2021 has been a great year for EPOS. Multiple headset and earbud launches have all hit home, and the Danish gaming hardware manufacturer moves from strength to strength.

The EPOS H6PRO wired gaming headset becomes the company's newest flagship, taking the well-received H3 headset, applying some excellent shine and several coats of paint, along with EPOS' now-trademark audio quality.

In short, the H6PRO is a well-rounded wired gaming headset, delivering supremely comfortable earpads, detailed and precise sound, and much more in two different tidy packages: open-back and closed-back.

If you like the sound of that and are wondering what the difference between the closed-back and open-back build is, keep reading for our hands-on EPOS H6PRO review.

EPOS H6PRO: Style and Features

The EPOS H6PRO looks very similar to the H3 and the H3 Hybrid, both of which we loved during our review. That the H6PRO uses a similar style is no bad thing, as both of those headsets were comfortable for hours at a time, well-built, and a great shout for any gamer.

What is different with the H6PRO is that it now comes in two varieties: open-back and closed-back. I've been lucky enough to test each version of the H6PRO out, so I can give you a bit of an overview of how the design differences affect audio output—but more on that in a moment.

In terms of outright style, the closed-back version of the H6PRO, seen below in Racing Green, and the open-back version, seen below in Ghost White, are similarly matched. The open-back option has a mesh on the rear to allow for greater airflow into and out of the headset, something which changes the audio profile of the open-back version versus its closed-back sibling.

Furthermore, the open-back H6PRO has a different set of earpads from the closed version. The open-back H6PRO earpads are much softer, featuring cushioned, breathable earpads that suit its more open, airy design. Conversely, the closed H6PRO comes with soft, leatherette earpads reminiscent of the H3 Hybrid headset. I have to say, each option is comfortable and fits nicely around my ears. The first few wears were a little tight, but after adjusting the cushioned headband and two-axis hinges and just letting the headsets wear in, they're good to go for hours at a time. Indeed, I can wear them for a whole day of working without issue!

You'll find a handy volume control scroll dial on the outside of the right earcup on each model. The scroll motion works well and is very responsive, and EPOS has definitely improved this from its H3 Hybrid (where it was a little janky, but still functional). Now, the movement is smooth and audio adjustment is easy and precise, so, a nice upgrade.

Another key feature for the H6PRO is the adjustable and removable microphone. The ease with which you can pop the microphone off and on is great, the magnetic clasp working perfectly each time. When in place, the microphone doesn't feel like it will fall out of position, and you can move it around with ease. Then, it's simple to pop it off if you want to use the H6PRO without it, or even use the headset as a set of regular headphones. If you do decide to do that and want to take the H6PRO out of the house, EPOS includes a small cover for the magnetic microphone mount in the box.

One thing to note is that the H6PRO is a wired gaming headset, reagrdless of which style you choose. In the box, you'll find a 3.5mm jack lead, one end which you'll plug into the headset and the other into your device. There's a 1.5m cable for consoles and a 2m cable for connecting to a PC (with separate 3.5mm jacks for microphone and audio input). Oh, and talking of devices, as this is a wired gaming headset, the H6PRO is compatible with PlayStation 5/4, Xbox Series X/S/One, Nintendo Switch, smartphones (where supported), and of course, your PC.

In terms of weight, there is very little difference between the two, with the H6PRO closed weighing in at 322g (11.35oz) and the H6PRO open weighing in at 309g (10.89oz). They're not the lightest headsets ever, but that said, 10-12oz is a perfectly reasonable weight for a gaming headset.

EPOS H6PRO: Sound Quality

In many ways, the H6PRO actually had a lot to live up to. Given the successes and overwhelmingly positive reviews ladled onto the H3 and H3 Hybrid, the EPOS H6PRO has more to lose than its predecessors.

Thankfully, EPOS hasn't attempted anything outrageous with the H6PRO soundscape, keeping to the tried and tested balanced audio found in both those headsets. As a result, the H6PRO sound quality is top-notch, delivering detailed and precise sound in various games, music, films, or otherwise. The 42mm Neodymium drivers (2mm larger than the H3 and H3 Hybrid) add a little extra oomph, most noticeable in the low-end but without distracting from or distorting the overall audio output. The H6PRO also comes with a slightly wider frequency response, increasing to 10-30,000Hz, plenty enough to capture every possible sound your ears can hear.

You will find a difference between the closed-back and open-back H6PRO variants, but this is exactly what EPOS set out to achieve.

The closed-back H6PRO headset is better for passive noise reduction, it's sealed earcups protecting against external noise intrusion and keeping your audio focused on your ears. Blocking out external sound is one thing, but the closed-back headset definitely has a stronger low and mid-range as the audio isn't escaping from the rear of the headset. Adding to that, the closed-back headset's leatherette cushioned earpads also work to contain your audio, again helping to deliver what amounts to, for me at least, greater depth of sound.

Now, that's not to say the open-back H6PRO headset cannot compete with the closed-back. On the contrary, it provides a different listening experience, the audio output sounding light but not lacking in detail. Furthermore, the earpads on the open-back version are lovely, made from a breathable mesh material that stops your ears from getting hot. So, while the closed-back H6PRO probably just edges it in terms of overall audio quality, the open-back version is incredibly comfortable, especially if you're going to be wearing the headset for a long period.

Overall, though, both H6PRO headsets deliver a balanced sound. It's not a neutral sound, so don't get muddled. There is some bass and treble tuning in there. But what EPOS has done is tune artfully, ensuring that the H6PRO headset sounds great, be that closed or open back.

EPOS H6PRO Microphone

The H6PROs detachable microphone is also of good quality. Like most gaming headset microphones, you're never really going to beat out a proper mic, but the H6PRO microphone makes a decent fist of it. Its 10-10,000Hz frequency response means the bidirectional microphone is accurate, and during online games or just chatting in Discord with friends, there were never any issues regarding being heard.

Again, it's not going to replace your dedicated desktop microphone, but it's perfectly reasonable for gaming and chatting (although probably not for anything like podcasting or otherwise).

Is the EPOS H6PRO Worth the Money?

Now, let's get down to the real talk: how much does the H6PRO cost, and is it worth the money?

Currently, the EPOS H6PRO Closed and H6PRO Open both retail for $180, which we have to say, isn't the cheapest for a wired gaming headset. In fact, it pushes the H6PRO more towards what you'd expect to pay for a decent set of wireless gaming cans.

But while on the face of it that sounds like a big outlay for a wired gaming headset, bear in mind the audio quality EPOS brings to all of its hardware. The EPOS H6PRO is no different, delivering brilliant, balanced audio in a well-built overall product. Another thing is that, as far as gaming headsets go, the H6PRO looks great. No flashy RGB, no edgy design flourishes; just a well-crafted and developed gaming headset that will suit any gamer. I'd maybe like to see a little less plastic in future upgrades, but that's not really a bone of contention, and it certainly doesn't detract from the audio, the focal point for most potential users.

Of course, if you want EPOS' outstanding audio hardware but demand a wireless connection, you should check out the H3 Hybrid, which also retails for $180 but has Bluetooth support.

No matter which version of the EPOS H6PRO you opt for, you won't be disappointed.