Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless High-Fidelity Gaming Headset Review

10/28/2019 By Daniel Nguyen

The Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless Gaming Headset promises to deliver high-fidelity audio over either a wireless connection (via their proprietary Slipstream technology) or a wired connection (via 3.5mm/USB-C). With a focus on comfort and lightweight construction, will it tick those boxes as well as the high-grade audio quality it boasts? At an MSRP of $179.99, will it live up to its promises and deliver a premium feel that its pricetag implies? So without further delay, let’s take a closer look at this Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless Gaming Headset Review.

Read: Corsair M65 PRO RGB Mouse Review

Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless High-Fidelity Gaming Headset Review

Corsair Virtuoso Headset Specifications

Read: Gaming: Corsair K70 LUX Keyboard Review

Design and Aesthetics

The Corsair Virtuoso is definitely a gaming headphone at heart, no matter how minimalist it looks. On the outside of both earcups, there’s RGB, which is controllable via iCUE provided you’re using either the USB-C cable or the wireless function. The RGB can be turned off, which helps if you’re going for a more sleek look. There’s always a faint Corsair logo no matter what, so if you’re not looking to have people know what brand your headphones are, it might hard to do so.

The detachable microphone features a green/red LED to indicate its status. The mute button on the bottom of the microphone toggles the mute function, and it turns red whenever muted. This makes it easier to tell at a glance if your microphone is muted or not.

The metal headband doesn’t seem like it’ll ever break, contributing to its premium feel. I flexed it very far, and it didn’t show any signs of temporary or permanent damage or warping. Overall, I don’t see any issues with its build quality or aesthetics.

Fit and Comfort

Speaking of lightweight construction and comfort, I had one major nagging issue while using this headset. The left side often bumped onto my ear and made it uncomfortable despite the seemingly thick ear cup padding. It’s a somewhat inconsistent issue, as it only happens to my ears about 50% of the time. It may be something I’m doing wrong, or it could be an issue with the padding on this headset. Overall though, the headband provides an adequate but not too excessive amount of clamping pressure, leading to very good comfort besides the issue mentioned above.

While the lightweight construction is supposed to be a selling point on the Virtuoso RGB Wireless, I weighed them in at 13.6 oz without the cable. My HyperX Stinger weighs in at a mere 7.5 oz and the Cooler Master MH751 at 8.8 oz. The Corsair Virtuoso seems relatively heavy in comparison, even though those other headsets are also well built. Notwithstanding, I didn’t notice the weight too much while gaming for short sessions, though you may feel it over longer sessions.

Read: Cooler Master MH751 Gaming Headset Review

Features

The most significant selling point of the Virtuoso headset is the ultra-low-latency wireless technology, which I found to be extremely pleasant. The latency was so low that I could not notice it, even during intense gameplay when the lightning-quick response to sound cues are paramount. The included USB-C cable for wired listening, as well as the 3.5mm cable, worked great. For flexibility in setups between mobile and desktop, these cables are convenient to have. I would have liked to see a USB-C to USB-C cable to be easier to listen on smartphones without a 3.5mm headphone jack (which is a lot these days). Bluetooth would have also been a welcome addition, though I understand that would add to the cost of integrating new technology.

I also enjoyed the built-in microphone monitoring feature on iCUE. It’s helpful to listen to yourself, especially when you’re streaming or recording audio. Microphone feedback helps to make sure your microphone isn’t too loud, soft, or otherwise weird.

I found the feature set on the Corsair Virtuoso to be more than adequate, and it offered enough to unmistakably be a contender in the $150-$200 range, at least on paper.

Sound Quality

This headset has decent sound quality, though I wouldn’t classify it as anything that would satisfy most audiophiles. The audio sounds rather empty and unquestionably needs some adjustment. However, in iCUE, there is an option to adjust the EQ settings so that you can adapt it to your heart’s content. The Virtuoso can be 7.1 Surround Sound enabled, though I never got the chance to play with this as I don’t have any good games with 7.1 features. I also find 7.1 SS to be lackluster in most cases, so I wouldn’t worry about it much.

In games such as Rainbow Six: Siege, I was able to discern footsteps and sound cues easily. During gaming, I don’t see any issues, and if you’re purely using these for gaming, it’s a great audio system. The emptiness of the audio helps with discerning sound cues, though this isn’t so desirable elsewhere.

While listening to music, particularly music in the background of games, the audio sounded fine; thus, I see no concerns for most gamers. As I stated before, I don’t recommend these for an actual audiophile experience. Still, it certainly is satisfactory for most users.

