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Edited July 22, 2021
at 01:16 PM
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https://drop.com/buy/drop-sennhei...ng-headset
DROP + SENNHEISER PC38X GAMING HEADSET $139 - $30 off.
New users can get an additional $10.00 off by signing up for emails on the front page:
https://drop.com/
If you don't know Drop.com, they used to be known as Massdrop.com. They have been around a long time. Reputable company. Used to focus on organizing group buys to direct ship products to you from vendors at wholesale prices. Now they just get decent prices all around.
If you're familiar with the Sennheiser GSP 500, GSP 600 or Game One headsets, this is better version of them all.
I've had Game Ones for years and bought the PC38x for $170 last year. Even though it's cheaper now, I don't regret the purchase. Sound reproduction is better than my older Game Ones. These are really great open air headphones, mic is very good too. My personal favorite thing about the mic is the manual shut off by swinging the mic arm upwards.
Here's some reviews:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNjO98dZUGQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKxsAnTC3PQ
INCLUDED
2 removable cables (PC and console)
2 pairs of earpads (mesh knit and velour)
Drawstring travel pouch
2-year manufacturer's warranty
SPECS
Headphone Specs
Form factor: Over ear
Transducer principle: Dynamic, open
Frequency response: 10Hz - 30000Hz
Impedance: 28 Ω
Sound pressure level: 109 dB
2.5 m PC cable, 2 x 3.5 mm splitTRS connector
1.5 m console cable, 1 x 3.5 mm TRRS connector
Weight: 8.9 oz (253 g)
Weight (with cable): 10.2 oz (290.5 g)
Microphone Specs
Microphone frequency response: 50–16,000 Hz
Pick-up pattern: Noise-cancelling
Sensitivity: -38 dBV/PA
Microphone technology: Electret condenser
Microphone pickup pattern: Bi-directional
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However, one of the biggest differences is the purpose. This is a gaming headset and includes a really high quality microphone with Sennheiser quality speakers and build.
1 black band = mono (single channel)
2 black bands = stereo (2 channels)
3 black bands = stereo plus mic input (3 channels)
Sorry if I wasted anyone's time!
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Where'd you get either of these open-box in pristine condition for super cheap? Amazon Warehouse hasn't had the PC37X > Acceptable or the PC38X for cheaper than what they cost brand new at Drop right now w/ the new user discount (while the latter hasn't even dropped below this price).
I'd love to get these but I don't think I can justify spending up to 50% more than the 37X for which other than the slightly improved sound, is an identical model. While I can always be convinced wrong, it depends on the individual and what they value more and atm (during/after pandemic), prolly won't be, so hope both models will be cheaper on BF.
I wish I paid so little. I had noise the cancelling ones.
So I have Audio Technica ATX50b or something like that. I set that up with a vmoda boom pro mic and then I hooked up to my Xbox controller. So here is my issue: the mic quality is not excellent. My buddies report a faint buzzing/static Everytime I speak. They say it doesn't bother them but it's there regardless. So if anyone can comment on the mic quality for Xbox use I would appreciate it. Thank you.
Mic quality is top tier. Not quite broadcast quality, but people on Xbox, PS5 and Zoom all comment about how excellent and clear the mic's sound quality is.
I would recommend. Mic quality is top notch. Also, you'll be able to hear your environment enough that if your family needs you, you could hear them, but not enough where it should be a distraction in the background.
The PC38X kind of sucks as a gaming headphone. Spatial localisation is pretty basic (nothing much beyond the "3-blob"; left, right, and centre) and the soundstage is extremely narrow for an open-back. Think HD650-tier.
Detail is sorely lacking. Very blunt hits that only barely resolve the most surface-level of details. A shame given the excellent tonality.
https://crinacle.com/2020/10/24/d...pressions/
The PC38X kind of sucks as a gaming headphone. Spatial localisation is pretty basic (nothing much beyond the "3-blob"; left, right, and centre) and the soundstage is extremely narrow for an open-back. Think HD650-tier.
Detail is sorely lacking. Very blunt hits that only barely resolve the most surface-level of details. A shame given the excellent tonality.
https://crinacle.com/2020/10/24/d...pressions/ [crinacle.com]
https://crinacle.com/2021/02/10/d...y-musical/
The positives for this hp is its EXCELLENT SOUND SIGNATURE and EXCELLENT MIC, possibly a GREAT WFH/zoom headphone. Just to add, Crinacle does recommend this hp in terms of value even at the original price. I would use this for other types of games, and even for FPS since I'm just your average FPS gamer and I don't need pinpoint imaging or wide soundstage.
