5.1 or 7.1 Headset Recommendations? - Tech Support Forums

ShyguyXPC · May 19th, 2008, 11:15 PM

Wondering if any one has any suggestions for a Good Circamaural Surround sound headset, looking for one of those 5.1 or 7.1 sets, but I really don't want one with a USB dongle that converts the audio to Virtual surround... is there any out there that can be plugged into the sound card (via 3.5mm jack or coaxial SPDIF out) & get 5.1 or 7.1 from the card? (or if possible, connect to Home Theaters headphone output, not sure if that will output 5.1 or standard stereo?)... If what I'm looking for is currently only really available in USB, then what would be the best suggestions?

looking for a good headset (with or without Mic, wired or wireless). tired of missing out on surround sound when using my Sony studio style circamaural Stereo headset I have... it sounds good in stereo, but just doesn't sound the same as using the Home Theater with 5.1... (Need mainly for Gaming, but for Gaming & music listening both)

Currently I'm Using an HT Omega Striker 7.1 sound card, planning on upgrading to an Auzentech or HT Omega card with a higher C-media Chip than what I'm using now. would like to upgrade to Auzentech X-fi Prelude eventually.

Been looking at some of the Plantronics, Sennheiser's & Icemat & some other sets out there, but not sure which ones are what I'm looking for?

again as usual thanks for any suggestions/recommendations.

KarmaKiller · May 19th, 2008, 11:46 PM

Well, budget it a big thing when it comes to headphones. If your budget allows, take a gander at these:
Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, Digital Cameras and more!
Anything I've heard made by those guys sounds absolutely wonderful. I would highly recommend them. Hell, just look at all of their reviews. Every single product that has reviews has 5 stars.

Or, if your looking to spend a bit more, I've heard really good things about these:
Newegg.com - SENNHEISER HD555 3.5mm/ 6.3mm Connector Circumaural Stereo Headphone

ShyguyXPC · May 20th, 2008, 02:47 AM

are those linked (the first link) standard stereo or surround sound headsets?

I've heard of the brand before, but never looked at them.

the 2nd one looks like a good contender, price range for me, is anything upto or close to $130 give or take a few bucks (not including shipping).

munkeyboy123 · May 20th, 2008, 03:35 AM

Newegg.com - Turtle Beach TBS-2112 Circumaural Earforce HPA2 5.1 Surround Sound Headset

thats a good pair in your price range. they are a 5.1 headset, i have a set of those using a creative 7.1 x-fi sound card, and they sound amazing in music and video games. i see alot of use out of them with a new baby in the house, cant really crank up the volume on my speakers. they also very good noise cancellation.

http://www.amazon.com/Razer-Barracud...1264787&sr=1-1

ive heard these before and they also have a very good sound, they are 5.1, although ive heard that the rear channels sound wimpy with certain sound cards.

anything sennheiser is good, but they dont carry anything in 5.1, altec lansing has a few 5.1 they sound ok, but nothing fantastic. and i havent heard the icemat 5.1 headsets but i have a friend who plays competitive online gaming and his whole team has those, and he seems to enjoy them a lot.

ShyguyXPC · May 21st, 2008, 10:52 PM

I'd seen those Turtle Beach ones too, but must of missed them in my searches lately, few times I looked up models on Newegg & a couple other sites...

The Turtle Beach ones do seem like a good choice, the other one I was looking at that seems good too, at least from the descriptions & the plugins for it, is the Zalman 5.1 headset...

Zalman Headphones

3 plugs actually plug into the various outputs on the back of the sound card like most PC gaming Speaker setups do... could be useful, as that'd mean I can keep my Digital Coaxial out connected for the Home Theater & just switch it off, when using the headset...

but not sure if anyone here has used these? I didn't see any links over at Newegg for this set?
so couldn't read any reviews on it.

suppose I could search google.

but has anyone used these Zalmans, that could give a rundown of how they sound? (any distorted bass at low to upper moderate volumes? Hissing? anything like that?)

Checked out some of those Icemat headsets, as nice as they seem, their also USB headsets...

with all these surround sound USB headsets on the market, I wish sound card manufacturers would start making cards with a dedicated USB port on the cards, or an adjacent expansion slot bracket that plugs into the card itself, to allow the Card to process the Surround Sound, instead of using a little USB dongle, or some circuitry in the headset for Virtual Surround... though its better than nothing, I had used Virtual Surround for years on several different PC speaker setups over the years (most were stereo or 2.1 speakers), and after switching to full 5.1 via Home Theater setups for my PC's audio 4 or so years ago, I finally "saw" the difference in sound.

anyways, right now, the Turtle Beach & Zalman headsets have my attention.

DC4man · May 21st, 2008, 11:14 PM

I'm currently using the Audio Technica ATH-AD 700 and they're amazing. I've used the HD555's for about a year and they were good as well.

Keymaker · May 21st, 2008, 11:20 PM

For the price of headphones I would buy speakers!

I love my speakers.

Bizkitkid2001 · May 26th, 2008, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keymaker

For the price of headphones I would buy speakers!

I love my speakers.

Headphones allow people to listen to their music, movies, and games without disturbing anyone else in the house.

Also, to get the same sound quality that you get with those headphones at $100, you would be very hard pressed to find speakers that sound just as good for $100

I am also looking for some new surround sound headsets for watching movies at work and playing WoW. These links helped a lot in making my search smaller.

ShyguyXPC · May 27th, 2008, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keymaker

For the price of headphones I would buy speakers!

I love my speakers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bizkitkid2001

Headphones allow people to listen to their music, movies, and games without disturbing anyone else in the house.

Also, to get the same sound quality that you get with those headphones at $100, you would be very hard pressed to find speakers that sound just as good for $100

I am also looking for some new surround sound headsets for watching movies at work and playing WoW. These links helped a lot in making my search smaller.

That and the fact I don't need speakers right now, as I'm using a 500W 5.1 Dolby Digital Pro Logic II Home Theater setup for my speakers, granted its not a top of the line brand name, its still in many ways far better than most dedicated PC speaker setups, as well as much more versatile.

with that said, one can imagine why I'd be wanting to get a nice surround sound Headset (late at night, or during the day, it'd be nice to not have them cranked up when parents are sleeping or taking a nap...).