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Drop + EPOS PC38X Yellow Gaming Headset
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Drop + EPOS PC38X Yellow Gaming Headset

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90% would recommend to a friend
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Zeos
648
Oct 5, 2020
So I guess now is a good time to sneak a bit of a written review on the page before it goes live. I have sort of forgot about the PC37x, it was memorable and certainly good enough at the time to get me to recommend it. Even with the 58x only a bit more expensive if you wanted a solid Gaming headset with mic, the 37x was good enough. However, with this new 38x I am going to have a hard time asking for much more out of an official gaming headset from Sennheiser or the rest of Drop. To unlock this magic, first step is to swap the pads to the velour. While I could hear a bright barrage of treble detail in the stock pads, I didn't like them for anything besides straightforward FPS gaming. The Velour pad swap is when I actually started paying attention to what the headphone was actually capable of doing. It has perhaps one of the best implementations of surround gaming without the gimmicks of USB, multi-driver or weird DSP. These are wildly good at imaging and a phenomenon I can only describe as Near-Field Soundstage. Stuff is coming from everywhere around you. It is quite uncanny. Putting them through their paces you know they aren't neutral or flat or any of the other words professional monitoring headphones go by. These are FUN (and scary). They make gaming FUN they make music FUN and they do wild an unique things that I am sure the predecessor did not. Treble sharpness can even be alarming at times in games which is something I truly like. Just bullet whizzes startle you with their positioning. I kinda wish Sennheiser would make this a separate headphone without the mic and market it for portable use. Although users would have a hard time driving them like that as I did find myself a bit above the normal gain levels I expect from a gaming headset. Comfort is probably going to be spectacular once truly broken in. I only had a week or so to use them and sparingly. A dedicated user will probably mold into them after a short time. My only real concern is the cables. Proprietary as hell and a bit janky. They certainly will serve their purpose I just hope affordable Sennheiser replacements are available if needed. Microphone is clear enough for in-game communication but I wouldn't do VO work with it. Overall I say this is a winner, 5/5 in gaming headset terms, and Sennheiser should replicate this sort of sound elsewhere in their line-up, not marketed as gaming but just pleasure listening cans. My Review:: https://youtu.be/F5QKOR_CL3Y
(Edited)
Recommends this product? Yes
Just to point out... I did some research, and it turns out the Schiit Fulla 3 and Hel CANNOT connect to PS4/PS5 by USB. Those consoles only connect to “UAC1” devices, and the newest generation Schiit stuff are UAC2 (not backwards compatible). They still don’t work with Xbox, but work great with PC ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
K3vinD
20
Jan 2, 2021
EvshrugI noticed that too after trying it out a few weeks ago
MadLustEnvy
298
Sep 22, 2020
Hi, I've spent the past few weeks with the PC38X, and here's my thoughts condensed into review format. I do reviews over at headfi, under my Headphone Gaming Guide. Should be easy enough to find under a google search, just put Mad Lust Envy in the search bar. In any case, here's the review. I'll be editing and fixing the formatting errors as I spot them. Hope you guys like it. Sennheiser PC38X

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Where to buy:  Drop.com as of September 2020 Disclaimer: A special thanks to Drop.com for sending the PC38X out to me for review. As always, whether products are sent to me or not, I do my best in being 100% honest with my views and opinions. If I don't like a product, I will refuse to write a review of it, or at the very least mention what I don't like about them, though I like to focus on products that people would like or at the very least are interested in. The only bias I have is to my readers and making sure they know about good products. Intro Drop is back at it again, this time with a successor to the Sennheiser PC37X. The PC38X doesn't outright replace the PC37X, which remain in Drop's arsenal at a lower price. I find the price difference mostly negligible, and the improvements made with the PC38X are absolutely worth the difference, particularly if you're lacking a headset. Some people may immediately ask if these are just a PC-37X with new pads for added bass or any of the other sonic differences, with no other major changes. The answer is, no. The welcome note in the packaging states: "Enjoy the best of two of Sennheiser's leading open-back gaming headsets: The PC38X combines the clarity and immersion of the PC37X with the impressive deep bass of the GSP 500.

This has been achieved by using a custom designed driver, which implements a heavier voice coil to deliver impressively deep bass for an open-back design, as well as careful tuning to deliver a rich and immersive sound experience." Are these statements accurate? From my experience, I find this an incredibly accurate assessment of the PC38X. I have not heard the GSP 500, but if the bass on the PC38X is any indication, they are indeed deeper and more extended in bass than the PC37X. What's In The Box?

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I must say, I really like the small, plain jane, cardboard box used for the PC-38X. Less material, packed with all the essentials.
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Pouch - A fabric pouch with 'DROP' printed on the surface. It's super soft, and large enough to fit the headset without any issues. Perfect to store the headset or taking it on the go.
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Cables - A 3 meter cable that splits into audio and mic 3.5mm plugs. Also a 1.2mm cable with a TRRS plug for inputs that accept both mic and audio channels in one plug (like a mobile device).
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Spare Velour Pads - My guess is that these seem to be just like the velour pads used on the PC38X's older siblings. A nice inclusion, which may have an impact on comfort and sonic characteristics, if subtly so. Build Quality

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Before I say anything of the PC38X's build quality, I have to tell you guys that I will be reiterating a lot of what I've said on the GAME ONE review (with some pasting of some statements), as the PC38X shares most, if not all design and build aspects, save for color scheme and outer cup grill design. I believe this design started with the PC360, then moved on to the GAME ONE, PC37X, and finally the PC38X. "Don't fix it if it ain't broke" must be one of Sennheiser's favorite proverbs. The PC38X retains the typical dark color palette Drop uses for their variants, with little in the way of Gamer-esque flourishes (in contrast to the white GAME ONE, which was a step in the other direction with bright colors to appeal to the younger gaming crowd). Frankly, I'm not a huge fan of aesthetics on the GSP line of Sennheiser headsets, so I'm quite thankful the PC line of headsets exists, as I find them to look much more elegant and classy, compared to the bulkier, gamery nature of the GSP line. Personal preference, of course. Headband:

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The PC38X's headband is kept strictly business, akin to the PC360 and PC37X. Mostly all matte black plastic. The underside has two area of cushions, thicker and more spread across the headband than the HD6XX, covered in the same, newer fabric material as the earpads (as opposed to typical velour or leatherette). There is a small gap directly in the center to keep the headband from hotspotting on the very top of your head, which I find to be the correct choice, as 10 and 2 on your head can deal with hotspots better than 12 o' clock. The extension arms are thin but sturdy, with plenty of length for all head sizes. There are clicks when extending, but no notches or other markers to count, so it may not be the easy to get both sides to end up perfectly equal in size, if you find yourself obsessing over such small details. Cups:

