Drop x Sennheiser PC37X Review and Measurements

Discussion in 'Headphone Measurements' started by purr1n, Jun 3, 2021.

  1. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    This is the PC37X Gaming Headset. There is a new version available as the PC38X which will be covered later. The PC37X is still available. It's on fire sale at Drop for $120. This is part of a series of gaming headset reviews starting here: https://www.superbestaudiofriends.o...gaming-headset-measurements-and-review.11028/

    [​IMG]

    Massdrop x PC37X Gaming Headset
    Frequency Response
    miniDSP EARS (SBAF compensation) upload_2021-6-4_0-12-28.png
    Note: Slightly poor seal on L (green) noted after the fact

    Massdrop x PC37X Gaming Headset
    Frequency Response
    Flat Plate Coupler (no pinna, compensated)
    upload_2021-6-4_0-9-2.png

    This headphone also has slanted drivers like the HD560S reviewed here: https://www.superbestaudiofriends.o...560s-review-the-new-standard-not.10040/page-2

    The PC37X is in the same class as the HD560S, HD558, HD598 with respect to technicalities (distortion, resolution, etc.) With the slanted drivers like the HD560S, I actually feel the PC37X is the better headphone because the tonality is better. The price is also $80 less. The HD560S does have better bass extension, but it's also brighter, unbearingly so with with its upper mid / lower treble bump.
     
    Last edited: Jan 10, 2022
  2. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    A few more before I retire tonight.

    FPC PC37X L.jpg
    FPC PC37X R.jpg
     
  3. thegunner100

    thegunner100 Hentai Master Chief

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    IIRC, the mic on this headset was pretty terrible. I'm curious to see how the mic measures.
     
  4. OldDude04

    OldDude04 Friend

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    I'm curious now as well. I have the Game One (Pre EPOS) and I'd read that the PC37X and the Game One were the same other than appearance. The mic on mine is one of the best I've used on a headset, it'd be a shame if Drop cheaped out in that department on the PC37X.
     
  5. Clemmaster

    Clemmaster Friend

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    Same. My Game One’s headset is really good with Schiit Fula 3.
    I also have the PC38x which I find better in every way. Senn are so good at tuning their cheaper headphones, they should promote the guys in charge of them to their premium lineup…
     
  6. OldDude04

    OldDude04 Friend

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    Good to know that the 38X is better across the board than the Game Ones. If my Ones ever crap out, I'll have to check out the PC38X's.
     
  7. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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  8. zerodeefex

    zerodeefex SBAF's Imelda Marcos

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    I use these on our second setup at home. The mic is poop and I have to aggressively use RTX Voice for all meetings on this system.
     
  9. Cspirou

    Cspirou They call me Sparky

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    Goddamn perfect driver matching

    Any plans on testing USB headsets? I know that it's accepted that these are lower quality but Razer and HyperX are incredibly popular in the gaming community. Basically the gaming equivalent of Beats.
     
  10. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Just regular headsets with mic input and TRS output for now.
     
  11. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Massdrop x Sennheiser PC37X
    Harmonic Distortions vs Frequency at SPL
    upload_2021-6-5_16-6-33.png

    Will return with quick subjective thoughts and a video in a week or two. This does seem to be one of the best of the group. And with the Recon 40 reviewed earlier which has considered to be one of the worst, we now have established a standard range of good and bad for further reviews.

    The SteelSeries Arctis 3 is up next.
     
  12. Gracchus Janus

    Gracchus Janus New

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    I wonder, how's the headstage and soundstage depth on these? I always pondered getting them for gaming but couldn't be bothered yet as I suspect people are confusing general "soundstage" with imaging, the latter being their forté for competitive gaming.
     
  13. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Let me ask my son. He's the gamer. I totally get where you are coming from. Deeper headstage from slanted drivers would be better for movies or immersive experiences. However, if the localization of sounds sucks, the headset isn't so good for FPS type games. The Turtle Beach Recon 40 reviewed earlier sucked ass in terms of sound quality and deep headstage, but it was pretty darn good at localization. My son preferred the Recon 40 to the SteelSeries Arctis which had "better" headstage because the SteelSeries was too diffuse sounding when playing FPS games.
     
  14. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Ok, reporting back. My son says that the PC37X was just slightly worse than the Turtle Beach Recon 40 with respect to games where precise localization of sounds is crucial; but that the way better sound quality and comfort more than make up for it. He would go for the Recon 40 if he were purely competitive and tens of thousand dollars of winnings were at stake.

    We got about six or seven more headsets to review so you will have to wait for the final verdict and score tally.
     
    Last edited: Jun 6, 2021
  15. zerodeefex

    zerodeefex SBAF's Imelda Marcos

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    Should I ship the RAAL so he can do a comparison with them?
     
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  16. JayC

    JayC Resident Crash Test Dummy

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    Is the senn 37x worth the extra 80-90$ over the turtle beach if multiplayer FPS gaming is the only need? I assume explosions and stuff sound better but I don't really care, if I can hear footsteps well and have a good sense of directionality that should suffice

    I don't get a good sense of direction from the steel series arctis 5 (same as the 3 with lights afaik). My 3€ Motorola earbuds do a whole lot better but their mic is total shit
     
  17. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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    Money is probably better spent on something that delivers good virtual surround sound, unless any games in question have good VSS built in (i.e. Overwatch with Atmos). Even then, I've found some VSS solutions have better localization than those found in games, albeit this will vary from person to person depending on HRTF.

    However, note that tech like Atmos can help localize height, whereas most VSS solutions are still limited to a relatively flat plane. You may still get a better sense of space and localization, even with the latter, and often there's enough context while playing to ascertain if a sound is likely below, at level with, or above you.

    Something like the Sound Blaster G6 is a good choice for a multitude of reasons: great VSS, parametric EQ, decent sounding headphone out and mic input, OS filter options, other DSP options, customizable profiles you can switch to on the fly, PC and console support, and so on. You can improve most headphones through EQ alone with it, though it does benefit that much more with a nice pair of headphones. Also means you don't have to worry about gaming headsets, most of which suck, but can mean a tradeoff for a second cable for your mic.
     
  18. JayC

    JayC Resident Crash Test Dummy

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    Yeah well, that is potentially a good option for a PC but I'm on console so its way more inconvenient to get wires running across the room from the couch to the playstation. Im no hardcore gamer, I just like to have some decent localisation and it was especially frustrating that a cheapo dollar store earphone did that better than a 120€ one.
     
  19. zerodeefex

    zerodeefex SBAF's Imelda Marcos

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    The G6 was $70 on sale refurb so I sent one to @Marv
     
  20. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Agreed on the Arctus. Of the three we have tested so far, it's the most nebulous and diffuse with respect to imaging. It's my son's least favorite when it comes to Minecraft (competitive FPS), Fortnite, and some Roblox games.

    The main thing with the Recon 40 is that it feels extremely cheap. Also, it's a tight fit if you have larger ears. They are more comfortable than Grados, but that us not saying much.

    As for the extra 70 dollars for the PC37X, my kid feels it's worth it for the comfort and overall much higher sound quality at a very minor penalty to sound localization. I think the angled drivers do help push the headstage forward, but it also hurts the precision of knowing where the sounds come from. Again, the penalty is very minor. The Arctus in comparison is a notable step worse compared to either Recon 40 or PC37X when it comes to sound localization.
     
    Last edited: Jun 10, 2021

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