This year EPOS has revamped a lot of their lines or extended it to include new options. H3 Hybrid added a Bluetooth headset for additional functionality, with H6Pro offering a new take on their previous flagship, GSP 600 series, headsets. With this line sporting a new look, open or closed-back design, and a couple of other changes, it looks to be a strong headset. However, with so many options out there, is H6Pro worth considering, or are you better off with other options?
Similar to the H3 series of headsets, EPOS went with redesigned packaging for H6Pro. This stands out a lot if you compare their previous GSP 600 line to it, which you can find a picture comparing the two below, with the move to a more gamer-centric design. Despite that, EPOS also simplified the descriptions and made it far more consumer-friendly. With a small mention of the brand and a handful of features, it’s extremely easy to know what H6Pro offers and it makes for a much simpler product.
A Huge Step Forward in Look and Branding
Inside, EPOS decided to go for a more premium look than even H3 Hybrid. While both use foam to snuggly hold the headset in place, H6Pro has more on the top of the box, showing the importance they place on this product. This is reflected in both the small touches, like the small notch below that holds all the documents and wires (including a dual PC cable and multiple boom mic arm covers) to the construction itself.
At first glance, there aren’t many changes between H6Pro and the H3 line of headsets. Unlike H3 Hybrid’s woven headband, EPOS gave H6Pro a higher quality leather band. It feels soft to the touch and feels satisfying to grab. Earpads are entirely mesh, intended to bring out the open design of the headset itself and decrease the temperature for extended play times. Both sliders are metal, with EPOS giving H6Pro a colored one to better match the headset. The microphone itself was changed slightly, leading to better performance, along with metal plates allowing for an open back design, both of which we will discuss a bit more later in this review.
Small Changes Go a Long Way to Improve the H6Pro Experience
Compared to last year’s model, there are some notable changes. Not only is H6Pro lighter, but the headband is also a lot more comfortable. This comes at the cost of fewer metal parts, though the overall look is far more satisfying. Another notable detail is closer.
I happen to have GSP 602, which is considered blue and brown, and it looks a lot closer to H6Pro’s sebring black color. It’s absolutely darker, not unlike a midnight blue or dark navy, though it doesn’t quite have the black with a hint of the blue the color is known for. You see it more in the aforementioned metal slider than you do on the headset itself.
Performance was a delightful surprise with H6Pro. Unlike most of my reviews, I worked on both this and H3 Hybrid at the same time, meaning both were used with Back 4 Blood and The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes. What this did was really highlight the benefit of the open-back design.
While most gaming headsets are closed back, largely due to how they isolate sound, there are a few mostly higher-end headsets that boast open back. Since these headsets are open, leading to sound seeping out, they’re better at creating a sound stage. This is something that was a massive benefit in both of the aforementioned games.
When it came to Back 4 Blood, I was using them almost exclusively for their fuller sound. Even though both headsets allowed me to pinpoint Ridden, do callouts for my successful Veteran play through, H6Pro really brought the experience to life. Instead of hearing birds in a distance, they echoed in a corner ominously. Mutations, each of which had a distinct audio cue, went from being a general sound in some direction to a chilling noise that washed over me.
In regards to The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes, most of the adventure takes place in an underground cave. Even if there are combat-heavy sections, the earlier parts of the adventure is centered on making the vampires feel like a looming threat. H6Pro better captured the echo-filled sounds of a cave, while also giving every move they made far more presence.
It’s little things like this that make open back headsets stand out and really helped sell the hardcore side of H6Pro. That being said, there are disadvantages. At loud volumes, it’s possible to easily hear the action from H6Pro, even without having the headset on. When talking to my girlfriend using B20, which will be reviewed later this week, she could hear herself under the right conditions. Not terrible for a casual setting like that but can be annoying for anyone broadcasting. This can be helped by decreasing the volume and/or microphone gain but it will always exist on some level.
When it comes to experiences with less acoustic importance, such as Dungeon Encounters, The Caligula Effect 2, Demon Slayer, and the like, the differences were less pronounced. I noticed a little less bass, something EPOS is not particularly known for due to their preference towards a more balanced sound, with the actual difference hinging on the depth of the sound. The Caligula Effect 2 has great music, something H6Pro better brought out, though anything with simpler sounds will likely sound the same or slightly different, with preference determining the better option.
Easy to Remove, Replace and Use the Boom Mic Arm
Outside of sound, H6Pro also boasts an impressive microphone. It was clearer and better able to capture my voice than H3 Hybrid, leading to better overall experiences. Since I was playing with a set group of people, I actually got a few comments about it during our Back 4 Blood sessions. The only downside I encountered was calibration. Sometimes it was picking up controller inputs, so you might need to lower the gain via your console or computer.
Like H3 Hybrid, H6Pro also includes a different version of the magnetic boom mic arm feature. No functional differences, just a different connection. The same is true for the boom mic arm cover, two of which are included with H6Pro. This remains one of the better features, as you can go from gaming to normal headphones or completely silent in moments.
H6Pro review Verdict
For the money, H6Pro is hard to beat. The open back design allows for a better soundstage and interesting look. Add in nice build quality, lasting comfort, and solid microphone and it’s a winning combo. It’s perfect for anyone looking to enhance a more open game or get a richer experience in their favorite game. Sure, the sound profile won’t appeal to everyone and nearby people might find the sound annoying, but the positives more than makeup for it.
[Editor’s Note: Our review of H6Pro was based on the open back version of the headset. We also received H6Pro for review purposes.]
