This is our comparison of the Sennheiser Game One vs Game Zero.
I’m a former audio engineer, who researched and tested both of these popular headphones models to help you determine which option is best to take your gaming experience to the next level.
Both pairs come from the same manufacturer, Sennheiser, who has been producing quality and refined headphones for a long time. The major difference comes down to the back design: The Game One is open-back, while the Game Zero features a closed-back design.
Let’s get started with an in-depth look at what sets these two models apart.
Sennheiser Game One vs Game Zero Comparison
Sennheiser is a well-known brand in the audio industry for manufacturing top-notch audio products and quality headphones. Founded in 1945, a couple of weeks after World War II by Fritz Sennheiser, the company first started producing microphones. The coming decades saw Sennheiser expand to other audio equipment.
Features
Both the Sennheiser Game Zero and Game One earcups feature a volume knob. This greatly simplifies the control of your game sound. To adjust the volume while playing a game, simply turn the knob on the earcup.
It’s much more convenient than reaching for your amplifier’s or computer’s volume control. Both models showcase impressive positional sound quality, a comfortable design, and deliver accurate bass levels.
Similarly, both pairs of headphones models come with interchangeable cables; a TRRS braided cable or two TRS cables. The TRRS connection is used with more modern laptops that feature a single integrated audio port that functions as both a microphone and headphones. It’s also useful if you’re using this headphone in conjunction with your phone.
The dual TRS connection is intended for use with older laptops, desktop computers, and other systems that utilize two TRS ports for the microphone and headphones.
Compatibility is also quite similar between these gaming headphones. Both are compatible with any computer or gaming console with a TRS or TRRS port. Additionally, they are both plug-and-play, which means they do not require any additional software or drivers to work.
Additionally, both the Zero and One from Sennheiser have a 50-ohm impedance. Due to their low impedance, they can be connected directly to your phone, laptop, desktop, or gaming console without the use of a preamp, DAC, or headphone amplifier.
The mics also contribute to the similarity of these two headphones’ features. When not in use, you can easily swing the mic upward. When you raise the mic, a mute function is automatically triggered.
The noise-canceling feature on the mics works quite well, and despite the fact that Sennheiser did not specify this, both mics sound more cardioid in nature, i.e. they pick up sounds with high gain from the front and sides but poorly from the rear.
Both the Sennheiser Game One and the Game Zero are capable of producing high-volume sound without the assistance of external sources.
- Closed Back - Closed Back Design Featuring Tailored Leatherette Double Layered Memory-Foam Ear Pads...
- Xxl Earcups - Modern, Lightweight Yet Robust Design Featuring Xxl Ear Cups Incorporating...
- Noise-Canceling Mic - Crystal Clear Conversations Ensured With The Professional Quality...
- Foldable - Foldable Design Featuring A Volume Control Located On The Right Ear Cup With Two Cables...
Winner: Sennheiser Game Zero
Design and Build
The design of Game One reflects cutting-edge engineering and although it is an all-plastic design, it has a solid feel. Game Zero is also primarily made of plastic, but some metal components are included in its build.
By default, headphones are prone to damage or wear due to regular use. The base quality materials and metal components give the Game Zero enhanced durability when compared to the Game One.
The metal components of the Game Zero are limited to the hinge that allows the earcups to rotate and to the joint that connects the headband to the earcups.
The collapsible nature of Game Zero is quite impressive. With its swiveling earcups, you can almost flatten it. On the other hand, the Sennheiser Game One is not as flexible; you can only adjust the width of the headband by sliding the earcups in and out.
In terms of earcups, Game One features plush velvet earcups that wrap comfortably around your ears. These oval-shaped earcups make listening to music for extended periods of time more comfortable, as they do not press against your ears.
On the other hand, the Game Zero’s earcups are made of leatherette. While the fit comfortably over the ears, when used for extended periods of time, however, it becomes a little warm.
- Closed Back - Closed Back Design Featuring Tailored Leatherette Double Layered Memory-Foam Ear Pads...
- Xxl Earcups - Modern, Lightweight Yet Robust Design Featuring Xxl Ear Cups Incorporating...
