Sennheiser G4ME Zero

dazzaw · 11 Jan 2015 at 00:52

I purchased a pair of Sennheiser G4ME Zeros today and i was looking forward to getting them on my PC and hearing my games sounding even better than my Sennheiser PC360s which im replacing (worn them out)

My sound card is a Sound Blaster Z which supports high impedance headphone.

I was disappointed to hear my Zeros sounding aweful, very tinny and no bass. The earbud headphones I got with my phone sound better

So Im going to have to send them back but before I do I figured Id post here to see if im missing something as all the reviews are singing the praises of them and my sound card should be more than upto powering them.

So am I missing something, is it as simple as plugging them in and they sound awesome

rids57 · 11 Jan 2015 at 05:02

If it was as a replacement for the PC360 wouldn't you have been better off with the G4ME ONE, which is open backed like the PC 360?

If anything the G4ME Zero should have more bass (from internal reflections) as it's a closed back design.

What's puzzling is that the change from PC350/PC360 to G4ME Zero/G4ME One was mostly cosmetic.

dazzaw · 11 Jan 2015 at 10:52

I should point out that I'm not an "audio guy" i don't really understand the terms open back and closed etc. I purchased these as a replacement for a broken pc360 not an upgrade, after reading a lot of reviews. As the zeros got better reviews that the ones and overclockers sells them for pretty much the same price.

zoomee · 11 Jan 2015 at 11:10

The bass should improve - don't forget you have to bed new headphones in too.
Got a set of Game One's and I love them to bits. Used to have a set of PC-350's and other than the PC-350's requiring a bit more power and the obvious closed/open design backs there wasn't much difference between the two.

Marsman · 11 Jan 2015 at 12:26

dazzaw said:
I should point out that I'm not an "audio guy" i don't really understand the terms open back and closed etc. I purchased these as a replacement for a broken pc360 not an upgrade, after reading a lot of reviews. As the zeros got better reviews that the ones and overclockers sells them for pretty much the same price.

Closed means outer part of the ear cup is sealed, meaning less noise can get in and out. Open means the outer part is like a grille design, allowing noise in and out.

Both types allow different sound characteristics, and both excel in different areas. Closed headphones have generally more bass, whereas open headphones have a better sound stage, which means the sounds have more separation and don't sound like they are all coming from one place.

As rids has said, the Zero should have more bass, due to being a closed design. Zoomee also has a point that headphones take time to bed or burn in. Many believe that after so much usage, the characteristics change. They loosen up, if you like.

The problem with waiting for new headphones to bed in, before one decides whether to keep them or not, is that the 7 day DSR passes and the window to return for a refund is missed, should the user decide they don't like them. If you're unsure, best to go with your initial feeling.

Sennheiser had this problem with the original 350, lack of bass. They improved the bass quite substantially with the 350SE. If the Zero replaces the 350SE, surely they haven't gone and taken a step backwards again?

dazzaw · 11 Jan 2015 at 16:52

Ive been playing a few games today and they seem to be a little better. One thing I did notice is the foam ear cups were on upside down which was pushing the bottom of the headphones away from my ears. Ive turned them around and they do sound better now. I cant get to OCUK to return them till the end of the week anyway so I think Ill give them a week to see if they do indeed break in. My PC360s were very bassy (maybe excessively), might also be a case of I need to "retrain" my ears to a more normal level of bass?

Dougsnake · 11 Jan 2015 at 16:56

Felt same when I first got my pc360s I just left them playing a few hours of music and they did improve lots when I put them back on..worth a try anyway

Marsman · 11 Jan 2015 at 17:46

dazzaw said:
Ive been playing a few games today and they seem to be a little better. One thing I did notice is the foam ear cups were on upside down which was pushing the bottom of the headphones away from my ears. Ive turned them around and they do sound better now. I cant get to OCUK to return them till the end of the week anyway so I think Ill give them a week to see if they do indeed break in. My PC360s were very bassy (maybe excessively), might also be a case of I need to "retrain" my ears to a more normal level of bass?

Could be a reason. The seating of headphones and pieces of foam can make a noticeable difference.

I'm surprised you thought the 360 were possibly too bassy. You're opinion isn't wrong, it's just I've not seen anyone else say that; but then, that's the thing with audio, opinions do vary quite a bit with the same gear.

If the Zero is less bassy for whatever reason, then it's understandable that you might find them lacking a little, as you will be used to the 360. You should adjust though.