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5.1 Headphones ok for gaming?

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?Sku=T26-1114

Just ordered the Tritton AXPRO 5.1 headset the other day from Tiger Direct (I'm in Canada). I could have ordered from the US for $160 USD but after exchange rate, customs fees and shipping it would have cost me more.

I read a ton of reviews and most were very positive. I only read one forum post from a guy who was completely down on them, saying they were worse than the Turtle Beach X4s, etc.

I'm mostly planning on using them for playing online games on the 360, so I wanted a pair of 5.1 headphones that had a microphone that worked with Xbox Live, had separate volume controls for voice communication and regular sound, and wanted wired so I wouldn't have to deal with recharging batteries and so the quality would be better.

When I get them I'll post here with a review.
 
Zoc said:
And yet you did. 5.1 in gaming has a specific purpose that can't be filled by anything else, so telling people to just forget about it, in a thread devoted to the topic, is just adding noise to the signal. But now I am, too, so I'll stop.
Click to expand...

You're making the mistake of thinking that multiple drivers for each ear piece provide anything meaningful for surround sound.

HINT: They don't.

If you want surround sound from a pair of headphones the magic is in the decoder/amp you're using, not in how many tiny, crappy, and cheap drivers somebody like Tritton can put into each earpiece.

Read this and realize that you should pay the companies that spend their money on research, not those who spend it on marketing to people who aren't intelligent enough to think beyond the more/bigger is better mentality.
 
bune duggy said:
so someone explain "burn-in". I know what it is, but I also know what it sounds like - a bunch of crap. Is it real or imaginary?
Click to expand...

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/headphone-burn-faq-56744/

Is burn in actually real?

The idea of burn in has always been controversial. Some people say that there is evidence that proves it while others say that there is evidence to disprove it. Some consider the phenomenon to be purely psychological conditioning while others insist upon physical changes to the drivers, and some agree upon a combination of the two. You are free to be a believer, and you are free to be a skeptic. Whether or not you believe in it and the position you take on the subject is a choice that you should make for yourself.
Click to expand...
 
bune duggy said:
so someone explain "burn-in". I know what it is, but I also know what it sounds like - a bunch of crap. Is it real or imaginary?
Click to expand...

Burn-in is real. Your headphones will generally sound better the more you use them up to a certain point. In essence, it's essentially your headphones breaking in to their normal state... sort of like a brand new couch which is somewhat stiff until you use it and it starts softening up. The sound of the HD600's became less closed in and more smooth as time went on.
 
Totobeni said:
also $ 159 @ Amazon.com

I love my AX360 , so I will buy this one early next month :D .
Click to expand...
Owning a pair of these for almost a month now, I can attest to how awesome they are.

The 2.5mm cable needs to be unplugged/plugged in everynow and then (like once a weekish) due to not a solid connection, but that may be just a faulty cable on my end.

The sound quality is amazing and the volume is out of control. It takes 2 ac adapters to run it, though, and make sure you have some kind of a/v selector that can handle optical if you're going to be using multiple devices.

Can confirm that it works wonderfully on both the PS3 and the 360.

Love it love it love it.
 
MvmntInGrn said:
Hey guys, I think I am going to pick up these

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0001FTVDQ/?tag=neogaf0e-20

The HD555, in my price range and seems to have great reception in this thread. What other items would I need to hook these up to my PS3?
Click to expand...

5.1 Headphone Surround Adapter. One I own is JVC SU-DH1. They are also available in US (I got them from Japan) but the US versions don't come with an input for AC adapter which sucks since AA batteries won't last long.

There are also Surround Adapters by Sony that you can look into (Sony MDRDS1000)
 
Woo-Fu said:
You're making the mistake of thinking that multiple drivers for each ear piece provide anything meaningful for surround sound.

HINT: They don't.

If you want surround sound from a pair of headphones the magic is in the decoder/amp you're using, not in how many tiny, crappy, and cheap drivers somebody like Tritton can put into each earpiece.
.
Click to expand...

calm down .

opinion , people like and prefere other stuff .

