Corsair Void Surround Gaming Headset Review - PAGE 1

Introduction

Corsair is a name that stands tall in the PC gaming space, expanding their horizons from the days where they only made memory modules that everyone liked to brag about because of the slick heat shields and faster timings. Today the company also produces a slew of enthusiast hardware including keyboards, mice and headsets. Today we're looking at the VOID Surround, a variable input headset that is compatible with consoles, PC and even mobile platforms.

The VOID Surround packs a standard 3.5mm jack that combines left, right and microphone connections; basically what you expect to see on your smartphone headset adapter these days. For users who lack a sound card or want to avoid some of the interference inside their PC, there's a USB adapter included that works with the Corsair Custom Utility Engine for direct output. When using it with your console (as I did with the Xbox One) you'll need any respective hardware that goes along with it, in this case the stereo headset adapter. With all this versatility, memory foam cushioning, and 50mm drivers, the VOID Surround stacks up as an interesting option for users who are looking to retire an older unit, or get a solid headset.

Test Hardware Setup

Onkyo SR-606 - Optical input from PC to front panel headphone jack
Corsair RDA0009 - USB to 3.5mm adapter that comes in the box (PC)
Microsoft Xbox One Stereo Headset adapter
Motorola G (2015) with standard 3.5mm output

Stereo Sound

I ran the VOID Surround overnight with a random playlist on lower volume, just as a general break-in practice. Then I kicked things off with the SR-606 output to the VOID. In this mode the surround field doesn't apply, as it's simply a 2-channel feed to the headphones. The receiver ran the audio through a stereo setting for the DSP; while direct would allow for a pure feed, it tends to leave out the LFE from the signal which adds a richness to movies and other media.

My primary selection was the opening race from Need for Speed. The atmosphere and soundtrack in this title deliver some taxing moments to equipment, and in this case the VOID Surround held up with its lower frequency range delivery. Instead of bottoming out and clipping or distorting, it hangs in there even in the higher volume ranges. Testing it further with 30 cycle sound tests, I was surprised to find even at higher volumes the VOID actually keeps it together without distortion. It actually also deliver on the low frequency response that tends to escape many headphones out there.

Surround Sound

The Corsair RDA009 was next on the list, and this adapter is a cornerstone to the unit as it serves as the surround element. For those curious, this is a stereo unit with a Dolby adapter that lets users experience a surround experience through DSP features. With reverb, echo and other effects, the software simulates an expanded sound field suited to each audio moment. It's no different from what people see in their home theater systems and other audio devices that emulate sound fields (concert halls, theaters), it's just Corsair's custom tweak on it so the stereo sound field comes off with more depth.

In movies, it's a feature that varies based on the selection; sometimes it compliments the mood and ambience, and other times not so much in such close proximity. In music it's less appealing as many songs are mastered for stereo output so adding excess ambience doesn't fit well, even in the case of orchestra delivery as it's tweaking the actual delivery. When used in casual web browsing (like watching YouTube commentary) it's also really not ideal as everyone starts to showcase a distinct echo and the other filters within the engine; basically it's not needed in those cases and best turned off.

It's not all doom and gloom for the surround sound elements though, when it comes to gaming the VOID Surround helps enhance immersion in racing games, adding roaring ambience in the cockpit view, and of course adding extra tension in action titles. Those sewers and hallways just get a little more worse to wander through even with just a hint of extra surround sound effects.

There's a decent investment all around in stereo surround delivery for headphones but it's an experience that largely varies per user. In the case of the VOID it's functional within the right mediums, but many may feel more at home with the stereo delivery as an everyday experience. In any case, the control panel settings in Windows allows for a quick toggling of the Dolby surround effects.

Console Gaming

Moving to the console gaming front, I updated my controller and plugged in the VOID Surround headset to experience the world of Oros in Ubisoft's Far Cry Primal. Not only does the VOID fit the controller well, but the configuration allows the controller's AA battery power to deliver enough juice to the headset's 50mm drivers for a respectable level of volume.

As noted earlier, the 3.5mm source only allows the headset to function in stereo mode when plugged directly to the Xbox One controller but even with that restriction, the world of Oros felt more vibrant, and predators and enemies alike became more audible where before they might slip by you thanks to low volume on other headsets or simply sitting too far away from the TV when not using a headset. The VOID Surround ergonomics also made it was easy to lose oneself in Far Cry Primal for a good 30 minutes because of the low pressure on the ears / head. Unfortunately it also made it easy to miss multiple calls on my phone as room noise drops to a minimum.

One of the key items here and on the USB is the sound isn't as rich as the SR-606, but it still maintains a steady bass line. Games still have a good range and the Corsair tools allow the headset to use the EQ over USB on the PC. There's a fair punch on both platforms, but that LFE addition gives new life to the headset for those who want that full use of the frequency range. I'm not sure how much more this can be improved in future iterations, but it would be nice to highlight a hidden gem lurking within.

Smartphones

The final test was with the Motorola G Android smartphone. Out of curiosity I plugged it in to test voice capability and found myself able to enjoy music, videos and voice functions. While it's somewhat overkill to use the VOID in place of a normal headset, I can't blame anyone who would, as the unit has a great cushioned design that sits over the ear and uses dense memory foam so it doesn't put heavy pressure that would cause a headache as so many other solutions could do.

While plugged into the smartphone, I was able to test out the voice quality. Even with a room full of active sound, it's able to filter those out and focus direction on the user without distortion or low volume. Recording voice memos, talking on the phone or just screwing around with voice changing software didn't bring up faults; the only thing I needed to tweak was the placement for the microphone itself,as it sat a little far for my liking, but a simple bend fixed that and even better, it held its shape.

Conclusion

The VOID Surround is a versatile unit, covering all the basics with support for the PC in multiple ways, including full functions with a provided USB unit and compatibility with consoles too. It's comfortable, adjustable and with the right user setup, it's a very rich and rewarding standard headphone system too. For users who want a solid experience with comfortable ear cups and strong noise reduction, I'd say this unit gets it done. Corsair produced a headset that allows users to really immerse themselves into their entertainment and game worlds, without sacrificing the build quality, style or comfort​​​​​​​​​​​​​​. To top this off, it also works as a headphone unit without requiring users to find a USB power source for it, something I really wish more headsets featured.

The Corsair VOID Surround is priced around $59.99 and includes the Corsair USB adapter, making it a strong contender in the value maket segment that already hotly contested with multiple solutions.

Disclosure: Corsair has provided the Corsair VOID Surround unit reviewed in this article.