With the Game One, Sennheiser stays true to their philosophy of quality over quantity. If an "ordinary" gaming peripheral manufacturer made a gaming headset for $230, it would glow like a circus, offer a 7.1 surround sound card, and most likely be able to cook you dinner. Not so with the Game One. Despite its high price, it's still a no-frills kind of a headset. It doesn't even come with a sound card; you need to plug it into your motherboard or, even better, an external USB sound card. As far as extra features go, it has a built-in volume dial on its right ear cup, and its microphone will mute itself when pivoted upward.

However, don't think for a second that you're paying for nothing. The Game One impresses in every single aspect that makes a headset great. The sound quality is great. The sheer amount of information it's going to give you while gaming because of its accuracy and clarity is astounding. Not often did I have such an easy job of figuring out where I'm getting shot from or from which side someone's trying to take me over. The sheer width and volume of the sound is excellent as well - these are the benefits of using an open-back headset. It stays just as great after switching to music. The sound is rich and warm, with a weighty, punchy bass, smooth mids, and a crisp high-range. It holds its own in just about any music genre.

Then there's that wonderful, class-leading microphone. This is hands down the best microphone I ever used on any gaming headset. Sennheiser obviously utilized the expertise it has from its professional studio microphone business and put it to use here by equipping the Game One with a microphone you'll be able to use for gaming, streaming, voiceovers, and anything else you might need a microphone for.

After a short break-in period, this headset's comfort is flawless as well. The ear pads are exceptionally big and replaceable, and the cable can be detached as well, which means you'll be using this one for years to come. The only thing I consider a drawback is the fact that the Game One is almost entirely made out of plastic, which isn't in line with its hefty price. On the other hand, it doesn't feel flimsy and isn't creaky, so in that sense, I can't say anything bad about the chosen construction materials.

If the Sennheiser Game One fits your budget and you're lucky enough to own a dedicated gaming room, where its open-back design won't bother anyone (yourself included), you should seriously consider buying it. Every key aspect of it is top class, with its microphone being the new reference - something every other headset microphone should strive to match.