Hardware & Technical Headphones - Physical 5.1 or Virtual 7.1...

Richard Voorhees

R
...and why?

I'm all set up now with my new rig(with the exception of new monitorage, which will come in a couple of months time) but am starting to get some funny looks from the OH when listening to music, gaming etc. The subwoofer may have something to do with it....:D. So, I'm thinking of getting some headphones for when ONLY LOUD WILL DO!!!

Any recommendations anyone?

The phones can be played either via USB or plugged into the soundcard, if that helps.
 

Lee Storm

Lee Storm
I've got to stick with some very old but still working great "Creative Inspire T7900 7.1 Surround Sound speakers"

Not just because of the excellent 7.1 sound, but because the wife would kill me if I didn't hear her yelling, when wearing headphones.

I just need to soundproof the game room next, but then I'd not be able to hear her yelling.. Oh the calamity.

But I've owned a pair of razors 5.1 surround sound headphones and I feel that overall, the speaker system is a far better runner in positional audio compared to headphones.

If you're wanting to see if there is a noticeable difference in 5.1 and 7.1
Personally I didn't, but that could be down to the games played.
 

Kroy

Kroy
I got these as a birthday present a few years ago: razer megadalon. I have other circumaural (denon and a cheapcrappo pair) for music, and the razer set is far more comfortable. The surround sound is software driven, and it's OK. Not brilliant, but ok. It tends to make sound boomier, slightly extra reverb perhaps, but lacks the clarity and accuracy of surround sound from a set of speakers. However, for comfort, I'm am massively impressed. I have a big bonce, and big ears and this thing sits comfortably on me for hours. Good quality mic too.

TurtleBeach used to make good stuff for PC surroundsound headsets, using separate speakers. Not sure if it's still up to scratch.
 

Kroy

Kroy
If you did decide to go with a pair of 5.1 or 7.1 headphones, I would be inclined to go with one that has distinct speakers, I'm not overly convinced about the software generated surround sound offering enough of a distinct sound when you need it most.
 

Richard Voorhees

R
Had a look at all the suggestions from you guys plus a load of others I've come across while trawling about. But still can't decide.

So, any more suggestions? I'm prepared to pay £100ish, maybe a bit more. I'd prefer a wired set (to the jack on my sound card), unless someone can convince me that wireless is the way forward. If it makes any difference, I plan to add OR when the retail kit is released (unless someone can convince me TrackIR is the way forward :p - but that might be another thread :D ).

As usual, all help greatly appreciated.
 

bitrogue

bitrogue
This may not be the answer you're looking for, but about 2 years ago I was in the market for a pair of 5.1 headphones. However, every critical review I came across denounced the ability of multichannel headphones to deliver. Either the USB soundcard they came with was substandard or the speakers themselves were poor. The crux of it is that there are sacrifices manufacturers have to make to squeeze all that tech into such a small space, so quality has to suffer somewhere. In the end I upgraded the sound card to an X-Fi Titanium and bought a set of massive Sennheiser stereo cans which are absolutely brilliant. I can wear them all day without discomfort and they sound beautiful.
 

Richard Voorhees

R
bitrogue said:
This may not be the answer you're looking for, but about 2 years ago I was in the market for a pair of 5.1 headphones. However, every critical review I came across denounced the ability of multichannel headphones to deliver. Either the USB soundcard they came with was substandard or the speakers themselves were poor. The crux of it is that there are sacrifices manufacturers have to make to squeeze all that tech into such a small space, so quality has to suffer somewhere. In the end I upgraded the sound card to an X-Fi Titanium and bought a set of massive Sennheiser stereo cans which are absolutely brilliant. I can wear them all day without discomfort and they sound beautiful.
Click to expand...

I've got the Soundblaster Z sound card, so that might work for me.
 

bitrogue

bitrogue
RichardVoorhees said:
I've got the Soundblaster Z sound card, so that might work for me.
Click to expand...

OK, not too familiar with the 'Z' range of sound blaster cards (I tend to upgrade mine only once a decade and then forget about them), but as long as it supports the HRTF (head related transfer function) which mixes 5.1 into stereo then it should be fine. I've forgotten the exact settings for it, but a quick google seems to bring up lots of info.
 

Dejay

Dejay
I tried two different 5.1 headphones. Both broke, the Roccat Kave fell down from my table and broke, the other Speed Link Medusa 5.1 had an internal wire loose. As others have said, the sound isn't too great, but for explosions sound quality doesn't bother me too much. Even with physical 5.1 the 3D placement of sound to the back / front was barely there.

All in all I think real surround speaker are best, even if the cables are a hassle. Especially if you plan on getting the oculus rift, then you don't want more weight on your head :)
 

Dejay

Dejay
I thought I've posted this here, but if you're interested, you can try out razer surround. It's a software to generate "virtual surround" sound for any kind of headphones. It creates a virtual 7.1 surround soundcard and generate a virtual surround signal for stereo headphones. Only disadvantage is that razer privacy policy is a bit dingy.

EDIT: I've googled a bit more about this. Besides the razer surround, there also was a "myears.net.au" software that enabled you to create a PERSONALIZED head related transfer function but they seem defunct now. Also creates a virtual sound cable for headphones. According to some reviews it was much better than CMSS 3D and SBX. You had to create a profile by listening and placing sounds, and it "reverse calculated" your personal HRTF. Ah well. Cost 20$ per year though, really lousy pricing model.

PS: I just found these Superlux HD681 headphones who apparently over very good sound for the low price. If anyone knows other good headphones at a rather low price please let me know.
 
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