Drop + EPOS PC38X

The good old Massdrop x Sennheiser PC37X has now evolved into a newer version known as the {Drop} + EPOS PC38X and has become a bit easier to use. We've tested the marginally more colourful black and yellow version, but a pure black version is also available. The cables are even colour-matched to each version.

Unlike most other gaming headphones, this is an open construction where the unit can ventilate freely, which is a change from most devices where the unit is in a closed chamber. This usually means a more open, airy reproduction, but also means that you're not shielded from noise in the same way as with a closed design. This makes them somewhat less suitable if you're in a noisy environment or have a very loud fan, but if that's not a problem, you'll be rewarded with a sound that is, if nothing else, theoretically better than what we're used to from closed systems. And since it's also easier to power, you don't need an ultra audiophile motherboard to get the full benefit of these headphones. I did use a small (and cheap) headphone amplifier from {iFi Audio} to make sure they were getting enough power, but I also tested directly on the motherboard's headphone output.

In addition, the open construction means that air can actually get to your ears, meaning there is far less heat around the ear and thus less bacterial growth, but most importantly, there is enough ventilation to avoid sweating around the ear as I do with the extremely, almost hermetically sealed models.

Besides the sound quality, this headset is celebrated for its long-term comfort and relatively low weight, combined with two different sets of cushions, either velour or mesh. As is common with other gaming equipment from EPOS, there is a discreet swivel wheel on the side that takes up almost the entire ear cup, and a plug that is shaped with a funny little bubble at the end. Both a standard 3.5mm and a splitter cable port for PC are available, and I think they fit well, despite the fact that they are quite tight. It never feels uncomfortable. I'm very old-fashioned, so all voice/chat mixing has to be done on the computer, and here there's volume control and nothing else, and I like it that way.

They weigh 253 grams and the primary cable is three metres long, while the maximum sound output is 109 dB. That doesn't sound like a lot, but this close to the ears it's more than enough. However, I'm a little puzzled why there are no details about what the headband is made of, what cabling is used internally, and I get exactly zero information about the device itself, other than that it provides a 28 Ohm resistance. The units are said to be identical to the ones in the GSP 600, which had neodymium magnets as I recall and 50mm units made of an undefined material, but since it's not mentioned anywhere, I have my doubts whether that applies here. On the other hand, the GSP 600 is equipped with units that are also 28 Ohm, where most other EPOS systems are around 50, so it might be the same.

Now my whining is over, it should be said that there are measured frequency curves according to the industry standards, such as impedance curves etc. Since they have a wired analogue connection, there are no drivers, virtual surround or other fiddly stuff, but there are tons of different pieces of software that can create EQ and "spatial surround" if that's what you like.

The microphone is the classic condenser type, and is unsurprisingly quite good, with noise cancellation to offer as well. It's a standard tilt function that auto-mutes when put away, just the way we like it, and the audio it produces is clear and crisp.

The price for everything is £149, and all cables follow the standard EPOS format, so if something breaks it should be pretty easy to get spare parts, and the GSA cable that comes with it is even sold as standard on the EPOS website.

On a more practical level, the headset is quite solidly built, but {Drop} offers other headsets in the same price range where slightly more exclusive materials are used instead of just plastic as is here.

In terms of sound, there's a warmer sound profile than you usually get with EPOS, a legacy from when the company was created in collaboration with Sennheiser, and for me that's actually positive. It also means that there is a little less bass even though they technically go lower in their profile than their predecessor, and because of this the highest notes from i.e. violin comes across faster and different than you otherwise know it from classic Sennheiser/EPOS headsets. As gaming is the purpose, however, and not classical music, the almost clinical sound profile you otherwise know can be a bit too much in the long run.

There is a large and spacious stereo profile, which is to be expected with an open design. But with an open construction typically comes the absence of pumped-up disco bass, so the "umpf" you often hear and feel with heavy machine gun volleys is not there in the same way, but it is more accurate.

All in all, if you can survive the fact that you need a relatively quiet room to use them in, this is a strong alternative to the traditional gaming headphones. There's no surround or fancy in-built EQ features, but the sound is solid and well-resolved. But, I do want to know what these headphones are made from...