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The Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless SE gaming headset struggles to deliver even sound, but this can be fixed using customization software. Good for most gamers but disappointing for audiophiles.
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Table of Contents
Product Snapshot
Overview
The Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless SE is one of Corsair’s mid-range gaming headsets that hit the market in 2019, featuring sleek aesthetics and premium plastic and faux leather parts. This device has a detachable boom mic, fully engaging users in multi-player games. It has large, well-cushioned ear cups and a heavily padded headband. Relying on a wireless USB dongle, this device can be used on the go.
It comes with an integrated rechargeable battery to provide on-the-go power. However, users can switch to the included 3.5mm analog cable if it runs out of battery. It has an app-based graphic EQ and presets that let users tinker with sound settings. This headset has closed ear cups, which may favor on-the-go use. However, it doesn’t have active noise-canceling technology. Read on to learn more, and be sure to check out our picks for top gaming headsets today.
Consensus
our Verdict
The Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless SE gaming headset offers a premium build quality with a lot of comfort in terms of ear cups and headband padding. Their sleek black and silver design looks good and sets them apart from many other gaming headsets, especially when combined with the RGB lighting effects. However, they deliver an uneven sound profile that doesn’t sound natural on the passive soundstage. This can be remedied using the customizable graphic EQ feature in the included iCUE software, but out-of-the-box performance is disappointing.
However, the Corsair’s detachable boom microphone boasts stellar audio quality with crystal-clear voice reproduction for phone calls and in-game chat. The mic also eliminates background noise for better voice clarity. All in all, this headset is a good option for gamers at home.
ReasonS to Buy
Extensive Sound Customizability
While the Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless SE gaming headset’s sound delivery is uneven out of the box, this is easily remedied using Corsair’s iCUE software, which is incredibly user-friendly.
The iCUE software also allows you to customize these headphones’ RBG lighting effects.
Comfortable, Premium Build Quality
The Corsair sports good padding on both the headband and the ear cups for better comfort while wearing. The ear cups are also swappable so that you can customize your comfort level. However, be aware that you’ll need to purchase those additional ear cup options if desired.
This headset also features a premium build quality for long-lasting performance. It also boasts a premium design aesthetic that’s different than many other options available today.
Excellent Microphone Performance
The Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless SE offers an amazing detachable boom microphone with excellent voice recording capabilities. It recreates your voice with clear audio quality on the other end of the line.
The microphone can also easily handle ambient noise, so your voice is always clear on the other end of the line, even in moderately loud environments. This mic earns an 8.2 out of 10 in our Microphone Sound Quality Rating.
Reason to Avoid
Uneven Sound Profile
This gaming headset struggles to deliver consistent audio performance. The overall sound profile is a little uneven, and the passive soundstage sounds unnatural, which is especially apparent the longer you listen.
Poor Noise Isolation
These headphones lack any kind of active noise cancelation function, and the passive noise isolation is also disappointing. This shouldn’t matter too much if you’re gaming in a quiet room, but you’ll be able to hear most ambient noise happening around you
Tighter Fit
While the headphones are comfortable overall, they clamp tighter on your head than other gaming headsets, which can lead to discomfort and fatigue over extended gameplay sessions.
Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless SE Specs
Adjustable Headband
Yes
Auto-Adjusting Headband
No
Battery Life
20 hrs
Compatible Platforms
Android, Mac, Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X
Connector Size
3.5mm, USB Type-C
Detachable Mic
Yes
Driver Size
50mm
Earcup Foam Material
Memory Foam
Headphone Fit
Over-ear
Max Frequency Response
20,000 Hz
Min Frequency Response
20Hz
Noise Canceling
No
Product Weight
0.82 lbs
Programmable Buttons
No
Wireless
Yes
Wireless Connectivity
Bluetooth, Slipstream Wireless Technology
All Specs
Test Results
These are the most important criteria to test for Gaming Headsets based on our comprehensive Testing Methodology.
Max Volume (dB)
0
Microphone Sound Quality Rating (out of 10.0)
8.2
Speech To Noise Ratio (dB)
27.06
BT Latency (ms)
0
Non-BT Latency (ms)
0
Low End Roll Off (Hz)
20
High End Roll Off (Hz)
2,215.774
All Tests
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The Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless SE is one of Corsair’s mid-range gaming headsets that hit the market in 2019, featuring sleek aesthetics and premium plastic…
The Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless SE is one of Corsair’s mid-range gaming headsets that hit the market in 2019, featuring sleek aesthetics and premium plastic and faux leather parts. This device has a detachable boom mic, fully engaging users in multi-player games. It has large, well-cushioned ear cups and a heavily padded headband. Relying on a wireless USB dongle, this device can be used on the go.
It comes with an integrated rechargeable battery to provide on-the-go power. However, users can switch to the included 3.5mm analog cable if it runs out of battery. It has an app-based graphic EQ and presets that let users tinker with sound settings. This headset has closed ear cups, which may favor on-the-go use. However, it doesn’t have active noise-canceling technology. Read on to learn more, and be sure to check out our picks for top gaming headsets today.
While the Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless SE comes with a 3.5mm analog cable, giving users the option of wired connectivity, the Corsair HS80 RGB Wireless…
While the Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless SE comes with a 3.5mm analog cable, giving users the option of wired connectivity, the Corsair HS80 RGB Wireless doesn’t. However, the Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless SE boasts a ski-band headband that many people find more comfortable than the standard unit on the Virtuoso. See our Corsair HS80 RGB Wireless review to explore details.
Running for up to 18.3 hours on a single charge, the Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless XT is more suited to travel than the Corsair Virtuoso…
Running for up to 18.3 hours on a single charge, the Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless XT is more suited to travel than the Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless SE, which will fizzle out in about 13.3 hours. It also supports Bluetooth, connecting to a wider range of devices than the SE model, which depends solely on a USB dongle. Our Corsair VIRTUOSO RGB Wireless XT review explains more.
With a decidedly more neutral sound profile, Logitech’s G PRO X WIRELESS LIGHTSPEED headset is more suitable for podcasts and music than the Corsair Virtuoso…
With a decidedly more neutral sound profile, Logitech’s G PRO X WIRELESS LIGHTSPEED headset is more suitable for podcasts and music than the Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless SE. It also has a better 23.9-hour battery life, beating the 13.3 hours of the Corsair device. The Logitech device also has a lower 41 ms USB dongle latency, syncing audio better than the Corsair’s headset’s 73 ms latency.
Adjustable Headband
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Auto-Adjusting Headband
No
No
No
No
Battery Life
20 hrs
20 hrs
15 hrs
50 hrs
Compatible Platforms
Android, Mac, Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X
Mac, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
Android, iOS, Mac, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch – OLED Model, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X
Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows
