The EPOS GSP 370 by Sennheiser bucks gaming headset tradition as a snazzy headset that might not look out of place in an office environment.
If you want the flashing lights and garish design of other products that target gamers, this isn't for you - although if it's pure elegance you're after, this probably isn't for you either.
But how does GSP 370 stack up against competitors in terms of audio quality and functionality?
I've been using a pair for the past week or so and here are my thoughts.
The good
Wireless headsets are made or broken with battery life, so I'm thankful the GSP 370 lasts up to a whopping 100 hours on a single charge.
If you used it eight hours a day, five days a week, that's enough battery life to last two and a half weeks.
That is a truly exceptional battery.
Audio through the GSP 370 sounds great. The bass of the battlefield comes through crisp and clear, while the high-pitched whine of a racing car engine comes through nicely too. It's easy to game, chat with friends and listen to music at the same time - the sign of a competent headset.
The GSP 370 has a pretty comparable sound profile to standard headphones, but is definitely geared towards gaming. If you're after a headset primarily for music or videos, this really won't compete with the likes of Bose, Sony or Bowers and Wilkins.
Now, it's time for a confession, dear reader: I've never actually owned a wireless headset.
From my first Turtle Beach headset held together by duct tape and kind thoughts, to the sleek, aviator design of my current Logitech G Pro X headset, I've just always wanted the perceived assurance and reliability a wired set brings.
Now, it's safe to say, I'm a complete convert.
No more disentangling myself when I got up to go to refill my water bottle. No more garotting myself every time I swivel around in my chair. Best of all, I can get up to fold the washing during downtime without missing any key comms from my teammates.
The GSP370 is compatible with standard Windows and Macintosh devices, as well as Sony's Playstation 4 and 5. Incompatibility with all Xbox consoles is a pain, especially for gamers that frequently switch between platforms.
This headset has a comfortable fit, even for my comically-large cranium. While it skimps on leather earpads, the fabric still feels nice and an easy headband adjuster means you can go long stretches of time wearing them with no issue.
So with all of this, what's there not to like about EPOS' latest flagship wireless headset?
The bad
The EPOS GSP 370 must have missed the memo about sleek design, because it really is anything but.
It's bulky enough to sit over a baseball cap, but just compact enough to fit under a hoodie - a textbook case of overengineered and underdesigned.
I found it a pain to set up, especially when trying to pair with EPOS Gaming Suite, the proprietary tuning software. If it's complicated for a tech head like me to set up, that probably means a lot of frustration for regular consumers.
Don't bother referring to the user manual, either. In an effort to create the Bauhaus guide to modern day headset usage, it's completely impossible to understand. If EPOS spent half as much time designing their headset for normal people as they did creating hieroglyphs for their manual, set-up might be a bit less painful.
When comparing to rival headsets like the Logitech G Pro X Wireless, the GSP 370 falls well short in some categories. The G Pro X, for example, allows for the seamless transition between microphones depending on your distance from your computer, while its soft leather ear pads are like cushions for your ears. The G Pro X also has a nicer feel, and gives the impression its built sturdier.
The GSP 370 microphone is adequate, but lacks the crystal clarity sound quality of some of its competitors.
Finally, I was less than impressed with the connectivity. There's absolutely no excuse for using the now-redundant micro-USB port these days, instead of USB-C.
The USB receiver that plugs into your computer also juts out quite a bit, posing a risk to hips everywhere.
The verdict
The reality is, gaming headsets are flashy, brightly-coloured bricks meant to be sat on, thrown violently across the room and passed back and forth by players.
Style often comes second to sound and comfort, and the EPOS GSP 370 definitely offers both of these.
So is it a good buy?
If you don't mind spending a pretty penny on a gaming headset, the GSP 370 could be the stocking filler for you. With the range of holiday deals on offer, this gaming headset is quite the catch.
But if you're a technophobe fearing the impending set-up, or want something sleeker to sit on your head, maybe give this one a miss.
Oskar was supplied a set of EPOS GSP 370 for this review.