The microphone quality is great for communicating during games as well as VoIP services, such as Skype. It’s very clear, and communications are a breeze.

Read: Cooler Master GS750 Desktop Hub Review

Package Contents

• Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless gaming headset
• Warranty Card
• Detachable microphone

• USB charging cable, 1.8m
• 3.5mm stereo cable, 1.5m
• USB Wireless Transmitter

Final Thoughts

The Corsair Virtuoso offers decent audio performance during a gaming session, though for music listening or movie watching, I found that it could be improved. The soundstage didn’t feel too empty while still being wide enough to discern sound cues in-game easily. The subtle emptiness did make for a less enjoyable media consumption experience, though I found it to be still decent enough. The impressive wireless range allows me more freedom than I’ve experienced before. The excellent gaming performance and decent microphone help with the overall gaming experience.

For gamers who want that extra bling, there’s also RGB. For $179.99, it is a very steep price for those who want to get into wireless audio. If you have the money, though, it’s low latency audio with a very minimalist and comfortable design with decent audio. Overall, I’d give this a 3.5/5 just because of the price, though if it were slightly lower, I’d say it deserves a 4/5.

What do you think of this Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless gaming headset review? Do you agree or disagree with our verdict? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. We’re eager to hear your thoughts.

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FTC Disclosure: Corsair provided Beantown LLC with one (1) Corsair Virtuoso RGB wireless gaming headset sample for review purposes. This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and not a paid product ambassador.

Corsair M65 PRO RGB Mouse Review

07/08/2019 By Daniel Nguyen

The Corsair M65 PRO RGB is one of the oldest mice on the market right now, being over 3 years old, even being succeeded by the Elite version of the M65. Boasting plenty of RGB, a magnificent sensor and a tuneable weight system, it was one of the most revolutionary mice at the time. However, can it still stand up to some of the more popular mice today such as the Logitech G502, Zowie FK-series, and the new Glorious Model O? So without further delay, let’s take a closer look in this Corsair M65 PRO RGB mouse review.

Key Features

Two Zone RGB
DPI adjustment switch
Sensor with accuracy up to 12,000 DPI
Two side buttons and DPI-switch buttons
Tuneable weights
High-quality construction using aircraft grade aluminum
Smooth and large PTFE mouse feet

Specifications

Corsair M65 PRO RGB Mouse Review

Mouse Shape and Construction

The M65 is touted as a premium gaming mouse featuring an aluminum body and six programmable buttons (left/right click, mouse wheel button, back/forwards on browsers, and a sniper button). With these six buttons, I found it easy to game in most FPS games. However, those who play MMO-style games may find it more challenging to play as opposed to a mouse with more buttons. One gripe I had with the side buttons was their position and size. The fact that they are located on the very top and are super small makes it difficult to identify them in the middle of an intense team fight. In addition to the mouse buttons placement issue, the cord is also rather stiff and doesn’t feel too good while gaming, nevertheless, this may be fixed by using a mouse bungee.

The biggest issue I had with the M65 PRO was its weight. It is supposed to weigh 115g without the three weights, yet it felt much heavier than that. When placed on a scale, I found it to be significantly heavier at 130g, which is most likely attributed to the cord. The mouse clicks also felt slightly cushioned and were very heavy, making it not ideal for those with a light touch.

One of the most prominent redeeming factors of the M65 PRO was its great shape and aesthetic design. I found it to fit very comfortably in my hands (which are a medium size) when using a palm grip. The fact that the hump is at the back of the mouse will allow for palm grippers to more comfortably rest their palms on the mouse as opposed to the mouse pad. However, the size of the mouse will present an issue for fingertip or claw grippers. It may be alright for those who have above average-sized hands.

Gaming Performance

The Pixart 3300 sensor is one of the best on the market right now, and its performance never disappointed me. I was able to aim accurately in Overwatch and Fortnite, and never found an issue with the sensor failing. Still, as mentioned above, the mouse buttons were often challenging to reach.

The size of the side buttons has significantly increased with the newest model of the M65, the M65 Elite RGB. The sniper button is super useful and makes it easier to have a lower DPI for more precise aim when you are scoped in. As previously mentioned, the buttons were a little heavy, making it occasionally difficult to hit during games. The mouse glided smoothly using its PTFE feet (commonly found in aftermarket modifications such as Hyperglides) and felt better than most mouse feet on the market.

In addition to these mouse feet, the shape made it very comfortable to hold for extended periods while gaming. I never felt any pain in my hand, and it should also be an okay mouse for productivity as well. As previously mentioned, the weight was still very high for a gaming mouse, which makes it tiring after time to lift off. This may interfere with productivity or gaming over time, but if you’re used to heavier mice, it should be okay.