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Typical to most Sennheiser headphones I've reviewed, the cups are oval in shape. There is minimal swivel (just enough for secure fit), but plenty of vertical pivot in the cups (45 degrees if my calculations are correct). In a step back to the more open design of the PC360, Sennheiser opted to ditch the slotted vent openings of the GAME ONE and PC37X, in favor of a more traditional mesh-style grill covering the drivers. These possibly give the drivers less resistance, allowing the drivers to pump out sound with less reflective surface area bouncing the sound back towards your ears. The outer right cup houses the volume dial which I find slightly insensitive in terms of travel to volume change ratio. I find this to be a good thing, as minor volume adjustments can be made. Turning the volume all the way down doesn't completely mute the audio, yet goes low enough to allow for your attention to be diverted to the outside world. The volume dial also doesn't lose perfect channel balance at low volumes unlike other headsets with inline volume adjustments. The outer left cup holds the lengthy boom mic which has a black matte rubbery portion in the middle to allow some bending. Positioning the mic upwards mutes the mic as labelled on the cup itself where the mic is attached. The bottom of this cup is also where the 2.5mm cable input is located, and only needs the detachable cables to be pushed in; no twist and lock mechanism. I find this to be more than adequate, and more versatile if cable swaps/mods are something deemed worthwhile. Just be mindful that it carries both audio and mic channels. Pads: A change from the previously used velour pads on the older headsets, the PC38X uses a denser foam padding covered in different fabric material. If I could make an educated guess based on subjective listening impressions, the pads seem to allow the PC38X to retain more of the low end bass decay compared to the velour pads that are also included with the PC38X as spare pads. The pads are generously large, deep, and ultimately top notch in comfort. They snap off the headphone easily, where you can see a plastic ring permanently attached to the underside of the pads which snap back onto the small 'teeth' on the driver housing. This is one of the easiest attachment/removal designs I've seen on any headphone. Cables: As mentioned earlier, the PC38X comes with two cables in the package. A lengthy 3 meter cable which terminates into both a 3.5mm audio plug, and 3.5mm microphone plug. The cable seems to be paracord-style, with nice sleeving, and a durable feel. The other cable is a short 1.2mm cable with a TRRS plug. It's the same quality as its longer counterpart. I see this as a cable to be used for devices close to you, such as a PS4's Dualshock 4 controller with audio input, or a mobile device. I would have liked to seen a Y cable adapter for the longer cable that joins both audio/chat together into one TRRS plug, for people whose devices are considerably further than 1.2m. Final Build Impressions:

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The PC38X, is made of highly durable plastics that I feel will take moderate abuse without any major issues. There's really nothing bad that can be said of the build quality here. Comfort

Weight: At 285g, the PC38X is light for a full sized headset, though not the lightest pair I've used. It falls somewhere in the lighter side of the average, which allows for all day listening without any real strain. Personally, the PC38X is one of the more comfortable headphone/headsets I've used in terms of weight. Headband: The PC38X has a wonderfully fabric padded underside which rests comfortably on the head. I initially felt some discomfort, but after a period of adjustment, I didn't feel any hot or sore spots coming from the headband. You may need some breaks here and there, but you should be able to wear it all day without much fuss. Pads: The pads size and depth are large enough to fit most ear sizes, and deep enough to keep your ears from bottoming out and pressing against the driver enclosure. The pads are soft fabric, more dense than velour. I can wear the PC38X for many hours and not feel the need to take them off. The alternative velour pads are perhaps a hint more comfortable to due it feeling cooler on the ears. Clamp: This is the one debatable area in comfort for me, as it tends to be with most Sennheiser headphones. The PC38X isn't exactly super heavy on clamp, but it is moderate and enough for me to feel to stretch it out over some game/dvd cases. I do feel some unwanted pressure from the area around my ears due to the clamp. Not much, but enough to remove the headphones at random intervals to relieve some of that pressure. It's really no big deal, and something you grow accustomed to with Sennheiser headphones. The upside is the very secure fit you will always have with the PC38X. I find that setting the extension to be more than what you feel is your optimal length, can relieve some of that pressure. Overall Comfort Impressions: The PC38X falls under the list of headphones I can wear all day with a few breaks to relieve some clamp pressure. That's a win in my book, and I consider the PC38X to be generally comfortable overall. If I were to give it one of my old system ratings, I'd say "Very Good" even close to "Great". For most people, it shouldn't fall under anything less than great. Noise Control As an open-backed 'acoustic' design, the PC38X isn't for those who want supreme noise control, isolation, and leakage kept to a minimum. It's not the loudest open design out there (you'll find much more sound leak from planarmagnetics), but you definitely don't want to use the PC38X at loud volumes in quiet settings. Behind a closed door, there shouldn't any major issues disturbing others, however. External sources of noise can easily be heard through the headphone, so you may want to consider a closed-backed headphone/headset if external noises bother you. Sound I'll be the first to tell you that if/when I need to use a headset over a headphone, sound quality isn't at the top of my necessities. What I mean by that is that I'm not a very good multitasker. If I'm chatting while gaming or otherwise, it's often hard for me to focus on game audio. For example, when I play Call of Duty's Warzone, my game audio is set VERY low in volume, so I can focus on chatting with my mates. Of course, this is opposite of a competitive gaming mindset, where you'll mainly chatter to rely pertinent information about what's going on during the game. That makes me a casually competitive gamer, where I mainly chat nonsense with my friends, but every once in a while I'll need to relay information to them. So I need a headset's sound quality to be good enough to highlight details and have a great sense of spatial awareness, even with such a limited volume. Does the PC38X pull through? Does it set itself apart from the PC37X/GAME ONE? If you're longing for an improvement over the improvements those headsets claimed over the original PC360, then yes. Yes it does.
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And, Uncompensated:
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(Note about the velour pads: My sound impressions were mainly done with the stock pads, as opposed to the spare velour pads. The velour may affect the sound in subtle ways, and if I ever feel comfortable enough to commit to sonic impressions without expectation bias, I'll share the difference. That being said, I DON'T feel comfortable, as it takes me too long to swap the pads, and the slight differences I hear may just be what I THINK is different, not what truly IS different. Hope you guys understand. If you still want to know, I think the bass gets slightly faster in decay, the sound gets airier, and a little more dry/not as full bodied. So I feel the velour pads may be less fleshed out, but more detailed. I'm not 100% convinced this is accurate, so your mileage may vary. Take this with a grain of salt.) I was sent the graphs to showcase the difference, so extrapolate what you can out of it. For me, looks like there's very little difference in terms of response, other than past 10khz. That still doesn't highlight what I feel may be the body and decay differences, though that may just be expectation bias.
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Bass: It's almost like Sennheiser wasn't done with tooling the low end musicality of their open backed headsets. Drop and Sennheiser has once again one upped their previous headset with even MORE musicality, particularly in the bass, where it has allowed the bass to reach even lower than before, as well as flattened out the bass to midrange. It's more balanced, and reaches lower. While I said much of the same with the GAME ONE, it still wasn't a headset that I could personally just stick to for purposes outside of competitive gaming, including music listening and casual gaming. It does it well enough, but in the back of my mind, I'd want just a little more out of it. The PC38X's deeper bass really puts it much, much closer to my target sound. It's an incredibly enjoyable bass section that does justice to my bass influenced music without it sounding lacking in body or impact. As far as frequency testing goes, the PC38X remarkably goes all the way down to 20hz. At my desired volume for music, the bass goes very deep down. I've heard planars with less presence down low. That lets you know that the PC38X is not playing around with bringing you information down to the depths. The bass is voluminous at at around 35hz-40hz which is my ideal range for immersive bass rumble. The PC38X is a satisfying headphone, and it doesn't even need to be basshead level to do that. While the PC38X isn't a basshead headphone, it should still satisfy most audiences. The extension and rumble certainly impressed me well enough. Midrange to Treble: If there is one thing you can almost always count on from Sennheiser, it's that their headphones will inherit a well balanced midrange without any areas of over emphasis, shrillness, or otherwise truly bothersome hotspots. The trend continues on the PC38X. Well balanced is exactly how I hear it, neither being too forward, or too spaced back. It sounds quite natural, linear, and highly detailed. It doesn't sound overly warm, nor dry. It's what I'd consider an ideal forwardness, and tonal character. Frequency-wise, there is plenty of presence throughout the midrange with a slight dip at 1.5k, but back to good presence all the way up to a 5k peak, which slopes down at 6k, slight rise at 7k to its steepest level in the dip at around 7.5k, back to good presence up to 10k and extends and shimmers all the way up to my hearing limits at 16k. No part of the frequencies from midrange to treble come across overly harsh or piercing, though 5k sticks out the most in the transition from midrange to treble. Based on what I'm personally hearing, the only things I could see as an improvement to the tonal balance, is reducing 5k a few decibels, and raising 7.5k quite a bit. Otherwise, the rest of the sound fantastically present and without any glaring issues. The spare velour pads shared the same general balance curve with the exact same 5khz peak and 7.5khz dip. All in all, plenty of detail and sparkle without it feeling overexerted. The high end extension is actually one of the best I've heard in a long time. Usually, just past 10k I start noticing a massive slope into the nether with many headphones. The PC38X manages to continue its airy extension far longer than I would've deemed necessary, which is an absolute, welcome surprise. Considering how so many Sennheiser headphones end up soft and steered downwards in the treble, the PC38X has one leg up in terms of extension and shimmer. Soundstage: Soundstaging was a strength in the PC360, as well as the GAME ONE/PC37X, and I would've been incredibly surprised if the PC38X failed to deliver on a solid, open soundstage set by its predecessors. Thankfully, my expectations were happily met. Even in stereo, the PC38X sounds fantastically spacious, and holds plenty of air to allow objects in the virtual space to fill the room. As I tend to mention in my impressions of headphones, soundstaging isn't a trait in headphones I hold to a particularly high standard (in stereo), though it is always a great boon when done well. A great soundstage has been a trademark of the HD5xx line of headphones that started with the HD555 and HD595. It moved on to the HD558 and HD598, and I assume would hold true with the HD599. There's a reason HD5xx line were popular among gamers, and why I believe Sennheiser modeled the PC360 and onwards after them. Soundstaging, and detail retrieval good enough to take advantage of it. The PC38X can fill out a room quite nicely, and is absolutely brilliant when applying a virtual surround dsp for video games and other media, like movies. I'll quote what I said of the GAME ONE's soundstage here. I've replaced GAME ONE with the PC38X below, though the statement is accurate to my beliefs, and applies to both. "It isn't constricted and kept inside my head, but I'm not one to think that sounds just outside my headspace is considered huge. It is with virtual surround DSPs like Dolby Headphone, and Creative SBX where I can gauge how well a headphone or headset can fool me into thinking sounds are coming from around me as opposed to inside my head. In that regard, the PC38X (like the PC360 and PC37X), throws out a FANTASTICALLY large soundstage with a great sense of space and directionality. The PC38X for virtual surround gaming is an absolute treat. There is clear distance between positional cues in a 360 degree front to back circle. This means the PC38X is in the upper echelons of headphones/headsets tested for positional accuracy when gaming."


