Over the past few years, the best gaming headsets have become premium. Gone are the days of flashy headphones filled with RGB lights and angular designs that stick out like a sore thumb. Nowadays, the largest audio equipment manufacturers are more interested in creating high-quality headsets that you would not be ashamed to wear in public places. The problem, however, is that they often come at a high price because they are marketed more as lifestyle products than as gaming products.
This is what makes Cyber Monday such a key moment for gaming audiophiles. This weekend you have the chance to buy a premium headset at a reasonable price. If you need lend a hand choosing, I recommend Corsair’s Virtuoso Max wireless headset, which is available at various stores for $290 (down from $330). I feel comfortable recommending it, even if it has its fair share of issues, because it’s become my favorite headset over the last few months.
So what makes Virtuoso Max so special? The fact is that it’s not anything special at all. Rather than loading it up with off-the-shelf gimmicks, Corsair focused on creating a tidy, functional pair of cans that will work on a wide variety of devices. While there’s a separate pair you can buy specifically for Xbox, the basic headset supports PC, Mac, PlayStation, Switch, mobile devices, and more with support for 2.4GHz wireless and Bluetooth.
When it comes to sound quality, the Virtuoso Max checks a lot of boxes thanks to its clear 50mm graphene drivers. You’ll want to play around with the EQ settings as this is a typical bass-heavy gaming headset, but the sound will dazzle once you adjust it to the right spot. Most notable is that the Virtuoso Max can be quite thunderous without distorting the sound. If I operate them as much as possible, I won’t get the terrible hiss. This is perfect for someone like me who enjoys rousing music. This clear audio profile pairs well with effective busy noise cancellation, which does a great job of blocking out sound.
However, what attracts me most is the design. Instead of looking “cool” by the archaic gamer definition, the Virtuoso Max has a subtle, lightweight aluminum construction that I can wear in public. Personally, I have the silver model, which has a tidy look but isn’t too shiny. The only additional lighting element are gaunt rings around the earcups, which add a slight glow. The earcups also rotate, acting as a control knob that you can operate to adjust the volume. This means I don’t have to dig around underneath it trying to find the volume knob. Everything is intuitive.
When it comes to comfort, it will vary from person to person. They hold my head tightly which helps them block out outside sound. The memory foam ear cups and headband provide ample cushioning, but aren’t as supple as Turtle Beach’s cushion-like Atlas Air. If you plan on wearing them for an extended period of time – and that’s possible with a battery life of up to 60 hours – be aware that this may cause a bit of squeezing.
Virtuoso Max are not perfect by any means. I’ve seen plenty great criticism from audiophiles who feel a little burnt by some of its flaws, such as audio bugs and lack of a preset EQ. These are largely petite things that turned into bigger problems due to the headset’s high $330 price tag. I agree with these assessments; a premium headset has to be held to a different standard than a pair of $100 cans. But considering the Cyber Monday price is under $300, I feel much more comfortable recommending the Virtuoso Max at this price. Even when there are issues, the incredibly clear sound quality, no distortion and excellent noise reduction make them a great choice for competitive gaming Call of Duty: Black Ops 6.
