With the Immerse GH61, MSI has introduced a new headset, which is supposed to be aimed at gamers as usual. For a price of € 10.00 * [test date: 90 Euro] this offers several degrees of freedom at the ear cups and various accessories. In addition, drivers from the Japanese company Onkyo are used for advertising.
Whether this package is sufficient to stand the test in practice will be shown in our following review.
Technical details
| Driver: | 40 mm Neodymium |
| Impedance: | 32 Ω |
| Frequency range: | 20 – 40,000 Hz |
| Sensitivity: | 107 dB |
| Connections: | USB, 3.5 mm |
| Microphone frequency range: | 10 – 10,000 Hz |
Scope of delivery
In addition to the headset itself, MSI also provides some extras that make the Immerse GH61 stand out from many competitors: Besides an optional USB sound card, there are additional ear pads that can be used instead of the pre-mounted leatherette pads. In addition, a hardcase is also included in the delivery, in which the headset and accessories can be transported. The only thing missing is a jack splitter, which can split the four-pin jack plug of the headset into two separate connectors.
Design & workmanship
While MSI often relied on thin connecting rods and a flexible headband underneath in earlier headsets, with the Immerse GH61 the company remains true to the approach of the Immerse GH50 headband we have already tested: The head cushion is located directly on the headband. The height adjustment is again done by the extendable ear cups, which can also be turned and tilted. For transport, it is also possible to fold the ear cups.
The microphone of the Immerse GH61 is not, as is usually the case, removable, but it is housed in the left ear cup. This allows it to be stowed away at any time, or pulled out completely or partially. The flexible microphone boom allows a quite free positioning.
The material used by MSI is almost entirely plastic. This is mostly matt black, but there are grey decorations on the outside. The only visible metal on the headset is at the connection between the ear cups and the headband: This has a thin, silver metal strip on the outside.
The supplied cables are 115 cm (headset) or 140 cm (USB sound card) long and are covered with a solid cable sleeve throughout, which gives them a high-quality feel. We especially liked the USB sound card, which comes in a gray metal housing and can also be attached with a clip.
In our opinion, there is nothing to complain about the quality of workmanship of the accessories, and the headset is also largely praiseworthy: the plastic parts are firmly and cleanly connected to each other. Only the tilt joint of the left auricle squeaked in our case, which is not noticeable during operation, but when putting the headset on and off.
Wearing comfort
As already mentioned, the Immerse GH61 offers various possibilities to adapt to the head shape. As can be seen in the pictures, the ear cups of the headset can be turned, tilted and pulled out, which makes it very easy to adapt to the head shape in practice. The offered adjustment range is sufficient to cover even large heads without any problems.
The headset offers additional comfort, or another option, through the second ear pad. This is covered with soft synthetic fabric and thus offers a pleasant alternative to the pre-installed leatherette cover. Although the comfort of the second pad may not quite match that of retail suede pads, it is still a welcome alternative. Replacing the ear pads is easy: they are held in position by a retaining ring with a small recess. This makes it easy to remove them and then put them back on piece by piece through the recess.
In our eyes, the wearing comfort of the Immerse GH61 is only clouded by the rather high contact pressure, which could become uncomfortable for large or wide heads. This is not too annoying, but if you are sensitive to this point, you might be disturbed by it. In combination with this, the pads are also compressed quite a bit – so if you have slightly protruding ears, you will probably feel the grating.
Recording and playback quality
In terms of sound, the MSI Immerse GH61 presents itself where you would expect it to be: Operated with a FiiO E10K Olympus 2, the headset delivers a solid result without being particularly prominent or weak in any area. The bass starts at about 40 Hertz and is voluminous, but not overloaded. The sound image is as detailed as usual in this price range – given the extensive scope of delivery.
The Immerse GH61 performs equally well in terms of recording quality. Although the timbre is slightly distorted during recording, the result is an easy-to-understand voice recording without noise. So you are well equipped for the usual voice chat use.
Software & USB audio
As an alternative to sound reproduction via the analog connection, the Immerse GH61 can also be operated with the supplied USB sound card, which then takes over the signal conversion. Here, too, the sound is as described above. Compared to the rather expensive E10K Olympus 2, the bass is not quite as present, but that would have been expected with the supplied USB sound card. The only thing we have to criticize here is the extreme volume, because the headphones can only be operated up to about 10% – after that they became (clearly) too loud for us. On the one hand, this thins out the adjustment range, but on the other hand, the Immerse GH61 can be used as a makeshift speaker replacement – at full volume they are loud enough for that.
When using the USB sound card, the configuration software Nahimic is also available, which allows you to make various settings with a modern and easily accessible UI. For example, a simple EQ and an automatic volume control for microphone and speakers are available. The range of functions is thus better than with many other headset configuration tools, which simply loop through the Windows settings. This makes Nahimic a nice extra.
Conclusion
The Immerse GH61 combines many good approaches and can score in several disciplines. The sound of the currently € 10.00 * [test date: 90 €] expensive headset is reasonable in price, and the recording quality is also good enough for everyday use. The headset deserves further praise for the many adjustment possibilities and the extensive accessories – keyword hardcase and replacement ear pads.
In the end, however, the Immerse GH61 is not quite perfect, because especially with the accessories, there are unfortunately also a few small cutbacks: The USB sound card is clearly set too loud, and the joint on the left speaker was unfortunately plagued by squeaking. In addition, we found the space between the ear pads and the protective grille quite narrow.
These points are probably not too dramatic, at least for many users. Especially also because at least the mentioned squeaking is probably a warranty case. Therefore, we can still say about the Immerse GH61: If you like the comprehensive function and scope of delivery, you can take a closer look at the headset.
MSI Immerse GH61
Workmanship
Wearing comfort
Sound quality
Recording quality
Features
Value for money
83/100
A headset with generous functions and scope of delivery, but also with small points of criticism
