The Sennheiser GSX 1000 is a kind of all-rounder among audio amplifiers. It is aimed primarily at users who frequently use their PC with a headset – gamers in particular should feel addressed. The gaming audio amplifier combines the functions of a sound card with headphone amplifier with optional surround simulation and microphone monitoring.
The GSX 1000 is designed to provide convenient solutions that are frequently used in everyday life. If you play several players, you know that sound settings have to be adjusted regularly to the respective requirements. The adjustment of the chat and game volume, the switching on and off of the surround simulation, the muting of the microphone and numerous other sound settings can of course be made in the driver settings of the sound card – must be changed several times a day, but this destroys the game fun.
The GSX 1000 is intended to provide a much more convenient solution by allowing all settings to be made via the touch screen. In addition, it should provide a very good sound, great flexibility and very individual settings.
Data, Facts, Figures
The quite small device can only be used stationary. It has a DAC chipset; USB 2.0 and USB 1.0 are used as USB standards. The GSX 1000 serves as a classic headphone amplifier. The distortion factor is 0.005% THD, the cable length is 1.2 meters. The gaming audio amplifier is equipped with a 3.5 mm headset port, a 3.5 mm microphone port, a 3.5 mm speaker port and a mini-USB jack. The dimensions of the device are 143 x 139 x 70 mm. In addition to the gaming audio amplifier, a USB cable and instructions are also included.
The frequency response of the headphones should be in a range between 0 and 48.0 KHz, the recommended headphone impedance is 16 to 150 Ohm, while the maximum output voltage of the headphones at 1 Volt is 32 Ohm.
A total of eight channels are provided at a resolution of 24 bit (USB) and a sampling rate of 192 kHz (USB).
Installation
A driver installation is not necessary. The square amplifier is connected via USB cable. Afterwards, only a few clicks in the sound settings are necessary to access the many functions. A complex installation or adaptation of drivers is therefore not necessary – the GSX 1000 can therefore be used to its full extent within a few minutes after unpacking.
Workmanship and Equipment
The device is delivered in a rather plain cardboard box. After unpacking, a small square amplifier appears, which reminds of a tiny DJ desk because of its appearance. It is almost completely made of plastic, only the ring for volume control is made of aluminium. In the hand, it is noticeable that the GSX 1000 is quite light. In fact, he weighs only 300 grams. Anti-slip strips on the underside of the square speaker provide the necessary grip on any surface – the amplifier does not necessarily have to be placed on a special surface. The tilt angle of the amplifier can be individually adjusted, making it very user-friendly.
In addition to the touch screen and the aluminium ring, the Sennheiser has a number of other keys whose function will be described or tested later.
Operation Mostly via Touchscreen
The device is mainly operated via touch screen. A total of eight control elements are available. These can be used to make and save a wide range of settings. There are six additional controls on the touch screen. These can be used, among other things, to quickly switch between headset and loudspeaker. In addition, it is possible to activate an equalizer via the touchscreen. However, this cannot be designed completely individually. Instead, four presets can be used – no use, music, eSport, and Story.
- eSport: Focus on spatial perception in order to locate opponents even earlier in the game
- Music: Lightly emphasizes bass and treble for a crystal clear sound with crisp bass
- Story: Maximum immersion when playing entertainment content such as movies
- No Equalizer: Balanced
The focus can be adjusted in the right central area of the touch screen. The highlighting of sounds from the foreground or background can be adjusted with this slider. For example, it is possible to make sounds from the background area particularly loud – the individual highlighting of individual areas creates a variety of possibilities in individual games.
At the bottom right you can choose between 7.1 surround sound and 2.0 stereo sound. Since surround sound does not make sense in every game, this option is to be welcomed in every case.
The touch screen also shows the settings for reverberation and listening to one’s own voice. Here, too, the user can make very individual settings and tailor the sound to his needs and the requirements of the respective game or application.
- Super Accurate: Reproduces the audio signal as accurately as possible and does not require any additional
Hall - Confined Space: Recommended for Semi-Open World titles
- Open World: Recommended for Open World titles with wide landscapes
The aluminium ring surrounding the touch screen is used for volume control. In addition, it represents an attractive design element. Unfortunately you can hear him grinding a little when turning. The keys located in the corners of the unit are used to recall and apply the previously saved settings. Especially cool is that all buttons are illuminated and light up automatically when you approach them with your hand.
The Most Important Criterion: The Sound
Now that all functions have been extensively described, the probably most interesting part follows: The test of sound. So far, the Sennheiser GTX 1000 has presented itself as a very comprehensive device that offers many individual setting options. Can he also convince in practice?
In short, it can be said that the amplifier is convincing overall. Especially the virtual surround sound is very convincing in practice. A completely spatial sound representation is an enormous advantage in many games. The whereabouts of the opponent can be determined quite clearly by these – especially with shooters, the technology is therefore often used. In the test it works perfectly, the direction of the opponents can be found clearly and the surround sound is convincing overall.
However, it should be noted that the functionality of this technology also depends on the headset or headphones used. Those who rely on an inferior headset will not get a perfect virtual surround sound, while users of high-quality headsets will get an almost perfect surround simulation.
Even with a speaker system, the GSX 1000 offers a convincing sound. The clear highs, intense basses and pleasant mids are especially important for music lovers.
The only small point of criticism is the equalizer: Here, only three or four presets can be used. Individual adjustments cannot be made. In practice, these default settings are sufficient, but individual adaptability would have been welcome. At least four profiles can be created and used, which combine the different settings of equalizer, sound, focus, sidetone and reverb.
Conclusion
All in all, the GSX 1000 is a convincing, high-quality audio amplifier. It offers a very good sound quality, simplifies the adjustment of sound settings and can be operated directly via the device without additional software. It is thus an enrichment for every gamer.
Sennheiser GSX 1000
Features
Design
Sound
Usability
Overwhelming sound!
The GSX 1000 offers a very good sound quality, simplifies the adjustment of sound settings and can be operated without additional software.