Clarity: Clarity is something one should expect from a top notch gaming headset. For what good is a headset if it can't deliver the clarity needed for voice communication, positional awareness, and minute detail retrieval? The PC38X continues its reign of excellence, with clarity that picks up the subtlest of nuances. As the PC38X isn't truly steered towards warmth, and there is plenty of details all the way up to the upper limits of human hearing, there's little to say about the PC38X that isn't completely positive in regard to clarity. You'll be hard pressed to find anything lacking, other than perhaps a noticeable dip at about 7.5khz which may allow some sounds to come across as subdued if they land in this range. Aside from that extremely small range of sound, the PC38X won't fail to impress. There isn't much out there I've heard that would do better than the PC-38X's immediate clarity without sacrificing too much in other areas. Sound Signature: The PC38X is on the natural/warm-neutral side of tonal balancing, with bass that is linear and extends quite low, without sounding thin, nor emphasized. I'd consider it bass neutral, which will fit whatever you're listening to. Give EDM with a thumping bass line, and you'll find the PC38X thumping and rumbling with the best of them. Not any more, not any less than needed. The midrange is also quite linear with a natural voicing, as well as neutral forwardness. It sits perfectly in the middle, neither pushing things forward, nor giving up too many rows backwards in virtual seating. Those that like a forward midrange may want something a bit more intimate, though for anyone else, I doubt they'll find any issues with the presentation. Treble is detailed, sparkly (if just so), and incredibly well extended. Either than 7.5k hitting a bit softly, there's plenty of shimmer and sharpness throughout without overexertion. One of the best Sennheiser headphones I've heard in this regard. Overall, I'd find it hard to call the PC38X warm-warm, or bright. It sits in between, if just slightly warm. A testament to Sennheiser's prowess in tonal balancing. Microphone:

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Sennheiser is known for their great headphones as well as microphones. Thankfully, the PC38X continues this well known fact. I wonder if anything has changed from the PC360 days in terms of the microphone, but regardless, it's fantastic, and should keep your voice quality clean and clear. As you can hear, just like the sound coming off the PC38X's drivers, the microphone is pretty clear, with no sibilance or compression. I don't think anyone would have any real issues with this mic. Below are a few examples, showcasing how the PC38X's mic sounds through various gear. https://soundcloud.com/madlustenvy/pc38xthrug6

https://soundcloud.com/madlustenvy/pc38x-mic

https://soundcloud.com/madlustenvy/pc38x-mic-through-hel



Amplification: Gaming headsets shouldn't be hard to drive properly. This general understanding continues with the PC38X. I rarely ever keep my amplifiers in low gain, yet that's precisely what I did with the PC38X, as it sits in the sweet spot of the volume pot, on all of my amplifiers. You really don't need much. The PC38X sounds great off anything you hook it up to. My recommendation is a neutral, clean sounding dac and amp, regardless of power. Something to further aid its sharp detail and focused sound. To anyone worried about numbers, the PC38X is 28ohm, at 108db SPL @ 1khz. Very efficient. Gaming Sennheiser headsets of its kind have always been stellar gaming performers. The PC360 was an amazing realization of the HD595 turned headset. The GAME ONE/PC37X succeeded in making such an amazing design more musical and engaging without sacrificing the strong competitive gaming aspects of its sound. The PC38X further dips its toes into musicality and engagement while still remaining faithful to the strong gaming performance needed for competitive play. If you've felt you'd desire a more robust low end and energy from Sennheiser's open headsets, the PC38X should fit that need. The deeper low end (not necessarily bass heavy but well extended bass) really fleshes out the sound that was slightly missing from the GAME ONE/PC37X. It sounds more natural, balanced, and true to life than its predecessors. The spacious soundstage, sharp details, great tonal balancing, top notch extension both down low and up top make the PC38X a prime candidate for best gaming headset. In virtual surround, the PC38X is among the very best I've heard for accuracy, positional awareness, and object definition. Testing something like Call of Duty's Warzone with both Dolby Headphone 2, and Creative's SBX, I was extremely aware of where all my enemies were coming from, and where all the loot was in my general vicinity. For the PC38X, it's a very simple matter. Just stellar positional cues, soundstage depth, and great imaging. Rest assured, the PC38X is a monster for gaming. You can't do wrong here in choosing the PC38X for all your gaming needs. Personal Recommendations

