Designed for high-end audio for gaming with Sennheiser co-branding, the EPOS GSX 300 External Sound Card is designed to deliver 24-bit, 96 kHz virtual 7.1 surround sound to ordinary stereo headphones. If all you’re looking for is a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) to use your existing 3.5mm stereo headphones for gaming on your computer, then the GSX 300 certainly does the job while adding some extra enhancements. However, the device can be a little too minimalistic, given the multitude of audio options available right now.
Connecting the EPOS GSX 300
The GSX 300 connects via a USB 2.0 port using an included cable and has two separate 3.5mm audio jacks for headphones and a microphone. Its compact design includes a LED illuminated volume knob and a smart button that cycles through the different sound profile presets. But even with this sparse design, some flaws are apparent right out of the box. The most obvious is that the 3.5mm audio jacks are located on the rear of the device instead of its front, which meant that the GSX 300 ended up sitting on my desk backwards. That’s not exactly a deal-breaker, but it seems like a silly oversight when a renowned brand such as Sennheiser is involved.
However, the issues didn’t stop there. My unit came with a spec sheet, safety documentation, and a strange little quick start guide that didn’t provide any actual guidance. Plugging in the GSX 300 using the included micro USB cable is simple enough, but you only get flat stereo sound from it without the EPOS Gaming Suite software. I had to visit the EPOS website to find the real guide with the software link, which is way more trouble than it should take to get this thing going.
With everything finally set up, I plugged in my Audio-Technica ATH-M50x headphones and loaded up the software. I wasn’t expecting a ton of bells and whistles from the application, but I didn’t think it would be quite so sparse either. With the inclusion of ‘flat’ sound, there are exactly four audio presets. The other stereo configuration enhances music quality. The 7.1 surround sound presets include ‘esports,’ which turns the treble and high end way up to gain an advantage in competitive games while ruining the rest of the game sounds. Lastly, there’s a movie mode for watching videos.
The audio jacks are located on the back of the device, which quickly became a pet peeve of mine.
It’s probably obvious that out of the four presets, music and movie are the most impressive, and they do an excellent job of enriching audio. But it’s shocking that a DAC that is designed with gamers in mind doesn’t have a gaming preset apart from an esports configuration that is meant for competitive players who are more concerned with hearing footsteps than appreciating the music and sound artistry. The movie mode does an excellent job with the gaming audio, and you can create custom audio profiles, but it would have been nice to see a dedicated gaming preset to start with – especially if you don’t want to spend a lot of time fiddling around with the equalizer.
The front of the GSX 300’s small smart button can be configured to cycle through audio presets or switch between stereo and 7.1 surround sound modes. Also, the illuminated ring around the knob changes from blue to red to show whether it’s in stereo or surround mode – an effect that’s diminished by how I had to turn the device around. A small window pops up above the taskbar to indicate which profile is loaded, but it doesn’t always appear with certain games. So, you either need to quit out to be certain or blindly cycle through the presets in the hope that you’ve loaded the profile that you want. I suppose this is an unintentional benefit of having so few profiles.
Immersing into audio
As a gaming audio interface, the EPOS GSX 300 delivers a minimal set of features. For instance, the Creative Sound BlasterX G6 features built-in Dolby Digital decoding, 32-bit sound at 384 kHz, and various switches and buttons. It’s not too surprising that it provided a richer audio experience for me. It’s also significantly more expensive. So, I tested the GSX 300 alongside my computer’s integrated Realtek 3D audio and an old Focusrite Scarlett Solo USB DAC, which I enhanced with Windows Sonic spatial audio in Windows 10, while playing the opening scene from Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice.
The red and blue LED ring around the volume knob lets you know whether you’re in stereo or 7.1 surround sound mode.
I was a bit surprised to find that my motherboard’s built-in audio has more robust software than EPOS. Not only does it allow me to have individual audio presets for just about every game and application I have installed, but there’s also an equalizer preset made specifically for Audio-Technica ATH-M50x headphones. In addition to the virtual surround sound options, I could indulge my inner audiophile by pushing the frequency settings to 32-bit, 192 kHz. Still, I feel that the GSX 300 provides a slightly deeper experience than my built-in audio, with Senua‘s whispering voices coming in more clearly. But the excellent quality from the built-in option is enough to make me question the GSX 300’s value while further highlighting its sparse software.
