HS35 vs HS35 v2: What’s the difference?

With the release of the HS35 v2 comes the inevitable comparisons to its progenitor, the HS35. This is not unexpected, of course, as people will want to know what’s new and what exactly has changed. There are a couple of big differences, and a few that are more subtle. So, let’s take a look to see what you’re getting when you place an order for the HS35 v2 (or HS35 SURROUND v2)

Ok first up is that the HS35 v2 can support surround sound. If you buy the HS35 SURROUND v2, then it comes with a 3.5mm to USB adapter that allows you to utilise iCUE for a few different things.

As the name infers, this allows you to take advantage of the surround sound capabilities of Windows Spatial Audio or DOLBY ATMOS. Additionally you can then access things like sidtones and EQ adjustment.

To be clear, this functionality is only available with the HS35 SURROUND v2. The regular HS35 v2 does not come with the adapter and is therefore just a stereo headset without any of the iCUE features.

Those who’ve gone through a few different headsets over the course of their gaming career will know that not all headbands are created equal, and floating headbands are the better design.

This is why we’ve decided to add the floating headband design to the HS35 v2 and HS35 SURROUND v2. This is the largest physical change when compared to the original HS35. Before now, the floating headband could only be found on the HS80 and HS80 MAX headsets. Happily this is no longer the case.

If you’ve been using CORSAIR products for a while then you might have noticed that many of our newer headsets from the past few years have been subject to a stylistic shift. The HS35 line has been left out of that shift until now.

Basically, the look of the headset has been modernized. Additionally, the yolk (the section where the earcups connect to the headband) has been redesigned. As compared to the older HS35, there is more range in the swivel. This is important as your ears do not sit flat on the side of your head. They point forward slightly and the earcups being able to swivel accounts for this, resulting in a more comfortable experience.

The primary aims of the original HS35 were accessibility and universal compatibility. These have not changed with the HS35 v2. It’s still fully compatible with anything that uses a 3.5mm audio jack (PCs and PS5s can use the surround sound adapter that comes with the HS35 v2 SURROUND, of course). Accessibility is still here as the HS35 v2 and HS35 SURROUND v2 are both priced low enough for those who can’t or don’t want to spend hundreds of bucks on a gaming headset. If the HS35 v2 or HS35 SURROUND v2 sound like your next gaming upgrade, check them both out over at our main website.