A quality contender
Imagine that, I am back with another headset review. Sometimes I wonder if I could start a headset group somewhere for people with problems, because I clearly have one. This time around I am taking a look at Corsair’s Virtuoso Max for Xbox, and it is new for me. I have done a ton of Turtle Beach and Astro models in the past, heck I even did a couple for RiG headsets, but this is my first Corsair. After spending ample time with it playing lots of games, I can say this is a quality headset with a few minor setbacks.
Let’s kick things off with what is in the box. This is normally how I start these reviews simply because it is literally the first impression. When you spend $300+ on a piece of tech, you expect a certain level of quality. Right out of the gate the Virtuoso comes packed in a thick box that feels premium. Inside is a soft-shell case that contains the headset, a detachable mic, USB dongle (not another one!) and a USB charging cable. I love that it comes with a lengthy braided cable, call me shallow, but that just speaks quality.
MSRP: $329.99
Price I’d Pay: $299.99
The headset itself is very premium. From the minute I took it out of the box, it was hefty with a quality aluminum build that gave it a sleek, futuristic look. The ear cups are made of a fine leather material as is the headband, which is also accented by aluminum. This thing just looks and feels like a premium product. My concern was the weight while wearing it for long sessions. The ear cups were extremely comfortable, and they have RGB lights on either side that light up and can be customized via an app on PC. Needless to say, from a pure visual standpoint, they made it feel like it was worth its asking price.
Comfort is king when it comes to headsets, which is an area where the Virtuoso comes up a bit short. In brief sessions, things are fine. The cups are large and hug your head well, but after a while it begins to warm up on both the ear cups and the headband. The weight can also start to push down over time. It isn’t deal-breaking by any means, but I did notice a minor headache after longer sessions. This could also be because I wear glasses, and the cups are really snug on both sides.
The controls also take a bit to get accustomed to. There are only a couple buttons on the headset. There is a power button, a customize button for sound modes, and a media control button. I’m not a huge fan of the last one as it simply isn’t what I will be using the headset for. It also cannot be re-assigned. The volume and game/chat controls are on the cups, which is always nice. That is about it. Some buttons have multiple functions, which was confusing until I got accustomed to it. I always prefer more controls than fewer, so this headset didn’t nail that aspect for me.
Another thing that bothers me is that setting up EQ modes and RGB changes have to be done on PC. I prefer having a phone app I can connect to to make these changes. Having to plug my headset into a PC, or connect via Bluetooth is a pain. Especially when I just want to make a minor adjustment. The level of customization in this app is outstanding though. Everything I could possibly want to do is right there and easy to set. It also comes packed with Dolby Atmos, which is always a plus. I am still shocked this thing still costs money, but most headsets come with a free subscription.
So the biggest question on everyone’s mind, how does it sound? This being my first experience with a Corsair headset I was impressed. The highs sound great, and the Atmos is very immersive. Playing games like Overwatch I was able to hear everything from every angle. Explosions have great range and dialogue is crystal clear. If there is one thing that drives me nuts though, is the lack of bass. This headset feels lacking in this area when compared to others in the same range. I like a good thump, I like to feel the sound, and the Virtuoso falls just a bit short in this area. Every other facet though, is extremely impressive.
The detachable headset is appreciated. I don’t use it much anymore, so being able to just remove it altogether is appreciated. Also, kudos for the mute button being right there, it is very nice. The battery life is fantastic. We are at the point where headsets carry 40-60 hours of battery, and this one does the same. It also charges really fast. All the premium features are here.
The Virtuoso Max is extremely impressive. This thing feels like it costs $300+, which it does! But it backs it up on nearly every level. There are a few quirks, the biggest for me is the lack of bass, but if that doesn’t matter then this headset is an easy recommendation. It feels premium, sounds premium, and is just all around impressive.
Review hardware provided by publisher.