I for myself like an example used to use Panasonic RP with built in Surround Sound , also I still use Sony MDR-DS1000 amp with Bose headphone , yet I prefer as you called it the "crappy" AX360 ( which has DD decoder/amp btw ) for my gaming , because "I think" it gave me better results to to found and hunt people in SOCOM and COD4 , I am sure your ears are better than mine , but I like other thing than you .

what Zoc say ( to the other dude ) is that maybe some people want 5.1 headphone so just don't forbid their opinions since the thread is about Dolby Headphone and started for 5.1 headphone first , he didn't ask him to GTFO or something like that , just don't laugh or call people retarded if they want 5.1 headphone or even it they want to waste their money on useless headphone , you are not the money or opinions police .
 
shagg_187 said:
5.1 Headphone Surround Adapter. One I own is JVC SU-DH1. They are also available in US (I got them from Japan) but the US versions don't come with an input for AC adapter which sucks since AA batteries won't last long.

There are also Surround Adapters by Sony that you can look into (Sony MDRDS1000)
Click to expand...

Thanks :D
 
Totobeni said:
calm down .

opinion , people like and prefere other stuff .
Click to expand...

It isn't opinion. Multiple drivers in the ear piece do not give better surround sound. Not opinion, fact.

People saying, "I just think having 4 drivers in the earpiece is really cool, so I buy that." is opinion. People pretending they do anything for surround sound is not.

As far as what people prefer, I would be willing to bet that just about everybody who prefers any of the 5.1 snake oil headsets has never used a quality headset with a decoder/amp that does dolby headphone.

I've used both, and many other solutions. A good set of cans with a good decoder is the best you'll get for surround sound---and music, and movies, etc.

I guess you want to keep pushing the snake oil whereas I'm trying to call it what it is.
 
Woo-Fu said:
It isn't opinion. Multiple drivers in the ear piece do not give better surround sound. Not opinion, fact.

People saying, "I just think having 4 drivers in the earpiece is really cool, so I buy that." is opinion. People pretending they do anything for surround sound is not.

As far as what people prefer, I would be willing to bet that just about everybody who prefers any of the 5.1 snake oil headsets has never used a quality headset with a decoder/amp that does dolby headphone.

I've used both, and many other solutions. A good set of cans with a good decoder is the best you'll get for surround sound---and music, and movies, etc.

I guess you want to keep pushing the snake oil whereas I'm trying to call it what it is.
Click to expand...
The other alternative is to keep a set of decent cans and get some cheap ear buds for the rear and center channel. There is a how to guide out there.
 
I'd say gaming is probably the thing 5.1 headphones are least usable for. Or, games where you want sound for the more cinematic immersion they can be cool, but they're not good for "3D sound".

I remember back in my days of CS:S'ing, I'd get blamed for cheating because I used the sound so well. If it was me versus three guys, I'd knew where they were if they were running around (and I could project where they would be if they started walking, etc), so sometimes it surely must've seemed as if I had a bit too good control of where they were.

And then I got a pair of 5.1 headphones, which I loved for movies and stuff like that and went back to CS:S, thinking "I'll be ever better now!". Nope. Not at all.


Game developers are skilled with making sounds so that you can pin-point them in a 3D environment. It seems they've mastered it when the sounds are made in a virtual environment and I know they're gonna start doing it even more so with stuff in things like movies with some fancy recording equipment.

It's actually called "holophone" and if you google it, you'll get some cool results.

Here's an excellent display that will sound actually creepy if you lean back in your chair and close your eyes and imagine the sounds you hear are happening around you, but these will never work with speakers or with 5.1 surround headphones:


Cereni - Holophonic




As for headphones, I love and worship my DT880s. I use them in the studio and for gaming. Excellent headphones.
 
Templar Wizard said:
on the Su-Dh1, does anyone else find the 'Dolby Headphone' settings a bit shit?
Im using it with a set of 595's and the effect is pretty nasty.
Click to expand...

I think it works well for FPS's, not really treid them with other games.

For movies they are not that good. The bass distorts and dialogue doesn't sound that clear.
 
This topic is gold. I've been looking for a setup that will allow me to get some quality sound w/o disturbing the rest of the family. I've got an older Sennheiser (212 I think) set of headphones, but... I just want to make sure I've followed everything correctly...

I buy the JVC-Victor SU-DH1 along with the AC adapter. Couple that with a pair of high-quality headphones (maybe the Sennheiser 555 or 595) and then the necessary optical cables to hook up my PS3/360 to the SU-DH1, I should be set? Correct?

I'm still kind-of lost on why I'd need the Toslink adapter. I'd just be plugging an optical cable straight from my PS3/360 into the SU-DH1 (which would be getting power from the AC adapter,) and my headphones would plug in to the same unit as well. I know, I have to break this all down and see it in my head before I take the pricey dive. I don't mean to be trouble.