There’s also the unavoidable fact that the Realtek audio is integrated onto my motherboard and doesn’t require any additional purchases outside of pair of headphones or a speaker system. But I realize that the GSX 300 is designed for people who are either dissatisfied with their onboard audio or otherwise need a USB audio interface for clear sound through their stereo headphones.
With its compact design, the EPOS GSX 300 External Sound Card fit nicely onto my desktop without adding too much clutter.
The Focusrite Scarlett Solo is a relatively straightforward DAC that’s made to support XLR microphones, instruments, and headphones with a 1/4-inch jack. It’s certainly not designed for gaming. Instead, it’s geared more toward music, and you need third-party equalizer software to adjust it, but it supports a 24-bit, 192 kHz audio and delivers excellent stereo sound. It can also be enhanced with Windows Sonic spatial audio, which is built into Windows 10.
Although the GSX 300 comes out ahead in many respects, I was still quite impressed with the quality of the Focusrite Scarlett Solo. I couldn’t adjust the audio settings to match different games and genres without equalizer software, and it would be a pain to switch between profiles if I could, but it was enough to bring the haunting sounds of Hellblade to life. Plus, the Scarlett’s built-in amplifier provided me with extra volume if I needed it.
Being heard
Where the GSX 300 surpasses the Scarlett is with the outgoing communications. With the EPOS software, you can enhance your voice quality, adjust the microphone gain, and set up noise cancellation. The Focusrite allows you to manually adjust the gain using a dedicated knob, but it can still pick up a ton of environmental noise depending on the microphone you’re using. Having these settings helps if your headset doesn’t have built-in noise cancellation or if you’re looking to add to its capabilities.
On the other hand, peripherals such as the Turtle Beach Atlas Edge Audio Enhancer cost much less and allow generic headsets access to powerful audio software that leaves the EPOS utility in the dust. The trade-off is that you lose the audio knob, push-button profile switcher, and separate 3.5mm jacks. Still, the front panel controls might not be much of a sacrifice, considering how the GSX 300 spent most of its time turned around on my desk anyway.
The fact of the matter is, there are enough free and inexpensive audio options available to make the EPOS GSX 300 difficult to recommend unless you absolutely need a compact USB audio interface with a volume knob for your wired headset. Its software, which should be the centerpiece of this relatively straightforward device, is far too sparse and requires manual equalizer adjustments if you want to get the most out of it. Not to mention the poorly placed audio jacks and the rougher than expected installation process. Regardless, the GSX 300 delivers high-quality sound to ordinary stereo headphones. It’s far from being the perfect gaming-oriented USB audio interface, and it faces plenty of competition, but it gets the job done.
FAQs
Is epos GSX 300 worth it? ›
“The gamer seeking enhanced audio performance instead of relying on their PC on-board sound will find excellent value in the GSX 300 external sound card. Paired with a gaming headset, the GSX 300 together with the EPOS Gaming Suite delivers digital sound processing and customizable 7.1 EPOS Surround Sound.
How much is the GSX 300 worth? ›The EPOS | Sennheiser GSX 300 is a $79 USB-powered gaming headset amplifier and DAC designed for use with Windows(official site here). It is the first brand new product in the lineup released after the EPOS switch-over, and first went on sale in 2020.
What is the output impedance of GSX 300? ›The GSX 300 also has a limitation of impedance from 25 Ohms to 75 Ohms, which means the GSX 300 will be able to comfortably amplify any headset within that Ohm range.
When did epos GSX 300 come out? ›| Item model number | 1000201 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | EPOS | Sennheiser |
| ASIN | B088FXH2GK |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Date First Available | July 9, 2020 |
Bluetooth Connectivity
The EPOS Sennheiser wireless ADAPT range of headsets use the latest and the most stable software ever with a 25 metre range.
In 1985, Suzuki revolutionized the sportbike category with the introduction of the original GSX-R750, and then created another milestone in 2001 with the introduction of the GSX-R1000.
