Sennheiser GSP 600 Gaming Headset Review
Introduction
A gaming headset is an important peripheral that can help a gamer attain a competitive edge in gaming. Most gamers and professionals eSport athletes use gaming headsets rather than speakers. Personally, I use a gaming headset when playing first-player shooter gamers like Apex Legends and Battlefield 1. A good headset with virtual surround sound capabilities can help you detect enemies and the direction they are coming from. When it comes to a good gaming headset, Sennheiser is a popular option. Sennheiser has a variety of gaming headsets from wired to wireless, stereo to surround sound, and others. Today, I’ll be reviewing the Sennheiser GSP 600 which is one of the brand’s top-end wired stereo gaming headset.
Sennheiser is popular and well-reputed when it comes to audio products. The brand offers a wide selection of products from professional recording equipment to home and entertainment audio. Sennheiser is arguably one of the best brands today when it comes to audiophile-grade headphones and headphone amplifiers. With that in mind, I have high expectations from a Sennheiser gaming headset. Before we start with the review, let’s learn more about Sennheiser and EPOS Gaming below.
About Sennheiser
We are shaping today the audio world of tomorrow – that is the ambition that we and our company live by from day to day. This vision statement describes what we are hoping to achieve together. The foundation for this is our history, our culture of innovation and our passion for excellence.
For us, good sound is not enough. We want to achieve the perfect sound. We want to make sound come alive.
The way to this achievement has been paved by our trailblazing ideas. Ever since electrical engineer Prof. Dr. Fritz Sennheiser founded the company in 1945, Sennheiser has been continuously setting trends in the audio industry. Right up to the present, our innovative inspiration, curiosity and passion have made our products and services immensely successful. Wherever people care passionately about recording, transmitting or playing sound, Sennheiser will be there. This is something we are proud of.
Our headphones, microphones and all-round audio solutions, our reliable service, and our committed staff have been enthusiastically received by our customers all over the world. Whether our customers are artists, disc jockeys, scientists, sound technicians or demanding music-lovers the Sennheiser name always stands for premium products, the ultimate in sound quality and undistorted listening enjoyment. This enthusiasm is the source of our passion for excellence. This is what motivates us every day afresh to fulfil our mission of transforming tones and sounds into the perfect auditory experience.
EPOS Audio Gaming
As of March 3, 2020, Sennheiser Gaming rebrands to EPOS Audio Gaming after the joint venture between Sennheiser Electronics and Demant A/S ended. EPOS will rebrand its existing portfolio as “EPOS | SENNHEISER”. EPOS is taking over the warranty of the products and customer service as of March 2020.
Learn more about EPOS Audio Gaming at eposaudio.com
Sennheiser vs Sennheiser
There are many methodologies in comparing products but for this review, I’d like to compare a Sennheiser with another Sennheiser.
For more than five years, I used one gaming headset and is still working well until this day, the Sennheiser PC 363D. It was one of Sennheiser’s top-end gaming headset models back then. It features Dolby 7.1 Virtual Surround Sound using the bundled USB amplifier. The superb German quality and sound engineering as expected from Sennheiser is evident with this headset. I have to say Sennheiser set the standard very high with the PC 363D. It served me a good number of years, gaming with it since Battlefield 3.
The Sennheiser PC 363D Gaming Headset 5 Years Later
I used the Sennheiser PC 363D for more than 5 years for gaming, Skype conferences, listening to music, and others. The headset was able to withstand regular use and only obtained minor scuffs and scratches. The earpads are softer now but retained its shape and form. It didn’t deteriorate which is a common issue with aging gaming headsets.
However, there is one thing that did age well which is the USB soundcard. The Sennheiser 3D G4ME 1 USB soundcard enables the Dolby Virtual 7.1 surround sound for the headset. The rubber insulation of the cable deteriorated and exposed the copper wires. Fortunately, the USB soundcard still works but I expect it to fail anytime soon.
The Sennheiser GSP 600 Gaming Headset
The Sennheiser GSP 600 is a wired stereo gaming headset and doesn’t have 7.1 virtual surround sound. It has a wireless version, the Sennheiser GSP 670. Sennheiser (EPOS)’s current gaming headset models that offer 7.1 virtual surround sound are the GSP 550 and GSP 350. Moving forward, the Sennheiser GSP 600 is marketed as a top-end professional gaming headset.
A Closer Look at the GSP 600
Earcups
The left earcup of the GSP 600 holds the microphone boom. Flipping up the boom automatically mutes the microphone while flipping it down activates it. The right earcup sports Sennheiser’s signature volume knob, common with other top-end Sennheiser gaming headset like the PC 363D. The volume knob is much larger compared to the PC 363Ds and also comes with more resistance in adjusting the knob. With the PC 363D, I can adjust the volume with just one finger. For the GSP 600, you need multiple fingers and have a good grip of the volume knob to turn it clockwise or counter-clockwise.
Headband Cushion and Earpads
The headband comes with a comfortable cushion, nothing extraordinary about it. The GSP 600 comes equipped with over-ear type earpads that should fit most ears comfortably. The earpads are unlike anything I’ve seen before. Most of the time, earpads are either foam, velour, or leatherette. The GSP 600’s earpads have leatherette sides and velour surface for the top part that would touch your skin. Compared to the earpads of the PC 363D, GSP 600’s earpads have better contact with the skin thus offering better noise cancellation. However, this also makes it warmer to the skin. I will elaborate on this below with my first impression.