Edit: I actually have the Sennheiser HD 497, which I found pretty impressive. I'll probably try to get the JVC box, AC, adapter, and cables first and then get a new headset in a few paychecks.
 
you need the toslink, but once you have all you are set.
zeriously, the fidelity is amazing, i cant recommend it more, try T2 with the DTS and the 595's on your ps3...

:drool
 
I'm going to get a headset for Christmas... I know it's already Christmas but I've been holding out.

The headset would be for my PC, so I absolutely need to have a mic attached to it (Vent + Steam all the time). I keep wanting to go with surround sound but with a budget of $100 I don't know if that's possible while still keeping quality in mind. Would anyone mind recommending some good stereo headsets - with microphones or a good 5.1 set if possible for a hundred bucks? I'm hoping to order a pair tonight or tomorrow, or if possible, buy a pair at the store if they're available for the same price as online.

Also, my head is pretty big, on adjustable headsets I have to adjust them larger a couple of notches. That's why them being at the store would help so I can try them on but if not they at least need to be very large or adjustable.

Please help me GAF, you guys seem to know your stuff, it's just that most of the recommendations in this threads are headphones without a mic.
 
I'm trying my sennheiser 555s with my denon 2307. in standard mode, feeding the PS3 in as 5.1 HDMI PCM, it sounds great. I assume its either just sending out the front two channels, or doing some basic mixing.

If I select the 'virtual' DSP mode, I get slightly better steering in games, but everything is duller and muddier.

does this victor amp improve on that, or is it basically the same? I'd like something that can give me positioning help as well as good quality sound, but it'd need to be good enough to switch the PS3 audio from HDMI to optical when I use it (wish sony would let both outputs be live)
 
PS3 Owners: Love your gaming headphones but also feel like communicating via bluetooth headset? I have just the thing for you!

http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0926INGFS10114324&catid=27030

I got these a few weeks ago and they work just the way I wanted. Place it behind your neck while you wear your headphones. Extend the microphone close to your mouth and you're good to go! Make sure to set the output to default under settings so that you can hear your friends/opponents via your headphones :D
 
O.K., I just ordered new headphones: The Denon AH-D 1001.

Now I'm thinking about buying the JVC-Victor SU-DH1 as well, but I'm not sure if it really will be an upgrade to my current setup:

I have all current consoles and my DVD-Player hooked up on my good old Denon AVR-1603.

Where would I have to plug in that JVC-adapter on my AV-Receiver? While searching the net, I got the impression that most people plug that adapter directly into their console, and then connect the adapter to ther headphones.

So how can I connect that JVC-adapter to my AV-Receiver? What cable would I need for that?

Also, the Denon already has a "Virtual Surround"-mode for headphones.

Would the JVC-Victor SU-DH1 be a significant upgrade to that?
 
shagg_187 said:
PS3 Owners: Love your gaming headphones but also feel like communicating via bluetooth headset? I have just the thing for you!

http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0926INGFS10114324&catid=27030

I got these a few weeks ago and they work just the way I wanted. Place it behind your neck while you wear your headphones. Extend the microphone close to your mouth and you're good to go! Make sure to set the output to default under settings so that you can hear your friends/opponents via your headphones :D
Click to expand...
That's a really cool product. I hope there is enough of a market for these types of things that we'll see more of them.

I'm very happy with my AXPro's, but I've owned great headphones in the past that I just wanted to add a mic to, and not one of those standup mics or clip ones.
 
well thanks to this thread I got some HD555's. To my untrained, only-have-had-shitty-headphones-my-whole-life I am fucking amazed. My god does everything sound stunning. Crisp as hell. Me likey :D
 
Dolby Headphone is great for increasing the size of the soundstage for that "out of ear" effect but I wouldn't rely on it for directional sound. If you want sound separation just get a good pair of closed cans and slip a terrible pair of ear buds in the bottom pad. The difference in sound quality, volume, and position will let you know that the sound is coming from behind you.

This works well on the PC but it might not be an option for console gamers unless there's a speaker wire -> 1/8 female adapter out there for receivers.
 