What is the top speed of a GSX E? ›...
| Suzuki GSX 250 E Performance | |
|---|---|
| Top Speed | 148.0 km/h (92.0 mph) |
| Acceleration 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) | - |
| Acceleration 0 to 400m (1/4 mile) | - |
Specifications are 202 horsepower at 13,200 rpm (claimed), 177.2 (rear wheel), 86 lb-ft torque at 10,000 rpm (claimed) and 76.3 lb⋅ft (103.4 N⋅m) (rear wheel); 76.0 mm x 55.1 mm bore x stroke, and 13.2:1 compression ratio.
How many ohms is high impedance headphones? ›Devices with an impedance score between 8 and 32 ohms are considered low-impedance devices, and you can comfortably use them with any battery-powered audio source. Devices with impedance higher than 100 ohms are considered high-impedance devices. They require the use of an amplifier and are mostly used in studios.
What is typical output impedance for guitar? ›The output impedance of most passive guitar pickups is in the 5 kΩ – 20 kΩ range. You can think of the output impedance of a guitar as its “resistance” to a fluctuating current flowing through it.
What is the typical input impedance audio amplifier? ›
Most power amplifiers have input impedances of at least 20kΩ and higher. Our own power amps, for example, have 30kΩ input impedance, high enough to never reduce bass levels of capacitor coupled preamplifiers, even if they are the vintage kind.
What does GSX mean on Suzuki? ›Suzuki's GSX-R supposedly stands for “Grand Sport eXperimental- Racing”, Honda's CB stands for “City Bike”, and CBR is short for “City Bike Racer” (or “racing”) not for “cross beam racer”.
Can a beginner ride a GSX-R600? ›With that said, the GSX-R 600 can be great for beginners. This is because of its powerband. At low RPMs, there isn't much power, relatively speaking. Keep the RPMs low for as many years as it takes, until you are absolutely sure you are skilled.
What is A and B mode on GSX-R600? ›A mode = full power. B mode = 750. C mode = 600.
Does epos gaming suite work with gsx 1000? ›First make sure your headset or sound card is compatible with the Gaming suite. The following devices are compatible H3 Pro hybrid, H3 Hybrid, GTW 270 hybrid, GTW 270, GSP 670, GSP 370, GSX 300, GSX 1000 II, B20.
When did the EPOS GSP 300 come out? ›| Brand | EPOS |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Sennheiser Communications |
| ASIN | B01KV3BB0S |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Date First Available | September 14, 2016 |
Introducing flagship ADAPT 660 headset powered by EPOS AI™ for modern professionals – work wherever, whenever. March 2, 2020: The newly established audio brand, EPOS, announces the launch of a co-branded EPOS | SENNHEISER product range, featuring the brand's flagship ADAPT 660 Bluetooth® headset.
Is EPOS audio good? ›EPOS has been making some of the best pro gaming headphones around, even after splitting from Sennheiser. I've listened to a couple of headphones from them, but this is the first time not only trying out one of their open-back models but one of their peripherals as well.
Is EPOS still owned by Sennheiser? ›EPOS Builds on the Former Joint Venture Sennheiser Communications. EPOS is not a new industry player – until 2020 we were known as Sennheiser Communications, a company established in 2003 as a joint venture between audio specialist Sennheiser and the world-leading hearing healthcare group, Demant.
Is epos gaming good? ›The EPOS H3PRO Hybrid is one of the best gaming headsets on the market. Everything from sound quality to ANC to connectivity are top shelf.
How much does GSX cost? ›
| One-Day Pass | Advance Price (through 31 July 2023) | Standard Price (1 August 2023 – onsite) |
|---|---|---|
| Non-Member | $695 | $695 |
| Includes the general session, concurrent sessions, access to the exhibit hall, and lunch on the day you attend. | ||
| Government & Military | $595 | $595 |
If you have a PMDG or Fenix aircraft and want to add a little extra realism, pick up GSX Pro. If you only fly the odd airliner or just the default airliners, GSX Pro is well worth the upgrade.
