Lots of small improvements.
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Corsair's has upgraded its VOID headset, turning into the all-new 'VOID Pro'. We were impressed with the previous VOID headphones and Corsair has enhanced almost everything about the previous model, albeit to a small degree. The new headsets still offer RGB lighting and Dolby 7.1 Surround sound, but Corsair has made enhancements to comfort, mic and sound quality, and wireless performance. With a starting price of $79.99 for the wired model and $99.99 for the wireless version, they should still be on your radar when searching for a midrange wireless gaming headset that won't wreck your bank account. Let's dive in to the specifics:
Design and Features
Visually, the VOID Pro is nearly identical to its predecessor, featuring a design that was made with the help of BMW's DesignWorks studio. The earcups are trapezoidal, as opposed to the typical round or oval shape, with just a few manual controls located on the left earcup. The uncommon design didn't cause any discomfort, and definitely makes the headset stand out a bit in a crowded field.
The microphone is securely attached to the left earcup, and although it cannot be removed, it can be folded up to be stowed away and muted. Unlike the previous model, the mic boom can now be bent for better positioning, although it no longer includes the dual LED setup that would inform the user of the battery level and mute status ― instead, a single light is used to let you know if it is muted, making battery life more of a guessing game. Fortunately, Corsair's claimed 16 hour battery life seemed accurate, with my initial charge surviving hour after hour of games, movies, and music, with only one top-up needed during my week of on-and-off usage.
On the outside of the left headphone cup is a power button, mute button, and a multi-functioning jog dial. Instead of a dial that spins freely, this jog dial is flicked up and down to adjust the volume and can also be pressed down to switch between EQ presets as well as toggle surround sound. Along the bottom of the same earcup is the microUSB port used to charge the headset.
The VOID Pro is comprised almost entirely of plastic, though there is a metal headband that connects two metal cantilevered yokes to the earcups. While the metal bits are appreciated for their durability, the headset didn't feel like a premium piece of hardware to me. At this price range, though, I didn't necessarily expect it to, but still, it's always nice to have expectations exceeded. For my review I received the Special Edition (SE) model, sporting a Yellow Jacket color scheme, a wireless extender, and a higher price tag of $129.99. If yellow isn't your thing, the nearly-identical sub-$100 version can be picked up in Carbon or White, but those don't include the wireless extension base.
The memory foam used with the VOID Pro is both comfortable and breathable over long periods of time, even when wearing glasses. At 390 grams, the weight of the headset is noticeable, but the padding made it so it wouldn't take long for me to be accustomed to its presence. Unfortunately, despite fitting entirely over my ears the earcups sat loosely regardless of how I adjusted things, and it didn't take much more than a simple head shake for them to shift position. Although many likely play games with little or no head movement, a more secure fit would have been preferred.
To connect to a PC, the VOID Pro includes a USB stick with 2.4GHz wireless capabilities. The Special Edition model comes with a Base Station USB Receiver Dock, which is essentially a wireless extender and base for the standard USB stick. Aside from the Yellow Jacket color, the dock is the only thing separating the sub-$100 version and the $129.99 model.
Software
To access customization features for the VOID Pro, you'll need to fire up the Corsair Utility Engine (CUE) to adjust EQ settings, microphone levels, and to alter how the LED-lit logo operates. The program's design and navigation is straight-forward and makes altering preferences easy.
Under EQ Presets, you can see how each of pre-loaded configurations are balanced, and are also given the option to create your own profiles. Only five presets can be assigned at any given time, so adding one of your own means you'll have to give up one that Corsair provided. Once the collection of presets in finalized, they can be chosen through the CUE or the aforementioned jog dial on the headset itself. There is no audio or visual indicator informing you of which profile you have selected when using the jog dial, so it's a bit of trial and error really. Though it's certainly easier to just flick the jog dial to cycle through profiles than to have to fire up the CUE software, it's still confusing and is a flawed design. I would have liked it if there were numbers assigned to the presets, and when switching I could receive some sort of notification of which number it's using. This type of feature is included in more expensive headsets I've used previously.
The options under Lighting Effects even more robust. From blinking pattern and frequency to choosing any color imaginable, it's all there. Of course, being a wireless model, passing on the feature altogether results in better battery life, but if you're in the mood to show off just how cool your headset it, you've got plenty of options.
Also accessible through the CUE is microphone volume and sidetone, which decides the level in which you can hear your own voice through the headset. An additional surround sound / stereo toggle button can be found as well.
Gaming
With its 7.1 Dolby Surround Sound and 50mm Neodymium drivers, Corsair's VOID Pro was able to clearly deliver audio regardless of what type of game I was playing. The war zone of Battlefield 1 was heard in all directions and I was able to accurately identify pilots creeping up behind me in Titanfall 2, while the ambient noises during the introduction of Prey were handled with a delicate touch. Like its predecessor, the VOID Pro could have benefited from a more consistent audio field when set to surround sound. I found that while it was easy to identify the distance of audio sources behind and in front of me, it was a bit more challenging to locate those to my sides.
While there are a number of pre-loaded EQs, I tended to stick with the default "Pure Direct Setup" and felt that it was a nice balance of treble and bass for both games and movies. While I did prefer switching to the "Bass Boost" mode when listening to certain types of music like Logic's "The Incredible True Story" or just about anything from Calvin Harris, the default setup still performed better when handling the more distorted sounds of Run the Jewels and Cas One.
At mid-range and higher volumes, the noise cancelling performance of the VOID Pro was excellent. At one point I had a friend speaking loudly in the same room and at another I was sitting in a warehouse brewery next to an industrial fan, and in neither situation was I able to hear a thing around me. The same can't be said for those around me, who were able to hear what I was listening to rather easily due to the over-ear design of the earcups.
Along with the new bendable arm, the VOID Pro also boasts a re-worked unidirectional microphone. Quality was quite good, and although it doesn't pick up clear audio as well as one would want for a podcast, it's more than sufficient for game chat sessions and video calls. The unidirectional configuration allows minimal audio to be picked up from outside sources or even the headset itself. Some outside audio does show up ever so slightly, but my voice was significantly louder and clearer.
With the VOID Pro Special Edition's USB dock, I was able to walk from my upstairs office down to my fridge for some refreshments with no disruption to my music. Corsair claims a 40-foot wireless range, which seemed accurate in testing. Using just the USB stick attached to the back of my desktop tower, however, the distance I was able to travel from my computer was noticeably decreased ― that isn't to say the signal strength is too weak to manage in a bedroom or a larger living room, but travelling to different rooms or around too many corners could prove problematic.
Purchasing Guide
Corsair's VOID Pro headsets are launching today with the wireless version selling for $99.99, and the wired version going for $79.99. The Yellow Jacket Special Edition goes for $129.99 with the nifty USB Receiver Dock, but it's not in stock on Amazon just yet.
• See the Corsair Void Pro RGB Wireless on Amazon
• See the Corsair Void Pro RGB on Amazon
The Verdict
Corsair has delivered a quality wireless headphones with a sophisticated design, solid performance, and a full-featured and easy-to-use companion program, all with a relatively affordable price tag. Easily accessible controls and the upgraded microphone leave little to complain about as well. The surround sound field is a bit inconsistent, though, and the loose fit is something I kept being reminded of whenever I turned my head to look away from my screen.
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