Best 5.1 headphones?

[mdchesne]

best, defined as high quality positional audio, coupled with exceptional doplar effect, limited exterior noise (noise cancelation prefered), limited hardware noise (that annoying hiss when all sound is off), exceptional audio playback (DVD, music file... think audiophile mixed with gamer ideals).

was looking at the gainward soundXplosion 5.1 headphones but reviews say there's a slight delay between event and sound relay. plus, bullets don't jump out at you like they should during saving private ryan or Call of Duty.

not looking to pay $200+ nor need one with microphone (indifferent if comes with or not)

ideas?

 

[imported_thomase]

None.

You only have 2 ears, yet you can hear in 3D. Thus, in theory it is possible to artificially synthesize ANY auditory experience by directly manipulating the sound waves reaching each of your two ears. The best medium for this is stereo headphones. Your computer's soundcard (if properly configured) will manipulate the audio signals going to each ear to produce a perception of 3D.

Download binaural recordings and listen to them on regular headphones. Also, google HRTF, "3d audio", headphones, etc.

I'd suggest the Sennheiser HD280Pro, or Audio Technicha ATH-A500. The later is availble at www.audiocubes.com

 

[mdchesne]

you can try to create a 3d sound using only two drivers, but the word of dominance here is TRY. Because there are only two speakers, you can only have perception of location left and right. Not back to front or up and down. You need sound direction which only comes from multiple drivers situated around the aural canal. And yes, i did listen to biaural recordings.... whatever the difference between those and normal recordings, noone could tell the difference. People talking and driving, we could only tell the difference left and right. People talking in a circle (our own recording), you can't tell anything with on normal headphones.

so back to my origional question, and please, this time 5.1 ONLY seeing as that is what we're asking for here.

 

[imported_thomase]

?

 

[mdchesne]

Originally posted by: thomase
?

think of it this way, 5.1 would be like this: http://www.viavga.com/articleimages/5.1system.jpg

meanwhile if a sound emminates virtually in front of you, a 2d headset would only play back the noise event normally. turn your head left, and the noise in the right ear would be louder and the noise in the left, softer. this is the only way you can find position in a 2D sound field. meanwhile, with three drivers plus subwoofer surrounding each ear, a noise in front would activate the foward speaker while the other two remain quiet, thus emulating the virtual noise to the mind as being in front without having to repositioning the head

 

[PurdueRy]

yes, but unless you pay mucho diniero you would be much better buying a quality set of stereo cans. 5.1 headphones tends to be made cheaply and don't offer much of a surround effect in the low price range. But somehow I don't think you will like our opinions

 

[imported_thomase]

Nope. Do some research. For example, go to www.head-fi.org and search their headphone forum for discussions about 5.1 headphones. There are also some good articles on www.headwize.com.

Even if a 5.1 set existed with quality components (for MUCH more $), it is unclear that this would offer an advantage in imaging without some additional processing (crossfeed, filtering, etc.). When listening to an ACTUAL sound source in 3D space (from a home theater speaker for example), your brain is able to locate the source by comparing the delay, amplitude, and frequency characterisics between your two ears. Additionally, the very shape of your outer ear ears effects the sound reaching your eardrum in different ways depending on the source direction (behind, front, etc.). Wearing 5.1 headphones is more like strapping a set of surround speakers to your head. Sound from the rear left speaker of the headphones only goes to the left ear as opposed to both. In contrast, if you listen to a the left rear speaker of a home theater setup, some sound goes to both your left AND right ears. Since 5.1 headphones will effectively get the same signal for each speaker as a proper surround setup, the sound will be as if the source is originating from within your head rather than from the environment without.

5.1 headphones are a gimmick meant to take advantage of those who don't understand how human hearing works.

Think of it this way, you are falling for the 5.1 headphone gimmick in a similar way that someone who knows nothing about graphics cards might go to CompUSA and be fooled into thinking integrated graphics on a PC is good because Intel calls it Xtreme graphics. Maybe this isn't the greatest analogy, but my point is that you need to educate yourself a bit more. Like yourself, I started out thinking that 5.1 headphones was a good idea, but I did some research and ended up with an Audigy 2 ZS coupled with Audio Technicha A500 headphones. I couldn't be happier.

 

[mdchesne]

answer me this, then,

if i'm walking in a 3d virtual field and have a sound source above and to the right of me... how does a 2-speaker headphone set such as the AT A500s handle this so that i know to look up and to the right to locate my sound source? speakers don't do this either being they are all on a unilateral field (generally ear level). they will be slightly louder in the right than in the left, but nothing compliments the Y vertex. And what if it does a flyby from the front, top right to the back, bottom left? the AT A500s will only create sound that will make me think the sound source is moving from right to left, whereas it should tell me it's passing at a angle through me to the opposite X and Y coordinates

I'm not talking LBT or zalman or any of those cheapo brands used for kids who game. If money is no object, then, what would be the choise set? And please do not lecture me on sound fields and the practical value of a conventional headset if you cannot absolutely prove a conventional headset can emulate 3d position. I'm interested in 3d positioning and sound emulation quality, not whatever conventional headsets can offer

 

[imported_thomase]

I just gave you an explanation. If it is not satisfactory, you would be better served by following some of the links I gave you and doing some more research on the topic.

 

[LED]

For me Sound and comfort go hand and hand (ie Grado, Senns) ...

 

[imported_thomase]

So, what did you buy?

 

[TheMafioso]

I've heard Zalman's 5.1 Headphones are better than Gainwards, as they offer more bass

 

[mdchesne]

didn't get anything yet. still looking. too many false options that lure you in with specs and fancy little gadgets. seperate amp would be noteworthy having dunno. Not many high end manufacturers have made any yet. may have to make my own out of some studio headset speakers in a big noise cancelation headset (last resort, i hate hands on)

Originally posted by: TheMafioso
I've heard Zalman's 5.1 Headphones are better than Gainwards, as they offer more bass

but, i also heard from many reviews voice quality is like listening through a metal tube

 

[imported_thomase]

Those amps included with 5.1 headphones are crap. The output is generally much worse than what you get from your soundcard's DAC.

Forget about 5.1. Get Sennheiser HD280 Pro, HD555, HD595, or Audio Technicha A500/A900.

 

[ICXRa]

I seem to recall someone saying they were impressed with these.

Text
Don't know if they are availabel yet though!

 

[apesoccer]

I've got the zalman's, and surround sound speakers coupled with an aud 2.

The zalman's in srs sound better then my old $25 sony headphones in 3d (both speaker and the option in the aud 2), but they have a sorta tin sound to them. The srs speakers i have (4.1 logi with a bose center)sound incredibly better/clearer then either. With the zalman's you can make out noise directions a little better (then the sony), but something just seemed to be missing that i couldn't put my finger on. Great for gaming on the road where i can't take my speakers.

Good Luck