Media: Considering the PC38X hits deeper and sounds more natural than the past few open Sennheiser headsets, I feel the PC38X is the best all rounded open headset of the bunch. This makes it a great choice for a variety of media. That's the strength of having an all rounder. It may not be the best at any one thing, but it works well with everything. If you felt the PC-360, GAME ONE, or PC37X lacking, the PC38X may satisfy you in ways those headsets could not. Practicality: I'd consider the PC38X to make most sense in an office or home setting. Considering its open backed design, it wouldn't be my first choice for public use. Not that I'd typically consider any headset for outside home use. So if you want to game on a laptop in public, I'd advise the PC38X only in quiet locations. Who's It For? Personally speaking, I generally wouldn't opt for a headset over a headphone, but if you MUST have a headset, I don't see any reason why you would go for anything else in its price category if you're looking for an open-backed, audiophile level headset. It's a competitive gaming beast, without sacrificing much of casual engagement. It does it all so well. If you already own the PC37X, perhaps there might not be a pressing need to upgrade unless you want an improvement in the low end extension, and want a more natural sound. Both are incredible at hardcore/competitive gaming. So the question is whether you want your sound to be more fleshed out and enjoyable. If so, then yes, the PC38X is worth the upgrade. Consider it a more perfected form of what Sennheiser would want from an open backed headset. If you DON'T own the PC37X/GAME ONE, then I would absolutely recommend moving past those and jumping immediately to the PC38X. As far as headsets go, this is the absolute best bang for buck I've heard to date. You know what I'd like to see? A headphone model of this headset, no mic. It would have my full on recommendation. Yes, the HD58X Jubilee and HD6XX already exist and are highly regarded, but those require and scale with moderate amplification. They're not as efficient, and aren't ideal when used with a larger variety of things like phones, and laptops without at the very least, a decent portable amp. That's where a headphone variant of the PC38X would fit in, for those that don't want a headset/microphone, and don't wanna use an amplifier. There are times I'd love to use the PC38X as a headphone (and I do), but making a product just for that purpose would be fantastic. Personally, I prefer the PC38X over the HD598, so I think it warrants attention. Just something to think about it, Drop. Likes and Dislikes

Likes:
  • Great bass and treble extension
  • Tonal balance
  • Weight
  • Volume adjustment dial
  • Deeper, more natural sound from stock pads
  • Spare velour pads
  • Efficient

Dislikes:
  • Initial clamp
  • TRRS cable could stand to be a little longer
  • A little peaky at 5khz



