Good news for Xbox One users. Dolby Digital 5.1 over Optical is being added in the upcoming March system update. So us headset users with Mixamps can finally get the proper DD 5.1 signal.

Anyone get invited to preview the March update?

jgod said:

I used to play on a 47'' tv. (Cod) I was like a 1.2 player. I bought a 24'' gaming monitor and I'm a 2 k/d player. When you stretch 1080p over 30'',it creates input lag. Your better off on a monitor. Something that's 5ms or lower.

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I agree. Probably less critical if I wasn't playing halo SWAT, which is crazy-fast (most kills are 1-shot, unless both players are aware of each other and dodging already). Even just getting adjusted to a large set feels weird, I had to lower my sensitivity.

I don't necessarily think it's the larger panel creating more input lag, at least by itself, I think the input lag comes from the "image enhancing" extra features which are great for movies & TV (but not for interaction).

change is good said:

The soundstage is significantly wider, which is a plus considering the enhanced bass. The K702 pads are made of the same material, just thicker and angled.

I was going to go for the memory foam pads of the K712/Annie, but am glad I didn't. They may end up TOO bassy/warm with those... since they add more bass to the signature and reduce the soundstage when compared to the angled pads.

Edit: And oh, by the way, to those MA900 owners who would like they're cable reterminated for a detachable 3.5mm option (for the BoomPro)... @Zombie_X
 said he'd be willing to do it for a reasonable price.

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I almost always felt my Q701 had plenty of bass. Maybe it was because my pads had melded to my headshape, but the first time I compared Q701 then K712, I felty the Q701 had MORE bass (though the K712 was tighter and more refined). Just a smudge though. And with the Q701 pads on my K712, I can't tell you the change just based off of memory.

Good to know that it'll be relatively easy for people that have single-ended cable headphones will have an option to have a tidy setup. Does the mic reach a good position for you, since it starts lower? I also feel the ModMic and lapel mic solutions cause negligible wire tangles, but I guess that's an opinion.

evshrug said:

I agree. Probably less critical if I wasn't playing halo SWAT, which is crazy-fast (most kills are 1-shot, unless both players are aware of each other and dodging already). Even just getting adjusted to a large set feels weird, I had to lower my sensitivity.

I don't necessarily think it's the larger panel creating more input lag, at least by itself, I think the input lag comes from the "image enhancing" extra features which are great for movies & TV (but not for interaction).
I almost always felt my Q701 had plenty of bass. Maybe it was because my pads had melded to my headshape, but the first time I compared Q701 then K712, I felty the Q701 had MORE bass (though the K712 was tighter and more refined). Just a smudge though. And with the Q701 pads on my K712, I can't tell you the change just based off of memory.

Good to know that it'll be relatively easy for people that have single-ended cable headphones will have an option to have a tidy setup. Does the mic reach a good position for you, since it starts lower? I also feel the ModMic and lapel mic solutions cause negligible wire tangles, but I guess that's an opinion.

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Nah, I opted for a mini XLR input like the other AKGs. These have to be plugged into an amp so I passed on the 3.5mm option for the BoomPro.

I have my extra K702 cable tied together with my mic cable using bread ties... and the K612 cable was cut and reterminated to 5.5ft for use at my desk.

evshrug said:

I agree. Probably less critical if I wasn't playing halo SWAT, which is crazy-fast (most kills are 1-shot, unless both players are aware of each other and dodging already). Even just getting adjusted to a large set feels weird, I had to lower my sensitivity.

I don't necessarily think it's the larger panel creating more input lag, at least by itself, I think the input lag comes from the "image enhancing" extra features which are great for movies & TV (but not for interaction).

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Sounds like you've probably already considered this, but make sure you run your HDMI direct to the TV rather than through the AVR.  Sometimes AVR's can add noticeable lag.
 
Can you just confirm that you think the Yamaha Silent Cinema is pretty similar to Dolby Headphone?  I need to upgrade my AVR since I don't have HDMI switching in my old one, but I can't find any new ones with DH.  I can't find any solid info on how the HK Surround and Silent Cinema compare to DH since it's hard to capture those to Youtube.