I can agree with that. DH is expands the sound stage at some cost to quality. I've played a lot of games with headphones that help me get directional information. The only weakness with DH that I've noticed is that it has a hard time differentiating front and back. However, that can mostly be mitigated with what you already know is happening in the game. imo

I mostly use open cans. If I need isolation I have some canal phones :]
 
Quick question: I have some earphones which I plugged into my speakers the other day, but changing the speaker volume didn't change the volume actually coming out of the earphones. Why is that?

Also, are these a good buy, and would they suffer from the same problem noted above? They'd be used for gaming.

Cheers.
 
Ah, I'm glad I noticed this thread. I've been looking to upgrade my senn 590s with an amp one of these days. I had no idea that 5.1 was even an option. The JVC SU unit looks great. It might have already been asked but can anyone vouch on the advantages/disadvantages with going with : Astro A40 mix amp?

They're about the same cost but I tend to side with JVC as I have never heard of astro stuff before googling 5.1 headphones lol.
 
Video games today are well made for stereo headphones. You're likely to be less able to pinpoint where a sound is coming from with 5.1 headphones, with games, unless you have great drivers that again turn it into holophonic signals. And then you've just taken a detour.



Aside: I also always wondered if 6.2 wouldn't be a better definition. Atleast 6.1. (I know, I know, left front, left back, center etc, but there's still 6 speakers. And two subs.) Oh and vibrating headphones due to bass just tickles too much.
 
ok, so if I want to hook up my Sennheiser hd595 headphones to my 360/PS3, I'll need:

-JVC SU-DH1 (Japanese version)
-some type of AC adapter for it (which kind?)

right? then a bunch of cables I guess.
 
Articate said:
Video games today are well made for stereo headphones. You're likely to be less able to pinpoint where a sound is coming from with 5.1 headphones, with games, unless you have great drivers that again turn it into holophonic signals. And then you've just taken a detour.



Aside: I also always wondered if 6.2 wouldn't be a better definition. Atleast 6.1. (I know, I know, left front, left back, center etc, but there's still 6 speakers. And two subs.) Oh and vibrating headphones due to bass just tickles too much.
Click to expand...
In Dolby 5.1 the surround speakers are supposed to be on the side to simulate close up sounds but in games they go behind you so 6.1/6.2 isn't really necessary for positioning. It's really immersive though.
 
Proc said:
Ah, I'm glad I noticed this thread. I've been looking to upgrade my senn 590s with an amp one of these days. I had no idea that 5.1 was even an option. The JVC SU unit looks great. It might have already been asked but can anyone vouch on the advantages/disadvantages with going with : Astro A40 mix amp?

They're about the same cost but I tend to side with JVC as I have never heard of astro stuff before googling 5.1 headphones lol.
Click to expand...

i actually just bought the A40 and a senn 555 this Christmas. i'm really happy with it so far. one advantage with it is that i plug it in to my PS3 usb for power so i dont have to worry about batteries. (i cant vouch for the 360 usb yet cause i havent tried yet but i would think it'll be the same). and the voice being integrated into the headset - i really like so i dont have the bluetooth headset underneath my 555. but that also depends on you being ok with a wired setup.

and be warned - for the 360 its not a problem, but for the ps3 to work on the A40 (as far as voice communication goes) you need a usb audio adapter that plugs into the ps3 that gives you speaker/mic output. its just the standard usb audio adapter that you can pick up at frys or best buy, or even in the astro website. its detailed there. and again this is just for the voice functionality, the whole 5.1 surround sound works out of the box. then add a clip-on mic and you're all set. its a bit messy for the ps3 because it was primarily designed for pc and 360.

hope this helps.
 
Templar Wizard said:
just one cable, and thats the Toslink one. if you look back a few pages you will see a cheapo link to the exact one.
Click to expand...

ok, thanks.

and just curious, but what settings are you supposed to have your PS3 audio on for when it's all setup? the entire list is a bit confusing.

and is it better to order the SU-DH1 from bluetin or audiocubes if I'm in America?
 
I'm really liking that the A40 works with standard twin-3.5mm headsets. The longevity of the proprietary headsets with many of these solutions is a concern, not to mention that an open solution allows you to find headsets that are the most comfortable and good-sounding to you.

Does anyone have any recommendations of good standard headsets? I prefer true circumaural headphones like my Sennheiser HD580 and Beyerdynamic DT770.
 
Linkzg said:
ok, thanks.

and just curious, but what settings are you supposed to have your PS3 audio on for when it's all setup? the entire list is a bit confusing.

and is it better to order the SU-DH1 from bluetin or audiocubes if I'm in America?
Click to expand...

