Review cover EPOS H6PRO (Hardware)
Official GBAtemp Review

With the EPOS H6PRO, the Danish audio specialist adds yet another headset to its growing line of gaming peripherals as it ventures on its solo path. Does EPOS’ latest addition to its catalogue live up to the competition?

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Since going solo in the gaming peripheral market after its stint with Sennhiser, EPOS has been relentlessly pushing devices of its own. The EPOS H6PRO is the latest gaming headset that the Denmark-based company released and it’s part of its ongoing endeavour to get gamers and its competitors to take its devices seriously. To that effect, EPOS has even partnered with several eSports teams to adopt this very headset as their official one. As such, expectations for the H6PRO are that it is a high-end headset geared towards competitive gaming.

Having been positively impressed by the quality of its solo devices like the GTW 270 Hybrid earbuds (despite lacking in some features) and the B20 streaming microphone, I was curious to have my first experience with an EPOS-only branded wired gaming headset.

Out of the box, you will find the following items:

  • EPOS H6PRO
  • GSA 30 PC Cable 
  • GSA 30 Console Cable 
  • 2 x H6PRO Cover
  • Safety Guide 
  • Quick start guide

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As for the specs, you can find them below, courtesy of EPOS:

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At an RRP of £149 / 179 €, the EPOS H6PRO is on the pricier end of the gaming headset spectrum but not totally overpriced considering what it offers as a product. As is customary or even expected of EPOS, the build quality is top-notch. The H6PRO hardware has been accurately engineered to avoid rattling even with the easily adjustable and well-padded headband. The earcups fit to the user’s ears at a comfortable angle thanks to the 2-axis hinge structure that rotates for a custom fit. With the over-the-ear design, the removable, memory foam-padded earcups position themselves around the ear without any discomfort. Combined, they make the headset a very comfortable one to wear for extended periods of time while being securely fitted on the user’s head.

The comfort is also supplemented by the relative lightweight of the H6PRO. At 309 g, it’s light enough for the headset to be worn without feeling it pressing on the ears. EPOS even says that this new model is  20% lighter than its GSP 500 / 600 Series.

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Another well engineered aspect is the “lift to mute” boom arm which is an easy and elegant method to switch the mic on/off without needing to fiddle around with any switches. While you’d want to consider a dedicated stand-alone microphone for more professional streaming, the one integrated in the H6PRO does a decent enough job at picking up your voice and delivering clear audio.

One feature that I always look for in a gaming headset is whether the microphone is detachable. If that’s the case, then it makes the device more versatile as it can be used as a regular pair of headphones without attracting unwanted attention with a boom arm sticking out awkwardly unused. Thankfully, the H6PRO’s boom arm is easily detachable thanks to a magnetic mechanism and you can use one of the included cover plates to mask the magnetic pins. The cover plate is also easily removable by a simple push and you can swap to using the mic on-the-fly. The magnetic mechanism is also strong enough to not drop the mic or cover plate when you are out and about as removing the attachment requires a physical push.

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Controlling the volume is performed on the right earcup in a circular fashion. This is yet another sleek and aesthetically pleasing design aspect of the device which makes it easy and inconspicuous for the user to adjust the volume.

In fact, for a gaming headset, the EPOS H6PRO is rather inconspicuous as a whole. It bears no obnoxious gamer looks, no RGB lighting and comes in 3 classy color variants (Sebring black, Ghost white and Racing green). Those looking for a more minimalist take on a gaming headset that can also be worn outside of their gaming dungeon will appreciate this design choice.

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When it comes to audio, the EPOS H6PRO delivers high quality output through and through. It covers the whole range of soundscapes whether you are gaming, listening to music or watching a video. It picks up minute cues from the audio track, the type you can only discern with high-end headsets. For gaming, this means that you can pick up clear and balanced audioscapes for a more immersive experience. I’ve used it with Kena: Bridge of Spirits where the H6PRO does its fantastical, cinematic audio justice, and I’ve also tried it with Deathloop where Colt and Julianna’s quips are clearly articulated and shots and stabs reverberate accurately.

The H6PRO won’t fail to deliver a quality audio experience should you decide to pick one up. I also really appreciated the fact that it does not rely on the bass as many gaming headsets tend to but delivers a soundscape that is balanced on both treble and the bass to make it more versatile.

It’s also easy to use with its plug-and-play approach given that it is a wired headset with a universal 3.5mm jack. However, an additional Bluetooth option would still be welcome by those who would prefer to go wire-free every so often with great-sounding headsets.

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Of note, this headset comes in two variants: an open and a closed acoustic one. The open acoustic model is said to be more appropriate for “cinematic gaming” as it delivers a more natural soundscape by letting airflow in the earcup in the earcup as well as some surrounding noise thanks to the ventilation holes. The closed acoustic model is more geared towards competitive gaming as it seals external noises and distractions better to enable the user to focus on the gaming audio.

While both models deliver audio of similar quality, I’d note that the open acoustic model isn’t really ideal in outdoors settings, especially when commuting. In the bus for example, I couldn’t hear my playlist that well and the closed model might be a better choice for a more versatile headset. But the open model might be more appropriate if you are streaming and want to hear your voice for monitoring purposes.

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Also, while the earcups are large enough to fit a range of ear sizes and well padded for comfort, they can limit movement of the user’s head when the headset is rested around the neck. It’s a rather nitpicky remark but it could be a consideration for EPOS to improve upon, maybe with rotating earcups to rest them on the collarbone when not in use.

A minor gripe with the earcup is that the direction (right or left) is not indicated. While this might not be an issue after prolonged use, when grabbed quickly or at the beginning, it can be a bit confusing. You can differentiate the sides by noting that the left earcup is the one with the boom arm as well as is where the cable jacks in.

The last gripe I’d mention is a recurring one I have with EPOS headsets. These, including the new H6PRO, use a proprietary jack on one end to plug into the headset and a 3.5mm one to plug into the audio source. While I really appreciate the detachable feature for easier storage or replacement, being proprietary means that you will need to get replacement ones from EPOS and might mean more expensive cables than standard 3.5mm ones.

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That said, with the H6PRO, EPOS adds yet another strong contender in its growing line of headsets that won’t fail to satisfy your audio gaming or general audio needs. And it’s certainly a statement that EPOS is serious in the gaming audio business and is well worth considering for your audio needs.

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Purchase link

Considering getting an EPOS H6PRO of your own? You can find one at Argos in the UK or on the official website.

Verdict

What We Liked ...
  • High-end audio quality
  • Sleek design
  • Comfortable to use
What We Didn't Like ...
  • Uses proprietary cable
  • Earcups size might be inconvenient in some cases
  • Open acoustic variant not ideal for general use
8.3
out of 10

Overall

Delivering comfort and high-quality audio, the EPOS H6PRO won’t fail to deliver a premium audio experience, whether it’s for gaming or general use.
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