- Noise-Canceling Mic - Crystal Clear Conversations Ensured With The Professional Quality...
- Foldable - Foldable Design Featuring A Volume Control Located On The Right Ear Cup With Two Cables...
Winner: Sennheiser Game Zero
Sound Quality and Performance
The Sennheiser Game Zero and the Game One share similar sound characteristics on paper. Both headphone pairs have a frequency response of 15Hz to 28000Hz, and their mics have a frequency response of 50Hz to 16000Hz.
While testing both for extended periods (intensive CoD Warzone and Horizon), we all agreed that the mics sound very similar.
However, the headphones have a number of differences.
Due to the Game One’s open-back design, the bass feels cleaner. If you like your gaming experience to sound natural, with no noticeable game sound spikes, the Game One will do the trick.
Like your sound effects to move you around and feel more dramatic? Then look to the Game Zero. The closed-back design provides a more punchy and rounded bass experience.
Still, both headphones reproduce all bass elements from your gaming sound very accurately. It is only the bass emphasis that varies.
The open-back design of the Sennheiser Game One has a significant advantage; it provides a more expansive, realistic soundscape. This allows you to determine the location of various elements in your game (directional sound), even when they are not visible on screen.
FYI – we have rocked the Game One for over 8 hours non-stop on Observer: System Redux.
Sennheiser compensated for the soundscape’s breadth by introducing a dip in Game One’s mid frequencies. This prevents the speech and other mid-frequency elements from sounding excessively narrow.
While both headphones exceed human hearing capacity at high frequencies, they lack the presence boost provided by the majority of headsets. This makes them both not very suitable for listening to music, as they lack the high boost that makes vocals pop.
Yet, for gaming, both the Sennheiser Game One and the Game Zero make excellent headphones for the money. Since most gamers play for extended periods, high frequencies can cause ear fatigue. As a result, lower high-frequency levels result in less ear fatigue when playing for longer sessions.
Additionally, this feature automatically lowers the game’s music volume and prioritizes speech and other sound effects. Both gaming headsets’ mics are noise canceling and sound clear on the other end, which is exactly what you want from a gaming headset mic.
- Signature Sound Dynamics -Engineered For Incredibly Natural And Accurate, High Fidelity Sound, The...
- Noise-Canceling Microphone - The Flexible Boom Arm Easily Adjusts For Best Voice Pick-Up Positioning...
- Open Acoustics - The Classic High-End Open Acoustic Gaming Headset Is Designed For Extremely...
- Quick Volume Adjusting – An Integrated Volume Control Is Built The Right Ear Cup Of The Game One...
- Open back design keeps head cool while delivering extreme sonic clarity and accuracy courtesy of...
Winner: Sennheiser Game One
Similarities and differences
Similarities
- Both feature oval over-ear earcups.
- Both headphones feature a wide frequency range, ranging from 15Hz to 28000Hz.
- They are both compatible with dual TRS and single TRS connections.
Differences
- The Game Zero has an open back, whereas Game One has a closed back design.
- Game One’s earcups are made of velvet, Game Zero’s are made of faux leather.
- The Game Zero has metal elements in its build, while Game One is entirely made of plastic.
Pros and Cons of the Game Zero and Game One
Game One
😐 Cons
- The open-back design is not ideal if you game in a noisy environment
- Not suited for listening to vocal-focused music
🤩 Pros
- Natural sounding bass
- Tempered high frequencies prevent ear fatigue during long game sessions
- The earcups are made of super comfortable, real velvet
Game Zero
😐 Cons
- The faux leather feels slightly warmer after extended periods
🤩 Pros
- Deeper bass control
- Clear sound elements in-game
- The volume knob is slightly more precise
Verdict
Tough one, right? Let me start by saying that both the Sennheiser Game One and Game Zero have quite a number of similarities and both are great for gaming. Ultimately, it comes down to three things:
- What game you are playing
- Your gaming environment
- Your personal preference
On a personal note, I feel the Game Zero has the edge. It is very versatile; playing GTA V feels just as awesome as skipping a heartbeat on The Sinking City. Moreover, its closed-back design offers better noise isolation against ambient noise.
Last update on 2023-02-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API