The GAME ONE are engineered with sleek looks and top-of-the-line sound quality at an affordable price.
Gaming headsets have become a hot commodity because of the increasing popularity of online gaming and a desire for high-quality audio and communication. The influx of new gamers paired with the simultaneous rise of professional gaming and Esports has provided a huge boost to the gaming tech market as a whole.
- Slim, lightweight build
- Comfortable velvet ear cups and headband padding
- Neutral, well-balanced sound profile
- Quality microphone with excellent noise handling
- Bass profile lacks some low-bass punch
- Difficult to fine-tune the volume
- Open-back design causes noise isolation and sound leakage issues
The Epos | Sennheiser GAME ONE are a mid-range gaming headset designed for both casual and competitive gamers. They feature professional-level sound quality, a comfortable fit and feel, and a simple, sleek design.
Situated slightly lower than some of Sennheiser’s more spotlighted headphones, the GAME ONE are both expertly crafted and reasonably priced.
Continue reading for a detailed overview of the Sennheiser GAME ONE headset and everything they offer.
Company Overview
Sennheiser is a German audio equipment and technology company founded by inventor Fritz Sennheiser in 1945. Sennheiser is known for producing high-quality products that deliver an exceptional audio experience. From over-ear, on-ear, and in-ear headsets to microphones and speakers, the brand has found success and earned its place as one of the titans of the audio industry.
In 2021 Sennheiser generated over 900 million USD in sales revenue through its consumer products and professional systems divisions combined.
Recently, the company entered into a joint venture with the Demant Group – another world leader in audio technology. Together, these two well-established organizations boast over 115 years of experience in audio engineering and innovation.
The former consumer product lines sold by Sennheiser are now sold under the EPOS | Sennheiser name in partnership with the Demant group.
Technical Specifications
- Form: Open-back, over-ear
- Drivers: 35mm neodymium
- Impedance (Ohm): 50 Ω
- Sensitivity (dB): 116 dB
- Frequency Response (Hz): 15 Hz – 28 kHz
- Removable cable: Yes
- Source Jack/Plug: 2 x 3.5mm TRRS
- Cup Connector Jack: 3.5mm stereo
- Mic: Yes
- Weight (g): 300 g
- Compatibility: PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC, Mac
Packaging and Accessories
The GAME ONE come in a plain black box with the EPOS | Sennheiser logo and some technical specifications printed in white. The box is covered by an outer packaging sleeve that features a high-resolution photo of the headset as well as a bullet point breakdown on the back that highlights some of the notable features.
The inner box that houses the headset has a flip-open design that makes for a nice unboxing experience and also works for storage or traveling. Inside is a mold that keeps the headset in place and some foam padding for extra protection. The middle compartment houses the 3-meter detachable braided cable.
Other than the headset itself and the cable, there are no other items or accessories.
Overall, the packaging style is simple and sleek, with an easy-access box design that is functional and provides ample protection. I really like the fact that the box can be closed securely and used as a sturdy carrying case.
In the box
- Epos | Sennheiser GAME ONE gaming headset
- 3m headset connector cable
Design
The Sennheiser GAME ONE features a low-key, sophisticated design that isn’t meant to be flashy and provides a nice polished look. The headset has a matte-black finish with a few subtle red metallic accents found on the ear cups and the microphone arm, as well as some red material on the inner ear cups.
I appreciate that there aren’t any massive logos or other branding graphics pointlessly slapped on. There is a small Sennheiser logo on the outer ear cup and an Epos | Sennheiser logo on the headband – a good representation of the brand while remaining tasteful.
The ear cups aren’t fixed in place and have a swivel-like function that gives them just enough mobility to ensure a proper fit around the ears.
The microphone boom is made of the same thick and durable plastic as the rest of the headset and feels very sturdy compared to other mid-range headset mics. It is sizable and sturdy but not large to the point of being intrusive.
The microphone head features a series of small openings showing off some red windscreen meshing underneath – a cool aesthetic touch.
The microphone can be flipped upwards and tucked away next to the headband whenever it is not in use, which also serves to mute it. I am a big fan of this muting function as it is quick, easy, and makes me 100% sure I am muted.
Volume control on this headset is governed by a conveniently placed dial found on the outside face of the right ear cup, allowing for on-the-fly volume adjustments. I am disappointed by the lack of fine-tuning capabilities, as I have trouble finding and maintaining the right volume setting for some games.
Finally, the GAME ONE headband is fully adjustable thanks to a built-in sliding expansion band that allows gamers to find that perfect fit. Quality headbands are crucial, as cheaper products often have a flimsy band that breaks easily.
Comfort
The Sennheiser GAME ONE are among the most comfortable gaming headsets I have tested in my 15+ years as an avid gamer and audiophile.
A slim design profile makes this headset extremely lightweight and comfortable without compromising quality and durability. The ear cups feature a soft, breathable, plush velvet cover to keep your ears cool.