Final Impressions Not one to rest merely with a good product, Drop decided they wanted more than what the PC37X provided. The PC38X was the result. While it may not be leaps and bounds better than the PC37X, it does flesh out and improve on the sound with a better bass extension, and tonal balance, without giving up what makes these headsets so good for competitive gaming. It's hard to find something to recommend from the Sennheiser camp in terms of Drop variants. I say this because they're ALL good. Sitting firmly within a slew of other Drop x Sennheiser products, all being fantastic, you won't be lacking for options. While not quite reaching the legendary levels of the 6XX, the PC38X fills out its own role as a headset, as well as being quite a bit more efficient, where amplification isn't required. It's always good to have a headset on hand, and I can't think of a better one anywhere near its price range, from any company. You're getting exceptional clarity, great tonal balancing, stellar gaming performance, and plenty of music enjoyment here. The PC38X isn't just a good headset, it's an audiophile level headphone, period. The fact it's more versatile than the other Drop x Sennheiser headphones makes it quite beneficial to fledging audiophiles, or those that just don't want to lug so much gear around. If you're looking for a no frills, no gimmicks, solid banger of an open-backed headset that is good enough to replace an audiophile headphone, this is it, chief. The PC38X puts so many others to shame.
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Recommends this product? Yes
MadLustEnvy
298
Nov 27, 2020
That's classic Sennheiser plastic creak. Don't worry about it. As for the mic, might be a settings mismatch somewhere on your pc or whatever you play on. I don't have the PC38X anymore as it was loaned out just for the review, so can't say for sure. Also, make sure the mic isn't too far from your mouth.
Phlooke
198
Oct 23, 2022
when you say XseriesX does that mean Xbox Series X? (i know that should probably be obvious, but i know theres so many headsets and random audio devices that for all i know there might actually be something named XseriesX thats not an Xbox console).....anyways my whole point to this was for anyone using a wired headset plugged into your xbox One/Xbox Series S/X controller....a MUST have small investment that will make just about any halfway decent wired headphones sound top tier and get the full potential out of everything from a cheap $10 headset to a nice expensive headset. Is to buy the "Turtle Beach Ear Force Headset Audio Controller" ...it's normally only $20, but since covid happened they might be a little higher at about $40 on ebay but they will last years and will fit on ALL Xbox one/Xbox One S/X and Series S/X controllers...to not only give you instant volume up and down control, but also control the ratio of party chat vs in game sounds so you can immediately stop your eardrums from bleeding for those occasional run-ins with kids that have a Microphone that picks up every sound from a fart to him breathing to his dogs barking and a train going by his house. And of course you it has an instant mic mute button, that has a red LED backlit light so you can just glance down and instantly know if you're muted or not. But basically the whole purpose of these are to give your headset a little more oomph if you will without buying a complicated eternal AMP/DAC if you just use your Xbox Series X console for gaming. (I realized just how much this convenient little controller amp that not only puts all the audio controls instantly at your fingertips for convenience, but they somehow made me keep going back to old headsets like the HyperX Alpha because of how amazingly clear the spacial awareness soundstage was bu hearing footsteps or pinpoint exact directions of where things were coming from in game that I hadn't been able to hear on a much more expensive headset because i think this little Turtle Beach Ear force Audio controller amp gives them that little extra power needed to get the full effect of what they should sound like but for a cheap price that weighs hardly anything and makes quality of life significantly better. (The first 2 pics is my personal favorite, which is the basic model "Turtle Beach Ear Force Audio controller", which still has the mute button at the bottom, the superhuman hearing/bass boost/bass and treble boost button at the top middle l...and then the obvious master volume to the right and game/party chat volume on the left (and if you hold down the mute button for a few seconds it will toggle the Microphone monitor on if you're the kind of person who likes to hear what you sound like on the mic in your ears) Then the last picture, is the "Plus" version of the amp with two extra buttons on the underside of the device where the 3.5mm jack is, but even though it has some extra features like saving multiple different mic and sound profiles...the "Plus" version just never felt like it had the same amount of detail the original version (first 2 pics).
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Dawiddoes
27
Sep 24, 2020
checkVerified Buyer
The Drop PC38X is an awesome headset with a bit of a catch I’ve had the Drop PC38x headset for a couple weeks now, and here is some of my experience with it. This is a reasonably condensed review, but hopefully it will help you make a buying decision.   Physically, this open-backed headset is well built in the standard Sennheiser plasticy way. They should be able to survive even the most aggressive gamer rage, but they don’t weigh much (290g). The Mic boom arm is on the left ear cup, the mic mutes automatically when lifted away from your face, which is very convenient. There is a volume wheel on the right ear cup. They come with two sets of pads; Velour and Nylon. Both are comfortable and offer nice cushioning. The headphones sit securely without putting too much pressure on your ears. The headphones are comfortable for long gaming sessions; however, they got a bit hot on my ears after 2 to 3 hours. The Drop PC 38Xs come with two sets of cables, a 1.5m cable which terminates in an angled single 3.5mm TRRS jack (which seems to be designed for use with a console controller). The second cable is 3m long and terminates in two 3.5mm jacks.   The Drop PC 38X has an impressive spec sheet for a gaming headset. They share the same drivers as the highly regarded Sennheiser GSP 500 and 600 headphones. They have an impedance of 28 Ohms and a sensitivity of 124db/v which means they are easy drive, even via a console controller. The mic has a bi-directional pickup pattern and it does a reasonable job of rejecting background noise. However, I feel like the mic is one of the short comings with this headset. It captures decently clear audio but struggles to pick up the lows of my voice. Despite the sound being perfectly intelligible during the heat of battle, it has a way of making your voice sound a bit thin.   When it comes to sound quality. The sound stage is relatively wide and this mixed with good stereo imagining means that with 1st person shooters you can easily place sounds around you. Treble is bright and detailed. It can be a bit harsh to my ears, but I’ve spent most of my adult life listening to Sennheiser HD 650s driven by a bottlehead crack, so a Labrador puppy strapped to my head would be a bit harsh to my ears. The mids are neutral – Not terribly exciting, but it gets the job done. There is enough bass to add weight to gun fire and explosions while gaming, without being overpowering while listening to music. I find the overall sound signature well balanced. Although it does emphasis the treble a bit too much for my liking.   This headset is amazing. It sounds more like a “proper” set of headphones, than a gaming headset. If you are a console gamer and you can afford them, these are a no-brainer. The same goes for PC gamers that NEED a headset with a mic attached. There is a bit of a problem though, the PC 38X cost $170 on Drop which puts it right in the firing line of the Drop HD 58X. That is not somewhere you want to be. I happen to own a pair of HD 58X and I prefer them. The PC 38X puts up an impressive fight, but if you don’t need an easy to drive headset, I would personally go with the HD 58Xs. They are more comfortable, with a more engaging mid-range, less harsh treble and better bass. So, at the end of the day the biggest problem with the Drop PC 38X is that Drop’s headphone selection is just too darn compelling. I would give this a 4/5 rating and would definitely recommend it to a friend that fits the use case.
(Edited)
Recommends this product? Yes
Txrtle
17
Nov 5, 2020
DawiddoesI know this is a late question but what ear pads would you use for fps gaming? I’ve heard from reviews that the pads do make a difference in sound.
(Edited)
Jagz
24
Feb 23, 2021
checkVerified Buyer
Ticks all the boxes for a great gaming headset
Review of the PC38x headset:

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‘Not THAT yellow in real life’


TL/DR Summary:  The PC38x is an open back headset that offers great sound for either music (velour pads) or gaming (fabric pads). Sound-wise, it beats many headphones (gaming or not) with clean and extended bass, great details and an amazing soundstage for the price. If you are ready to look past the cheap looking plastic and yellow hints you will find the PC38x to be extremely comfortable thanks to its angled drivers and light weight (thanks plastic!). The mic is ok for game chat and calls but not more. The integrated volume wheel and flip-to-mute mic are one of those old-but-gold features that enhance the full package experience you get with this headset. Introduction:  This headset made big waves upon its release with lots of ‘pro’ reviews. I wanted to do more of a real-life-user type of review as I know ordering from drop.com can feel like a commitment due to shipping delay and inability to try on the headset first. As a disclaimer, I bought all my audio products with my own money and all thoughts or opinions are my own. I have owned many Sennheiser products (Game Zero, HD 598, 58x, 6xx) and enjoy their sound signature. Therefore, this review is targeted to those deciding which to get and having already tried and enjoyed a Sennheiser product. First impressions / Fit:  The first surprise I got with the 38x and something that no other reviews mention is how ‘small’ the headset is overall. I own a few other headphones and the first main difference is definitely the size. The plastic is matte black all around (great) but feels cheap. However, if Sennheiser has proved anything over the years, it’s that they know how to build durable headphones even with cheap looking plastic (5xx series). I’ve had mine for 3 months and never had a problem except from a couple of scuff marks at the top from keeping them under my desk (my fault). The yellow hints are not as bright as some photos show but still: it’s yellow. Questionable choice of color especially if you plan on using it for streaming or video calls but personally I don’t mind. The PC 38x also comes with two sets of cables: 1 long with a splitter for best desktop usage and 1 short with TRRS end perfect either laptops or console controllers which is nice. 
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‘HD 6xx; Bose QC II; PC38x and HD 598 size comparison’ Despite its size, the angled driver makes the earcups deeper at the back which is great if you have large ears. The dimensions of the earcups are as follow:  Height (edges of pad/inside) : 11,6 / 7 cm ; (4,3 / 2,75 in.) Width (edges of pad /inside) : 8,5 / 3,5 cm; (3,26 / 1,37 in.) Depth from outside of pad to driver wall (front / back): 1,8 / 2,5 cm; (0,39 in / 0,98 in.) If you have ears that stick out like I do you then you know that finding a fitting headphone can be a (literal) pain. I remember going to the local store years ago, ready to be amazed by the Sony XM2 and ending up buying the Bose QC II instead JUST because of its angled drivers. Back to the PC38x, despite the relatively ‘narrow’ internal cup dimensions, the fit is great as the pads recess quickly. That recess creates a little cavity for your ears with just enough space for them not to make contact with the driver wall which is a brilliant over-ear design for me. Also important to notice, this headphone lets your ears breath due to open back nature. This might be a detail for some but if you are sensitive to heat it can make a big difference. Speaking of the pads and comfort, the 38x come with 2 sets of either fabric or velour pads which offer different sound profiles (more on that later). The fabric pads remind me of the ones found on the steelseries arctis lineup and this is a great thing as they are light, breathable and soft to the touch without lint invading it like velour.
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‘Where the light cannot reach’: angled vs flat driver designs: PC 38x vs HD 6xx (and 58x) In terms of clamp force, it was a little high out of the box but using said box to extend it a little bit overnight for a few days did the trick and I have never experienced any pressure points.  Sound: 

