Sennheiser’s GSP 300, 350 headsets boast immersive quality

Anyone who considers themselves a serious gamer would know that sound plays as important a role as visuals in gaming. This has made the gaming headset an invaluable asset to the avid video game fan, who needs every edge to stay on top of the competition.

Thankfully, there are plenty of quality headsets to go around, and esteemed peripherals manufacturer Sennheiser has recently joined the race to create the best gaming headsets imaginable. Two models included in their gaming series are the entry-level GSP 300 and its cousin the GSP 350. Both are excellent headsets, boasting sleek designs, crisp audio, and good mics.

Beautiful, comfortable, and firm

Both the GSP 300 and GSP 350 share the same design, which is simple yet beautiful. It lacks the superfluous details that give other headsets a forced futuristic or “edgy” aesthetic, instead opting for clean, smooth curves, beveled edges, and a luxurious matte finish. Some will probably find these headphones plain-looking, but I personally appreciate their uncluttered, minimalistic appearance.

The faux leather, memory foam ear pads are soft, and totally enclose the ears for a snug and comfortable fit. I’m not sure if said pads will cause problems for those with larger ears, as the cushions are spongy enough that they won’t exert any painful pressure on the flesh. The material does start feeling rather warm after extended use, so be sure to take breaks.

Additionally, soft pads on the underside of the headband prevent said headband’s sharper corners from meeting the top of your head.

The headsets stay firmly secured around your ears even if you incline your head at steep angles or look around quickly. They’re light, to boot, which adds to their comfort.

Also attached to each headset is a microphone with a flexible middle. It’s quite sturdy, and you can swing it upwards and out of the way if you don’t wish to use it.

Looks-wise, the biggest difference between the two models is their color scheme. Both use black and dark grey, but the GSP 300 has blue accents, whereas the GSP 350 makes use of a nice, dark shade of red. I’ve always loved the sharp contrast between red and black, which makes me prefer the GSP 350 in terms of appearance.

High-fidelity sound

Now on to what’s truly important: the sound quality.

Both models produce clear, wonderful sound. You’ll be able to tell the various voices, sound effects, ambient noises, and musical flourishes apart, thus bolstering the illusion of being inside the game world. The bass is particularly good, so much so that you’ll find yourself enjoying the deep, reverberating booms and thunderous rumblings of battle.

Thanks to the way the ear pads cup your ears, the headsets minimize outside noise, further ensuring an amazing level of immersion.

Both headsets feature a dial on the outer side of the right housing that lets you conveniently adjust the volume.

When it comes to producing music, both headsets are a little less impressive than other models – specifically those solely dedicated to generating a variety of melodies. While you’ll still be able to distinguish between voices, instruments, and bass and treble frequencies, the GSP 300 and GSP 350 just fall short of transporting you to a live performance.

GSP 300 VS. GSP 350

There are a couple of differences between the sound quality of the GSP 300 and GSP 350.

The GSP 350 benefits from Dolby 7.1 Surround Sound thanks to a Surround Dongle and companion software. The software even includes several presets you can choose from; one of them, “eSports,” is sure to give you a distinct advantage in gaming. With these features, you’ll be able to tell from the game’s audio cues the direction from which specific sounds are coming. Approaching footsteps, gunfire, the cries of allies in need of assistance – they will all inform you of the distance and location of your teammates and opponents relative to your position.

Also packaged with the GSP 350 is an extension cable that connects to your PC and the Dongle. Together, the extension and the Dongle form an extremely long cord, allowing you to sit well away from your PC if you so desire.

The GSP 350 is multiplatform-capable, but you’ll need to buy an adapter separately to be able to connect it to a mobile device or gaming console.





In contrast, the GSP 300 comes with neither Surround Dongle nor software. The lack of presets also means no sound customization options, which is a tad disappointing.

What the GSP 300 does come with is a non-removable 2.5m cable that splits into a pair of 3.5mm wires. One wire is meant for audio, the other for the mic. There’s also an adapter which allows the headset to be connected to a gaming console or mobile device, thus giving the headset multiplatform compatibility. The cable and adapter combine to form a lengthy cord that allows you to keep your distance from the platform it’s connected to.





Mic test 1, 2, 3

To each headset is attached a microphone capable of conveying your voice clearly while minimizing background noise and distortion. Voice popping is almost nonexistent. All this makes the GSP 300 and GSP 350 ideal for communicating with your teammates.

To activate the mic, simply swivel it downwards from its upright position. Muting the mic is as easy as swinging it back up.


Quality headsets

Sennheiser’s GSP 300 and GSP 350 are quality headsets that bring your favorite games to life by immersing you in sharp, rich sounds.

The GSP 350’s Surround Sound makes it a good choice for a gaming headset, especially if you’re a competitive gamer. However, the two models are not dissimilar enough to make the GSP 350’s higher price of around PHP 7,890 feel warranted.

If you can live without the Surround Sound feature, and would prefer a headset that can connect to a console system or mobile device straight out of the box, you’re better off with the GSP 300. This model is priced at around PHP 5,690.

Both headset models are currently available at physical and online stores such as Techwarez and Lazada. They are expected to arrive at more physical stores within the first quarter of 2017. — TJD, GMA News