Drivers

Drivers

Since the Sharkoon Xtatic SP don't require drivers to get working, we focus on the Corsair HS1.

The Corsair HS1 ships with a driver CD that like most USB devices requires you to install the drivers FIRST, and then plug in the device.  Once youve done all that, the HS1 are ready to rock.

Windows, Vista 64-bit in this case, reports that the HS1 can do 24-bit, 96 KHz playback, which Ill dive into in the listening section.  This is another surprise feature for a USB headset, and considering that the chip inside is listed as 16 bit/48 KHz maximum, the software is helping out.

Anyway, you do get a cute systray icon.  You can yell, Im on a boat! every time you click on it.  We notice that in Vista the volume is very sensitive, anything above 24 or so is painfully loud.

It might surprise you to see that the HS1 drivers are very similar to other Cmedia devices, like and Asus D2X (without the custom skin, of course).  Wait, I should say, Im surprised Corsair hadnt done a re-skin of the basic Cmedia drivers.

Huh.  Have you seen this before?  Have you seen this before on a USB headset?

You also get up to 7.1 channel playback with the Dolby® Headphone and Xear 3D, the sort-of OpenAL wrapper for games.  This is actually kind of killer, especially since all this functionality is in the USB puck.  There isnt any kind of DDL encoding, in case youre wondering, and it wouldnt make sense in this product anyway since all audio goes to the headphones.

I did have to fiddle with the equalizer to get them to sound more like my AKG K701 I used for reference.  You should actually be impressed that that is all it took to get acceptably close to a world-class set of headphones.

You also get Karaoke mode.  Yeah, better not leave out karaoke.  Dont piss off the reviewer, man! Its no joke!  Its just an endless source of entertainment, switching on the monster effect in a raid, or watch the lets meet IRL chat invites when you put on the feminizer.  Classic.  Cruel, but classic.  Well, OK, honestly, the DSP is a little weedy and the effects come out very digital sounding, unlike some other Cmedia Karaoke chips weve tested.

Its surprising to see a USB headset with a software install.  Corsair equipped the HS1 with a capable mid-range Cmedia chip that empowers all this functionality.  So, basically, with the HS1 you are getting a sound card with a free pair of headphones attached.  Good deal!  Cmedia has higher-end chips, however, so there might be an upgraded HS1 to watch out for.  Whatever the fate of the HS1, we like it.  From humble beginnings as a memory company, Corsair has grown into a very strong brand.