Introduction

Drop has been cooperating with various audio brands to bring us some seriously great hardware for affordable prices. I'm a big fan and a proud owner of many of their past projects, especially in the hi-fi headphones department. However, none of that prepared me for their collaboration with EPOS | Sennheiser—that's what Sennheiser's gaming division is called nowadays—on the Drop + Sennheiser PC38X gaming headset. After all, it's just a gaming headset, so how good can it really be? Well, let me tell you, you're in for a treat!



In its essence, the Drop + Sennheiser PC38X is manufactured and sold as a no-nonsense analog gaming headset. It is based on the once-popular, beloved Sennheiser Game One open-back gaming headset I gave a glowing review and our Editor's Choice back in 2018, and it in turn was built around the Sennheiser HD 558 hi-fi headphones. Knowing the hi-fi roots of the Drop + Sennheiser PC38X gaming headset is important to better understand its performance, but let's not get ahead of ourselves. The PC38X is a direct successor to the PC37X, another popular gaming headset brought to us by Drop and Sennheiser. The newer PC38X looks nicer and has improved bass response, as well as a warmer overall tonality, making it a better-sounding choice for games and especially music. The PC38X comes with a pivotable microphone, two pairs of ear pads, and two audio cables. The $169 price tag might strike you as a bit high considering you're not getting wireless connectivity, software driver support, RGB lighting, or anything else of the sort, but there are a couple of great reasons why the PC38X can almost be considered a bargain.

Specifications

• Drivers: Size unknown, dynamic (neodymium magnet)
• Impedance: 28 Ω
• Sensitivity: 109 dB
• Frequency Response (specified by the manufacturer): 10–30,000 Hz
• Design: Open-back, over-ear
• Microphone: Bi-directional noise-canceling (pivotable)
• Connectivity: 3.5-mm analog (4-pole TRRS + dual 3-pole TRS)
• Supplied cables: 1.5-meter 3.5-mm (4-pole TRRS), 2.5-meter dual 3.5-mm (3-pole TRS)
• Extras: 2 pairs of earpads (mesh knit and velour), drawstring travel pouch
• Platform support: PC, Mac, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, VR, and mobile
• Weight: 253 g
• Warranty: 2 years