Page 3 - Subjective Audio Analysis
Reviewing audio devices requires highly trained ears, extensive experience, and sufficient technical knowledge. Even for the experienced evaluator, it may be difficult at times to accurately evaluate a product without using a reference product that they are thoroughly familiar with. Furthermore, the effects of false advertising and placebo may influence inexperienced listeners to be biased in their write-ups. While I am not going to even try to claim that I am the only trustworthy or best evaluator for sound, it is true that most audio equipment review sites have editors who are insufficiently trained. Any device they evaluate always tends towards the same "good bass, nice midrange, awesome treble, really clear sound, 10/10". There are many knowledgeable audio reviewers at various respected online media outlets, unfortunately, they are by far the minority.
When it comes to audio devices, there are really no true objective measurements for sound quality. As the evaluator, I will put it through a series of subjective tests to try to come up with the most objective rating possible. Yes, it sounds like a paradox. All audio tests were performed using high-fidelity audio formats with high bitrates. To test its performance in gaming, I played League of Legends and Valorant. The headset was burned in for well over 24 hours before the test. Dolby Atmos Spatial Audio and EQ were turned off. For transmission, I used the 2.4GHz USB transmitter.
In the bass range, the VOID Wireless v2 is quite good. Subbass sounds produce a strong rumble, and kicks are punchy, clean, and solid. This continues into the mid and upper bass with bass guitars coming through nicely. The headset delivers for songs that utilize bass to create energy. For gaming, the footsteps in Valorant while walking on platforms that produce a deep sound can be heard clearly.
Entering the midrange, this is where the VOID Wireless v2 struggles. This region is rather thin, and a lot of detail is lost. Vocals are dry and lack richness as well as warmth. Similarly, brass instruments, especially trumpets, suffer a blow to their richness, resonance, and warmth. While the wood resonance of pianos and violins can still be heard, they are not very pronounced. In Valorant, the footstep sounds produced in this range are still heard clearly, but they lose some of the details. One example would be when walking on dirt paths, a thumping sound is made with each step. However, this sound is not really heard on the VOID Wireless v2.
Moving onto the treble range, this is where the VOID Wireless v2 is overemphasized. Overall, it is clear and bright, but slightly piercing. Cymbals, especially closed hi-hats, are crisp and clear. Sibilance is mostly controlled, but sometimes can be a little harsh. The emphasized harmonics in this region, combined with the weak harmonics in the midrange, cause vocals to be thin and a bit hollow. For gaming, however, high-pitched sounds like pings in League of Legends are clearly heard, which is important for staying alert to the game state.
The soundstage is rather shallow, and most sounds feel like it is produced in the head. The imaging is inaccurate due to the details lost in the midrange. When gaming, the direction of the footsteps is accurate, but the distance is difficult to judge. The variation in loudness as I walk further away from the footsteps is rather small. When Dolby Atmos is turned on, loudness variation is improved, making it a lot easier to gauge the distance. The soundstage widens and has more depth. It also introduces a little bit of reverb to the audio.
The VOID Wireless v2 is able to separate the sounds of different frequencies well, but the layering is not as great. Instruments can get lost when there are many different ones occupying the same frequency range. As for cohesiveness, the overemphasized treble range and weak midrange create an imbalance in the sound. The bass is good, but the midrange could use a boost.
The trade-off for comfortable cushions is the lack of passive noise cancellation. When nothing is being played, surrounding sounds can be heard quite clearly. Just as sound leaks in, it also leaks out. Even at normal volumes, a person close to me could pick up on what I am listening to.
With the mic angled at 45 degrees away from my mouth, I recorded a sample on Audacity and exported it as an MP3 file. The quality of the sound is acceptable. The voice is clear, but there is a hollow sound effect present after every word. The room I was in was rather quiet, but the PC case fan beside me was audible to my ears. The mic on the VOID Wireless v2 did not pick up the noise, even with NVIDIA Broadcast turned off. The voice does not sound natural, but it is sufficient for communicating during games.
The battery life on the VOID Wireless v2 is rated for up to 70 hours. During my testing, I was able to run it for about 70 hours with RGB LEDs on, so Corsair's estimates are very accurate. Corsair also claims a 15 minute charge will provide up to 6 hours of battery life. The status indicator LED beside the charging port will blink green when the battery is above 50%, yellow when it is between 31% and 50%, and red below 31%. The wireless range in RF mode is rated to be 50ft, or 15.24m. I was able to go from one end of my house, on the main floor, to the other end of my house in the basement while maintaining a constant, smooth connection. I do not have a way to accurately measure the distance, but it is definitely over 15.24m.
Page Index
1. Introduction, Packaging, Specifications
2. Physical Look - Hardware and Software
3. Subjective Audio Analysis
4. Conclusion
