Sound Quality

The Corsair Virtuoso MAX Wireless features custom 50-millimeter dynamic speaker drivers with graphene diaphragms. Graphene is exceptionally rigid, lightweight, highly resistant to distortion, and has a low mass. As a result, headphones equipped with graphene drivers are generally easy to drive and can deliver detailed, natural sound - provided they are properly tuned. However, graphene is notoriously difficult to work with, which is why it's not commonly used, especially in gaming headsets where budget constraints often prevent such high-end implementations.

For gaming headset frequency response measurements I'm using the miniDSP EARSheadphone test fixture, probably the least expensive such device on the market. It consists of two miniDSP UMIK-1 microphones placed inside a pair of silicone ears and affixed to a steel headphone stand. It's a USB-powered device, perfectly integrated with the fantastic Room EQ Wizard (REW) software, which is used for headphone and microphone calibration, as well as doing the measurements themselves. Every single miniDSP EARS unit comes with its own microphone calibration files, which are loaded into REW before doing the measurements. The miniDSP EARS certainly has its quirks. The artificial ear canals aren't particularly deep, so I wouldn't consider it a viable option for IEM testing. The integrated microphones are exceptionally sensitive to headphone positioning, partially because of the screws affixing the silicone ears to the stand, which aren't perfectly flush with the silicone surface. Some users also claim that the fixture is too narrow for very large Hi-fi headphones, so they have to use rubber bands to tighten the clamping force. The latter isn't something I ever had an issue with, though; all my headsets and headphones fit perfectly.

Because of all that, the miniDSP EARS is prone to user error. Whoever is using it has to know how to interpret the results and, even more importantly, how to spot those that are clearly flawed. After getting rid of the bad data, assuming the initial configuration and calibration were done properly, the resulting frequency response measurements are usable and in line with what one would hear from the headphones (or headset) in question. Once I got to where the frequency response plots corresponded to what I heard from the headphones and headsets I measured, I knew it was time to bring the results into my reviews. My testing methodology mostly follows the best practices of using the miniDSP EARS as covered in great detail in this article on Headphonesty. The most significant difference is that I'm using the updated HEQ compensation, where a subjectively neutral headphone would measure approximately flat. To compensate for minor seal variances, I'm measuring each ear until I get 10 usable results and reseat the headphones, or headset, between runs. After I have my results for one ear, I apply a 1/12 octave smoothing and average the measured responses. I then repeat the process for the other ear for an idea of whether any channel imbalance exists. It's important to keep in mind that my results cannot be directly compared to anyone else's, as only an identical methodology conducted on my exact sample of the miniDSP EARS would yield directly comparable results. Still, we now have a relevant visual representation of the sound characteristics of the headphones or headset under review, so I hope you find it useful.


For the Corsair Virtuoso MAX Wireless, I used the supplied 2.4 GHz wireless dongle as the source, as that best represents the experience future owners of the headset are going to have when listening to it.

You can explore my gaming headset frequency measurement database and follow its progress on my personal Squiglink. Let's take a look at the frequency response measurement of the Corsair Virtuoso MAX Wireless, both averaged and for each channel separately.




The Corsair Virtuoso MAX Wireless gaming headset offers a unique sound signature in the sense that it doesn't correlate to any other headset from the Virtuoso lineup. The frequency response is slightly V-shaped, with a clear emphasis in bass and treble, which can enhance immersion in gaming and movies, though it won't be ideal for critical music listening due to certain tonal imbalances. The bass prowess of the Virtuoso MAX Wireless expands well into the sub-bass region, and it's also boosted around 100 Hz. This provides a satisfying sense of warmth and punch, making bass-heavy music genres such as EDM, hip-hop, and pop sound lively and energetic. However, the bass lacks texture and detail, occasionally veering into boominess—though this isn't necessarily a drawback for gamers.

A noticeable dip in the lower midrange slightly reduces body in that area of the spectrum, but vocal presence remains generally good, thanks to a boost in the 1-1.5 kHz region. This tuning appears to be aimed at enhancing performance in competitive games, where audio cues in this frequency range are crucial. After testing the headset in PUBG and Delta Force, it became evident that the Virtuoso MAX Wireless excels at spatial awareness, particularly in detecting the direction of enemy footsteps and gunfire. While it does a better job of pinpointing direction rather than distance, it provided a solid sense of situational awareness, even in the chaos of battle royale hot-drops. For an extra edge in competitive play, the "FPS Competition" sound profile can be enabled, which further enhances the 1-8 kHz range while reducing bass, ensuring that vital in-game sounds are unburdened by the low registers.

The treble is reasonably detailed, though it occasionally exhibits peakiness and a touch of harshness in high-pitched instruments and sounds. For a closed-back gaming headset, the Corsair Virtuoso MAX Wireless sounds decently airy. For a broader sense of scale and immersion, enabling Dolby Atmos virtual surround is highly recommended.

My unit of the Virtuoso MAX Wireless has noticeable channel imbalance. While part of this issue can be attributed to fit and the specifics of my headphone measuring rig, I was unable to achieve a more balanced response despite spending more time volume-matching the channels than I have with any other headphones I've tested. Fortunately, the imbalance is primarily confined to lower frequencies, making it much harder to detect by ear. As such, I don't anticipate this being a significant issue for future owners of the Virtuoso MAX Wireless - assuming this imbalance isn't widespread beyond my specific unit.

