[kool bubba ice]

What do I need?
Headphones & a 5.1 adapter. See below for some recommendations.

1. JVC SUDH1
Pros: Can be had below retail. Portable & small. Nice build quality. Supports DTS. the Japanese version has an AC input.

Cons: Eats batteries like crazy.
Not made for hard to drive headphones.

audiocubes.com jvc.com

2. Astro mix amp

Pros: Used DH next gen chip set. Nice selections of inputs including USB. Not as power hungry as the JVC. Mute function. • Balance control allows optimization of game/voice balance (from astrogaming website.

Cons: Must buy a retail. Sellers are limited. No DTS support.

astrogaming.com

Digital 5.1 receivers

Pros: Can be used as a hub. Ample power to drive high OHM headphones. Lots of connections. No recharging.

Cons: Big & bulky. Only entry level receivers to have DH are from harman kardon & Maranazt. Expensive.
harmankardon.com marantz.com
Pioneer 5.1 headphones (no particular model.)

Pros: Can use a second headphone (wired) to get 5.1/DH. Some models support coax. Quality stereo headphone. Portable. Can be had for less then retail.

Cons: Wireless. Have to be within a certain distance for headphones to work.
Audiocubes.com

Hi end 5.1 adapters:

Beyerdynamic Gamezone: 2,000. Retail.
beyerdynamic.com
AKG Hearo 999 Audiospere II: 1,099. Retail. (450.00)
headphone.com
Audio Technica ATH DWL5000 Digital wireless headphone system: 1,149.99. Retail.
audiocubes.com

Other category:
Most, if not all 5.1 digital receivers support simulated SS through headphones. The quality varies from good to bad. Many companies use their own DSP to save money instead of going with the proven DH.
Yamaha's Silent Cinema seems to be the best out of the 'home made' DSP..But I haven't tried JVC/Sony/Denon DSP to compare. I used a Yamaha receiver for 5.1 SS with my 595's.. This was 2 yrs ago. My comparison with the DH might be a bit muddy. From what I remember Yamaha's DSP had great seperation, but lacked DH 3D & up close presentation. DH is also more spacious & is speaker like.
jvc.com sony.com. yamaha.com denon.com.
dolbyheadphone.com

 

[wpq3]

As a strictly gaming headphone, the tritton ax360 should get 4stars in the 100 or less catagory. With three volume controls you can turn up different drivers to bring out the proper sounds depending on what game you're playing.

 

[kool bubba ice]

No 5.1 headset made the list cause they are not very good for gaming, compared to the others I listed. & & drivers & a fake sub doesn't cut it. You'd be better off getting the Astro's gaming headset, instead.

 

[Nocturnal310]

Thats the reason real headphone makers dont make 5.1 headphones.

 

[PaulK]

Try the Philips SBC HD1502. Digital wireless headphone included (good sound!), plus extra connection for 2 wired phone. DSII, DTS, DH. Suits my needs!

 

[ck55]

What are some examples of digital receivers that have Dolby Headphone? I'm really interested in purchasing a new receiver that's around 300$ just so I can get 5.1 out of my HD555s for gaming and I will add new speakers later once I get the money for that as well.

Thanks for help anyone!

 

[SemiAudiophile]

i personally think my 5.1 Kinyo headphone did better with gaming than the HD650 and K701. while the HD650 and K701 did better with movies, the kinyo simply had better imaging and positioning for gaming. i did not hear better details or anything using the other phones. i haven't tried the 5.1 adapter/systems though.

 

[techenvy]

so do most highend head amps provide surround sound pass through from say xbox360?

 

[techenvy]

i game with the pioneer dir800c and i can tell u that the surround sound on them is great, but the build quality is supoer cheap but there worth it just for the base reciever wich has heaphone output jack and dolby headphone 3 switches optical toslink and coaxial and analog input

 

[jalyst]

why not just get a dedicated surround adapter like:
AudioCubes.com - JVC SU-DH1 Surround Headphone Adapter - SU-DH1 -
or
Astro Gaming | Professional Gaming Equipment | MixAmp™
If you've already got headphones?