Gaming Highlights
Technicalities
How can I put it nicely… the PC38X is not resolving. It's mostly surface-level detail with it, and definition takes a rather big hit as a result.
Since we're talking about a gaming headphone here I'll use a game-related example here: use a high-enough RPM weapon and the PC38X would just make it sound like a single-tone laserbeam.
Footsteps are hard enough to notice as it is given its tonal balance, and the environmental noise threshold required to overwhelm footstep noises is embarrassingly low on the PC38X compared to something like the HD600.
And that's just talking about its resolution. Moving the topic to stereoimaging capabilities, the one thing a headphone like the PC38X is supposed to do well given its gamer branding,
(Imaging)
it's not any better. The PC38X has HD650/6XX-levels of that infamous "3-blob imaging", that is to say that it can really only properly localise "left, right, and centre".
(Soundstage)
The soundstage itself is rather intimate and narrow, and while this could be advantage considering that a more forward presentation does help in localisation, it's not really a benefit in the PC38X's case.
The PC38X is not a technical headphone, and certainly not one I'd recommend for hardcore gaming.
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You still need to replace cushions every year or so because they do flatten out and change the tonality.
The PC38X kind of sucks as a gaming headphone. Spatial localisation is pretty basic (nothing much beyond the "3-blob"; left, right, and centre) and the soundstage is extremely narrow for an open-back. Think HD650-tier.
Detail is sorely lacking. Very blunt hits that only barely resolve the most surface-level of details. A shame given the excellent tonality.
https://crinacle.com/2020/10/24/d...pressions/
I have been using the HyperX Alpha S, and the HyperX Cloud II before that, for mainly FPS gaming.
I also have the Sennheiser HD 560S with a FiiO DAC-AMP. I just received those last week.
So far my initial impression is the PC38X sounds great for music. This was expected based on the reviews from RTings. I also tested the microphone and a couple of people have told me it sounds better than the HyperX Alpha S microphone.
I'm pretty happy with the performance - it enables me to use this as a WFH headset, and listen to music without sacrificing all that much in terms of sound quality. Because this has a built-in mic, I can switch to Teams meetings and phone calls through my desktop computer quite easily.
I'm wondering if there's a DAC AMP that I can connect to with an input for a microphone.
Other than this, I'm pretty happy.
I can use this PC38X all day for music, for work, for phone calls. And then use it for FPS gaming after work.
I can use my HD 560S with my FiiO DAC AMP for music and videos AFTER work.
I have been using the HyperX Alpha S, and the HyperX Cloud II before that, for mainly FPS gaming.
I also have the Sennheiser HD 560S with a FiiO DAC-AMP. I just received those last week.
So far my initial impression is the PC38X sounds great for music. This was expected based on the reviews from RTings. I also tested the microphone and a couple of people have told me it sounds better than the HyperX Alpha S microphone.
I'm pretty happy with the performance - it enables me to use this as a WFH headset, and listen to music without sacrificing all that much in terms of sound quality. Because this has a built-in mic, I can switch to Teams meetings and phone calls through my desktop computer quite easily.
I'm wondering if there's a DAC AMP that I can connect to with an input for a microphone.
Other than this, I'm pretty happy.
I can use this PC38X all day for music, for work, for phone calls. And then use it for FPS gaming after work.
I can use my HD 560S with my FiiO DAC AMP for music and videos AFTER work.
There is a former cs 1.6 pro that swears by the 560s for fps gaming.
He likes it better than the highly touted akg k712 or the tygr 300r.
The 38x is dang good for the $139. A good all rounder..
He likes it better than the highly touted akg k712 or the tygr 300r.
The 38x is dang good for the $139. A good all arounder..
So I've tried the 560s a little bit in Overwatch. It seems pretty good but haven't had an extended testing period.
The primary issue is the 560s doesn't come with a microphone, and so would need to purchase that separately from Amazon.
The 38x really is a good all-rounder. A solid step up for music compared to your standard gaming headset, with a very good built-in microphone. Seems pretty good for gaming based on overall reviews, and I am anticipating it being good for Working From Home as well. On sale so I felt comfortable pulling the trigger.
He likes it better than the highly touted akg k712 or the tygr 300r.
The 38x is dang good for the $139. A good all rounder..
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