In our previous posts we have reviewed the best headsets for Xbox One gaming and for PC gaming. Specifically we talked about the Steelseries Arctics Pro and how it dominates the PC gaming headset arena. Today we will review a similar headset that performs in an almost close proximity. A gaming headset that works with all platforms. Let us begin the Sennheiser GSP 500 Review and see what it’s worth.
Sennheiser GSP 500 Specs
- Open acoustic design
- Headband features adjustable contact pressure and a 2-axis hinge mechanism.
- Works on PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and Mac
- 7.48 x 3.54 x 7.87 inches
- Bi-directional ECM
- Frequency Response of 10–18,000 Hz in Mic
- -47 dBV/PA Sensitivity
- 2.5 m PC cable / 1.5 m Console cable
- Frequency Response of 10–30,000 Hz in Headset
- Sound Pressure level of 107 dB SPL @ 1 kHz, 1V RMS
Sennheiser GSP 500 Design
Lets kick off the Sennheiser GSP 500 Review with the traditional initiative of the design and build quality. Apart from HyperX, Steelseries, Razer Sennheiser has also earned its reputation in the gaming headset arena. Although the GSP 500 has been surpassed by its newer versions, this headset still remains in the heart of many gamers irrespective of their gaming platform.
Customized fit delivered by the headband is what is the prominent feature of the GSP 500 design. The adjustable contact pressure and double-axis hinge delivers customized fit for any user’s head. This specific feature of distance adjustment between the two earpieces is what mainly accounts for the comfort of any user regardless of head shape and size. The volume control is built in the right ear cup. And the wheel is extremely easy to navigate even during intense gaming sessions hence intuitive.
The ear pads render a soft and cool feeling around the ears, and it is the advanced fabric material that ensures it. Durability is well taken care of with the premium quality materials and metal hinge. The open back design is responsible for the sound quality which we will talk about in a second. Overall the GSP 500 has a great ergonomic design and certainly challenges its competitors when it comes to comfort delivered to the gamer.
Sound and Mic Quality
Now comes the best part of the review and the only one that actually matters to most people. We mentioned before that Sennheiser GSP 500 is an open back headset. Closed back headsets are more popular for the noise cancellation property. The open backs are designed for natural and spatial, high fidelity game audio. It is mainly for the guys who prefer a quiet environment.
The sound profile of the Sennheiser is way more natural and widespread compared to its competitors. The bass is a bit higher for mp3 music but perfect for gaming. As in the higher frequency is more clear and definite while lowers are not so much. The techies at Headphonecheck tested this with God of War. According to them the classical and orchestral sounds were very well handled by the Sennheiser GSP 500. All frequency ranges are well balanced amidst dialogues and other sound effects.
Let’s get to the microphone. It is designed for passive back-ground noise cancellation. Nothing external is passed through therefore the receiving end is very clear. Therefore an excellent choice for MMO games. The flexibility of the boot arm is excellent the way it allows you to adjust the mic position for best case communication. Also another handy and resourceful feature is that the microphone automatically mutes when you raise the boom arm. Apart from these the mic never gets in the way of the field of vision.
Sennheiser GSP 500 vs 600
This is a widely searched comparison due to the fact that both are almost identical in the exterior. However there are a few notable differences.
Similarities
The headband flexibility is identical in the two. The earcups of both the headsets are double-hinged, therefore presenting a very strong yet comfortable grip. The connectors and the cables are both of the same length. The only significant physical difference initially is the weight. The GSP 600 weighs 395g while the 500 weighs 358g. Other than that the frequency response of the microphone and the headset of the two are also identical.
Even the bi-directional flip to mute option of the GSP 500 is present in the 600. But we know that although the figures are identical on paper, quality varies at different scenarios. Therefore lets take a closer look at the differences between the GSP 500 and the GSP 600.
Differences
Well for starters the price is definitely different. The Sennheiser GSP 500 is 20 bucks less than the 600. The GSP 600 is closed back, contrary to the 500. The memory foam pads are firmer in the 600 than the soft fabric material of the 500. Although the frequency responses are almost identical in the two, there are slight variations when it comes to audio quality.
The bass is more amplified and defined in the GSP 600 as well. However the 500 is ahead in terms of frequency balance. Nonetheless the lower frequency thresholds are identical in quality for both the headsets. But of course when it comes to soundscape the open back GSP 500 clearly wins compared to the closed back GSP 600. Despite all these contrasts, both the headsets offer good audio quality and better performance.
Conclusion
Lets conclude the Sennheiser GSP 500 Review. For the pricing it is undoubtedly a great gaming headset for all platforms alike. Awesome audio performance, better microphone, Open back design for lengthy gaming sessions, no ear fatigue. And most importantly flexible headset design for optimum user comfort during tedious tasks. The downside is as usual the price.
It is a bit too expensive even for that magnitude of performance offered. And it tends to leak a little bit of noise, hence a quiet room is more appropriate. Nevertheless if you are looking for a headset for gaming, watching movies, listening to music, the Sennheiser GSP 500 is a great choice for a premium grade headset.
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