The Sennheiser GSP670 Wireless Gaming Headset Review: Cutting The Cord
by Andrei Frumusanu on July 5, 2019 8:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Gaming
- Headset
- Audio
- Sennheiser
- GSP670
Microphone Testing
Obviously enough, because this is a full headset we also have to take a look at the microphone performance.
My test setup for this was relatively ghetto as I wanted to get good repeatability and consistency. I used one of my main speakers as the audio source as the GSP670’s fitted nicely over it. I calibrated the speaker’s frequency response to be as flat as possible from the recording distance, and also included measurements from a calibrated reference measurement microphone as well as my cheap 13€ Neewer XLR mic with my cheap audio interface.
In terms of frequency response, it largely corresponds to what Sennheiser reports: 10Hz to 7KHz. Now this isn’t really a great FR for a microphone, and the particularly steep drop-off after 7KHz is very audible in the audio quality.
Again for the sake of repeatability, I opted for a recording of a playback on the above setup. Sir Patrick Stewart will have to make due for us (Credit: GameStorys YouTube clip of Castlevania: Lords of Shadow).
Unfortunately, the quality really isn’t the best and there’s an obvious lack of clarity due to the limited frequency range.
The fact that the GSP670 performs quite a lot worse than my 13€ mic is a bit shameful for Sennheiser. I don’t quite understand why the company had limited the frequency range on the new headphones to just 7KHz while the predecessor GSP600 has a fuller frequency range till 15KHz. Would this be actually meant in some way to improve competitive gaming by not interfering with the higher end treble and to not miss any enemies?
In any case, I don’t like it, and it’s a damn shame Sennheiser even puts this on the market.
Facebook
Twitter
RSS
29 Comments
View All Comments
Andrei Frumusanu - Friday, July 5, 2019 - link
I thought of ways to measure latency but I didn't have anything practical in order to achieve it.In general, latency with the GSA70 dongle wasn't an issue in gaming or everyday usage.
willis936 - Friday, July 5, 2019 - link
Windows stereo mix to output to a known low latency DAC and the device under test. ARTA has a setup for measuring phase if you have a two channel mic.Andrei Frumusanu - Friday, July 5, 2019 - link
I'll add this in after the AMD weekend is over.bunkle - Friday, July 5, 2019 - link
Aren't the left vs right frequency responses a little extreme to be down to cup position? Maybe that USB port or the mic boom are causing sealing issues (given the extended bass of the left ear). Was there a consistent difference when you tested?Andrei Frumusanu - Friday, July 5, 2019 - link
As I mention, it's just possible my budget measurement rig calibration if a bit off, or the positioning of the headphones was indeed a bit off as well. The general shape of the FR remains roughly the same.I didn't notice large issues with L/R balance in subjective testing.
yacoub35 - Friday, July 5, 2019 - link
How much radiation is it cooking the user's head with during long-term use? :)Dug - Saturday, July 6, 2019 - link
Wow, ugly and not good all for $349.Thanks for the write up and testing.
crotach - Saturday, July 6, 2019 - link
This just looks so plasticky like it came from a Kinder Egg. I guess it would be ok for 50 euros.Eliadbu - Monday, July 8, 2019 - link
I wonder how this headset compares to my Astro A50 (gen 3) .