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The classic: ‘trust me I use them all!’ This is one area where personal preferences go a long way and I’ll do my best to describe it as accurately as I can. First off, this is an open-back design so if you want to game and block outside sounds this is NOT it as it will let sounds in and out. However, if you can game in a quiet environment, I recommend choosing open back headphones for the superior soundstage (depth of the sound) and clarity. Speaking of soundstage, the PC38x is nothing short of class-leading at this price point. I’ve never experienced anything quite like it in terms of how wide and ‘deep’ the sound can feel. Games become instantly more immersive and even too realistic at times (Battlefield 1 trenches are SCARY with those). The directionality of the sound is also great and will prove to be a trusted ally in multiplayer games (trust me, you don’t need that 7.1 artificial surround). The sound quality is great as well, with lots of detail and separation of the instruments (more than the HD 598 but still a little less than the 6xx, close to the 58x in my opinion). 
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‘Ears cool, great sound: Open back driver of the PC38x’ The bass is deep, extended and clean with the fabric pads and will impress for an open back headphone. The bass can be reduced slightly using the velour pads to perfect music listening levels for my taste. From my experience, that bass is the best Sennheiser as produced in its open back headphones (I also own the Game Zero, HD 598, 58x, 6xx).  Mids are Sennheiser's trademark and the 38x delivers very well there too (similar to the 598 and 58x but inferior than the 6xx).  Highs are defined and powerful with the fabric pads which makes it great for gaming accuracy without ever being too aggressive. Similar to the bass, the highs can be ‘tamed’ a little when swapping to the velour pads for a better music experience. In my opinion, the highs are better than the 598, similar than the 58x and 6xx. Timber (the realistic reproduction of the sounds) is very good here too. It’s better than the 598, slightly inferior to the 58x and inferior than the 6xx which are both music listening headphones. Finally, these headphones are great with or without good amplification as opposed to the 58x and more so the 6xx. They ‘scale’ pretty well (how better a headphone can sound with better signal/DAC/amp) but don’t NEED the additional power to deliver great sound. Plugging them directly into your motherboard audio port will deliver great results making this product perfect for everybody in my opinion. Audiophiles will rejoice that they can squeeze the maximum performance with their DACs/amps while everyone else will still be amazed at how good they sound out of the box.  From my personal experience, I got around 80% of the PC38x performance with my motherboard sound card (Asrock B450 Gaming ITX), 90% with a decent budget DAC/amp (Fiio E10k) and 100% with a higher tier DAC/amp (ifi Zen). In comparison, those numbers would be more like 50%, 70% and 100% for the 6xx which are more amp dependent and 70%, 90% and 100% with the 598 and 58x.  Since we are comparing, I prefer the PC 38x to the HD 598 and even the 58x which are its direct competition for music and gaming in terms of price and availability. For me, the 58x wins in sound timber and separation but the superior comfort and soundstage of the angled drivers of the PC 38x makes it the better choice for gamers (plus you get a mic). However, the 58x is far from being just ok and is still better than the 6xx for gaming (poorer soundstage). In short, if you game and need a mic, get the PC 38x, if you listen to music only without a solid amp/dac, get the HD 58x and if you have a good DAC/amp and listen to music only get the 6xx. Personally I ended up selling my 58x and kept my PC 38x for gaming and 6xx for music. Microphone:  The mic is similar to lots of other analog mics, the background noise reduction is ok (won’t hear your keyboard when gaming) and the voice is clear without being deep or detailed. In short, it’s plenty enough for gaming chat and voice calls but not on the level of an external usb mic. I would recommend looking at other reviews with mic sound tests to make your own opinion on that. Conclusion: In Summary, the pc38x is a great choice for gaming as well as music listening. Yes the price is higher than most other gaming headset but the audio and comfort experience you get with this headset might be worth the extra dollars. I also love the fact that they ship with different pads that tweak the sound profile for a more dynamic/V-shape immersive experience (fabric) or a more neutral approach (velour) perfect for music listening. Regardless of your preferences, you get a choice and that is great for you, the end-user.  If I had to choose a word for the PC 38x it would be ‘easy’. This headset is easy to use, easy to drive/amp, easy to wear for long sessions and easy to like with great sound for the price. Depending on where you live it might not be easy to get or easy on the wallet though!   
Recommends this product? Yes
Ghost_JAC
18
Dec 30, 2020
checkVerified Buyer
Poor Quality Control - Rattle and Static - READ THIS BEFORE YOU BUY!
Don't buy these. Let me explain. I currently have the Sennheiser GSP 500 (now the EPOS GSP 500, as EPOS and Sennheiser merged). The PC38X piqued my interest as it uses the EXACT same driver as the GSP 500, in open back style, but with a slimmer frame. When I received my pc38x I noticed almost immediately that the right earcup had very bad rattle and static with any bass heavy volume above 70% with my current Xonar soundcard. I searched forums and in fact, found my answer right here on Mass Drop. Check it out: https://drop.com/buy/drop-sennheiser-pc38x-gaming-headset/talk/2717190 So it appears that Mass Drop and Sennheiser have some serious quality control issues to work out with the pc38X. You are rolling the quality control dice when you buy the pc38X from Mass Drop. ALSO IF YOU LIVE IN CANADA THIS IS EVEN MORE RISKY. I was charged $38 in tax, duty and customs fees when I bought the pc38x (which is fine - we all know you have to pay these fees when ordering from the USA). However, Mass Drop does not offer replacements, only refunds. This means I get my refund, but lose the $38 in tax/duty/customs which is not refunded. PLUS if I want to buy a replacement, I need to wait for the next drop date then be charged $38 in tax/duties/fees A SECOND TIME. All just to spin the quality control roulette wheel a second time. Even if I would be successful in my second attempt, I would have spent $76 in fees for this headset. 100% not worth it. Buying from a retailer like amazon in Canada guarantees you get your tax back for any refunds. Let me do you a favor. Go to Amazon.com or Amazon.ca and buy the Sennheiser/Epos GSP 500. I own both the GSP 500 and the PC38x (which rattles). The sound profile is 100% identical which is expected since it is confirmed by Sennheiser themselves both cans use the same driver. However, the GSP 500 does not rattle at higher bass volumes. The price is identical ($165 USD or $220 CAD) and you also benefit from Amazon's bulletproof return policy if anything goes wrong, plus you will be refunded your tax and won't have to wait weeks for a return label or refund to be processed. Amazon really has put all other online marketplaces to shame - it is a standard met by so few retailers. These are just not worth the risk from Mass Drop until they acknowledge their QC issues and confirm it is fixed (which they may never do). I'm out my $38 in duty charges with nothing to show for it. Go to Amazon and buy the GSP 500 which is the identical driver and sound profile and avoid the hassle of waiting in line and rolling the QC dice. You're welcome.
(Edited)
Recommends this product? No
Ghost_JAC
18
Dec 30, 2020
Thanks for the comment. I should have clarified 'tax, duty and custom charges' which totaled $38. My main point is this is not included in the refund from Mass Drop. Usually when you return something in Canada you get your tax back. This is not the case for Mass Drop - you will lose your tax, plus any duty and customs charges you paid if you need to return something. So if I wanted to roll the QC dice a second time, I will be charged $38 again. Mass Drop is inherently more risky for Canadians in this sense since you can never get any tax/duty/custom charges from Canada Customs refunded to you if you have to RMA something for a refund. It wouldn't be a big deal if Mass Drop did replacements, since I am sure there would be a shipping label generated for customs clarifying it is a replacement item and not new, but Mass Drop doesn't do replacements, only refunds. So kiss your custom/duty charges goodbye for anything you have to return.
