MSI GH61 Gaming Headset & HS01 Stand Review

Tired of making compromises when picking your new headset? The new MSI HS01 seems to be packing an unbelievable level of features and hardware for an even more unbelievable price. When it comes to picking a new headset, you’re hardly short on choice, with every major brand having something for every price range. The more features and quality you want, the price goes up. So, has MSI compromised on quality to get the features in?

MSI GH61 Headset

The headset features their fantastic ESS Sabre DAC and AMP hardware, allowing the headset to deliver Hi-Res audio and Nahimic processing. They’re even touting branded drivers from Onkyo, which is certainly something new for the gaming headset market. You even get both USB and 3.5mm compatibility, surround sound processing and a retractable microphone. That’s a LOT of features and impressive buzz words, but I’m eager to hear how it performs.

Features

• Hi-Res Virtual 7.1 Surround Sound
• Speakers Installed by ONKYO
• Built-in ESS DAC & AMP
• High-Quality Retractable Microphone
• USB & 3.5mm Audio Connectors
• Supported by Nahimic for Headset

MSI HS01 Headset Stand

Of course, that’s not all that MSI has sent me for review, as I also have their new HS01 Headset Stand, which features a solid metal design, and room to hang your headset and hold your phone. I mean, there’s not a whole lot more to say about that, but you’ll be seeing more of it throughout this review.

Features

• Solid Metallic Design
• Stable Headset Hanger
• Sturdy Cell Phone Holder
• Non-slip Base

“The metallic design with premium construction creates a powerful showcase for your headset. The universal hanger is compatible with most headsets and makes your headset stay safe and easy to access.” – MSI

Packaging

Both products come in fairly large boxes, but have a matching theme with the monochrome box design and a nice big photo of the product its self.

Around the back, you get all the lovely technical stuff, but it’s nothing we haven’t covered already.

The stand comes pre-built and ready to rock. However, there’s an optional USB-C cable and a Qi charging pad that you can apply to it too.

The Qi pad is also RGB lit, which can be controlled through the usual MSI software.

As for the headset, when you open up the box, you’ll find this gorgeous hard case with handle!

The headset, the cables, the extra ear pads, etc, are all tucked snugly inside that.

A Closer Look

The headset comes hard-wired with a black braided cable and a 3.5mm 4-pole jack. That means you can plug it into a console controller, mobile device, or just about anything really and it’ll work just fine.

However, you also get this USB powered AMP/DAC combo with built-in controls. This is ideally what you want to use the headset with on PC for the best performance

There’s a huge clip on the back with a heavy spring.

Perfect for clipping to your shirt, so the headset cable is unlikely to pull away the headset.

It’s a nice size controller too, with very easy to reach and use buttons. Volume, microphone mute and surround on/off, nice and simple.

The headset its self is full of ergonomic tricks and treats. It can fold in on its self, which makes it easier to store in the carry case, and just smaller in general for storing in a backpack, drawer, etc.

The ear cups themselves can be rotated too, allowing you to wear the headset comfortably around your neck between uses.

Of course, a little wiggle in either direction always helps with the overall fit too, ensuring the ear cups are evenly balanced.

They’re also mounted on a small pivot, allowing each driver some further angle adjustment. This is also vital to ensuring a balanced fit. The headset has a firm clamping force, but all that movement in the mount means it doesn’t feel forceful and distributes really well.

There’s a metal headband, allowing for a huge range of size adjustment too. Normally I have to max these out, but I only needed about half what was on offer for a comfortable fit. Beldar Conehead will be pleased with this.

The headband has this incredible soft padding on it too. It feels like a soft air cushion, but is coated with a slightly grippy rubber finish so the headset doesn’t slide around.

It’s not a particularly heavy headset, but this cushion soaks up most of the weight anyway and really helps with the long-term comfort.

Tucked into the bottom of the left ear cup, you’ll find the hard-wired cable, as well as a retractable microphone boom.

It’s a simple flexible boom, so easy enough to work with and just slides back in when you’re done with it.