Yes, I went Bluetin, for the PSU jack, the thing EATS batteries.
In the PS3 media, choose optical, dts and 5.1. Thats what I use.
 
Templar Wizard said:
Yes, I went Bluetin, for the PSU jack, the thing EATS batteries.
In the PS3 media, choose optical, dts and 5.1. Thats what I use.
Click to expand...

thanks again

one last question: is there a good toslink switcher or something so I can have have my PS3, 360, and PC all setup at one and just flip a switch to change without having to go behind my setup?
 
Linkzg said:
thanks again

one last question: is there a good toslink switcher or something so I can have have my PS3, 360, and PC all setup at one and just flip a switch to change without having to go behind my setup?
Click to expand...

http://www.tvcables.co.uk/cgi-bin/tvcables/SW001.html

I have used this one in the past and it worked great.

I need some help with which headphones to get, here are the chosen ones of what I narrowed it down to. I want them for to be used for my PC/PS3/360.

Audio Technica Headphones ATH-AD700 £78.29
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0018NG7IW/

Sennheiser HD 555 - Open High End Quality Headphones £56.72
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0002K0Q34/

+

Zalman ZM-MIC1 Micro Phone £5.64
http://www.thecoolingshop.com/product_info.php/products_id/982

or should I go for a all in one?

Sharkoon X-TATIC v3 5.1 Dolby Digital® Headphones & mic, PC/XBOX/PS3 + Control Box (*USB Mic PS3/PC) £104.64
http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductID=923676&source=froogle

These are same as the Tritton AX360 Gaming Headset

So which should I get?
 
I picked up the EarForce X4s yesterday, and so far I am enjoying them. They sound great, only problem is the slight hiss, which I managed to reduce to an almost inaudible noise through tweaking of the position of the base station. I think with more tweaking I can eliminate the hiss completely.

I'll do a further write up after some more spend more time with the headset.
 
all games are mixed with both headphones and high quality 5.1 speaker setups. If you're looking for true-to-intent audio, you're better off going with headphones. When you use speakers, you're introducing all sorts of interference and reverb into the mix because of the size of the room, furniture, speaker quality, etc. There is no way you'll be able to have the exact setup that the sound designers have, but you can easily get the same headphone setup. headphones eliminate the unintended reverb and resonance that your room or speakers will introduce.

someone stated that you can't perceive depth as well with headphones, that's a little misleading, but true for games only when using stereo headphones... the "depth" is all mixed using the game's 3d engine, and then the audio signal is sent to the proper channels. in stereo headphones, you wouldn't be able to discern between a sound that's source is 6 feet in front or 6 feet behind (since both would play at the same percentage volume. however, in the case of live audio recordings, you can perceive the difference because you're also getting proper 3d reverb as sounds bounce off walls, seats, people etc. (the haircut audio is a good example of this)

in any case, you wouldn't have the depth problem with 5.1 headphones, plus you get the benefit of a clean un-interfered signal to your ears.

oh, and you won't get any powerful sub-aural frequencies with headphones. most people can't hear subwoofer output, they instead feel it or hear the sound of walls & floors shaking. but it will be impossible to find a pair of headphones that will shake your walls :) Just make sure that whatever headphones you get can output a solid signal at 80Hz.
 
bazooie said:
oh, and you won't get any powerful sub-aural frequencies with headphones. most people can't hear subwoofer output, they instead feel it or hear the sound of walls & floors shaking. but it will be impossible to find a pair of headphones that will shake your walls :) Just make sure that whatever headphones you get can output a solid signal at 80Hz.
Click to expand...

Just for fun I ordered this. If nothing else fiddling with it will amuse me.
 
bazooie said:
in any case, you wouldn't have the depth problem with 5.1 headphones, plus you get the benefit of a clean un-interfered signal to your ears.
Click to expand...

Wait, is this a statement in favour of 5.1 headphones or against them? Would the Dolby Headphone processing count as interfering with the signal?
 
Wait, is this a statement in favour of 5.1 headphones or against them? Would the Dolby Headphone processing count as interfering with the signal?
Click to expand...

If you want depth, yes. But the processing does change the audio signal, most likely by changing volumes and adding reverb or slight delay, but there might be some filtering too.

Personally, I wouldn't go for it because I don't like how the post-processing messes with the mix (center channel usually gets much quieter, and peripheral sounds like crickets can get really loud).
 
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