5.1 headset, what to get?

undertheradar · May 8, 2010

Tuf · May 9, 2010

Since this has come up a few times lately, here are some threads to look at:

http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1475148

http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1511065

http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1513179

http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1473366

undertheradar · May 17, 2010

It seems there is alot of crap out there, but these two are making my short list...

http://www.amazon.com/Sharkoon-x-ta...1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1274082837&sr=8-1

http://www.sharkoon.com/html/produkte/headsets/x-tatic_digital/index_en.html?id=2

http://www.roccat.org/Products/Gaming-Sound/ROCCAT-Kave/

http://www.performance-pcs.com/cata...t_info&manufacturers_id=188&products_id=26053

The Sharkoon X-Tactic or the Roccat Kone... if anyone has some user experience with them, please let me know. It looks like the only other true 5.1 isn't made anymore; Ear Force AKR8, and the Creative Arena is just a simulated 5.1)

Falkentyne · May 17, 2010

OP:

First of all, you need to make your statments clear on what you want.
You say that you want TRUE 5.1 headphones (there is NO such thing as a 7.1 headphone, and there will never be), and then you post links to stereo headphones. You need to make it clear what exactly you're looking for here. Do you want a 5.1 headset with multiple driver per cup, or a decent or good stereo headset with virtual 5.1 surround sound (CMSS Headphone/Dolby Headphone?).

As far as "True" 5.1's, you have the Tritton AXpros, Medusa 5.1s and the Psykos.

For Virtual 5.1 (which is headphone dependent on how Dolby or CMSS 3d headphone will work best on), you can use any stereo headphone and stick it with CMSS or DH. Dolby headphone can be used with an astro gaming mixamp, or a soundcard that processes dolby headphone natively (not a creative card; there is a very nice set of cards out that use dolby headphone but I forgot the names....Oxygen something?)
Astro mixamp requires a dolby digital output signal and coax or spdif connector.

The creative WOW wireless headset is very handy, but you may want to wait for a non WOW branded one to be released soon. The creative wireless is a mic/soundcard integrated solution and USB so its plug in, download drivers and go, but that's admittedly a bit of a hassle if you already have an X-fi. Keep in mind this uses CMSS 3D headphone, and I much prefer Dolby, unless you absolutely need to hear the most distant footsteps. Some people prefer CMSS 3D headphone, though.

Astro gaming's mixamp uses "Dolby headphone 2" mode. There is a JVC device (a Japanese one) that uses DH1 (which may be better for competitive play); you may have to search head-fi for that.

The Beyer MMX 300 can be had for $100 cheaper easily, if you search google. I got mine from http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&N=0&Q=&Ntt=beyerdynamic mmx 300&A=endecaSearch MMX300's sound quality pretty much beats or competes with anything in the ~200 price range, although the ATH A700's (better than the AD700's for bass) can match it, but don't hit the lows as deeply.

I've never heard of the other "True" 5.1's, but in all honesty, you can't go wrong with dolby headphone as long as you use a high quality set of cans with it. There was amazingly very little difference between my Klipsch 5.1 promedia ultra and my beyerdynamic mmx 300+Astro mixamp in terms of positional sound awareness in the same game, even though I still prefer the desktop speakers when possible, I have to crank them to get the footsteps as easily as I can hear them with the beyers (hard to do in an apartment); the brain just has to adapt a bit to the slightly different positioning cues and you're good to go.

Cronyx · May 17, 2010

There's also Roccat Kave's for TRUE 5.1, but I haven't used them yet. Planning on buying. A friend has them and is very happy.

http://www.roccat.org/Products/Gaming-Sound/ROCCAT-Kave/

undertheradar · May 24, 2010

I want 'true' 5.1's... as I look into them more, I realize that many are just stereo with 'simulated surround'.

Bah!

I want the 'multi driver per ear' solution. As I linked to later on, the Sharkoon X-Tatic and Roccat Kave both seem to fit that bill, as does the Psyko, but I wont touch the psyko's piped sound method. It seems the Turtle Beach AKR8's were also multi-speaker headphones, but no longer made. I think the Speedlink Medusa is a 4 speaker solution... which I think would be good enough as well.

FWIW, I already have a Creative X-Fi Fagtality Titanium card, and some nice stereo phones, so yeah, what I really want is some phones with multiple drivers in each ear.

On the other hand, if what you are telling me is that headphones cant reproduce 5.1 or true surround very well... perhaps I should make something myself. I am an EE after all, so I could easily wire up all the needed diaphram speakers, buffer amps, splitters, dials, etc... but then we are talking more of a 'helmet' than headphones. Hell... were talking a box around my head...lol.

Fantasysage · May 24, 2010

I rock the tritton pro. 100 bucks gets you dedicated drivers, and it plugs in the back of your PC with minijacks. Works very well.

R3MF · May 24, 2010

I have the Sharkoon's.

One of the very few true 5.1 headsets with 4x analogue inputs rather than USB.

Work great in my Asus Xonar sound card,, sound great and well made.

I'd recommend them.

but the version you have linked above comes with some dolby adapter for console twerps, the standalone headphones with minkjacks can be had for half the price, i paid £55 for mine.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sharkoon-He...2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1274719816&sr=8-2

undertheradar · May 24, 2010

Im in the US, so it appears that the digital is the only version I can get my hands on here... unless someone knows of a sharkoon dealer here that sells the analog version.

5.1 headset, what to get?

undertheradar

[H]ard|Gawd

Tuf

Limp Gawd

undertheradar

[H]ard|Gawd

Falkentyne

[H]ard|Gawd

Cronyx

Limp Gawd

undertheradar

[H]ard|Gawd

Fantasysage

Limp Gawd

R3MF

[H]ard|Gawd

undertheradar

[H]ard|Gawd