Drop + Sennheiser/EPOS PC38X Headphones Review

These headphones have a flat sound profile with the included microfiber ear cups. Their signature more closely resembles the SoundGuys.com Studio Curve than our own target, which is to be expected from most open-back headphones that roll off in the bass. If you swap out the microfiber padding for velour padding, you'll get a touch more bass and a slight boost in airiness due to added high-treble. However, vocals and instruments are slightly more veiled due to a dip in the low-treble. There's no difference in noise isolation or leakage, though. You can see a frequency response comparison between the velour pads and the microfiber pads. The added bass may be preferable for single-player RPG titles, where you might prefer a bass bump in cinematic cutscenes.

Their frequency response consistency is good. They deliver bass and mids consistently, though there is some contrary motion in the high-mids between the L and R graphs. This has more to do with deviations between the drivers' frequency response than fit and positioning, though.

These over-ears have decent bass target compliance. While they lack a thumpy low-bass and the mid-bass is a touch recessed, the high-bass is virtually flat, so groovy basslines sound full and warm, and sound effects like footsteps are reproduced well.

The Drop + EPOS PC38X have outstanding mid-range target compliance. The range is very flat and even. As a result, impactful dialogue in games like Baldur's Gate 3 and lead instruments in soundtracks are accurate, clear, and detailed.

The Drop + Sennheiser PC38X have good treble target compliance. The low-treble mostly matches our target, so dialogue and lead instruments sound present and detailed. However, a general downward tilt continues through the mid- and high-treble. This takes the edge off most sibilants but can also make instruments like cymbals feel a bit dull or closed off.

The peaks and dips performance of these headphones is excellent, meaning the headphones' frequency response deviates little from their flat profile. The bass and mid-range are both smooth, with most deviations present in the inconsistent treble range. This can cause sibilants to sound alternately harsh or piercing, as neighboring bands fluctuate from high to low relative to one another.

The headphones' L/R drivers are inadequately matched. The headphones' frequency response and amplitude mismatch notably favor the left channel throughout the entire bass and mid-range. The L/R drivers also deviate from one another in the mid- and high-treble, though this isn't as audible as we lose sensitivity to higher frequencies over time. In practice, you'll notice sound objects like vocals and instruments reproduced off-center and pulled to the left. While there are minor differences in phase response between the drivers in higher frequencies, you likely won't perceive reduced precision of high-pitched harmonics from hi-hats and sopranos. It's worth pointing out that stereo matching is a measure of quality control, so your headphones may be better matched than the ones we tested.

The group delay performance is good. The headphones reproduce tight bass and transparent treble. That said, minor notches in the group delay performance are indicative of phase shifts relative to neighboring frequencies, which results in constructive and destructive wave interactions. As a result, notches appear in the frequency response for the affected bands.

While the headphones' PRTF measurements indicate some pinna interaction, it doesn't closely resemble our reference curve meant to simulate an angled stereo speaker setup. As a result, the headphones probably won't sound as natural or immersive as the Sennheiser HD 800 S.

These headphones have remarkable harmonic distortion. While the weighted graph shows high levels of bass range distortion, you likely won't perceive coloration from these harmonics due to our lack of sensitivity to lower frequencies. Meanwhile, the headphones reproduce audio cleanly at typical listening volumes in the treble and mid-range.

These headphones don't need an amp. Mobile devices and laptops can drive the headphones at high listening levels.

These are the settings used to test these headphones. Our results are only valid in this configuration.

The Drop + Sennheiser PC38X look very similar to the Sennheiser Game One Gaming Headset. The frame has a gray satin finish, while the ear cups and mic have primary yellow accents. These headphones are available in this color scheme or in an all-black colorway called 'Black.' Unfortunately, you can't detach the mic for a more casual look, and the mic isn't attached to a swappable cable the way it is with the Corsair VIRTUOSO PRO.

The Drop + EPOS PC38X are very comfortable. Even though these headphones have a high clamping force, you don't feel it, and they feel light on your head. The headband is comfortable enough for long gaming sessions, and you can swap out the microfiber ear pads for ones with velour padding included in the box.

The controls are quite limited. Like the Sennheiser Game One Gaming Headset, there's only one control: a volume wheel on the right ear cup. You can also flip the mic upwards to mute it. The volume wheel has a circular indentation to help you turn the wheel, and it stops when you've reached the min and max volume. However, it can be tricky to tell which direction raises or lowers the volume when you're wearing them.

These over-ears aren't very portable. The headphones can't fold into a more compact form, and their ear cups don't swivel to lay flat. They also have a bulky design, making it harder to take them with you on the move. Their carrying case doesn't offer a lot of additional protection either.

The case is sub-par. It's made of thin fabric, which can help keep dust from accumulating on the headphones but won't protect them from impacts or water damage.

These headphones are well-built. The frame is mostly made of plastic with metal grilles on the ear cups to allow sound to escape the cup. The braided audio cable feels very sturdy, too. Overall, they feel like they'll survive accidental drops and falls without taking too much damage. However, their headband also feels like a weak spot and could be prone to breaking over time.

These headphones are fairly stable. They won't move around if you wear them during casual gaming sessions at your desk or on the couch, but they can easily fall off with more vigorous head movements.

• Drop + Sennheiser PC38X Gaming Headset
• 1/8" TRRS to 1/16" TRRS cable
• Y-splitter cable
• Velour pads
• Pouch
• Manual

The Drop + Sennheiser PC38X's noise isolation performance is bad, but this is due to their open-back design. They aren't designed to block out sounds like car engine rumbles from an open window or ambient chatter from roommates. They barely reduce the high-pitched whirl of computer fans, too.

These headphones have a poor leakage performance. Their leakage is concentrated across a broad range and sounds fuller than that of closed-back headphones. If you're listening to audio at a high volume, others around you can hear your audio.

The mic's recording quality is excellent. Your voice sounds clear, full-bodied, and easy to understand.

The mic has good noise handling. It can separate your voice from moderate ambient noise around you, so you won't have too much of a problem being understood by your teammates and enemies.

These headphones come with a 1/8" TRRS to 1/16" TRRS cable and a Y-splitter to 1/16" TRRS cable. Both TRRS connections ensure a nearly latency-free experience, so your audio and visuals will be in sync while gaming.

The Drop + Sennheiser PC38X have full audio and mic compatibility on PCs when using the analog cable.

If you plug their audio cable into your PlayStation console's AUX port, you'll have full audio and mic compatibility.

The Drop + Sennheiser PC38X have full audio and mic compatibility on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S consoles via an analog connection.