Another day, another headphone review. Today we’re taking a look at the Sennheiser GSP 350 – a unique entry in Sennheiser’s gaming lineup that delivers Dolby Surround Sound. But at a fairly modest $139, what kind of sound quality should you expect?
Sennheiser GSP 350 Review
Released all the way back in October 2016, the GSP 350 features USB audio and Dolby 7.1 Surround Sound. This headphone remains the only GSP model to offer such a feature, while it is one of only two Sennheiser headphones that offer 7.1 Surround Sound (the other being the more expensive PC 373D).
Design
Sporting a classy black-and-red color scheme, the GSP 350 goes well with my gaming rig, though for people who use other color schemes, this may not be the case. Taking cues from other headsets in the GSP line, the 350 features a similar headband, volume attenuation knob, and boom mic.
While the headband isn’t adjustable like it is on the more expensive GSP 500 and GSP 600 models, it remains comfortable during longer play sessions. Add to this the soft memory-foam cups and this headphone becomes a real blessing on longer playthroughs.
As far as durability goes, the plastic construction of the GSP 350 holds up well. And, with the removable cable, there’s some solid peace-of-mind for those users who tend to treat their equipment with a heavier hand.
The integrated boom mic appears fairly standard, with good pickup and fidelity – at least, in relation to the price. Lowering or lifting the boom will turn the mic on and off, respectively, while the volume attenuation knob on the right earcup allows volume to be lowered or muted quickly and efficiently.
Obviously, the biggest selling point to the Sennheiser GSP 350 is the inclusion of 7.1 Surround Sound capability. Using this feature does require downloading the appropriate software from Sennheiser’s website. However, once this has been accomplished, the feature becomes plug-and-play, and can be toggled on or off at the press of a button. Sennheiser lists this headphone as only being compatible with PC systems. And while you could potentially use it in stereo mode with a PS4, you won’t be able to avail yourself of the Dolby goodness.
Sound
As one of only two Sennheiser headsets to offer 7.1 Dolby Digital Surround Sound, the GSP 350 offers an impressive sound in an affordable package. Despite a lightweight build and a pricetag below $150, the sound still offers a wealth of detail – even in stereo mode.
Sure, there might be some slight compression or distortion throughout the frequency range. But I would expect this from almost any headphone at this price point. And the slight imperfections in the sound still seem a minor note when compared to the overall detailed and precise character of the sound.
During my playthroughs, the Surround Sound feature did lend an illuminating quality to atmospheric sounds. It actually feels like you’re inside the game to a certain degree – a feeling made even more apparent by playing the same content in stereo sound. The longer I play with the Sennheiser GSP 350, though, the more lost I get inside that Surround Sound. This feature definitely adds another level of enjoyment to games that are heavy on atmosphere.
Equally well-suited for gaming or music enjoyment, the GSP 350 offers a wide and immersive soundstage, coupled with good isolation and adequate detail. Of course, Sennheiser has optimized this headset for gaming use, but I would feel more than comfortable pulling double duty with it and bumping some tunes, too.
Final Thoughts
At $139, the Sennheiser GSP 350 might not be the most expensive or the cheapest gaming headset on the market. However, it does offer an impressive gaming and listening experience for anyone gaming on a PC. If you’re especially a fan of atmosphere in video games, you owe it to yourself to demo this headset; it definitely adds a transcendental level of immersion to any title.
Specifications
Design: Closed Back, dynamic driver
Headphone Frequency Range: 15-26,000 Hz
Nominal Impedance: 19 ohms
Cable Length: 5.57 ft (1.7 m) Surround Sound Cable + 4 ft (1.2 m) USB Cable
Sound Pressure Level: 113 dB
Microphone Pickup Pattern: Bi-directional ECM
Microphone Sensitivity: -41 dBV/PA
Microphone Frequency Range: 10-15,000 Hz
Weight 9.24 oz (262 g)
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