How many GSX were made? ›Big V-8 engines, strong suspension systems for better handling, top-notch interiors with bucket seats up front and high-line trim and low production numbers was the rule. A scant 8,732 GSX coupes were produced and only 1,416 convertibles.
How fast will a motorcycle go in first gear? ›You'll notice that the first gear is located below the neutral gear, and that's because it's not actually used for driving. It's for getting the motorcycle from a rest to a start. As a rule, the first gear should only be engaged between 0 km/h to 15 km/h.
What year did the GSX come out? ›The first GSX models were introduced in 1980 and represented the next step in Suzuki's four-stroke road bike range after the two-valve GS Series. In North America though, the Suzuki four-valve and two-valve four-stroke road bikes were both designated as Suzuki GS motorcycles.
What engine is in the GSX? ›| Engine | |
|---|---|
| Engine | 999.8cc, 4-stroke, liquid-cooled, 4-cylinder, DOHC |
| Bore x Stroke | 76.0 mm x 55.1 mm (2.992 in. x 2.169 in.) |
| Compression Ratio | 13.2:1 |
| Fuel System | Suzuki Fuel Injection with Ride-by-Wire 49mm throttle bodies |
The GSX-S has a sporty edge to it. The wide Renthal bars allow you to throw the friendly bike around. The Brembo radial brake calipers are almost a match for the GSX-R items and the GSX-S comes with three-way traction control for added support, whereas the sporty GSX-R doesn't have any rider aids.
What is the most powerful GSX-R? ›2023 GSX-R1000 | THE MOST POWERFUL YET | MANUFACTURER NEWS
The 2023 GSX-R1000 features the most powerful and technologically advanced engine to date, with 148.6kW (2oohp) at 13,200rpm and 117.6Nm of torque at 10,800rpm, channelled through a bi-directional quickshifter for smooth shifting up and down.
Generally, the higher the ohms, the better the sound quality, but if the amplifier used can supply the needed power.
Is it better to have a high or low impedance? ›Generally, the higher the impedance of a pair of headphones, the better the sound quality.
Do higher ohm headphones sound better? ›
So yes, higher the ohms better the sound experience; that is dependent on if you're using the appropriate amp to provide the required power, 100 ohms headphones plugged into a laptop will not get you the experience you expected, as most laptops support an impedance of only up to 32 ohms.
What is the best output impedance? ›A professional or “good” mic output impedance is in the range of 50 Ω – 500 Ω, though some pro mics have impedances slightly outside this range. So long as the output impedance is much lower (1/10th or less) than the load impedance, it is considered good!
What is the best input impedance for a guitar? ›The higher the input impedance, the better at the guitar amplifier. It's best to use a passive guitar pickup amplifier or preamp with a 1 million ohms or higher input impedance. If you are using an active pickup, it is critical to have an amplifier or preamp with an input impedance of at least 10,000 ohms.
What is the most common speaker impedance? ›If you're shopping around for speakers and take a look at the specs, you'll notice that most speakers are rated between 4 and 8 ohms. Since impedance is a measure of how much the speaker resists current, the lower the impedance in ohms, the more power the speaker will draw from your receiver.
Which amplifier has the highest output impedance? ›A transistor amplifier has high output impedance because the collector has reversed biased.
What is the best output impedance op amp? ›The output impedance of an ideal op amp is 0. This means that regardless of the amount of current drawn by an external load, the output voltage of the op amp remains unaffected. That is, no loading occurs.
What is a good output impedance of amplifier? ›That means the output impedance of your power amplifier should be at least 0.3 Ohms and probably better at 0.03 Ohms to really have very little affect. Tubes generally have higher output impedance than solid state products.
Why did Suzuki stop making GSX-R? ›The biggest reason for the discontinuation of the GSX-R1000 is because of the tightening emission standards in Japan. With the Reiwa emission regulations revised for the second year, perhaps Suzuki didn't see it fit to update the GSX-R1000.
What does the F stand for in GSXF? ›F - Standard; S - Sport; R - Supersport. SV = twin cylinder, V; GSX = four cylinder, inline. [edit: added punctuation for clarity] 11.
