Psyko 5.1 Computer Headphone

I'd be curious to find this out as well. I love my Denon AH-2000's for their clarity and if I turn left and right in-game I can usually figure out where something is coming from, but I'm starting to think a good surround-sound headset might be the way to go.

I'm noticing a lot of the alternatives (Logitech, Sennheiser, Razer, Steelseries...) all use video cards and a software solution. I'm starting to wonder if instead of buying another headset there isn't another solution that'll be some software on my computer.

I notice those don't, but I'm a bit dubious of anything that includes that much gear for that price.

Joined the forum just to reply to this thread.  I have a pair of the original Psyko 5.1 headphones.  The 5.1 surround aspect works amazingly well, in fact the best I've heard.  Unfortunately the sound quality is just bad. When I say bad I mean $20ish headphone bad. I'd give a more accurate description of exactly how bad they are but I really can't be bothered hooking them back up to my PC.  On top of that the headphone amplifier they come with is necessary or you will have virtually no volume.  Using the headphone amp results in a high pitch noise that might not bother older users of the headphones but basically annoyed me to give them away.  Subsequently the microphone attachment broke off so my friend gave them back.

If you just want to use these for gaming the positional audio aspect is fantastic.  Also the mid range on these is about the only thing thats decent and that's all you really need for gaming.  For everything else stay away

There are apparently 2 new models available. One is supposed to be an upgrade so maybe it sounds better. The price is actually lower than what I paid so I'm guessing the headphone amp is still going to be terrible. If anyone is brave enough to actually try the carbon's I would be curious to learn if they've fixed/improved the amp.

Right now, I'm actually really considering the Sennheiser 333D's. It's software instead of a hardware solution but I have a feeling they'd work pretty well.

Option B: is a set from Razer.

Assuming you are using onboard sound at the moment I'd go with the Sennheisers over the razer.  Alternatively you can buy a separate usb sound card or mixamp and use whatever headset you want.

If you are using a Xonar/X-Fi or comparable sound card stay away from USB sound cards as they essentially replace it.  I'm using an x-fi based card and find it great for positional audio in games.  On top of that I get 128 hardware channels and can take advantage of games that support openal/eax. 

As for Optiona B/Razer: Some one I play online with a fair amount had the Razer Carcharias.  I could hear whatever he was hearing amazingly clearly through the microphone.  Was really annoying.  Did a quick search and found out he wasn't the only one.

I am willing to step up the the task of buying and trying the Psyko Carbons - but the only problem I have had is the return policy. Psyko previously had a 15-day satisfaction guarantee, but with the new 2011 models they removed it. I gave them a call about a return policy and they indicated they did not have one. They offer demos of the units at some gaming LAN shop in Ontario...but that doesn't do 99% of the rest of the world much good. It just seems sketchy that they would not back their product. Anyway - once Tiger Direct or NewEgg (only reputable dealers in the USA with a return policy) get them back in stock I am going to give them  a whirl. I already have a Creative Extigy so I can use these on my 360/PS3 (as well as my PC - Xonar DG) with discrete 5.1.

Would be interesting to see how its soundstage holds up against my modded T50RP.

I'm not willing to take the plunge, though.  =P

No returns? That's a great way to get me to never buy from someone.

"Look, it's not that we don't have faith in our product, it's that when it breaks or when you decide it sucks we don't want to take the loss."

Any time I see something with a lifetime warranty or a rather long return policy (30+ days) I always feel a lot better about buying as it says to me that they actually think they have a quality product.