This cushioned layer is on the firmer side, but I don’t find any lack of comfort. The inner ear cup compartment is spacious, and the headset’s open-back cup design keeps fresh air flowing.
The headband features half-inch thick velvet padding that forms to the wearer’s head shape. One thing to note is that the velvet material picks up hair fuzz and other particles pretty quickly, so I recommend cleaning the ear cups and headband regularly to avoid build-up.
Overall, this gaming headset delivers a comfort level that is a step above many of the similarly priced headsets I tested. High-quality lightweight materials and an open-back design that promotes air flow and breathability make these perfect for long gaming sessions.
Mic Quality
Communication is the bread and butter of any cooperative gaming experience as it allows for live in-game callouts and team collaboration to achieve objectives. It also allows gamers to meet new friends and enjoy socializing from the comfort of their own spaces.
Having a quality mic is essential, and the GAME ONE delivers a microphone that will please gamers. It provides clear audio communication and produces natural voice tones without sharp or piercing notes.
The mic provides exceptional noise handling and does a great job separating audible speech from unwanted ambient noise. It filters out things like a fan running, background chatter, and annoying breathing sounds.
I wanted to test the microphone’s noise-handling potential, so I had a friend jump on a voice call with me, and I blew into the microphone with increasing force. The listener reported almost zero sound transmission, with no more than a small whisper coming through – a testament to the mic’s noise-canceling capabilities.
One thing to note is that the microphone on the GAME ONE requires a fair bit of power from the speaker’s voice to activate and transmit speech. This can be problematic for softer-spoken people as the microphone may not pick up their words.
Microphone recording
Connectivity
The EPOS | Sennheiser GAME ONE is a wired headset with a single mini 2.5mm stereo plug for the ear cup and two 3.5mm stereo plugs for your device (headphones and mic).
The cable has a braided fabric outer layer to prevent tangling and provide extra durability. It is detachable and spans 3 meters in length, enough room to move freely around your space.
The GAME ONE are compatible with PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC, and Mac.
Sound Quality
Sound quality trumps all when it comes to gaming headsets and how I rank them. Gaming is all about high-quality sound reproduction, whether you are a casual gamer or a competitive team-based FPS player.
The GAME ONE are engineered with a neutral sound profile that delivers all the in-game sounds exactly as intended. There is no heavy emphasis on any range, and all frequencies are represented equally, making dialogue, music, gunshots, and footsteps clear and natural.
PC gaming
I like to test headsets on first-person shooter (FPS) games that require accurate in-game sound reproduction for things like footsteps, gunshots, and other audio cues.
Valorant is one of my favorite FPS games as of late, and after a few weeks of competitive gameplay equipped with the GAME ONE, I am more than pleased with their performance. They provide crystal-clear audio that allows me to assess scenarios and make decisions on the fly.
In addition to clarity, this headset delivers excellent directional sound. Accurately pinpoint enemy footsteps, hone in on sound cues that give away positions, and relay that information to your team.
In the screenshot above, I can hear an enemy’s footsteps around the corner and have time to prepare to launch a blinding flash that will secure an easy elimination. High-quality sound and directional accuracy provide both a tactical edge and a gaming experience that is immersive and realistic.
Console gaming
Next, I put the GAME ONE headphones to the test on the PlayStation 4 with some high-action Rocket League gameplay. This game has different audio effects and an awesome soundtrack that brings extra energy into the experience.
The GAME ONE mid-range and treble performance are both excellent, with consistent sound that is blended well from the low-mids all the way up to the high treble. This makes vocals, lead instruments, cymbals, and other percussion sound nicely balanced.
The bass profile is decent as well, but it isn’t anything to write home about. It covers most of the mid to low-end bass frequencies well, but there is a slight drop-off of the low-bass punch and rumble.
Finally, it is important to point out how the design of the ear cups affects the audio experience. The GAME ONE feature open-back ear cups, which means that the back of the headphone driver is exposed to the outside environment.
Headphones with an open-back design have their own set of issues.
First, noise isolation will be a problem for gamers playing in loud environments, as external sounds will be audible. Open-backed headsets are less than ideal for in-person gaming events or other situations where closed-back headphones would thrive.
The second problem is susceptibility to sound leakage. Open-back headphones allow sound to spill out into the surrounding environment, audible to anyone in the vicinity. This can be an issue for libraries, office settings, or other quiet spaces.
Where to Buy
Conclusion
The Epos | Sennheiser GAME ONE are one of the best and most well-rounded gaming headsets in their price range. They deliver quality, durability, reliability, and style with a sleek design.
Gamers looking for a comfortable headset with a good microphone and a well-balanced sound profile are in luck. Despite the open-back design that causes some issues with noise isolation and sound leakage, the GAME ONE are definitely in my top 5 favorite gaming headsets.
If you are gaming in high-traffic areas with ambient background noise or in a public place where you may bother other people, a closed-back headset may be the better option.