Conclusion

While the M65 is a great mouse, I found that there were many better options at its $60 price. The Logitech G502 offers a better cable which doesn’t kink or drag so easily while having a similar shape to the M65 PRO. The G502 features a similar amount of buttons and a slightly lower weight.

If you need the RGB bling and don’t mind the weight, I think that the M65 PROs sniper button is more convenient and features the iCUE lighting system. This allows you to control more than just peripherals, and I even could sync my mouse up with components in my computer. The M65 PRO RGB is succeeded by the M65 RGB Elite, and for what it is, it’s one of the best mice on the market if you want a very good sniper button and good shape for a right-handed palm gripper.

What do you think of this Corsair M65 PRO RGB mouse review? Do you agree or disagree with our verdict? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. We’re eager to hear your thoughts.

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Don’t hesitate to head over to the Corsair homepage to see their current line-up of products. The Corsair gaming mouse comes with a 2-year warranty.

FTC Disclosure: Corsair did not provide Beantown LLC with a mouse sample for review purposes; it was purchased. This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and not a paid product ambassador.

Gaming: Corsair K70 LUX Keyboard Review

08/26/2017 By Hakan Can

Unless you’ve been living in a cave the past 15-20 years, you’ve almost certainly heard the name Corsair. If you’re a hardcore gamer, then you’ve surely heard of one of the gaming sector’s biggest brands. Heck, you’re probably using one of their accessories right now. Not too long ago, we received our first Corsair product–the K70 LUX mechanical keyboard, and have been learning every detail of it ever since. How does the K70 LUX stack up against the higher-end gaming keyboard competition? Is this keyboard a worthy addition to your gaming rig? Without further delay, let’s take a close and detailed look in this Corsair K70 LUX keyboard review.

Key Features of this K70 LUX Keyboard

Red LED illuminated backlighting
Seven lighting effects
Cherry MX Blue, Brown, Red, & Rapidfire switches
100% anti-ghosting support
104-Key rollover
Media controls
USB 2.0 pass-through
Aircraft-grade aluminum front plate

Read: Gaming: HyperX Alloy Elite Keyboard Review

Corsair K70 LUX Keyboard Review

K70 LUX Design and Features

Whether it’s Gamdias, HyperX, Patriot, etc.,numerous hardware brands are creating gaming keyboards in the style of Corsair. As the phrase goes, “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.”

The K70 LUX is a mechanical gaming keyboard with a 50 million push button life cycle thanks to its use of Cherry MX switches. There are eight versions of the K70 LUX. Half come with RGB LED backlighting, three with Red, and one with Blue. This Red LED backlit Cherry MX Red switch version has seven lighting effects, four brightness levels, five polling settings via hidden switch, six media controls, and a USB 2.0 pass-through. More on these features under CUE.

This keyboard is a bit smaller in length than its newer rivals, the closest being the HyperX Alloy Elite by a ¼”. Without the rubberized full-length wrist rest, the K70’s dimensions are 17.2″ x 6.5″ x 1.5″ and weighs in at 2.97 lbs. In fact, if I were to close my eyes, I would have a bit of difficulty telling the difference between the two. Like I stated, imitation and flattery.

The finish on the keyboard is quite attractive and appears to be fingerprint resistant. Keys are top-mounted over a dark brushed aluminum face plate. Beware, the aluminum edges are sharp, so don’t go knocking the keyboard off your desk. It could strike your foot and cause some pain.

The underside is plastic with four rubber foot pads and four retractable legs. The location of the braided cable is slightly left of center. While we like it off-center, another inch to the left would have been preferred.

On the back end of the braided cord, there are two USB plugs to connect to your gaming desktop. If you’re connecting via USB 2.0, use both connectors. If you’re connecting via USB 3.0, use the connector with the keyboard icon.

Package contents include the keyboard (w/textured space bar), palm rest, ten textured platinum key caps for FPS and MOBA play, one key cap puller, quick installation guide and warranty policy.

The K70 LUX has all these features for a hair under $120. This price is give-or-take within $10 of other higher-end mechanical gaming keyboards with Cherry MX switches. What it doesn’t have are pre-configured lighting zones for different genres of games like with the Tt esports MEKA PRO, or a place to stash the key puller.