Headband Adjustments
The Sennheiser GSP 600’s headband has a more advanced headband adjustment mechanism compared to the PC 363D and other typical gaming headsets. Aside from size adjustment, there are two levers on top of the headband, one for each side, that adjusts the tightness of the headband’s hold on the user’s head. With this mechanism, users can ensure the headset fits the user’s head at the desired firmness or tightness.
Cabling
The Sennheiser GSP 600 gaming headset features detachable cables, allowing users to switch between the two included cables, either the split-type or the combo-type cable. Having the detachable cable allows for easier safekeeping if ever you need to transport the headset.
First Impressions
I was using a Sennheiser PC 363D for the past five years for gaming and communication. I noticed a few significant differences after switching to the Sennheiser GSP 600. First, the GSP 600 is significantly bulkier and heavier which was a bit uncomfortable coming from a lightweight PC 363D. I can definitely feel that I am using a larger headset. After a month of use, I did get used to the GSP 600 and is currently my daily driver.
The earpads of the GSP 600 are definitely warmer to the skin compared to the breathable earpads of the PC 363D. The leatherette material gives better noise cancellation which also suppresses the bass making explosions and the like sound better. However, I would prefer the PC 363D for long gaming sessions. The heaviness of the GSP 600 is quite noticeable after a few hours of use particularly when you feel the warmth around your ears.
Aesthetic-wise, the Sennheiser GSP 600 looks more appropriate for gamers with its black and red colors that fit most of the ‘gaming color themes’ today. Other brands that share this color theme include the ASUS Republic of Gamers, ASRock’s Phantom Gaming Alliance, and MSI’s Gaming Series products.
In terms of quality and feel, the GSP 600 looks more premium compared to the PC 363D. The metallic silver and metallic red accents give it a cool look that would fit most gamers. The older-generation Sennheiser gaming headsets were obviously plastic. While the plastic material sure did deliver superb durability, adding the metallic accents made it look better.
Conclusion
As of writing this conclusion, I’ve been using the Sennheiser GSP 600 for more than a month. I noticed a few improvements coming from the PC 363D. Let’s break them down below.
Performance (Great)
I feel like the GSP 600 is more tuned towards gaming compared to the PC 363D. The GSP 600 offers a punchier bass which means explosions, gunfire, cinematic action scenes, and the like comes in more booming sound which I like. Audio is clean and crisp as expected from a Sennheiser gaming headset. Audio doesn’t distort at full volume which is a common issue with cheap gaming headsets.
Aesthetics (Good)
Sennheiser truly made a set up with the Sennheiser GSP 600, GSP 500, and GSP 300 series gaming headsets offering a new look unlike its predecessors like the GAME ONE, GAME ZERO, and PC 373D gaming headsets. The metallic silver and red accents make the GSP 600 fit better for gamers, a good addition to any gaming setup.
Quality and Feel (Great)
I have high expectations for any Sennheiser gaming headset given my experience with the PC 363D. It does give you a similar look and feel that of other Sennheiser gaming headsets, feels sturdy and of good quality. It’s only the earpads that would have to stand a test of time which for now is something I can’t tell. If there’s one thing that I didn’t like much about the GSP 600 at first is the heavier weight and wider headband compared to the lighter and simpler PC 363D. However, I got used to this difference and I think it is something very minor that any user could get used to after some time. Sennheiser still uses the same premium-quality braided cables, which on my experience with the PC 363D, stood a test of time.
Value (Good)
The GSP 600 isn’t a cheap gaming headset. For me, I would put it up the ‘premium’ price bracket but given that it is coming from Sennheiser, I’d expect it to live up to my expectations to what a premium gaming headset should sound and feel like. Sound quality, I should emphasize, is there. You could turn it up to the maximum volume and sound just fine, no rattling whatsoever. Sennheiser products are also known for their quality but this is something that I can only expect for now. Only time can tell if the GSP 600 can last a good number of years given the good track record set by my old PC 363D.
Overall, I can say you do get the quality and reliability you are paying for out of the box. As always and as expected from a Sennheiser product, audio quality is superb and is the best selling point of this gaming headset particularly if you want clear communications for professional-level competitive gaming. If you are looking for a top-of-the-line gaming headset, I would recommend the Sennheiser GSP 600. In my opinion, Sennheiser has a proven track record that one simply cannot disregard. The Sennheiser GSP 600 is covered with a 2-year warranty and is available at partner resellers worldwide including Amazon for US$199.99 MSRP. Learn more about the Sennheiser Gaming (EPOS Gaming) GSP 600 Gaming Headset at the EPOS Audio website.
Thoughts on EPOS Gaming
Sennheiser Gaming is now EPOS Gaming as announced earlier this year. Some Sennheiser Gaming fans, including myself, were shocked and saddened by this progress. Personally, it felt like I lost a trusted go-to brand for gaming headsets, a sentiment shared by other Sennheiser Gaming headset users. It is a major change that most long-time fans are having a hard time accepting. However, the EPOS Gaming team is the people behind Sennheiser Gaming and nothing really changed much other than the brand name they claim. Hence, this statement will be tested moving forward with the next line of EPOS Gaming products. This is something I look forward to given their strong foundation coming from their partnership with Sennheiser. Nevertheless, EPOS Gaming has a lot of proving for itself and re-establish itself as makers of premium gaming audio products.
The brand is getting a lot of hate coming from fans and users lately. However, we should let the products and the brand’s support services speak for themselves. Let us also take note of the disruptions caused by COVID-19 worldwide which is affecting all businesses globally. Shipping and support-related concerns are probably affected by this global health crisis.
