Sennheiser GSP 600, A Comprehensive Guide to the Professional Gaming Headset
by Samuel Kalenga on Oct 02, 2024
A Journey Through Time: Tracing the Origins of the Sennheiser GSP 600
To understand today’s version of the GSP 600, it’s worthwhile to survey the generations of Sennheiser gaming headset that came before it. The so-called first-generation Sennheiser GSP 600 was released in 2016. It was almost entirely unprecedented among the professional gaming headsets that had been available until then, and it set a new standard for the category. Though an entirely new product, it was like Sennheiser’s thrown gauntlet to its competitors.
A Sennheiser gaming headset? Conceived and carried to market front by a company long associated with the highest standards of high-fidelity audio? A headset designed as a critical tool, not just an accessory? This was a major statement about the importance of gaming audio and about the gaming industry itself. And it eclipsed nearly every previous attempt at a professional gaming headset completely. The GSP 600 was an almost immediate hit, praised for its high-fidelity audio, ergonomic fit and build quality. Gamers praised the GSP 600 not just for its high audio fidelity, but also for its overall audio experience.
Because of its nuanced, object-based sound, the GSP 600 allowed gamers to thrill to and master every nuance of their virtual world. Many gamers believe audio experience is critical to their chances of winning, especially in action-packed first-person shooters, or FPS (where you fired the weapons) games, where knowing where the enemy is, and breathing patterns, is crucial. Similarly crucial is the subtle sounds of footsteps, doors opening and closing, or hushed voices in online strategy games. Gamers relied on the GSP 600 to help them immediately hear these sounds and react upon them, and thereby increase their chances of winning.
EPOS GSP 600: Building Upon a Legacy of Excellence
In 2019, SP’s larger audiology business was spun off as a separate company called EPOS, following Sennheiser’s strategy of delegating what was considered a separate business entirely. This formalised the legacy of Sennheiser’s gaming audio division into its own operation, and allowed Sennheiser to focus more solely on the lucrative business-to-business audio market, while EPOS would carry on producing and developing even better quality gaming headsets under its own name. The EPOS GSP 600 is almost a phoenix from the ashes of the original Sennheiser GSP 600; a direct descendant. Everything the original did right has been retained and refined for the EPOS GSP 600: the same principles of audio quality, comfort and durability are demonstrated through innovations in materials, both in the structure and outward appearance of the product. The EPOS GSP 600 represents the same unwavering adherence to the piercing attentiveness to quality that defines both Sennheiser and EPOS.EPOS GSP 600 Review: A Deep Dive into Performance and Experience
The audio quality of the EPOS GSP 600 is outstanding and universally appreciated. It is extremely comfortable to wear, and professional love it. Everything you buy about the gaming package is unmistakably real, and incredibly immersive. The closed acoustic design isolates you from surrounding, distracting noises by holding the sounds inside the padding so that when you put on the headset and close your eyes, you’re transported to that one place, shut off from the outside world. You have no distractions. The real world doesn’t exist. You’re inside the game – whether it’s behind enemy lines or right in the middle of the action, on the track and surrounded by revving motors.
You hear the crowd, you hear those steps behind you. The other enormous draw for the GSP 600 to shut up the skeptics is comfort. The soft, ventilated earpads fit nicely. The earpads are soft and fit closely around my ears, nestled like a small speaker is embedded inside a padded earcup. The snug fit holds them steady on my head, allowing for comfortable extended use – even in those endless gaming sessions that go into the wee hours of the morning. They’re soft and luxurious to the touch. The cushioned headband is adjustable to fit a variety of head sizes. The earcups swivel to allow a natural, comfortable positioning with the ears – making them a real joy to wear for lengthy sessions. This is a key point for gamers: no matter how good the gaming sound, if the headphones make your ears hurt, you’ll want to take them off.
EPOS GSP 600 Earpads and Replacement Options: Customization and Comfort
The earpads of the GSP 600 are crucial to comfort and sound. The ear pads are made of breathable leatherette for a comfortable, cool feeling in the ears with an excellent fit. This ensures an efficient isolation from outside noise and a clear and large sound. But eventually you might be faced with damaged earpads. (Just so you know, eioned pieces that sit on your ears and provide space to the speakers.) Wear and tear is inevitable if you use your headset daily. If your GSP 600 has seen a lot of use, it is likely that the earpads have experienced a significant compromise in their functionality. That can cause discomfort and can also affect the sound quality. EPOS provides a good number of replacement earpads for the GSP 600 depending on your preferences and application.
These earpads are available in both leatherette, fabric or memory foam, and swapping out the earpads that come with your headset allows you to customise your own headset according to your comfort preferences and the particular requirements of your gameplay or practice sessions. There are earpads designed to provide better noise isolation, greater airflow or a more luxurious feel in order to help your headset remain comfortable and to perform also large third-party markets that sell replacement earpads, giving you a wider variety of material textiles or designs that can be used to further customise your headset experience.
