Technical Overview

Speaking technically, let's start by looking at some specifications.

Frequency response: 20Hz - 20kHz

Impedance: 32 Ohms at 1kHz

Dynamic range: 93dB A-wtd

USB power consumption: 250mW

Drivers: 50mm

Cable: 3 meters

Connector: USB Type A

Microphone Type: Unidirectional noise-cancelling condenser

Impedance: 2.2k Ohms

Frequency response: 200Hz - 10kHz +/- 2dB

Sensitivity (1mW, 1KHz): -45dB +4/-2 dB

Dolby® Headphone: Dolby Headphone is designed to enhance the listening experience for any stereo, 5.1, or 7.1 audio source. Dolby Headphone works with any audio source, and no special encoding is required.

When designing the HS1, Corsair set out to address several issues inherent with a number of the gaming headset systems on the market at the moment. Of the most severe of these according to Corsair (and we tend to agree also) is the way in which the low and high end gets a boost when the final tuning of the system is done. This boost gives a great first impression, but this quickly fades away as the realization that much of the detail from the signal is being lost in the process.

So what Corsair has done is try to design a gaming headset that can be also used for music and movies with just as much enjoyment. The choice to use large 50mm drivers is a good one and resonates with our thoughts expressed recently regarding the super importance of correct driver choice. The actual tuning of the headset has been done in such a way as to reflect the importance of neutrality across the frequency spectrum when listening to music and also movies and games.

Memory foam has been used in the construction of the ear cups, which as you might be able to guess, conforms to the shape of the users head. This is the same stuff they use in those expensive mattresses. Finally, cloth covers the foam and can be replaced down the track. There is also a simple folding microphone that can bend inward to move closer to the users mouth if needed.

The overall construction of the HS1 feels great and is very rugged also, which helps a lot with a heavily trafficked device like a headset. Anybody basically would have a tough time breaking the HS1 by accident.