Sennheiser GSP 600 Review

With the portcullis finally closed and the White Knight floating facedown in the moat, I have retreated to the Inner Sanctum of the Headphone Dungeon. Far from any distractions, I can finally devote some undivided attention to the Sennheiser GSP 600 – an impressive gaming headset retailing for a fair $249. But is that sound worth the price?

Sennheiser GSP 600 Review

Released in January 2018, the Sennheiser GSP 600 provides a flagship model to that manufacturer’s already-established lineup of gaming headphones. And while there are plenty of budget-minded options in Sennheiser’s catalog (from the GSP 300 at $99 to the computer-only GSP 350 at $119), the GSP 600’s pricetag of $249 places it squarely in the upper echelon of gaming headsets.

Design

Featuring a well-appointed headband with a solid build, the GSP 600 feels sturdy in my hands, but lightweight on my head. Deep mesh padding on the headband itself – and soft pleather ear pads – help extend comfort for hours on end. The 600 also packs a fairly innovative feature among Sennheiser headphones: an adjustable headband that allows the wearer to not only adjust width, but contact pressure, too.

The integrated boom mic seems to boast a relatively decent frequency response, and is located on the left side of the headphone. The automatic switch between “off” and “on” via raising and lowering the mic does provide a simple tactile pleasure, with a quiet, unobtrusive click letting you know the mic is now on or off.

On the right earcup, there’s a volume attenuation knob that raising the electrical impedance and decreases volume. This feature neatly overcomes the usual down side of closed-back cans: missed phone calls, unanswered doorbells, or brief conversations don’t require you to full remove the GSP 600. Simply tune volume down a bit to hear ambient noises around you, then re-adjust the knob to get back to your game.

Out of the box, the Sennheiser GSP 600 offers plug-and-play compatibility with PC, Mac, and the PS4. Two removable cables (one for PC and one for PS4) are included in the box. The headset can also be used with XBox One systems when used with an optional adapter (sold separately).

Sound

Most Sennheiser headphones are known for a warmer sound, and the GSP 600 makes no exception here. There’s definitely a little more action going on in the low end, with a solid bass impact that remains lively and energetic without sounding overblown or sloppy.

Thanks to a decent detail throughout the frequency range, there’s plenty of weight and contrast to footsteps falling on a long, lonesome corridor, or just the right amount of metallic punch to a clip being slammed into a rifle.

But the GSP 600 performs equally well with soundtracks, taking advantage of a full frequency range. Slightly smooth highs frequencies deliver a sound that never becomes too piercing or uncomfortable, while still remaining dynamic.

Final Thoughts

For $249, you could do a whole lot worse than the Sennheiser GSP 600. Indeed, thanks to thoughtful features like the adjustable headband, volume knob, and overall comfort, this headphone offers some impressive bang per buck. For those seeking premium performance in a robust, capable package, this German gem should place pretty high on the list of must-try headphones.

Specifications

Design: Closed Back, dynamic driver
Headphone Frequency Range: 10-30,000 Hz
Nominal Impedance: 28 ohms
Cable Length: 2.5 m PC cable / 1.5 m Console cable
Sound Pressure Level: 112 dB

Microphone Pickup Pattern: Bi-directional ECM
Microphone Sensitivity: -47 dBV/PA
Microphone Frequency Range: 10-18,000 Hz

Weight: 13.93 oz (395 g)