hi-hats in some of my favourite songs, with ease. Without sounding too harsh or sharp, the HS50 really does provide excellent detail.

Mic quality

Lastly, we need to touch on the mic. Rather than babbling on about the mic using subjective terms, I've made a brief recording for you to hear for yourself:

Corsair HS50 mic test

The sound is pretty good for the money – there is some slight clipping to the recording, but overall clarity and is good and I didn't have any issues using it while playing online.Aimed squarely at budget gamers, it is safe to say the new Corsair HS50 headset has impressed me greatly.

Considering its price of just £55, it is very well built – using a combination of metal and plastic, it feels rigid and strong, and definitely able to cope with one or two knocks.

It is also nice and comfortable, with soft ear cushions and just enough padding on the headband to ensure there are no pressure points on the top of your head.

Sound quality is particularly impressive, though, when we factor in the price. The bass is punchy but not overbearing, mids are pretty clear and unobscured, while the detail in the high-end is actually excellent considering this is a budget gaming headset.

The last area to touch on is the mic – it obviously isn't a world-beater, but the clarity is good and your teammates will be able to hear you just fine, so I can't really complain too much.

For me, that all adds up to create one mighty fine headset. It's obviously not the best headset out there, but for just £55 I don't think you can get better than this. Well done Corsair – for us, the HS50 is the new go-to budget headset.

You can buy one from Overclockers UK for £54.95 HERE.

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Pros

• Affordable.
• Good build quality and comfort.
• Looks good.
• On-ear controls.
• Sounds quality is impressive, particularly the detail in the high-end.
• Mic is also decent.

Cons

• Ear cushions aren't removable.

KitGuru says: Corsair has created an excellent gaming headset in the HS50. If you have less than £60 to spend, this is the best gaming headset out there.

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