The Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless SE are decent wireless gaming headphones. They have an understated and premium design that's a lot less flashy than many other gaming headsets, with subtle RGB Corsair logos on each ear cup. They feel quite well-built but unfortunately aren't the most comfortable and likely can cause some fatigue after long gaming marathons. On the upside, their wireless latency is great with their included USB dongle, and they can even be used wired by plugging them into the controller of either a PS4 or Xbox One. Their microphone performance is very good, though transmitted speech may lack some detail.
Note: We reviewed the SE variant, though we expect the Corsair VIrtuoso RGB Wireless' performance to be very similar. The Corsair Virtuoso SE has more customization options for their RGB side-lighting, brushed metal aluminum on their ear cups, and a slightly larger microphone.
The Corsair Virtuoso are okay for neutral sound. They have a warm and somewhat uneven sound profile, which doesn't sound very neutral. They're also prone to inconsistent audio delivery, and their passive soundstage can be perceived as unnatural and as if coming from inside your head. Luckily, their companion software offers a graphic EQ and presets to help tweak their sound to your liking.
The Corsair Virtuoso are sub-par for commute and travel. They don't isolate background noise well, especially the low rumbles of engines, and may not be the most comfortable for people with moderately large heads. Like most gaming headphones, they are also quite large which can make them less portable, though they do feature a removable microphone and have swiveling ear cups, which allow them to fold flat.
The Corsair Virtuoso are middling for sports and fitness. They aren't very portable due to their bulky design, and despite being fairly tight, they don't stay on the head too well while you're moving. Their over-ear design also isn't the most breathable and can trap heat in the ear cups, causing you to sweat. Although we don't currently test for this, they don't have an IP rating for water resistance, either.
The Corsair Virtuoso are alright for office use. While they don't leak much audio, meaning you can crank up your music without bothering your co-workers, they aren't the most comfortable and may cause fatigue after a full workday. They also struggle to cut down ambient chatter around you. Unfortunately, they don't support Bluetooth, but you can use them wired with their 1/8" TRRS cable or USB-C cable.
The Corsair Virtuoso are decent for wireless gaming. They have low latency when using their USB dongle and offer over 13 hours of continuous playback time. Their microphone is also very good, and your teammates should have no problem hearing and understanding you. Unfortunately, they aren't the most comfortable and can cause you discomfort during longer gaming marathons.
The Corsair Virtuoso are decent for wired gaming. They have low audio latency and are fully compatible with PC, PS4, and Xbox One consoles using their 1/8" TRRS cable. They have decent customization options via their companion software and can also be used wired while charging, which is good as they take about four hours to charge.
The Corsair Virtuoso are decent for phone calls. Their boom microphone records and transmits speech very well and does a very good job at separating your speech from background noise, like subway trains. Unfortunately, they aren't the most portable, so they may not be great for taking phone calls on-the-go.
The Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless SE comes in one color variant: 'Black'. These headphones also come in a pared-down variant called the Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless, which doesn't have 7.1 surround support, and lacks a brushed aluminum finish on their ear cups. They also have a smaller microphone and don't come with a carrying pouch, either.
If you come across another variant, please let us know in the discussions and we'll update our review.
The Corsair Virtuoso RGB are decent gaming headphones with a premium look and feel, and impressive microphone performance. They can be used wired and wirelessly, have over 13 hours of continuous playback time, and are compatible with Corsair iCUE software, so you're able to customize them to your liking. Unfortunately, they have an uneven sound profile as well as a tight and heavy fit, which some users may find fatiguing over time. See our recommendations for the best gaming headsets, the best PS4 headsets, and the best wireless gaming headsets.
The Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless SE and the Corsair VIRTUOSO RGB Wireless XT are similarly performing headphones. While both headphones have a comfortable, well-built design and a similarly warm default sound profile, the XT support Bluetooth so you can listen to audio on your phone while gaming. They also have a better overall performing boom mic and a longer continuous battery life.
The Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless SE are somewhat better for wireless gaming than the Corsair HS80 RGB WIRELESS. The Virtuoso have much lower latency via non-Bluetooth wireless and also come with a 1/8" TRRS cable for an analog connection. Their boom mic is detachable and has a somewhat better noise handling performance, and they also do a better job of passively isolating you from sounds like ambient conversation. However, the HS80 have a ski-band headband design that should make them much more comfortable for most, and they have a slightly better mic recording quality.
