How do I get better sound for games on my 360?

Hiya everyone I was hoping to get some advice.

I use my 360 on a PC monitor, so to get sound I hook it up to a mini system and use headphones (Sennheiser EH 250). The problem is either the 360 or the headphones don't handle directional sound very well. When there's a sound over to my left or right it only comes through the left or right channel and sounds like it's right in my ear. If you listen to something on your ipod and pull out one of the ear pieces it sounds like that. It's really annoying. The sound and music are great otherwise, it's just that problem with the directional sound. And I use the same headphones on my PC and don't get that effect.

So what can I do to improve that? Hooking up speakers would be the solution but it's not practical where I have the 360 set up. So would some other headphones be better? I have tried with two or three different sets and get the same thing, but maybe directional sound headphones would be better. I've been told to get directional sound you need multiple speakers placed around you, so would directional sound headphones actually be any better?

I've also tried plugging the headphones right into the 360 so bypassing the mini system both with the VGA cable and the 360 audio adapter that I use when I hook up HDMI, and it still does it so it doesn't seem to be the mini system which I thought might be the problem because it is nearly twenty years old.

So I've been looking at some new headphones and someone recommended the ATH AD700. I've read some reviews and they do seem to be good for directional sound, and giving a sense of where sound is coming from in the game which is something I'd really like. But someone else said they need to be used with a mixamp to get that effect. I'm not quite sure what a mixamp is. I googled it and campe up with this thing from Astro Gaming http://www.astrogaming.com/mixamp-usb I'm not really sure how it works. You plug your headphones inot it and then somehow it plugs into the 360? Also I'm not sure if it's available in New Zealand, and I can't just order one from the site due to the power being different over here.

I'd really appreciate any opinions or suggestions especially if you also use headphones and if you get the same effect (on Skyrim since it seems worse on that particular game). Or if you use headphones but don't get that what brand and model are they? I'd really appreciate detailed and specific suggestions as possible giving makes and models.

Many thanks everyone.

Edit: I should point out that I'm not into online gaming so I don't need a mic.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mad Lust Envy 

For the love of god....
http://www.head-fi.org/t/534479/mad-lust-envy-aka-shin-czs-guide-to-headphone-gaming-particularly-with-dolby-headphone
If you have the old Xbox...

or if you're using the new Xbox

The optical out goes to the optical in on the Mixamp/DSS 2.
In fact, since you're not going to be gaming online, save cash by getting the Turtle Beach DSS 2. It will do the same surround processing as the Mixamp.
http://www.amazon.com/Turtle-Surround-Processor-Xbox-360-63043006306200/dp/B006W41X36/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1327614086&sr=8-1
It will transform your headphones to something with very good surround sound.
My guide (first link posted) will give you a good idea as to what headphones work will with stuff like this.

Well that is all very, very helpful. Thank you very much. The DSS 2 looks like just what I need. Not only that but it's USB powered so I don't have to worry about mains supply. I'll try it with my Senny EH 250 which are closed, and as you said open headphones are better, but I'll see how I go and look at getting some open ones later on. This morning I was on the cusp of buying the AD700s (for what for me is a lot of money) but your review of them having no bass saved me from making an expensive mistake. The DSS 2 looks ideal as long as it doesn't sacrifice sound quality for the surround sound and I guess I'll have to try them to see.

I had no idea what was available on the market so I can't thank you enough for suggesting them. I'm even going to suggest them to my local online game webstore because I think they're something a lot of people would want and may not know about. We have a very limited choice for things like this in New Zealand.

I read your reivew post and I'm curious as to what you personally use between your headphones and your console.

Thanks again.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mad Lust Envy 

I use the Mixamp 5.8. It plugs to the 360 the same way the DSS 2 does. I use it because I do use voice chat every once in awhile, and I like the fact that it has a wireless 5.8ghz transmitter which sends the signal to a small receiver that you plug your headphones to.
http://www.astrogaming.com/mixamp-5-8
What's your budget for a headphone if you were to get one? Though the DSS 2 would definitely work with your headphones, you could always do better.
BTW, the surround sound processing will sound quite different than typical stereo, so you may have to adjust to the difference. For the purpose of gaming and perhaps movies, they will be fine. I certainly would turn off the surround sound for music though as it sounds echoey and wrong.

About US$150 would be my budget. I'd go over if I knew I was going to get something I'd be really happy with but if I spent a couple of hundred dollars and didn't notice any difference I'd be quite distraught.

One more thing, and I'm sorry if this is obvious but I'd just like to be sure... on the 360's audio tab would I select Dolby Digital 5.1 or Dolby Digital 5.1 with WMA Pro (the other option being stereo) when using the DSS 2?

It looks like the DSS 2 is only available in the US. I think I'll go with the Astro Gaming Mixamp Pro, assuming I can get it. The reviews seem positive.

Edit: Amazingly I was able to get one from a local online store. I should have it in a day or two. Yay.

It turns out I couldn't get the Astro Gaming Mixamp locally (I thought it was a bit too good to be true). So whatever I get I'll have to get it from overseas. So I was wondering if you could tell me if there is any difference just in terms of sound quality between the Astro Gaming mixamp, the DSS or the DSS 2.

I've heard the DSS has better base than the Astro Gaming mixamp which would be good, so I guess I'm tossing up between the DSS or the DSS 2. So I'd appreciate input from anyone who's used both.

Thank you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by chicolom 

I used both, but I haven't used the new DSS 2 - just the first one.  The surround sound quality is identical.  There are minor differences in the bass boost (better on the DSS), and the Mixamp has slightly more mids.  The mixamp has a slightly lower noise floor which means less hiss.  But it's not really an issue unless you have very sensitive headphones.

 

The new DSS 2 has more EQ options and also lets you adjust the surround sound position.  If you don't need the voice chat features, I would probably get the DSS 2.

Thank you, that helps. It looks like the DSS 2 is only available in the US at the moment, so I'll go with the DSS as I can get that right now. But I may look at getting the DSS 2 if it ever becomes available outside the US.

Thanks again.

Only one more question, and this may sound stupid, but if I decided to go with a new set of headphones as well as the sound processor, would I get addition surround sound from surround sound headphones, like the Sennheiser HD 555, or would they just be redundant?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mad Lust Envy 

The HD555 is actually a stereo headphone.
For surround sound amps like the Mixamp and DSS2, they work best with stereo headphones. Surround sound headphones wouldn't work properly because you'd only get sound from their main drivers. The sole exception is the Turtle Beach HPX which is a surround headphone but with decent main drivers that work well with Dolby headphone. However, they won't stack up to real stereo headphones.

Ah ok, thanks. Have you tried the HD 555? What do you think for Dolby gaming?