INTRODUCTION

   As some of you have pointed out in our headset/headphones reviews it's all about sound quality so even though looks do play a significant role in the decision of some people they come 2nd (if not 3rd) in our reviews. Granted RGB lighting has entered our lives via electronics from all areas of the market but it's no coincidence really that most audiophile-grade brands have yet to even touch that (all about priorities). That being said things are different when it comes to gaming peripherals manufacturers since looks play a far more crucial role and RGB is pretty much a must nowadays. CORSAIR understands that all too well so their headphone lines include both the RGB illuminated Void/Virtuoso series and the "regular" HS series and today we're taking a look at the latest HS60 Pro Surround model.

   Founded in 1994, CORSAIR has grown from pioneering the high-performance DRAM market into one of the world’s leading providers of high-performance PC peripherals and components. CORSAIR offers a complete range of products to equip gamers, enthusiasts and e-sports athletes, including mechanical keyboards, precision gaming mice, wireless headsets, high-performance components that gamers use to build gaming PCs, and the CORSAIR ONE fully-integrated gaming PC. With a company-wide commitment to quality, innovative design, advanced features and high performance, CORSAIR products have won thousands of media and industry awards, earning their place in gamers’ hands and PCs following years of development and engineering by a team dedicated to building great products they themselves would want to use.

   Since the HS60 Pro (available in black and white and black and yellow) is a direct successor to the HS60 which we reviewed a while back (review here) a direct comparison is unavoidable. So once again this headset is based on two custom-tuned 50mm neodymium dynamic drivers (just like with the ones used in the HS60 these feature a frequency response of 20Hz-20KHz with 32Ohms impedance and 111+-3dB sensitivity) which thanks to the addition of a compact external USB sound card/adapter can produce 7.1 virtual surround audio. Likewise the HS60 Pro also features an almost identical detachable and very flexible unidirectional noise-cancelling microphone used in the HS60 (discord certified with frequency response of 100Hz-10KHz, -40+-3dB sensitivity and 2.0 KOhm impedance - the one used in the HS60 had 2.2KOhm impedance), the same metal frame and design, earcup controls and can be used with virtually any device out there with an available 3.5mm port (7.1 surround sound is only possible for PC users and via CORSAIR's iCUE software). All in all both headsets (HS60/HS60 Pro) seem to be identical so let’s dig in and see what’s really new.

SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES

PACKAGING AND CONTENTS

A large product picture is placed at the front of the YELLOW box right beneath the company logo and above the main product features.

Another product picture is located on the left side of the box.

At the base of the box we find the package contents and device compatibility in 8 languages.

Moving at the rear of the box a product image is used to showcase its features which are placed just over the specifications table (both are printed in 8 languages).

Just like the HS60 CORSAIR bundles the HS60 Pro (headset, detachable microphone and USB sound card/adapter) with a microphone foam windscreen, quick start guide and two warranty information papers.

THE HS60 PRO

The new HS60 Pro is made out of plastic, metal and PU leather.

In terms of size once again we're talking about a medium sized headset.

Metal grills with the CORSAIR logo on them are once again placed on the exterior of both earcups.

The microphone 3.5mm port is placed on the lower front of the left earcup and as for the microphone itself as you can see it's very flexible.

At the rear of the left earcup we find the volume control knob and the mute button for the microphone.

Typically, left and right markings are placed on the interior of the headset just over both earcups.

Both earcups have good range of motion for increased comfort even after long hours of use.

These earpads are filled with memory foam and are dressed with PU leather.

The headband in this model features a black PU leather cover with white stiches (the Yellow version model has yellow stitches).

Each side of the headset can extend up to 25mm (50mm total) via 8 visible increments.

The 1.8 meter long braided cable (the HS60 came with a regular rubber cable) has a gold plated 3.5mm mini jack plug at its end.

The USB sound card/adapter only has a 3.5mm port at the front and the CORSAIR logo at the top.

ICUE SOFTWARE

The HS60 Pro require the latest iCUE software version by CORSAIR which you can get from their downloads page as seen above.

First screen you will see once you install and launch the software will have your compatible product listed on the right (the HS60 Pro in this case) and the used profile on the left.

You can choose between Stereo and 7.1 Surround Sound by clicking on the HS60 Pro picture (unlike with the HS60 model there's no microphone volume level bar here).

Just like with the HS60 Pro there are 5 available EQ presets (Pure Direct, Movie Theatre, FPS competition, Clear Chat and Bass Boost) in the iCUE software but you can also create your very own.

As usual from the settings top menu you can access the system monitor along with various other settings.

CONCLUSION

   After spending almost 2 weeks with the HS60 Pro 7.1 Surround Sound Headset by CORSAIR i still haven’t found a single difference (one that really stands out) with the "regular" HS60 model (aside the bundled microphone foam windscreen and the braided cable that is). Audio quality feels identical (at least to my ears) with that of the HS60 (equally clear and accurate mids and highs with plenty of bass) and the same applies for positioning audio which is once again quite good but far from great (this time over i used MechWarrior 5 Mercenaries, Star Wars Jedi Fallen Order, Control, Borderlands 3 and The Outer Worlds to test gaming peripherals including the HS60 Pro).

   At USD69.99 inside the USA (Amazon.com) and 69.99Euros inside the EU (Amazon.de) the HS60 Pro Surround Model by CORSAIR represents a good choice for people who care not about RGB lighting and are looking for a model that can be used both with 3.5” devices, consoles and PC’s. For good or bad however CORSAIR runs several promotions lately and so today you can grab yourself a Void RGB Elite Wireless model for just USD74.99/74.90Euros (Amazon.com / Amazon.de – as supplies last) which is a far better choice in my book (at least for PC users). Overall however we can’t deny that the HS60 Pro offers good bang for your buck and since it also improves on its predecessor (even just by a little) it too deserves our Golden Award.

PROS

- Build Quality
- Comfortable (Large Earpads / Memory Foam Padding)
- Good Mids & Highs
- Good Bass Levels
- Detachable Microphone (Easier to Replace)
- Braided Cable

CONS

- Design (Too “Plain”)
- Nearly Identical to The HS60