A more frustrating issue, however, is the headset's unusual volume control behavior in Windows. Instead of adjusting smoothly, the volume appears to be segmented into several fixed levels, with noticeable jumps occurring at specific points in the range. For example, increasing the volume from 22 to 23 on Windows 11's 0-100 scale results in an abrupt +4 dB boost. The volume then remains unchanged from 23 to 31, before another +4 dB jump at 32. This pattern continues with further jumps at 46, 61, and finally at 85, with no discernible volume difference between 86 and 100.

SoundID Personalization

Although the default sound profile of the Corsair Virtuoso MAX Wireless isn't particularly aligned with my personal preferences, the inclusion of SoundID Personalization technology - developed by Sonarworks - is what kind of sold me on this high-end headset. This feature guides you through a five-minute hearing test, during which the software evaluates how well you perceive different frequencies in each ear. In the second part of the test, you're asked to choose between two interpretations of the same sound sample in a simple A-B comparison. By analyzing your selections, the software creates a personalized sound profile tailored to your unique hearing preferences. You can easily toggle this profile on and off within the SoundID Personalization section of the iCUE software suite, allowing you to compare it directly with the default sound profiles. Once activated, the equalizer settings are disabled, but Dolby Atmos virtual surround sound remains available.

After completing the test, I was presented with a vastly different tonal balance - one that I found much more enjoyable than the default profile. Vocal reproduction felt noticeably more natural, and the overall sound balance improved significantly. The graphene speaker drivers respond exceptionally well to equalization, making the SoundID Personalization technology a feature I highly recommend exploring. It takes only a few minutes to set up and can yield substantial benefits.

Unfortunately, neither the equalizer nor the SoundID Personalization features can be used when the Virtuoso MAX Wireless is connected via Bluetooth, as there's no mobile app to apply them. In Bluetooth mode, the headset is limited to the outdated SBC and AAC codecs, which, while sufficient for phone calls and casual listening on the go, fall short of delivering the same audio quality as in wireless mode.

Dolby Atmos

The Corsair Virtuoso MAX Wireless comes with an official Dolby Atmos license, meaning you don't have to pay the usual $15 fee to use it. Just to clarify, while you can use Dolby Atmos with any headphones, the free trial lasts only 30 days - after that, you'll need to decide if you want to pay for continued use.

Dolby Atmos is arguably the most advanced surround sound technology available today. Its key advantage over traditional 5.1 and 7.1 surround sound systems - whether physical or virtual - is that it uses object-based audio. This means each sound is assigned metadata that directs the system on where to position the sound within the sound field. Another important distinction is that Dolby Atmos distributes sound not only around you but also above you. In speaker systems, this is achieved by adding in-ceiling or upward-firing "Atmos" speakers. While adding extra drivers isn't possible with headphones, you can still experience a portion of the Dolby Atmos effect, provided the necessary conditions are met.


First and foremost, you have to visit the Microsoft Store and install the Dolby Access app. This app will instantly recognize the Corsair Virtuoso MAX Wireless headset. Then you have to open the sound settings in Windows and select "Dolby Atmos for Headphones" in the Spatial sound section. In the Home tab you can browse and watch/listen to various Dolby Atmos samples. The most impressive ones are found in the Dolby Demo Content section so do give those a try. I especially recommend the clips called Leaf and Amaze.


The Settings tab is where you'll spend most of your time. Here you can pick between various types of content (Game, Movie, Music, Voice), or play with a 10-band equalizer, with or without surround sound. This is where you'll decide if you'll use Dolby Atmos or stereo mode.

The second important ingredient for a true Dolby Atmos experience is content. It needs to be supported within a game, as its engine has to have the object-based audio information baked in. A complete list of games that support Dolby Atmos can be found on Dolby's official website.

When playing an Atmos-capable game, the Corsair Virtuoso MAX Wireless delivers an impressive surround sound experience. It preserves the headset's natural sound quality, without introducing echo, reverb, or artificial effects, while adding a deep level of immersion. You'll feel as if you've been placed inside the game world, with sounds coming from a sphere surrounding your head rather than a flat plane. Dolby Atmos operates in a refined and meaningful way - if, for example, you hear a sound that seems to come from behind your left shoulder, that's exactly where the sound source will be positioned. To get a rough idea of what I'm describing, you can check out this Dolby Atmos demo. One of the Atmos-supported games I've played is Battlefield 2042, which I tested in both stereo and Dolby Atmos modes. The experience was entirely different, not only in terms of immersion but also in my ability to hear enemy movements, assess their position, and engage them more effectively.

Active Noise Cancelling and Transparency Mode

The Corsair Virtuoso MAX Wireless features both ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) technology and a Transparency mode. The Transparency mode utilizes a pair of external microphones to capture ambient sounds and play them through the headphones, allowing users to stay aware of their surroundings - whether indoors or outside.

The ANC functionality is effective at reducing low-frequency external noise without noticeably altering the sound profile of the Virtuoso MAX Wireless. Additionally, it doesn't create any uncomfortable pressure in the ears, making it suitable to leave on at all times, especially if maximizing the battery life to its full 60 hours isn't a top priority, as achieving that runtime requires both RGB lighting and ANC to be turned off.

However, the Transparency mode appears to function only in the right ear, which I found disorienting. Until Corsair addresses this issue -if they ever do - I'd recommend avoiding it altogether. That's a shame.