Dolby Headphone, or Surround Headphones?

[DubbaEwwTeeEff]

I've been looking for a set of high quality headphones to use with my PC lately. I definitely want 5.1 audio; I can't stand dropping down to two speakers for gaming after using my Altec Lansing surround system. Anyways, as far as I can tell, there are two ways of getting surround sound on headphones. The first is buying a pair that uses multiple speakers in the headset, and the second is buying a Dolby Headphone decoder to simulate it on stereo headphones. So which is the better route?

When it comes to Dolby Headphone, the only solution I can find is the Thrustmaster T510, which is a combo of dedicated Dolby Headphone decoder and a set of headphones to use with it. Other than that, I can't seem to find a dedicated Dolby decoder - and the few that I can find are FAR more expensive than the $150 required for the T510. The problem, though, is that I'd probably be replacing the Thrustmaster headphones with a different set, so it feels like a waste to buy that combo. If anyone knows of a cheaper Dolby decoder that supports Dolby Headphone, please let me know.

The other option, of course, is to buy a dedicated surround set, but I have no idea where to begin here. I do know that I DON'T want a USB set; I already have an Audigy 2 and that would be a waste of a good sound card. So far the closest thing to what I want is the LTB-AC97-M, but I have no idea how good the sound is; can anyone speak from experience on that, or recommend a better pair?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

I've never seen a set of headphones like the Thrustmasters....

From the little reviews, it sounds like you need to give it a dolby encoded signal via optical. If that's the case, you're going to be pretty screwed.

There have been several threads about 5.1 headphones and I think the general consensus is that they sound like crap compared to a similarly priced stereo pair.

linky

Another headphone thread

 

[imported_thomase]

You forgot the 3rd and best option.

Configure your Audigy 2 Platinum for headphone mode and turn on CMSS3D (part of the EAX control panel). Use regular stereo headphones.

When the sound output is multi-channel, your Audigy 2 will create virtual surround similar to Dolby Headphone (4, 5, 6, 7 virtual speakers). When playing a game with 3D audio such as DirectSound3D or OpenAL, your Audigy 2 will process each individual sound (up to 64 at once) such that it sounds like it is coming from ANY position in 3D space around your head.