Design
Right from the start of the unboxing process, the Virtuoso Max conveys a sense of quality and meticulous design. The packaging is exquisitely designed, and Corsair’s inclusion of a soft carrying case is a nod to discerning gamers who value both performance and portability. Inside this carefully designed packaging, you’ll find headphones, a detachable microphone, a USB dongle, and a meticulously crafted USB-C charging cable, all of which serve as a promise. initial premium experience ahead.
The build quality of the Virtuoso Max impresses immediately. The use of an aluminum frame in both the headband and earcups gives the headphones a sturdy and sturdy feel. It’s not a light headset, weighing around 418g, but the sturdiness and premium feel are unquestionable.
The headband has a flexible design and can be twisted and bent, and the swivel earcups lie comfortably flat against your neck – a testament to the overall construction and design. There’s a subtle bit of personality with discreet RGB lighting surrounding each earcup, it avoids the excessive flashiness that some gaming headsets tend to adopt. However, one notable design choice is the use of faux leather for the headband and earcups, which while giving it a premium feel, can also cause a bit of discomfort during casual gaming sessions. long periods of time due to lack of breathability and heat retention.
The layout of the controls on the Virtuoso Max shows seamless integration and intuitive design. Game/chat balance and volume controls are built directly into the ear cups, with textured metal wheels that are not only functional but a joy to use. These textured metal dials are a significant improvement over standard buttons, making it easy to make adjustments while you’re gaming.
The left earcup has a power switch, allowing you to quickly switch between USB dongle and Bluetooth, while the right earcup has a mode/custom button with various functions, in addition to a method switch button. Which I personally don’t like very much, by the way, because it can’t be remaped or customized through software. The headset also features customizable RGB lighting on each earcup, allowing you to add a little personal touch and can be further fine-tuned via Corsair iCUE software.
Sound, software and battery life
When it comes to sound, the Virtuoso Max really shines thanks to its 50mm graphene driver. The sound is rich, detailed and has a wide and enveloping soundstage. Whether you’re immersed in the chaos of a fast-paced shooting game or chilling and enjoying the storyline, Virtuoso Max handles it all perfectly.
Virtuoso Max is also a great headphone for listening to music, delivering warm and dynamic sound as if you were in the middle of a live concert. The default sound quality of the ear is not very good, needs a little customization with EQ, but fortunately, the headset supports Dolby Atmos Spatial Audio, providing a great surround sound experience for games and media. compatible. Corsair also integrates its own EQ customization through its SoundID service, a five-minute test that allows the headphones to create custom EQ settings based on the user’s preferences and hearing ability.
The active noise cancellation (ANC) feature on the Virtuoso Max works very well, which is a welcome feature if you tend to game in a noisy environment. Additionally, if you need to be aware of your surroundings, crosstalk mode is also great.
The headset also has a detachable microphone that works well in most situations, but doesn’t include any built-in noise cancellation. However, as mentioned earlier, most modern calling platforms have built-in noise filtering features, so this is not a major drawback.
Battery is another area where this headset excels, easily achieving the manufacturer’s claimed 60 hours of gaming and even longer with the RGB lighting turned off. It also has a “sleep mode” function that activates if the headphones are in an inactive state, which is useful for saving battery life.
All of the headset’s settings are managed through Corsair’s iCUE software, providing full control over everything from battery monitoring, to RGB customization. iCUE also has the SoundID Personalization feature mentioned above for those who want to further customize their headphones’ EQ settings. The problem is that the iCue software is currently only available on Windows and MacOS, so gamers using Virtuoso Max on other platforms such as phones or game consoles will find the headset’s features much limited.
Conclude
So, the important question remains: Is the Corsair Virtuoso Max really worth its hefty price tag? The answer is not simple. It’s certainly a powerful, feature-rich headphone that prioritizes a premium experience. However, that premium experience comes with a significant price tag of nearly 9 million VND, a relatively heavy weight, and iCue’s cool features are currently only available on Windows and MacOS.
But if you’re looking for a top-notch audio experience, not only for gaming but also for entertainment in general, Virtuoso Max will not disappoint you. Its immersive sound, customizable features, and excellent build quality certainly make it a worthwhile choice for those looking for the best in the market for high-end gaming headsets.