Audio Performance

I'll split the audio performance analysis into two parts—gaming and music. Even though the headset produces the same sound regardless of what it's being used for, you won't necessarily look for the same things while annihilating your virtual opponents as you will when listening to your favorite tunes.

Gaming

If you read my Sennheiser GSP 600 review, you're already aware that its sound performance is what really made it stand out from most other gaming headsets on the market. The same can be said for the open-back GSP 500. Even though there's no official data to confirm, I have to—after a lot of A-B testing—conclude that they're built around identical speaker drivers. Their general sound signature is almost the same, which means the GSP 500 delivers excellent levels of detail and clarity, but also tons of excitement and plenty of warmth due to the depth and richness of the bass. The bass is not as thick and rumbly as on the GSP 600, though, which was to be expected because of the open-back design—the low frequencies don't reflect as much inside the ear cups, and it takes some of the edge off the bass. Don't take that as a negative, though. If anything, the bass of the GSP 500 sounds slightly more natural. I didn't come across a single game where I found it lacking. I would have no trouble recommending the GSP 500 to even "bass-heads".

The soundstage is also wider and airier on the GSP 500. To reiterate what I wrote in the review of the GSP 600, this headset had me comfortably navigating my virtual surroundings because I knew that there was practically no way someone could approach me without being heard. All you need to do is listen—the GSP 500 will happily present you with the faintest footsteps. Someone's shooting at you from a distance? No problem—this headset will save you from turning around in panic as you'll instantly know where the gunfire is coming from. This is yet another gaming headset from Sennheiser with spatial positioning that can be considered eSports-grade.

Passive noise isolation is, of course, nonexistent. You'll be able to hear everything around you, including the things you do want to hear (your own voice) and those you don't (loud PC fans, mashing of your mechanical keyboard, annoying pets and family members). Also, everyone around you will clearly hear what you're listening to, be it music or assault rifles in your favorite shooter. That's something you definitely have to be fully aware of going in. Open-back headsets (and headphones) require a dedicated, quiet room where you'll use them.

Music

Much like the GSP 600, the GSP 500 seamlessly transforms from a great gaming headset into an excellent pair of headphones for your music-listening sessions. If you don't already own a pair of good hi-fi headphones, you'll essentially kill two birds with one stone by buying the GSP 500 as you won't feel the need to go looking for higher sound quality (nor would you be able to obtain it for a reasonable amount of money).

Its warm sound signature with a smooth mid-range and crispy-clear highs and a well-balanced bass handles various music genres like a true champ. In fact, I was entirely unable to find a genre where the GSP 500 would sound anything less than great. Not a single part of the frequency spectrum sticks out. Even the slight shoutiness of vocals, which could be heard with certain singers on the GSP 600, is absent here. As far as gaming headsets go, this is as good as it gets in terms of overall sound quality, both for gaming and music.

If you own a higher-quality DAC/headphone amp, you'll want to use it with the GSP 500 as it can and will benefit from it. Further improvements in tightness and overall balance of the sound were easily audible after I switched from the integrated sound card to a solid USB DAC, such as the FiiO E10K and AudioQuest DragonFly Red. Even more so with the fantastic $800 Audiolab M-DAC.