(Edited)
Ghost_JACDefinitely, Drop is risky for Canadians and I've been burned by it myself. The warning for any non-US customers needs to be "buy at your own risk." If the product is defective expect to lose money on the deal. I just wanted to clear up the "duties" aspect that I see posted from Canadians when, in fact, we're just getting dinged for the regular taxes we pay in Canada for the same product. Assume that anything on Drop that is X USD is 1.5x in CAD ( $220 USD for HD 6xx ends being about $330 CAD for Ontario.)
eternalbdragon
55
Jul 19, 2021
checkVerified Buyer
4 month review
I am not an audiophile. Let me start there. I like music and I like gaming, and for music it was loud external speakers - gaming was some Logitech USB flashy light nonsense. Virtual 7.1 and a that. Holy sh!t I didn't know what I've been missing. I mean that literally, sounds are now present that absolutely were not before - in music and more importantly in games. Open back is weird. I like it, living alone, I could hear the front door open if someone walked in, I can hear the pizza guy knock while shooting full auto. The difference in sound is hard to explain, I'm sure you'll find much better reviews on the technical reasons, but everything is just crystal clear. Sounds are exactly where they "are". I know for sure there's a guy walking with leather boots on grass at exactly 165 degrees behind me and which way he's going while playing Rust. Sometimes it's spooky, especially with music, as you'll hear someone behind you and your brain believes it. Just give them a shot, I think it will change what you wear forever. I just bought some HD58x to wear because I like to use a boom mic - the mic on these is good for clarity, but if it's not at the exact right position you might cut out. In practice it becomes second nature - but it also blocks my snacking. If you have a boom mic you like, get the 58x Jubilees, they're going to be a better choice for audio only. If you need a mic or just like the style, these are worth every single penny.
Recommends this product? Yes
phoenixsong
1055
Jul 20, 2021
eternalbdragonSnacking... You got them priorities right XD
eternalbdragon
55
Jul 22, 2021
phoenixsongOf course lol; I could sneak a chip in, but try to go pita with hummus and it will hummus up your mic 25% of the time. On the plus side, when the mic is up it's *up*. You can't feel the weight, it's muted, and it ain't moving.
SilverValkyrie
12
Dec 4, 2020
checkVerified Buyer
One of the best next gen gaming headsets you can get, period
I wanna start this off saying I am an entry level audiophile and this is gonna be a laywoman's review. My previous headset was a pair of Astro A10s that had served me well for 3 years on my PS4 (I do still recommend that set for the $60 range), but with the PS5 out I wanted something more premium for a much more powerful machine. I was looking for a headset that I could easily switch between my PS5 and my PC for Discord calls/PC gaming with a good microphone. This headset recently came out but the few YouTube reviews on it were very positive and the mic tests were good so I pulled the plug and picked them up. The box comes with some nice accessories: 2 well made braided cables (one for PC and one for consoles so I can leave them plugged in each device and switch pretty easily), a carry bag, and 2 pairs of pads. Upon reading other reviews I switched out the pads; I didn't really test the ones already on so I can't say much on those but the velour is comfy and I'll be sticking with those. Overall build quality is good despite being plastic; they can take a fair amount of bending but I'm not planning on being rough with them. Some people complained about the yellow accents but to me they are subtle enough and unique compared to other headsets. The mic is top of it's class quality-wise and it's a flip to mute like the A10s which is a great feature IMO. Only negatives on the build for me is the volume dial is a bit too 'loose' i.e. it adjusts really easily like when you set it down and such but it's really not that big of a deal, and the starting clamp force on the headset is the tightest I have ever dealt with on a pair of headphones. I imagine this is to help maintain a good seal on your ears but it took about a week of daily wear for them to be comfortable. Now as far as sound goes, they are miles above the Astro A10s, as I would hope for this price point. I have never used an open back pair of cans before now so I was unaware of the difference in sound but it's different in a good way. In games, the open back allows for clearer directional audio and in games like Call of Duty it's very noticeable and beneficial. In single player games like Demon's Souls you get a much more cinematic effect which I appreciate. Again, I'm no expert, but the 'wide' soundstage is awesome and I think most people will get a lot of enjoyment from these. If you game in a loud area however, these headphones are no good. You can hear everything around you and people nearby will be able to hear your game, so do keep that in mind. Additionally, the PC38x should really be considered a next-gen headset only--my PS4 could not handle the headset; the DualShock 4 controller just can't drive them and it's too quiet. The PS5/DualSense controller and my PC had no problems. This headset also is pretty great for music as well. I currently use a pair of beyerdynamic DT770 PROs for music; they are great but much more "neutral" than the PC38x, which is surprisingly more bass-y (but not overwhelming). If you want a headset that can also function as a music pair these can definitely trade blows with some studio headphones in my opinion, but maybe more trained ears will want a separate pair. Overall, the PC38x is a great buy for those looking to really level up their audio set up for the next generation of gaming. You get a lot of bang for your buck with these and they work great right out of the box; while I'm sure a gaming amp/DAC would help it really isn't necessary. You will get a great sound experience and this pair can be used as an all around set if you are looking for a jack of all trades for gaming, music, and media. I love them and am looking forward to years of use!
Recommends this product? Yes
GBN
190
Oct 5, 2020
Hi all - I've been using the PC38X for about a month and wanted to share my thoughts. I couldn't see a way to post a review, so I'm sharing my personal impressions here. I hope it helps!
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My Review of the PC38X I received the Drop + Sennheiser PC38X about a month ago and have been testing it ever since. As a big fan of the PC37X, I was excited to give it a try, especially since it wasn’t supposed to be a replacement but a “next tier up” from that headset. It was worth the wait. My full review will be forthcoming, but hopefully these early thoughts will help you to decide if it’s worth buying into at this phase. The first thing to know is that, while the headset looks very similar to the PC37X, it’s a very clear upgrade once you actually begin using it. I find it to be much more comfortable, which is absolutely core for any headphone I’ll be wearing for hours at a time. It’s lightweight at only 253 grams and the split head cushion really does help avoid any soreness at the top of my head. I have short hair, so this is a pretty frequent problem for me.