Performance

The MSI GH61 features some pretty exciting audio hardware, especially for something in this price range. It’s not a particularly heavy headset, it does have a lot of plastic here. However, they’ve stuck with a closed-back design, albeit one that looks semi-open, but I assure you it is closed.

That closed-back design helps lock in the sound and block out ambient noise. The effect is more pronounced with the PU leather earpads on, and less so with the foam earpads installed. What this does though is lock-in air, giving you a deeper low-end response and basically just more bass from those lovely Onkyo speakers.

I’m actually a bit of a fan and user of Onkyo AV equipment, so I know they can do good work. What they’ve done here? I’m not 100% sure, but they’re willing to put their name on the box, so they must be confident it was worth it. That being said, the drivers do sound really fantastic. With Hi-Res audio support, you’ll find the extended range of the drivers really brings out a lot of detail in… well, everything actually. They’re just really balanced and crisp sounding drivers, and that’s a rare thing in a sub £100 gaming headset.

With the built-in ESS Saber DAC and AMP at work, the sound really is pin sharp. Plus, with the Nahimic software on desktop, you can tinker with the mix and EQ a bit too. It’s not the most advanced software ever, but it’s enough for tweaking the sound if you need to. Honestly, I suggest leaving it well along, as the stock sound just seems right to me. The only downside of Nahimic 7.1 processing is that you need the software loaded for it. It’s great processing, but if you have something like Atmos for Headphone or DTS:X Headphone, you could use those too and all work really well.

The headset have multiple profiles for the EQ, offering surround sound modes and bass levels, etc, for Movies, Music and Games. However, I saw no real benefit in making them all different. The headset performed well right out of the box. Big volume, big sound, endless clarity, no distortion, and bass that always felt like enough, and was never excessive. A big thumbs up really.

The software is well presented overall, albeit if you’re not using the EQ or the surround processing, it’s not actually needed either, so don’t feel like you have to rely on it. However, it does allow some nice features such as volume stabilizer. I’m not fussed for those features myself, but hey, I’m not everybody. I love the little “try” button on every tab though, each with a nice sample file to test everything.

p>

How Much Does it Cost?

I’m not 100% sure what this headset is supposed to cost, as the range of prices at some retailers can be £75, while another will charge £120. I think the right price is £84.99 though, that seems to fit my expectations of it, and if you can find it a little lower than that, then you’re seriously winning.

The HS01 Combo is just £44.52, which I think is fair given the aluminium construction, it looks great, and it’s functional. Of course, it also includes an RGB light and Qi charger. Want it without the charger and light? You can grab this version for just £29.

Overview

MSI has been pretty brave with this headset, really cramming in a lot of features for such a low price. I’m not saying the headset is cheap, but it’s very competitively priced. Most of these features and this level of acoustic performance would typically be found on a £150-200 headset.

I think it doesn’t quite feel like a flagship headset. It doesn’t have the weight and materials I would expect. I’m politely saying it has a lot of fairly normal plastics on it really. They’re not bad, actually, they’re what anyone would expect on a sub £100 headset. But therein lies the question, where is MSI making money on this?

The only minor faults I can find are there’s a slight squeak on the left ear cup adjustment, but that’s not an issue while wearing it. The cable braiding is a bit hard-wearing too and can rasp against its self… so nothing major really.

They’ve equipped it with a USB soundcard that can do Hi-Res audio through those lovely Onkyo drivers, which are seriously impressive. The Nahimic software works well too, giving you some decent surround processing for your movies and games.

Oh but wait, you also get loads of ergonomics features, such as the metal interior on the headband, slide locking adjustment, rotating ear cups, pivot mounts, and even that on-cable controller has a sturdy clip.

Of course, I’m nearly forgetting the second set of ear cups, and all that lovely padding that came in the hard case. Wait a moment, this headset, all that audio hardware, ergonomics, controller, ear cups, hard case… AND the noise-cancelling microphone, phew! How on Earth is MSI making a profit on this?

Great acoustic performance, comfortable ergonomics and a level of features you at half the price you would expect. Very impressive.