What is Suzuki quick shift? ›The quickshifter cuts the ignition, unloads the gearbox, making it possible for you to switch one gear up without closing the throttle.
Is it okay for a beginner to start on a 600cc motorcycle? ›
You can absolutely start on a 600cc motorcycle and it may make more sense for some people, but just note that the worldwide statistics are against you, and you may end up not reaching your potential as a good, great or excellent motorcycle rider.
Is Gixxer good for beginners? ›It is a bike made for daily purposes, long touring and for every thing . My friend owns duke 250 which has some heating issues in traffic but this bike doesn't have any heating issues and is less expensive than its nearest rival duke 250.
Can a beginner ride a GSX-R750? ›No. Even though it is not a litre class bike, it is really fast and accelerates faster than a jet airliner. The initial acceleration is more like a jet fighter than a quickish car.
How much HP does a GSXR 600 have? ›The 599 cc engine in the GSX-R600 is a transverse-mount, inline-four-cylinder that produces a claimed 124 horsepower and 51.3 pound-feet of torque.
What does motorbike mode do? ›It takes into account motorcycle speeds when calculating trip times and uses landmarks instead of street names for better orientation while traveling by two wheels instead of four. It also features custom routes, where it can tell drivers to avoid toll roads where motorcycles are prohibited, for example.
Is the GSX 1000 a good DAC? ›The Sennheiser GSX 1000 is a great DAC for gamers and those who can benefit from its many features. With support for a mic input, virtual surround sound, a screen interface, and more, Sennheiser's GSX 1000 is a great option for those who game often. It delivers plenty of features with only one drawback, the price.
What does the GSX 1000 do? ›Supercharge your gaming audio with the GSX 1000 2nd edition USB-A External Sound Card, featuring EPOS' best-in-class 7.1 surround sound and separate game audio and chat stream mixing. Switch instantly between 4 custom profiles, speaker or headset modes with fingertip touch control and black, tactile volume ring.
How much does the EPOS Adapt 660 weigh? ›Comfortable and ergonomic design
The EPOS Adapt 660 headsets are of high quality, elegant design, but above all comfortable to wear all day, even in the office. With its lightweight of 227 grams, it is stable and well distributed over several contact points to ensure a good fit.
A DAC provides better sound quality than an amplifier by reducing noise and distortion. It also has lower latency, which means that audio playback is faster and more immersive. Additionally, DACs are able to process high-resolution audio files, providing incredible detail in the sound.
Is a gaming DAC better than a regular DAC? ›Gaming DACs will improve the quality of your sound in the same way that a regular DAC would and will also give a bit more power compared to your motherboard audio. These devices have phenomenal system for virtual surround sound which are far superior to the virtual 7.1 surround sound built into gaming headsets.
Does a DAC make sound louder? ›
One method of increasing the overall volume of your music is by using an external DAC, as many are built with amplifiers.
What is the GameDAC? ›The GameDAC transforms any PS4 or PC into a high performance audio source by bypassing the low fidelity, poor quality DACs found in typical console controllers, USB headsets, and PC sound cards.
What does EPOS gaming suite do? ›EPOS Gaming Suite is a distinctive software product which seamlessly integrates into ahighly efficient audio chain, offering gamers a wide range of valuable playback and recording adjustments and enhancements intuitively tailored to the specific EPOS equipment connected.
What does GSX-R stand for? ›Suzuki's GSX-R supposedly stands for “Grand Sport eXperimental- Racing”, Honda's CB stands for “City Bike”, and CBR is short for “City Bike Racer” (or “racing”) not for “cross beam racer”.
How long is the battery life on the EPOS 660? ›EPOS Adapt 660: Battery and Features
EPOS estimates that the battery will last 'up to 30 hours' with ANC on and Bluetooth turned off — which isn't how we expect most people to use their headphones.
The EPOS|SENNHEISER Game Zero measures 90mm x 180mm x 175mm and weighs 300g.
How much does the EPOS h3 Pro Hybrid weigh? ›The three-material approach makes the headset pretty comfortable. The H3PRO Hybrid is made primarily of hard plastic, with a steel strip running through the headband. It feels sturdy, but at 309g, it doesn't feel especially heavy.