There were some issues with the media controls, and I’ve yet to get four of the buttons to work accordingly. Using Amazon Music and Nero MediaHome, I was unable to get the Stop, Rewind, Play/Pause, and Fast Forward buttons to work. The Mute button and Volume wheel worked without a hitch. We’ll continue to play around with the media controls and update this post accordingly.

Read: Gaming: Gamdias HERMES P1 RGB Keyboard Review

Specifications

• Key Switch:
• Switch Lifecycle:
• Dimensions:
• Weight:
• Processor:
• Polling Rate:
• Programmable Keys:
• Multimedia Keys:
• Graphical User Interface:

• Cherry MX Red mechanical switches
• 50 Million
• 17.2″ x 6.5″ x 1.5″ w/o the wrist rest
• 2.97 lbs w/o the wrist rest
• 32-bit ARM
• 1000 Hz
• Yes, 104
• Yes, 6
• Yes, CUE software

Read: Gaming: Tt esports MEKA PRO Keyboard Review

CUE — Corsair Utility Engine

As previously mentioned, the K70 LUX keyboard comes with the Corsair Utility Engine software support. Also known as CUE, this software support (Version 2.16.87) configures the Red LED lighting, macros, buttons, acceleration, and DPI, just to name a handful.

From the main page, seen in the first two images, you can update the keyboard’s firmware as well as CUE’s software version. Without having to go any further, you can adjust the Brightness, the Current Layout, and Change LED Color. You really can’t change alter the LED color as this K70 LUX keyboard is backlit red only.

Taking it further, click on the K70 LUX image immediately to the left of the Global Setting gear icon, and get started with making adjustments. Over the next three images are the Actions, Lighting Effects, and Performance screens.

The Actions setting is where you record your macros, and build an Actions Library. Click the Macro drop down menu to proceed with the following: Text, Remap Key, Media, Launch Application, Time, Disable, and Profile Switching.

Under Lighting Effects is where you select one of seven styles, and customize the type of Red you want via the color wheel or Basic/Custom settings. Effects available as of this date are Static Color, Visor, Rain, Pulse, Wave, and Type Lighting Key and TL Ripple. Within each of the seven effects, you’re able to adjust one of more of the following: opacity, speed, direction, or duration. Before I forget, the richness and brightness of the Reds are spectacular. I firmly believe you’re going to like these lighting features a lot.

Under Performance is where you select “If Win Lock is on:” options. There are four choices available, and you can pick any-and-all. You can adjust the Brightness indicator color here too.

To the right of the Global Setting gear icon is the Advanced button. Click that, and make additional adjustments to Lighting Effects like Static, Gradient, Ripple, Solid, and Wave. This is shown in the fourth and final image. And don’t be surprised when the Red LED lighting disappears until you create said adjustments.

Profile names can be whatever you want them to be within Actions, Lighting Effects, and Performance screens.

Read: Gaming: Sennheiser GSX 1200 PRO Amplifier Review

Final Thoughts

Pros:
• Sturdy build, great wrist rest
• Switchable FPS/MOBA keys
• Complete customization
• Seven lighting effects

Cons:
• No place to store the key puller
• No pre-configured lighting zones
• Sharp edges
• So many other K70 (LUX) choices to choose from

If you couldn’t tell by now, we truly enjoyed testing this keyboard. For the record, we feel it’s in a dead heat to slightly up on the recently introduced HyperX Alloy Elite for our favorite mechanical gaming keyboard of 2017. And the K70 LUX wasn’t even introduced this year. We’ve performed more than a handful of gaming keyboard reviews this year, and to date, nothing else compares to these two. Whether you like the solid (red or blue) color or the RGB for backlighting, you need to put the Corsair K70 LUX on your radar and wish list.

The K70 LUX mechanical gaming keyboard has a list price of just under $120. It’s available for purchase on Amazon and the Corsair website. Pay attention to both websites as we’ve seen it for $20 less on occasion, see Amazon link below.

All-in-all, this gaming keyboard (and software) earned a 4.6 out of 5-star rating. There are scores of gaming boards available (not just from Corsair) with a variety of features, so compare away until you find what’s right for you.

What do you think of this Corsair K70 LUX keyboard review? Do you agree or disagree with our verdict? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. We’re eager to hear your thoughts.

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Don’t hesitate to head over to the Corsair homepage to see their current line-up of products. The Corsair K70 LUX gaming keyboard comes with a 2-year warranty.

FTC Disclosure: Corsair provided Beantown LLC with one (1) K70 LUX Backlit Red LED Mechanical Gaming Keyboard sample for review purposes. This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and not a paid product ambassador.

Read: Lexar JumpDrive C25i Review for iPhone or iPad