Tag Archives: Virtuoso

Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless XT

RRP $ 269.00

"Corsair's Virtuoso RGB Wireless XT isn't perfect, but the way it offers the practicality to replace both your gaming headset and everyday headphones puts it in a league of its own."

advantages

• Great chic looks

• Excellent workmanship

• Versatile connectivity

• Can replace two headsets

• Practical RGB mic mute display

disadvantage

• Below average battery life

• Short radio range

• Expensive

Buying a gaming headset is not easy. It can be if you keep your expectations low, but if you're looking for something exclusive the thought of losing $ 269 on a wireless gaming headset can be a little daunting.

That's the price of Corsair's newest flagship gaming headset, the Virtuoso RGB Wireless XT, and while it's certainly worth the price, let's see if the stuff you can't see is good enough. Unlike many headsets, there is a lot to cover with this one, so let's dive in.

Build quality and comfort

As expected, the workmanship of the Virtuoso RGB Wireless XT is excellent. The headset uses a lot of synthetic leather and metal, which gives it a very chic look and feel. Corsair's elementary back-to-basics design also plays well here, as it gives the headset a very "contemporary headphone" look rather than the look of many garishly styled offerings.

I actually really like the design, and since the microphone is detachable and supports Bluetooth with Apt-X, you can easily use this set on the go in public. The bright bit of RGB might even attract curious eyes.

In terms of comfort, the Virtuoso RGB Wireless XT is generally good, but a bit missed – that may be a personal observation, but I find the ear cups too flat. This is done, of course, to get a sleeker profile for the modern look, but it presses a little against my right ear which causes discomfort with prolonged use.

That's my only complaint about comfort – the faux leather is soft, the pillows are … cushiony, and the clamping force is minimal so you won't get a headache. If your ears fit better than mine, which is more likely than not, you'll find the Virtuoso XT very snug. For larger ears, Logitech's G Pro X (wireless) headsets are generally more comfortable thanks to roomier ear cups.

The ergonomics of the controls are also great, with most of the buttons on the bottom of the right earcup. The only button that is on the left cup is the microphone mute button, and in fact, it's on the microphone itself, right on the base where it connects to the headset.

The microphone even has an RGB light ring at the end, and I think it's awesome, even if it's not exactly an ergonomic thing. It glows bright red when you mute the microphone and participates in whatever light show you have when it doesn't. This may seem like a small detail, and it is, but tell me, when was the last time you forgot you muted yourself and wondered why your friends weren't answering? Yesterday? Today? Yes me too. Every headset has to have that.

Connectivity

Most PC wireless gaming headsets have two or three types of connectivity. First and foremost there is a wireless interface with its own dongle, then a 3.5 mm jack if you need the cable anyway, and they often work via their USB charging cable too.

But Corsair has an additional treat: Bluetooth with support for the Apt-X codec. With most gaming headsets, this wouldn't be all that important, but this one looks pretty good and it's nice to be able to connect it to your phone for use on the go. Unplug the mic and no one would say it was a gaming headset. The next alternatives with this feature set are the Steelseries Arctis 9 and Arctis Pro wireless headsets, as they also support Bluetooth but don't support Apt-X and still look a lot like gaming headsets, which they are less likely to be worn in public makes suitable.

The headset also supports multiple device inputs at the same time, which is another handy feature. Connecting the headset to your PC via the dongle and your phone via bluetooth is not only great for easy toggling on the go, but you also don't have to take the headset off when you receive calls. The music quality is also better than Apt-X.

A quick range test showed disappointing results. In my apartment, I have my office at one end, and most headsets can reach halfway to the kitchen while maintaining a stable connection. The very best headsets stay connected to the other side of my apartment, but not the Virtuoso RGB Wireless XT: I could barely step out of my office into the hallway.

Audio quality

The sound quality is always a bit mixed with gaming headsets, especially wireless devices. That makes sense, of course: the drivers are tuned to pick up the enemy's footsteps and reloading noises and provide appealing bass for explosions. And since the wireless connection is geared towards low latency rather than audio quality, you end up with sound that audiophiles generally don't like.

And while the Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless XT is no exception to this set of requirements, it actually does quite well, especially over the Bluetooth connection when using a source device that supports the Apt-X codec. Music is fun, voices are clear, and there is enough detail to please most listeners. It won't compare to the best hi-fi headphones out there – it's not even in the same league – but for a gaming headset as practical as your everyday headphones, it's more than enough .

But again, keep in mind that the audio quality suffers a bit with the included 2.5 GHz dongle on the PC – you will not notice this at all in the game, since most games do not have sufficient audio quality anyway. The incoming voice streams from multiplayer chats aren't good either, but if you're playing music for pleasure you may want to do it from your phone or use a wired connection. The only catch is that the battery life on dual devices is pretty limited – you'll be happy to hit 15 hours.

Our opinion

Corsair's Virtuoso RGB Wireless XT is a stunning wireless gaming headset that tries to achieve anything. And while it doesn't do a perfect job, it offers a ton of practicality with its great connectivity options, great user ergonomics, nice production quality, and decent convenience. If you're wondering if the $ 269 price tag is worth it, I'd probably say – when you need a headset that can do it all. Just keep in mind that wired headsets often sound better, battery life isn't the best, and they have a very short wireless range.

Are there alternatives?

There are always tons of alternatives in the gaming headset space, but few look as good as the Corsair cans and practicality remains an issue – Bluetooth is often absent on many models and a microphone that is not detachable together with garish gamer styling, makes its use as an everyday outdoor headset for many devices a hard best seller. With this combination of connectivity functions, the Virtuoso RGB Wireless XT is in a league of its own. The next alternative would be the Arctis 9 and Arctis Pro headsets from Steelseries, but they don't offer the same visual appeal and neither do they support the Apt-X codec for high quality sound over Bluetooth.

If you're looking to save some cash and skip Bluetooth altogether, Logitech's G Pro X wireless headset is a great alternative that is more convenient but less practical.

How long it will take?

This headset should last around three to four years, depending on how you use it. The delicate faux leather is likely to fall apart first after heavy use, and I've had my battery life concerns over the years as it's not the best to start with.

Should I buy it?

If you're looking for a new wireless gaming headset and want to use it as your everyday go-to headphone, the Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless XT is definitely worth considering. It's a little expensive, but since it can replace multiple headphones, the price is justified.

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