The Logitech G PRO X WIRELESS LIGHTSPEED Gaming Headset are better gaming headphones than the Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless SE. The Logitech are more comfortable, have lower wireless latency, have a longer continuous battery life, and have a more neutral default sound profile, which some users may prefer. Their boom mic also has a significantly better performance. However, you can use the Corsair wired.
The SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless are better wireless gaming headphones than the Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless. The SteelSeries more comfortable and have much better controls on the headphones. Their sound profile is much more balanced and neutral with fewer peaks too, which some users may prefer. Their microphone also performs better overall and handles background noise much better. However, they leak more sound and isolate background noise worse than the Corsair. The SteelSeries also support Bluetooth, which is rare for gaming headphones.
The Corsair Void PRO RGB Wireless and the Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless are similarly performing gaming headphones and depending on your usage, you may prefer one over the other. The Void are a bit more comfortable due to being less tight on the head. However, they are quite a bit bulkier, they also don't feel as well-built and don't isolate sound as well. The microphone on the Virtuoso has significantly better recording quality, though it doesn't handle very loud environments quite as well. Unlike the Virtuoso, the Void can only be used wirelessly, and can't be used with the Xbox One at all.
The Corsair HS70 Wireless are slightly better wireless gaming headphones than the Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless. The HS70 are more comfortable, feel more stable on the head, have a much better-balanced sound profile, are much more consistent among various users and reseats, and have longer battery life. On the other hand, the Virtuoso have a better microphone, wired connectivity options, and block slightly more background noise.
The HyperX Cloud2/Cloud II Wireless are better for wireless gaming than the Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless SE. The HyperX have a much more comfortable fit and a longer continuous battery life. They have a slightly bass-heavy but more neutral sound profile, which some users may prefer. On the other hand, the Corsair's companion software gives you access to a graphic EQ and presets, so you can customize their sound profile. You can use them wirelessly or with a wired connection with their included 1/8" TRRS cable.
The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro Wireless 2020 are somewhat better headphones for gaming than the Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless SE. The Razer have a much more comfortable fit, a longer continuous battery life, and a virtual surround sound feature. On the other hand, the Corsair offer lower latency when you connect to PC or PS4 with their wireless USB dongle. Their mic also has a much better recording quality.
The Astro A50 Gen 4 Wireless 2019 are much better wireless gaming headphones than the Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless. The Astro are much more comfortable and have a significantly more balanced sound profile. Their microphone offers superior recording quality and noise handling capability. Unfortunately, the Astro can't be used wired like the Corsair, meaning they don't work with Xbox One consoles. Also, unlike the Corsair, the Astro block out almost no background chatter and leak much more audio, meaning they aren't as well-suited for gaming with others in the room.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 2019 Edition Wireless are better wireless gaming headphones than the Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless SE. The SteelSeries are more comfortable, have better controls, feel more stable on the head, and have a more balanced and neutral sound profile. They aren't as consistent among users, however, and some people may get inconsistent bass or treble delivery. Their microphone's recording quality isn't quite as good as the Corsair's, but it handles noisy environments much better and they have a much longer continuous battery life.
The ROCCAT Elo 7.1 Air Wireless and Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless SE each have their own advantages, and one may suit you better depending on your preferences. The ROCCAT have a better control scheme, a longer battery life, and companion software with more options. The Corsair are better-built, can be used on wired connection either via USB or with a 1/8" TRRS cable, and have lower non-Bluetooth wireless latency.
The Beats Solo Pro Wireless and the Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless SE are for different purposes. The Corsair are wireless gaming headphones that are more comfortable, have a virtual soundstage feature, a significantly better mic performance, and you can use them wired. Their companion software also allows you to adjust their sound using their graphic EQ and presets. However, the Beats are better for casual use. They have a more neutral sound profile, an ANC system that can block out more ambient noise, and longer continuous battery life.
The Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless SE are slightly more versatile headphones than the Astro A10 Gen 2. You can use the Corsair wired or wirelessly, they have a better build quality, their boom mic offers better overall performance, and they're compatible with companion software, which offers a graphic EQ and presets to help you adjust their sound. However, the Astro are more comfortable.
The Corsair Virtuoso have a straightforward but premium look. They're less flashy than other gamer-centric headsets, with a black and silver color scheme. While they're quite large, they aren't as bulky as many other gaming headsets. They feature a customizable RGB Corsair logo on each ear cup.
The Corsair Virtuoso are decently comfortable. While they have good padding, they're a bit heavy and may fit a bit tight on some people's heads. The cups are swappable but unfortunately don't come with other options in-the-box. That said, the cups' normal depth should be comfortable enough for most people. Overall, they should be comfortable enough for shorter gaming sessions but may cause fatigue during longer marathons.
The control scheme is sub-par. It's better suited for gaming, as there is no music control from the headphones themselves. While the controls are easy to use, they lack many options and only give you volume and microphone control. The microphone wheel is a bit stiff and has an infinite scroll with audio cues indicating min/max volume.
The Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless SE are passably breathable. They can trap in some heat, which can make your ears feel fairly warm and cause you to sweat more than usual, so they may not be ideal for sports or working out. They should be fine in more casual conditions, however, and should be suitable for gaming and listening to music if you take breaks from time to time.
Like most gaming headphones, the Corsair Virtuoso aren't very portable. The ear cups swivel a full 180 degrees, which allows them to lay flat, and the microphone is detachable, but they don't fold into a more compact format.
The Corsair Virtuoso have a great build quality. They're made from good-quality and dense plastic, while there's metal in the headband. The SE model also have a brushed aluminum finish on the ear cups. Both the headband and ear cups are padded with a nice feeling faux-leather that gives them an all-around premium look and feel. They should be able to withstand a few accidental drops or bumps without sustaining too much damage.
The Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless have alright stability. They're a bit tight on the head, though they can fall off from bigger head movements, which isn't ideal for sports. They should stay quite stable during gaming. They also have a wireless design, so you don’t have to worry about a cable getting hooked on something, which could yank the headphones off your head.
The Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless SE have a fairly warm but uneven sound profile. They have a dip in low-mids which pushes back lead instruments and some vocals, so they sound quite dark and may not be the greatest choice for more vocal-centric audio like podcasts. It's worth noting that due to their mediocre frequency response consistency, you may experience differences in their sound profile depending on their fit. Luckily, their companion software offers a graphic EQ and presets so that you can tweak its sound to your liking.
The Corsair Virtuoso have mediocre frequency response consistency. Due to their fit, seal, and positioning, they have inconsistent bass and treble delivery, and people who have thick hair or glasses may especially notice a drop in bass. You may need to adjust their position on your head every time you put them on to ensure consistent audio reproduction.
The Corsair Virtuoso have good bass accuracy. They're underemphasized in the low-bass, so your mixes lack thump and rumble. In contrast, the high-bass is overemphasized, which adds boom.
The mid-range accuracy is decent. The dip in the low and mid-mids thins out vocals and lead instruments while also nudging them to the back of the mix. However, the high-mids are fairly neutral so vocals and instruments have adequate clarity and detail.
The Corsair Virtuoso's treble accuracy is alright. It's underemphasized across the range so vocals and lead instruments sound veiled while sibilants like cymbals are dull and lispy.
The Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless SE have an alright peaks/dips performance. There's a large peak in the high-bass, which adds a significant boom while the following dip in the low-mids thins out vocals and lead instruments. There's also some mismatch between the left and right driver in the high-mids, so the left driver makes vocals and lead instruments a bit honky and harsh while the right driver keeps these sounds adequately detailed and clear. However, it's important to note that driver mismatch is only valid for our pair and can vary from unit to unit.
The Corsair Virtuoso's imaging performance is great. The group delay falls just under the audibility threshold, resulting in a tight bass and transparent treble reproduction. While the L/R drivers are well-matched in amplitude and phase response, there's a small amount of frequency mismatch, which could indicate holes in the stereo image. However, these results are only valid for our test unit, so your experience may vary.
The Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless' passive soundstage is poor. Due to their closed-back design, the soundstage is perceived as small and located inside your head. It also sounds unnatural, and it may not sound as immersive as headphones with an open-back design.
