Originally Posted by
Agent
We have both the Roccat Kave and the Corsair HS1 here (mine and the misses).
The Roccat Kave headset is definitely the better of the two. The breakout box alone means it edges over the Corsairs purely due to being able to alter the channels more accurately.
The construction also feels a fair bit more solid, and the removable mic is a nice touch. The HS1 also has a fairly horrid material for around the ears - it's comfortable, no qualms there, but the material doesn't seem to last and is already showing signs of wear. It's the kind of material that's rather difficult to clean to. The Kaves have a more 'leather like' (although it's not leather) material which is cleaned much more easily.
The sound on the Kaves is also better, but I put this down to the USB emulated soundcard that the HS1 uses. I don't like this not only because I don't think the auto quality is up to scratch, but it makes using it with the TV / Xbox / PS3 / Any OS that doesn't have drivers for it impossible.
If you go with the Corsairs, make sure you get the HS1A, which has the normal audio leads allowing you to hook it into a decent soundcard.
Then again, the Kaves are almost double in price so don't be surprised about what I've said above. You pays yer money :)