Sennheiser PC 373D Review

Sennheiser’s latest addition to their Gaming Headphone series is their best work yet. The Sennheiser PC 373D comes in after additional upgrades and tweaks to their already powerful and successful PC 363D. The PC series stands above the competition because it has the ability to toggle between stereo and 7.1 surround sound. This is possible through the Surround Sound Dongle which takes a digital audio signal from the USB input and converts it into virtual 7.1  surround sound. It is a great addition as the new flagship model of their PC headset series.

Design

The PC 373D is an Over-Ear Velvet finished Open Back Headset. The Connector is USB which connects to the Surround Sound Dongle, which processes the audio into 7.1 Surround Sound. You can easily switch between 7.1 and Stereo by pressing the Dolby Surround button on the dongle which tells you your current format by LED indicators, red meaning stereo and white meaning 7.1.

Microphone

The microphone is the most flashy part of the microphone with a red grill mesh surrounding the unit. The open design of the microphone capsule helps improve vocal quality. The Sennheiser Audio software has a noise rejection setting to help reduce ambient background noise from being picked up by the microphone. From all the design and software behind the microphone it holds up quality wise. Vocal tone is warm and full bodied and when coupled with the noise rejection it is clear and clean.

Software

The PC 373D comes coupled with the Sennheiser Audio program. This software offers EQ, Noise Reduction, and Side Tone options.
EQ
The EQ settings offered are Music, Esport, and Game. I found Esport to be an especially useful EQ preset as it offers a bandpass filter around the vocal range to prioritize speech and communication which can be impaired during communication intensive moments. The Music setting takes out some mid range and low end out of the headset. Game Boosts some low end and mid range, while taking out some high end.
Noise Reduction
Used to reduce background noise from being picked up in the mic, found it more useful to have on than off.
Side Tone
Side Tone is your own voice added into the headphone output. Off, Low, Mid, and High. I only use it at first when I want to hear how my own voice sounds through the microphone.

Compatibility

As the name states the PC 373D is designed for Windows use only. That doesn’t mean it won’t work for other game systems or Macs. The reason behind the platform restriction is that the Sennheiser Audio program is only offered on Windows, and the 7.1 Surround only works when it can be run. They function in Stereo while being used on a mac. If you are running a version of Parallels or Bootcamp then the headphone 7.1 function and software will function. When used with a PS4 the audio quality is too quiet to be used practically, but the microphone still functions.

Sound Quality (With Sennheiser Music EQ)

The headphone frequency response without any EQ is based on a very articulated and boosted mid range, where the human voice lives, thus it gives a very boxy sound quality to music being listened to.

Lows

The low end on the PC 373D is well managed in detail and power. For a gaming headphone it is not grossly boosted to the point of distortion and muddiness. There is more power than detail in the low end but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing considering the audience buying the headphone.

Mid Range

The focal point in this headset is vocal clarity and comprehension, thus the mid range is tame and detailed. Vocal cues in games and party chat cut through the mix offering unparalleled quality. Even when the sound field is cluttered with information in the mid range there is still good separation and comprehension.

High End

While not anything special the high end isn’t disappointing either. There is a lack of higher end extension but the quality of the high end present is at a good level and isn’t too airy or bright.

Soundstage

The PC 373D offers a large soundstage when played in stereo, and there is obviously a very large soundstage when in 7.1 that extends out a fair amount when in game. There is a good amount of space for instruments to exists without being overpowered by their counterparts. Reverb tails are given a long time to decay within the soundstage.

Overall Impressions

You can’t go wrong when a company that makes world renown headphones and microphones combine the two into one product. The Sennheiser PC 373D offers everything a PC gamer needs with great audio, fantastic microphone quality, and extreme comfort. Sennheiser delivers with it’s new PC Gaming flagship model, it is a top of the line product that shouldn’t be ignored by serious gamers.