These headphones have a 7.1 surround sound feature in their companion software. However, we don't currently test this feature's performance.
The Corsair Virtuoso's weighted harmonic distortion is decent. There are a couple of peaks in the treble range at normal listening volumes, but this can be hard to hear with real-life content. The frequencies also fall within good limits at higher volume levels, resulting in clear and pure audio reproduction.
These are the settings we used to test these headphones. Our results are only valid when using these settings.
The Corsair Virtuoso's noise isolation is sub-par. They do a poor job at blocking out the low rumbles of bus or plane engines and struggle to isolate ambient speech. While their treble range isolation is significantly better, this isn't generally as important. It can help cut down the hum of an AC unit.
The Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless SE have decent leakage performance. The significant portion of their leakage sits in the mid-range, which means that their leakage sounds fuller than that of in-ears and earbuds but not as loud and full as open-back headphones. Also, since the overall level of the leakage is not very loud, it shouldn't be a concern unless you play loud music in a very quiet environment.
The microphone's recording quality is quite impressive. Your voice sounds full-bodied, though lacking some detail. The bump in low-bass may make your voice prone to pops and rumbling noises.
The Corsair Virtuoso's microphone's noise handling is very good. It can easily separate speech from ambient noise in most loud environments and should even be able to handle extremely loud situations like subway stations and gaming competitions.
The Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless SE have a very good battery performance. They have over 13 hours of continuous playback time, although their performance in this regard depends on your usage. They also have a customizable standby timer that puts your headphones into sleep mode after a specified amount of inactivity. They support passive playback through an included 1/8" audio cable and can be used while charging via their USB-C port, which is good as their charge time is very long at almost 4 hours.
Update 02/17/2022: It was originally reported that the Corsair iCUE software isn't compatible with macOS. Ηowever, this has been retested, and the software does work with macOS and Windows. The results have been updated with the correct information.
The Corsair iCUE software is decent. It offers a good graphic EQ, as well as EQ presets, mic control, and a simple surround sound option. They support 7.1 surround sound, though it doesn't specify whether this is Dolby or DTS. The app also allows you to set the headphones' sleep mode timer. The settings are saved onto the wireless dongle and carry over if you plug it into different PCs or your PS4. The RGB lighting has many customization options that you can set via the software, including displaying red when your battery percentage falls below a set level.
Update 10/19/2021: These headphones have been updated to test bench 1.5. In this update, we use a click track in our software, and we measure latency three times and average the results. However, while the headphones seemed to work, the click track wasn't audible. We retested them on a couple of different computers, made sure our settings were correct, maxed out their volume controls, and retested them with another pair of headphones to compare them. Since the output click track's volume was too low for our microphone to pick up, we decided to test latency by recording the Youtube click track, rather than the one in our software, by pointing the camera to the computer monitor. As a result, we measured 73 ms of latency, which is higher than the original measurement of 10 ms. We don't expect users to encounter this issue, though, and we have updated our review to reflect these changes.
These headphones use a USB dongle to connect to your PlayStation console or PC. They have low latency, which shouldn't be noticeable, and offer a decent range, which should have no problem reaching your couch or chair.
Update 10/19/2021: These headphones have been updated to test bench 1.5. In this update, we use a click track in our software, and we measure latency three times and average the results. However, while the headphones seemed to work, the click track wasn't audible. We retested them on a couple of different computers, made sure our settings were correct, maxed out their volume controls, and retested them with another pair of headphones to compare them. Since the output click track's volume was too low for our microphone to pick up, we decided to test latency by recording the Youtube click track, rather than the one in our software, by pointing the camera to the computer monitor. As a result, we measured 'Analog/USB Audio Latency' at 59 ms, compared to the original 10 ms. We don't expect users to encounter this issue, though, and we have updated our review to reflect these changes.
These headphones can be used wired via their USB cable or 1/8" TRRS cable. You can also use them with their USB wireless dongle. The included USB cable is 6.3 feet long, and the included TRRS cable is 5.1 feet long.
These headphones are only compatible with the Xbox One when plugging in the 1/8" TRRS cable directly into the Xbox's controller.