Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless SE: Awesome headset at a premium price
15.11.2019
Translation: machine translated
With the Virtuoso, Corsair offers a stylish headset that impresses with its simple design and good workmanship. What's it like for gaming?
Massive, yet unobtrusive. This is the best way to describe the Virtuoso RGB Wireless SE. The ear cups, which are held in place by a curved bracket, are huge. I really like the Corsair-typical, simple design in anthracite and black. Finally a headset that doesn't scream "I belong to a gamer!" with every fibre.
Scope of delivery and workmanship
The Virtuoso RGB Wireless SE comes with the headset itself, the plug-in microphone, a sleeved USB cable for charging - with USB-C, thanks Corsair! -a 3.5 mm audio cable, the wireless USB transmitter and a transport bag. The design reminds me of a Trophy Wife's Toy Dog transport bag. This is probably intended to emphasise the quality of the scope of delivery. Even if there's nothing to criticise - I've never fallen head over heels in love with a USB cable before - the design of the bag makes me feel the opposite.
The headset itself is brilliantly crafted. The aluminium gives the Virtuoso SE a premium look. The fact that even the microphone and USB cable are made of aluminium components further underlines the high-quality workmanship. I have rarely had the impression that a manufacturer attaches so much importance to the workmanship of a product. I'm not a fan of RGB. But I even like the RGB-illuminated Corsair logos that shimmer through the aluminium body of the ear cups.
Comfortable to wear
The Virtuoso sits very comfortably. Even after two hours, I don't feel any uncomfortable pressure. I normally prefer fabric ear pads because they are more breathable than the artificial leather pads and I'm a cold-blooded person anyway. Despite the artificial leather, I don't sweat too much in the Virtuoso. A plus point for the Corsair headset.
Despite my small head, the Virtuoso only slips out of place in exceptional circumstances. As an old-school hip-hop enthusiast, nodding my head is part and parcel of listening to music. The headset sits firmly in place both with somewhat slower tracks such as "Volume" by Apollo Brown and with faster tracks such as "Invincible" by Capone-N-Noreaga. However, when I bend down under the desk, the headset slips easily. I definitely can't headbang with the Virtuoso.
The headset can be adjusted in ten steps on both sides. I can wear the Virtuoso on the smallest setting for small heads. My colleague and big-head Luca Fontana, on whom headsets look good, unlike me, has to set it to level 3 on the left and level 8 on the right. So the headset should somehow fit every head.
I never charged the headset while I was using it. Nevertheless, I noticed the somewhat awkwardly placed USB-C charging port. This is located on the left ear cup at the bottom back. If you have the headset on with the cable connected, you have to guide it to the PC either in front of or behind your body. If you choose the front, you will hear the cable rubbing, which is annoying. If you put it through the back, you lose a lot of cable length.
Functions
The control buttons are located on the back of the right ear cup. One is a rotary wheel for adjusting the volume, the other is used to select the connection type - USB or wireless. The microphone is connected to the left ear cup. A 3.5 jack and the USB-C charging port are also located on the left. The LED battery status light is located between the charging and jack connection. This gives you information about the charge status in green, orange or red.
Corsair relies on Slipstream for wireless. The transmission system combines 2.4 GHz with a proprietary protocol which, according to Corsair, reduces latency. According to the manufacturer, the headset lasts around 20 hours in wireless mode. For me, it lasts between ten and twelve hours - if I don't forget to switch it off by switching to USB mode. Otherwise the headset discharges relatively quickly by itself. It would be cool if Corsair had integrated an automatic switch-off function.
Like all newer Corsair devices, you can make various settings using the proprietary iCue software. These include RBG, equaliser, microphone settings and activating and deactivating the 7.1 surround sound. This works quite well.
Sound quality when gaming and listening to music
As a gamer headset, the Virtuoso RGB Wireless SE is optimised for gaming. Nevertheless, it doesn't make a bad trap when listening to music either. But more on that later.
I tested the headset with my benchmark games "Shadow of the Tomb Raider", "Control", "Crysis 3" and "Strange Brigade". In all games, I have the impression that I can localise the enemies acoustically. I can hear voices clearly despite explosions and other noises. The background music during hectic scenes in "Shadow of the Tomb Raider" comes across well and even gives me goosebumps from time to time.
Corsair advertises the Virtuoso as a "high-fidelity gaming headset", which is why I take a closer look at the sound quality. To get a first impression, I listen to "Show me the Way" by Dilated Peoples. Right at the beginning of the track, I realise that the headset is struggling with the treble. They roll over slightly. But why I'm actually listening to the song: it's my go-to song to push myself - the sound quality has to be right. Although the piece sounds a little hollow with the virtuoso, I find myself nodding my head and tapping my foot to the beat. Goal achieved, although the sound doesn't quite meet my expectations.
Next, I listen to "You Can't Be Neutral on a Moving Train" by Vinnie Paz. The intro with the distorted female voice gives me goose bumps. The headset is very good at capturing the oppressive atmosphere of the intro. As soon as the beat drops, I can't help but smile and have to fire up the old head nodder. Then Vinnie Paz starts to cents with his distinctive, deep voice and I'm definitely in my element - hip hop at its finest and with a gamer headset.
Last but not least, I listen to "Bird Eye's View" by Statik Selektah. Although it's cents over vocals, I understand the rappers' verses perfectly. The headset reproduces the mids really well.
Of course, over-ear headphones that are designed for music can do more. Nevertheless, the Virtuoso delivers solid sounds and captivates me.
A few words about the microphone. I test it on a call with colleague David Lee. The sound quality is very good. If I switch off the background noise by pressing and holding the microphone button, David hears my mechanical keyboard a little less well. But he doesn't find the difference enormous.
Conclusion: Awesome headset
The Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless SE is the best-looking gaming headset I've seen in a long time. Not only the beautiful design is impressive, but also the workmanship, wearing comfort and sound quality. Not quite as great are the battery life and the position of the charging port.
In terms of price, the headset is on the expensive side. Especially as Bluetooth is missing as a connection standard and the headset is therefore worthless in combination with the smartphone - unless you still have a headphone jack. Nevertheless: for the price, you get an excellently manufactured headset that is fun to use - just for at home.
Kevin Hofer
Senior Editor
kevin.hofer@digitecgalaxus.chFrom big data to big brother, Cyborgs to Sci-Fi. All aspects of technology and society fascinate me.
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