So I was going to get the AKG Q701 but found out that it doesn't work with the Vmoda BoomPro so I was wondering what is the best headphones for gaming under $200. I only play on the PC and usually its CSGO or some other shooters. Looking for some that are compatible with Vmoda BoomPro. Thanks for your time and this great guide.

change is good said:

   
The soundstage is significantly wider, which is a plus considering the enhanced bass. The K702 pads are made of the same material, just thicker and angled.
 
I was going to go for the memory foam pads of the K712/Annie, but am glad I didn't. They may end up TOO bassy/warm with those... since they add more bass to the signature and reduce the soundstage when compared to the angled pads.
 

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Ha! I've put an order in at the local AKG agent for a pair of the K702 pads, might take a while but what the heck, sounds legit.

stillhart said:

Sounds like you've probably already considered this, but make sure you run your HDMI direct to the TV rather than through the AVR.  Sometimes AVR's can add noticeable lag.

Can you just confirm that you think the Yamaha Silent Cinema is pretty similar to Dolby Headphone?  I need to upgrade my AVR since I don't have HDMI switching in my old one, but I can't find any new ones with DH.  I can't find any solid info on how the HK Surround and Silent Cinema compare to DH since it's hard to capture those to Youtube.

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Yeah, HDMI to TV and optical to AVR.

I have two Dolby Headphone devices (Turtle Beach DSS v1, Astro Mixamp 5.8), a THX TrueStudio Pro device (Recon3D USB), an SBX Pro Studio device (Sound Blaster Omni, used to have an internal Z card), and I can confirm that Silent Cinema is most like Dolby Headphone. You probably will notice reverb for rear sound cues, but it does a good job of creating imaging.

I don't claim to know everything... right now I can't get my Xbox 360 to play a DVD movie, could be a lot of factors. However, I try to share my experiences and opinions, see my "If I knew then..." link in my signature. Thanks for suggestions!

donsolo said:

So I was going to get the AKG Q701 but found out that it doesn't work with the Vmoda BoomPro so I was wondering what is the best headphones for gaming under $200. I only play on the PC and usually its CSGO or some other shooters. Looking for some that are compatible with Vmoda BoomPro. Thanks for your time and this great guide.

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The BoomPro is good, but hardly should be considered your only option. You can get three clip-on lapel mics, that do very well, for less than $5, and the cable could just be wound around the headphone cable for tidiness OR just run straight to the controller... The cable isn't so long that it creates a spaghetti mess.

If you want a headphone with great imaging and smoother treble so that the snap of your own guns in CS:GO don't make your ears tired quickly (I have a friend whose ears start waxing up if he plays CS:GO with cheap headphones), I highly recommend Sony's MA900 as a great choice. Also good with music, but the Q701 has the energy to IMO make a more interesting all-arounder.

@Stillhart,
PS, I am not rich, I've just been at this for two years and accumulated stuff. The TV belongs to my roommate, I just had to try it out

motorwayne said:

  Ha! I've put an order in at the local AKG agent for a pair of the K702 pads, might take a while but what the heck, sounds legit.

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Thumbs up!

change is good said:

  Just got my K612s back....
 
Put some K702 pads on em that I ordered while they were gone... and man...
 

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

DAT BASS!!!

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What did the pads do to the soundstage?
 
 

chicolom said:

   
 
What did the pads do to the soundstage?
 

 

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They significantly widen the soundstage, allowing the added bass/warmth ample room to excel. And... did I mention it improves the detail and clarity, as well? 

change is good said:

   
They significantly widen the soundstage, allowing the added bass/warmth ample room to excel. And... did I mention it improves the detail and clarity, as well? 

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So is K612 + K702 pads > Q701?

chicolom said:

   
So is K612 + K702 pads > Q701?

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Soundstage depth? maybe... it's been quite a while since I heard the stock Q701... so I'm not really sure.
 
Bass? I think it may be the most bass I've heard from an open AKG... and definitely has the deepest extension. No BS
 
Better headphone, overall? Definitely... IMO

change is good said:

   
Soundstage depth? maybe... it's been quite a while since I heard the stock Q701... so I'm not really sure.
 
Bass? I think it may be the most bass I've heard from an open AKG... and definitely has the deepest extension. No BS
 
Better headphone, overall? Definitely... IMO

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