Sennheiser Gaming Headsets Getting the Boot from Epos: Is This a Business Move or an Indication of Market Trends?
In a significant move, audio equipment manufacturer Epos has announced its exit from the gaming headset market. The company, which inherited Sennheiser's enterprise and gaming divisions in 2020, has decided to focus on enterprise communication solutions moving forward.
This strategic move is aimed at capitalising on a more stable and potentially more profitable market. The enterprise sector, with its consistent demand for reliable and high-quality communication tools, offers a less volatile environment compared to the consumer-driven gaming market.
As a result of Epos's departure, competitors like Logitech (with its Astro A50 X) and SteelSeries have gained prominence, offering feature-rich and multiplatform headsets that appeal to gamers seeking advanced functionality such as HDMI switchers and active noise cancellation.
Brands may feel incentivized to innovate in areas where Epos was strong, such as microphone quality and comfort, given the positive reception of the H3 series’ microphone and design. Some Epos gaming headsets are still recommended as top alternatives for gamers due to their sound quality and comfort despite the company ceasing new developments in the space.
The gaming headset market will continue to evolve, with or without Epos. Other firms have advanced wireless earbuds that cater to mobile gaming, indicating a diversification of gaming audio peripherals beyond traditional headsets, a space Epos formerly participated in.
Epos's exit from the gaming headset market in 2023 has not erased the company’s presence completely. Some older models like the Epos H3 Hybrid remain well-regarded for their audio quality, build, and comfort at mainstream price points.
While Epos is exiting the gaming headset market, the company is not disappearing. Instead, it is embarking on a new chapter, focusing on enterprise communication solutions. The future of Epos likely involves focusing on other audio sectors or product lines outside mainstream gaming peripherals.
For those interested in learning more about the gaming industry, resources such as Newzoo, GamesIndustry.biz, and The NPD Group provide market intelligence, news, analysis, and data on the global games market and the video game industry.
[1] Newzoo (2023). Global Games Market Report 2023. Retrieved from https://newzoo.com/insights/reports/global-games-market-report/ [2] GamesIndustry.biz (2023). Epos Exits Gaming Headset Market. Retrieved from https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2023-03-15-epos-exits-gaming-headset-market [3] The NPD Group (2023). Gaming Headset Market Trends 2023. Retrieved from https://www.npd.com/wps/portal/npd/us/news/press-releases/gaming-headset-market-trends-2023/ [4] TechRadar (2023). Best Gaming Headsets 2023. Retrieved from https://www.techradar.com/best/gaming-headsets
- The exit of Epos from the gaming headset market in 2023 opens up opportunities for competitors like Logitech and SteelSeries, encouraging them to innovate in areas such as microphone quality and comfort.
- With Epos focusing on enterprise communication solutions, the future of the company may include expanding its presence in other audio sectors or exploring new product lines outside mainstream gaming peripherals.
- As the gaming headset market evolves, a growing trend can be seen in the development of advanced wireless earbuds catering to mobile gaming, indicating a diversification beyond traditional headsets in the gaming audio peripherals industry.
- News, analysis, and insights on the global games market, including the competitive landscape of gaming headsets, can be found in resources like Newzoo, GamesIndustry.biz, and The NPD Group.
- Artificial intelligence and technological advancements are making news in the gaming industry, with companies like Epos leveraging artificial-intelligence technologies to improve their enterprise communication solutions.
- From analyzing market trends and news to finding recommended alternatives for gamers, tech publications like TechRadar can offer valuable insights into the fusion of gaming, technology, gadgets, and artificial-intelligence.
