5.1 Surround Sound Headphones

The Ender · Aug 3, 2005, 09:04 PM

Hey guys, I've been reading up on and looking into buying a pair of 5.1 headphones for my gaming rig. I've got it set up in the living room with my two roommates' computers, so speakers are out of the question. However, almost every pair of 5.1 headphones I've found have a USB jack to utilize built-in 5.1 capabilities. I have an Audigy 2, though, and would feel better knowing it's not going to waste. Any suggestions on a good pair, used mainly for gaming? Thanks.

Zelig · Aug 4, 2005, 01:13 AM

I wouldn't bother with multi-driver headphones, the quality is going to be vastly inferior than a stereo set of equal price, and with a good stereo set and the Audigy 2, you can determine direction in games anyway.

[hobo]eclipse · Aug 4, 2005, 01:20 AM

My bro had the zalmans that came out bout a year ago and they were a lil flimsy and ended up breakin, and the sound i didnt think was exceptional,

dont mean to hijak but any one hearda headphones that hook up digitaly to SPDIF or Optical, would be interesting?

The Ender · Aug 4, 2005, 04:08 AM

In response to Zelig, I realize that, I have a very nice Logitech 5.1 system semi-hooked up to my laptop. However my gaming rig is in my living room, with my two roommates' computers right next to it, so having a speaker set-up wouldn't work due to the fact that I'd rather not be a jerk to them, let alone the lack of room. I'm just wondering if anyone knows of a good pair of 5.1 headphones, other than Zalman's, that hook up into an existing sound card.

starfury6 · Aug 4, 2005, 09:51 AM

I did a lot of research on the subject myself and everything I read said don't bother. They are a waste of money. Get yourself a good stereo set instead and the sound quality will be far superior. Checkout Seinheiser.

Zelig · Aug 4, 2005, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Ender

In response to Zelig, I realize that, I have a very nice Logitech 5.1 system semi-hooked up to my laptop. However my gaming rig is in my living room, with my two roommates' computers right next to it, so having a speaker set-up wouldn't work due to the fact that I'd rather not be a jerk to them, let alone the lack of room. I'm just wondering if anyone knows of a good pair of 5.1 headphones, other than Zalman's, that hook up into an existing sound card.

I wasn't saying that speakers are better than headphones, but rather that stereo headphones are better than "5.1" headphones.

DavoNogo · Aug 4, 2005, 03:13 PM

To enable 5.1 surround sound on stereo headphones with an Audigy series card do the following:

In Creative Speaker Settings, untick Synchronise with Control Panel

Restart the machine

Go into Control Panel -> Sound and Audio Devices and click Adavnced... under Speaker Settings.

Select 5.1 Surround Sound Speakers

Go into your Creative Speakers Settings again, and choose Headphones.

Now open up the Creative EAX Console and enable CMSS1 (Do NOT use CMSS2)

You now have 5.1 sound with stereo headphones.

These are the steps that Creative themselves tell you to take.

Note, that it uses HRTF, not actual discrete channels (of course), so the sounds will only "appear" to be in 3D. Nothing beats a true 5.1/6.1/7.1 discrete speaker setup!

Aug 3, 2005, 09:04 PM	#1
The Ender The Last of the Eld Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 62 Rep Power: 0	5.1 Surround Sound Headphones Hey guys, I've been reading up on and looking into buying a pair of 5.1 headphones for my gaming rig. I've got it set up in the living room with my two roommates' computers, so speakers are out of the question. However, almost every pair of 5.1 headphones I've found have a USB jack to utilize built-in 5.1 capabilities. I have an Audigy 2, though, and would feel better knowing it's not going to waste. Any suggestions on a good pair, used mainly for gaming? Thanks. __________________ "I'm not chaotic evil, I'm chaotic practical." -Asus K8V SE Deluxe K8T800 Mobo -AMD 3200+ 64-bit Processor -1024 MB Kingston HyperX RAM (PC4000) -ATI 256MB X800XL AGP 8x -Western Digital 300GB HD 7200 RPM -Western Digital 250GB HD 7200 RPM -SoundBlaster Audigy2 ZS -Lite-On 16x DVDROM -Norcent 52x24x52 CD-RW -Antec True 550 Power Supply -Windows XP Home

Aug 4, 2005, 01:13 AM	#2
Zelig HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Canada Posts: 3,187 Rep Power: 71 System Specs	I wouldn't bother with multi-driver headphones, the quality is going to be vastly inferior than a stereo set of equal price, and with a good stereo set and the Audigy 2, you can determine direction in games anyway. __________________ --

Aug 4, 2005, 04:08 AM	Thread Starter #4
The Ender The Last of the Eld Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 62 Rep Power: 0	In response to Zelig, I realize that, I have a very nice Logitech 5.1 system semi-hooked up to my laptop. However my gaming rig is in my living room, with my two roommates' computers right next to it, so having a speaker set-up wouldn't work due to the fact that I'd rather not be a jerk to them, let alone the lack of room. I'm just wondering if anyone knows of a good pair of 5.1 headphones, other than Zalman's, that hook up into an existing sound card. __________________ "I'm not chaotic evil, I'm chaotic practical." -Asus K8V SE Deluxe K8T800 Mobo -AMD 3200+ 64-bit Processor -1024 MB Kingston HyperX RAM (PC4000) -ATI 256MB X800XL AGP 8x -Western Digital 300GB HD 7200 RPM -Western Digital 250GB HD 7200 RPM -SoundBlaster Audigy2 ZS -Lite-On 16x DVDROM -Norcent 52x24x52 CD-RW -Antec True 550 Power Supply -Windows XP Home

Aug 4, 2005, 09:51 AM	#5
starfury6 Dark Jedi Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Essex, England Posts: 334 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	I did a lot of research on the subject myself and everything I read said don't bother. They are a waste of money. Get yourself a good stereo set instead and the sound quality will be far superior. Checkout Seinheiser. __________________ [color=DeepSkyBlue][/color] [color=DeepSkyBlue] Intel Q6600 / Dual 8800 GTS 512/ Asus Striker II Formula OCZ 4GB DDR2 1066 / Scythe Ninja / Hyper 880w 3 x Maxtor 750GB total SATAII / LG Multi Blu[/color]

Aug 4, 2005, 01:20 AM	#3
[hobo]eclipse ...just bummin 'round Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 2,907 Rep Power: 112 System Specs	My bro had the zalmans that came out bout a year ago and they were a lil flimsy and ended up breakin, and the sound i didnt think was exceptional, dont mean to hijak but any one hearda headphones that hook up digitaly to SPDIF or Optical, would be interesting?

Aug 4, 2005, 03:13 PM	#7
DavoNogo DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 28 Rep Power: 0	To enable 5.1 surround sound on stereo headphones with an Audigy series card do the following: In Creative Speaker Settings, untick Synchronise with Control Panel Restart the machine Go into Control Panel -> Sound and Audio Devices and click Adavnced... under Speaker Settings. Select 5.1 Surround Sound Speakers Go into your Creative Speakers Settings again, and choose Headphones. Now open up the Creative EAX Console and enable CMSS1 (Do NOT use CMSS2) You now have 5.1 sound with stereo headphones. These are the steps that Creative themselves tell you to take. Note, that it uses HRTF, not actual discrete channels (of course), so the sounds will only "appear" to be in 3D. Nothing beats a true 5.1/6.1/7.1 discrete speaker setup!