Review - GSP 300 and 600 gaming headsets from EPOS | Sennheiser

In the table above, we see that we have two very good helmets, with a GSP 600 superior to its little brother. But since nothing beats a deep immersion, we dug deep.

For the life-size test, in addition to the 2-minute video available on the EPOS site (which is a nod to Blade Runner with 18 Easter Eggs to find), we also used 2 games:

and 2 movies:

The first observation concerning the GSP 300 is that we do not play in the same category as that of the helmets that are usually mid-range. We feel a very clean and clear sound, without noise and with a rather remarkable sharpness for a helmet sold at this price. The only downside that can be criticized is at the bass level, which is slightly too heavy. The headphones, which perfectly encompass the ears and whose cushions are memory foam, are designed with closed acoustics which considerably reduce any external noise. This corresponds to the dynamic test result at 36 dBFS in the table. It's very effective and pleasant to be disturbed by almost no outside noise, you almost feel “isolated”.

In game, the rendering is clean, the bass and treble well managed, leaving the sound clear and without interference. Going through the Bernese Alps Tunnel in Forza 7 feels very realistic. In SWB 2 the effects of shots are well represented and the spatialization is of good quality, which makes it possible to clearly identify the origin of the shots. In terms of movies, the result is also very good with good resistance to variations in the musical parts of Tron Legacy, without bass or treble distortion. The sound quality in Blade Runner is also of good quality, the sound is clean even when the bass can seem slightly too heavy. In short, a good job for a helmet sold at 99 €.

Regarding the GSP 600, given the clarity of the sound and the immersion provided by the headset with its 54 dBFS, we went to sit behind the wheels of the 2014 Ferrari FXX K and 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3, still on the same circuit. Except for the noise of the engine during the start in a rolling race, which does not seem so different from the GSP 300, the sounds of gear changes, the screeching of tires in hard turns or during skids, as well as the pressure put on by opponents that are located exactly in space, all are a notch above in terms of rendering and remarkable clarity. The excellent spatialization of SWB 2 is perfectly transcribed with this GSP 600, which further increases the feeling of being at the controls of the vessels piloted in interior view, where the sound effects of the different weapons are very well represented and reproduced by the helmet.

In terms of films, we have simply rarely appreciated so much, with headphones, the version of Blade Runner via a console. The rain, a ship taking off, a cigarette lighting up, everything is ultra realistic. We no longer attend the scene, we live it. A real moment of happiness. The work done with Dolby Atmos is exceptional and the GSP 600 transcribes it wonderfully. We enjoy a pure and crystalline sound, ultra clean bass and treble, the immersion is complete. Just like the soundtrack of Daft Punk, which is an integral part of the film Tron Legacy, which enjoys a wonderful clarity despite its great dynamics and its very contrasting variations, all without the slightest sizzle making the film even more immersive. We feel that the GSP 600 is still well above its little brother, especially when the game or film is properly worked on the sound level. Although, we repeat, the sound quality of the GSP 300 is already far superior to many mid-range gaming headsets.

Slightly different design

The helmets did not both benefit from the same manufacturing benefits, which seems rather logical when you see the price difference between the two models. The headband of the GSP 300, although adjustable to the height of the headphones and equipped with effective foam protection for long gaming sessions without headaches, does not have that little bit more than the GSP 600. The headband of the latter is indeed equipped with a headband system which makes it possible to adjust the spacing of the headphones and thus reduce the pressure exerted by the helmet on the head. This may seem trivial, but it is not. A little too much pressure after a while, presto, just adjust the headband and you're done. This is a really excellent idea for long listening sessions and obviously for professional gamers.

The GSP 600 also has a metal hinge system that feels extra sturdy, even when roughed up. Although the general design of each device is successful and exudes solidity, the metal hinges of the GSP 600 make it even more elegant. As for the microphones, which go into mute mode as soon as they are picked up, they are both excellent. The colleagues at the other end can hear us perfectly and there is no untimely crackling. The sound emitted is clean, just like the return, and without echo. However, we were disappointed to find that even the GSP 600 only has one volume control knob. It may be very well made on each headset, positioned on the right earpiece which makes it very easy to manipulate in game, we would have liked to take advantage of two wheels, one for chat and one for the game, thus avoiding us having to go through the console settings. Nevertheless, these devices being compatible with Xbox, Switch, PS4, PC and others, it is easy to imagine that the specificities of each platform could have posed a problem at this level.

Finally, it is also important to know that both models make their weight, even if it is not really felt when using them. It will thus be necessary to compose with 297g for the GSP 300 and 397g for its big brother. The difference is also noted in the packaging of the two devices and in the quality of the materials used for the cables. Indeed, if those of the GSP 300 are of good quality, they are nonetheless made of rubber, while those of the GSP 600 are in a braided nylon of the most beautiful effect which is less likely to be damaged over time. The earphone foams of the latter are also of better quality, softer and from which there is no feeling of heating during long use, unlike those of the GSP 300 which end up slightly warming our ears after a few hours. Another appreciable point for players who record game sessions and make video, each device comes with an adapter necessary to switch from connection to the console controller, to that of a PC (be careful, all laptops are not equipped with these inputs, in which case you will have to go through the console cable). Indeed, the GSP 300 is directly equipped with a dual 3.5mm mini-jack male output (microphone and audio) to go to a PC, so it needs a reverse adapter (double female input to single male output) to connect to the console controller. As for the GSP 600, two adapters are provided, a single (female, male) to connect the headset to the console and a double (single male output to double male output) to connect it to a PC. Perfect for video capture or streaming while making it easier to record your voice separately on the various existing software. Finally, as required by the European law on technological products, the two helmets are guaranteed for 2 years.

The GSP 300 Helmet

GSP 300: A presentation worthy of Star Wars

The GSP 300 with the lid lifted

Additional GSP 300 cable to connect to Xbox controller

GSP 300: The adjustment wheel

GSP 300: overview

GSP 300: The microphone

The GSP 600 Helmet

The GSP 600 in its case

GSP 600: overview

GSP 600: The microphone

GSP 600: The volume wheel

GSP 600: The 2 tabs for the headband and its removable earphone foams

The GSP 600 and its connection cables