EPOS GSP 600 vs. Competitors: A Head-to-Head Showdown
Competition in the gaming headset arena is fierce. The EPOS GSP 600 is one of many gaming headsets vying for attention, competing against the likes of the HyperX Cloud II, the SteelSeries Arctis 7, and perhaps the Astro A40 TR. While each headset offers its own strengths and weaknesses, ultimately the choice comes down to how you play games and which headset fits your playstyle best.
Those who are serious about the core attributes of their gaming headset – audio quality, comfort and durability – would be well served by the GSP 600. Its tuned 50mm drivers, leatherette earcups and solid aluminium construction make it a great choice for gamers across the spectrum of genres. It excels at bringing you into the action, whether it’s precision on-target combat in a first-person shooter, or just losing yourself in the atmosphere of a vast open world RPG. The Sennheiser GSP 600 is a gaming headset that delivers, regardless of what game you’re playing. Unless stated otherwise, this article was written by New Atlas editors Emmanuelle Sauvageau and Blaire Bossley.
Generally speaking, it would balance performance with comfort (and perhaps value) better than anything else in its price range. The GSP 600 is ultimately a razor-sharp gaming headset experience – the complete package. Anyone who wants to take their gaming to that next level of immersion and comfort should definitely own one. Maybe every gamer should own one. Then more people would be aware of how much Sennheiser has upped its headset ante, and how it has injected new meaning into the word gamer.
Conclusion: The EPOS GSP 600 - A Worthy Investment for Gamers
No gaming setup is truly completed without it, for it represents everything the original EPOS GSP 600 headset – the finest of its kind ever created – continues to do better than any headset on the market today. With no competitors remotely in same weight class, the GSP 600 is the most accurate and immersive soundstage you’ll ever listen to in virtual reality, all while being the single most comfortable headset you’ll ever wrap around your head for a warp-speed purpose. The EPOS GSP 600 stands alone in the gaming field. This is by the legacy of Sennheiser, and their recent rebrand into EPOS to represent their delivery on the highest frontier of audio. You didn’t think gaming was important to them, did you?FAQs: Addressing Your Questions about the EPOS GSP 600
What is the difference between the Sennheiser GSP 600 and the EPOS GSP 600?
If you’re wondering what’s different between the two, the simple answer is: nothing. The Sennheiser GSP 600 and the EPOS GSP 600 are the exact same headset, the only difference being that the headset is now rebranded under a new company (their audiology division having transformed into a new company called EPOS). The design, features and performance of the headset has not changed. The same engineers are working on the products, and the same commitment to quality and innovation stands. The name has simply changed because the ownership of the product has changed. By bringing the Sennheiser gaming audio division under EPOS, they can continue providing the same commitment to quality and innovation.Are the EPOS GSP 600 earpads compatible with the Sennheiser GSP 600?
They are, in fact, the same parts, and the form factor of the two headsets is the same, so the earpads are interchangeable. You can keep using the Sanded GSP 600 earpads you love, and you could also buy aftermarket earpads for the Sennheiser version and keep using them with the EPOS rebranded version. This is another way in which the continued use of earpads aids cross-compatibility with rebrands, ensuring a continued comfort level and the same level of performance.Can I use the EPOS GSP 600 for music listening?
Yes, even listening to music is a pleasant experience on the EPOS GSP 600. Thanks to the large drivers and near-neutral frequency response, the sound is engaging and will satisfy most music genres. Again, intended for gaming, the GSP 600 is a good choice for listening to music as well, as it delivers a realistic and balanced audio experience.Are there any other versions of the GSP 600 available?
Yes, the SteelSeries GSP 600 has various versions with certain specs and of them will have everything. First of all, the EPOS GSP 670 is a wireless version of the GSP 600, and has the same audio quality and comfort but with the added feature of it being more convenient to use since it’s actually wireless.
The GSP 670 also has the same sound quality as the GSP 600, but you could opt for going wireless instead. The GSP 670 would be a good version for gamers who do not have much patience for cables. Sennheiser’s GSP 601 is essentially the more affordable alternative to the GSP 600. The airy design provides a spacious soundstage – a must if you’re into digital-style music After investing in the more expensive Sennheiser GSP 600, we’re glad that Sennheiser is offering the same quality with the GSP 601 at a lower price point for performance-oriented gamers.
The GSP 601 is a great choice for gamers who are after the right balance between price and performance. Furthermore, there’s a limited edition design of the GSP 600, so it can be purchased in another differently designed form and unique colour scheme. Due to the various shades and appearances that these two types of the Audio Technica headset are offered in, gamers can choose their preferred style that suits them best. These rare editions provide for a gamer a choice and unique look from the same headset model.