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I also like that it comes with two pairs of cushions, velour and mesh fabric. I prefer the velour, but I also live in New York where the extra warmth is nice as the season ticks into Fall. The mesh cushions are very breatheable and definitely stay cooler. I didn’t hear a major difference between the pads, but more experienced listeners might be able to pick out some more meaningful differences. The big upgrade here is the drivers. They come “from the same family” as the GSP line. That’s a very welcome thing, as the GSP 500 and GSP 600 variations sounded great. Even though I reviewed both of those headsets, I didn’t stick with them long-term due to their bulkiness and overly “gamer” design. Here, you get the best part of that headphone in a much more comfortable and easy-on-the-eyes package. When it comes to sound, these have a nice low-end push. For gaming, that’s great for big cinematic moments. The mid-bass becomes this wide, tight wave undergirding what’s soundtracks and washes the during big explosions. I play the Battlefield series and the sound of tanks rolling by is glorious with these. At the same time, they’ve been tweaked to draw out footsteps and callouts. The positionality on these cues is excellent and much better than most of the virtual surround sound solutions I’ve heard. I say it in my formal review, but I’ll say it again here: this is the kind of headset that makes people say “great stereo beats virtual surround any day of the week.”
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The soundstage is expectedly excellent. It was good on the PC37X and continues to be a high-point of Drop’s gaming headsets. For cons, the black and yellow on the headset itself doesn’t really bother me, but I’m not a fan of it on the cables. Maybe it’s just me, but the yellow checkering makes it feel less premium for some reason. The volume wheel is also very odd in that it offers very little resistance (one) and is also unable to actually mute your audio. Turning it all the way down just makes the sound quiet, not silent. The microphone, which you’ve probably heard all about, is very good, but it’s not as great as it used to be. The headset industry seems to have taken note of gamers’ demands for better microphones and there are some very competitive options out there. The noise cancelling is very good and the compression is slight, but still audible. I would have no qualms using this for Zoom calls, chatting with friends on Discord, or playing games with friends. Like all headset mics right now, it’s just not going to compete with a standalone mic for something like streaming. Overall, the PC38X is excellent. It has a few quirks but is a solid upgrade that’s proven to be great for gaming, music, Netflix, and chatting with friends. It sounds better and is more comfortable than the PC37X, which was already a very good headset. I would have no problem recommending this to a friend and so also recommend it to you 😊 Rating: 4.5/5 I would recommend this product to a friend.
(Edited)
Recommends this product? Yes
League544
535
Oct 7, 2020
GBN"Comfort is core" wiser words have never been spoken. I would rather listen to a $20 pair of headphones that are extremely comfortable as opposed to a $20,000 pair of headphones that are absolutely unbearable to wear. Or even slightly uncomfortable is a major no for me. Great review
Hankmitchell12
10
Feb 18, 2021
checkVerified Buyer
Complete lack of customer support
My package was lost or delayed during shipping, and due to the shipping method chosen by Drop I am unable to file any sort of report with FedEx. Drop has no customer support phone number and has not responded to my online inquiry. As such, I am left with no options and the shipping company has told me the delay times cannot be determined. I would like to coordinate with Drop to find a reasonable solution, however there is no party for me to discuss this with and so I leave this warning to future customers.
Recommends this product? No
scruffy1
55
Jun 3, 2021
Hankmitchell12this is why i use paypal, for all my online transactions any problem = their problem; have never been left to try and get satisfaction, because paypal has my back
Jglitch
2
Jun 11, 2021
scruffy1Going through that right now the mic doesn't work on anything support told me "our expert doesn't know so you have to go to the discussion section for support" sennheiser told me to contact drop. Dumb
brainbean
9
Oct 6, 2020
Drop + Sennheiser PC38X: Baby Got (open) Back!
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CONSTRUCTION Starting with overall construction the PC38X borrows a lot of the design of it's younger brother looking very similar to overall look of the PC37X, this time with a yellow and black colorway having a yellow accent in the mic and the ear cups have a yellow accent under black metal grills. I do prefer the look of this headset over the previous version. It looks more high end and rightfully so as this headset is more expensive coming in at $170 which is $40 more than you will find the PC37x for. It's a light headset coming in at just 253 grams. It's construction is largely plastic but it still feels solidly built. I was able to bend and flex them without any issues. In terms of branding there's a Sennheiser logo on either side of the yokes and a small Sennheiser logo on the headband.  COMFORT I found this headset to really excel in the comfort department. It has large oval shaped pads that are deep enough that I didn't find my ears hitting the insides and getting sore spots that can sometimes happen. The head band and ear cups are soft yet dense, offering a really nice blend of comfort and support. As a glasses wearer I did develop some fatigue spots from the pressure of the pads after a few hours but with regular breaks it's not really an issue. You also get two pairs of pads with the headset one is a more smooth cloth texture like the headband the second is a more microfiber material for that fuzzy feel. Overall I would rate this headset very highly in the comfort department.  SOUND The PC38x uses custom designed drivers to combine the clarity and immersion of Sennheisers PC37x with the Immersive Deep bass of the GSP 500. The result is an impressive spectrum of sound in an open back headset. I was particularly impressed with the richness of the bass which is an area where open back headphones are traditionally not the best. The cool thing here is the insane clarity that comes with that bass, delivering a clean sound stage from the highs all the way to the lows. I didn't experience the classic muddiness that I like to gripe about with traditional gaming headsets which made this experience a breath of fresh air letting me just melt into the game and enjoy the sounds I was hearing. I spent a lot of time with Doom which was a real showcase for the headset as the explosions and bass heavy music was so powerful yet the sounds of the incoming demons were easy to pick up from any angle. Because these are open back headphones you won't get the best sound isolation so if you tend to game in area with lots of background noise this might not be the best option as you can clearly hear the room around you especially at lower volume levels. The PC38Xs are analog and come with 2 cables a 3M cable with separate headphone and mic jacks and a 1.5m 2-1 cable. MIC The PC38X uses a Noise cancelling bidirectional mic That will auto mute when tilted up. There's actually a little tactile click when the mute is activated which I thought was a nice solution as you can both hear and feel the activation. Audio quality with this microphone is superb, it's a little thin on the low end and wont replace a good condenser for streaming but against just about any other gaming headset it's clarity and richness of sound are sure to stand out. Controls In terms of extras we do have a volume wheel recessed into the right ear cup for easy adjustment. it works well enough but the action on the dial is very light. I would have much preferred some tactility or resistance which would have made it feel a lot higher quality. I'm sure this was to r educe weight but it makes the knob feel cheap.  Conclusion The PC38Xs are pretty pricey at $170 bucks and overall at that price I found this to be a very respectable headset. At first glance they don't really look or feel like they should cost what they do which I suppose you could say is a negative but once you get them on you head they deliver a no nonsense audio experience. I tend to prefer a wireless headset experience just for the freedom but in this case I don't mind trading that for this performance. The PC38X's do away with any unnecessary bells and whistles to deliver what's most important for a gaming headset in my opinion. Marathonable comfort and top tier sound in both the mic and in your ears. Full video review: https://youtu.be/xlJXorxpoG0

Recommends this product? Yes
HaVoCTzu
274
Oct 8, 2020
The ez mute convenience is the only Technical advantage of the attached sennheiser mic. my whole team uses separate mics.
HaVoCTzuI do admit, there’s been several times I’ve flicked my PC37X mic up just in time to mute a sneeze or something 😹
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