Surround headphones or not - with the new audio tech in game

verminstar

Banned
verminstar
I feel left out with my trusty turtle beach headphones now. I do have a full surround system with dual subs and a standalone amplifier...I also live in a mid terrace house and have a small family, daughter and partner sorta deal who are watching the box less than ten feet away so headphones are sorta essential unless I kick them both out...along with both dogs and the cat...and bribe the neighbours.

Headphones are easier and better imo...others will disagree but when ye have to keep the volume so low ye can barely make it out, then headphones it is...

On the plus side, the mic can be plugged in or out with ease and the sound is hard to beat...even the subtle background sounds are much cleaner with cans and no neighbours banging on the walls every time I charge up the friendship drive...the surround sound makes the windows vibrate and the walls are thin ^
 
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the100thmonkey

the100thmonkey
As someone else above said: just buy a pair of headphones made by people who know how to make headphones.

When it comes to peripherals, "gaming" should be read as a synonym for "overpriced crap." As with any product, there are diminishing returns for the extra cash you invest. With "gaming" headsets, you're basically paying a premium for gawdy designs that adults think appeal to 14 year old boys.

There's a reason that semiconductor manufacturers have started expanding into peripherals: brand-loaded mark-up. The headphones are likely crap, but slap a brand on there and you can sell it for twice the manufacturing cost.
 
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koop26

koop26
I have expensive "gaming" headphones with dolby surround (Astro A40s) built into the mixamp. I also have Philips Fidelio X2s which are high end open back cans generally respected for a powerful U-shaped sound signature.

While I'm not an audiophile or incredibly versed with surround sound technology, I can say with confidence that spacial awareness in a great open headset is just as good as most closed gaming headsets with the sound processing turned on for surround. And open studio quality cans have much better detail to boot.

The reason why I use my Astros on a frequent basis is convenience. I'm not so invested in pristine SQ that I'm going to put a big Mic on my desk and fiddle with background noise reduction and all that. The Astros have a good mic, the software is easy to manage, the headphones have earcups that for open and closed setups and they sound more than adequate for what I want out of GAMING.

If I actually want to sit there and jam out to music, the idea of using a dedicated gaming set is terrifying.
 

Para Handy

Para Handy
I bought HyperX Cloud II headset just for using in-game and it is so comfortable to wear that any slight reduction in audio quality that there might be (and honestly I can't hear any) is more than compensated for. Sound quality wise, it has a very pleasant response I think. It is possibly the most comfortable headset I have ever used and I have used many different headphones / headsets in my life, from professional ultra-expensive aviation stuff through studio equipment to highly-regarded "audiophile" headphones.

The 7.1 DSP emulator does produce an effect but I honestly don't usually have it enabled.
 

Moog

M
I have a pair of Roccat Kave XTD 5.1 Analogue surround sound headphones for gaming which have 3 drivers per ear. This is not virtual surround sound and actually needs proper 5.1 surround sound to work. I have to set Elite's sound to normal 5.1 (the virtual surround setting stops it working since it only uses 1 driver in each ear). For gaming these work very well and are extremely useful in multiplayer FPS when you can hear someone sneaking up behind you. They work quite well in ED but since positional awareness is not so important, you may want to stick to a set of quality stereo headphones. For listening to music I use a pair of AKGs and a half decent DAC since they focus on sound quality and not 3D effects.
 

Para Handy

Para Handy
CMDR Ofan said:
Do you have any whine issues/background noise problems with USB power delivery. I have had several supposedly 'high end' USB headsets and because I have sensitive hearing way beyond my years (age and it's negative corre to high freq noises) It was so irritating I have had to stuff them all in a wardrobe and get a decent sound card and wired set. I was looking at the Cloud II because the experience with the prev wired iteration was fantastic but the thought of more audio over USB makes me grit my teeth.

Can you hear anything, if so does it irritate or can it be 'tuned out'/ignored?
Click to expand...

I missed this post when I did my earlier reply, sorry.

There is no artefact noticeable behind (over/under/whatever) the audio signal via the HyperX Cloud II's USB dongle when the 7.1 DSP is not enabled. When it is enabled there is a change in the "feel" of the sound, no whine or hum, but you can tell that the DSP is doing something. For example if I listen to a FLAC of a Chopin nocturne nor example, the clear precise stereo of the quiet piano is noticeably more "brilliant" if that is a reasonable explanation. It is not at all unpleasant, it is not as if it is trying to DSP a concert hall or something but it is noticeable.

(P.S. I have a good frequency range in my hearing too so I am sure I would notice any high-pitched hum.)

EDIT:

P.P.S. In case I didn't make myself clear earlier, the reason I bought these is purely the comfort factor. Yes the sound quality was a factor as was the noise-cancelling performance for the mic but "7.1 Surround" in a par of cans is just DSP and was not a factor in picking them.

P.P.P.S. - The packaging was really OTT quality. ;)
 
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VR andysonofbob

VR andysonofbob
Thanks for the help

I am loving the HyperX Cloud IIs :)

I have tried the ED DSP and compared it to the Cloud's dongle surround. I think there is a noticable difference in quality, with the Cloud winning. As MalcYorks says, it does sound more 'brilliant'. Also, I noticed the announcer in the station move 'above' my head as I entered the dock. I didn't notice this with ED's DSP.

What does DSP stand for? Dynamic Surround P?

Edit:

Thanks Google: Digital Signal Processor
 
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babelfisch

babelfisch
Connor Caple said:
I have good hearing and the Sony Gold 2.0 wireless Surround Headset. I hear the surround sound and it's amazing compared to Stereo. I can tell when things are behind/above/below me. Very useful in Battlefield.

You can pick the Sony headset up for about £50 if you shop around. I have 2, because it works so well. The Surround works on PC too, contrary to popular opinion. You just alter a setting in the sound setup.

Buy what YOU want and ignore the rest of us. [up]

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/e6/6c/a0/e66ca06eaaadcb0e70d46a267a998a5e.jpg
Click to expand...

I can do the same with my stereo headphones, actually it works better than all surround headphones I've tried...But you are right, best thing is to try different headphones and chose those that meet your personal preference.
 

Kaltern

Kaltern
Cloud II's are awesome. The Cloud Revolver is even better - sound wise. But they changed the design, and they quite literally fall off your head if you even scratch your nose.

Oh and don't for pity's sake, use the 7.1 built into the USB controller - it's is garbage. Use the DTS built into Elite, or buy a Dolby 3D Headphone compatible soundcard, or an old X-Fi card with CMSS - they're both very good at emulating surround. You'll never get it as good as a speaker system, but I think all these options are good enough.
 
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