[paspro]

There is hardware and software capable of creating virtual surround sound (e.g. Dolby Headphone) for headphones using of a 5.1 digital source. Which headphones do you think are ideal for this application, in the sense that they can create a better impression of sound coming from various virtual directions?

 

[mattpwill]

IMO, neither, but for movies I'd guess that multiple driver headphones will be better. Make sure you get a good set though, because it sounds like they range from appalling (Zalmans are supposedly in this category) to excellent (LTB have had a good review on this site, but I'd get lots of opinions first)

 

[machead]

Quote:

Originally Posted by paspro There is hardware and software capable of creating virtual surround sound (e.g. Dolby Headphone) for headphones using of a 5.1 digital source. Which headphones do you think are ideal for this application, in the sense that they can create a better impression of sound coming from various virtual directions?

I own both the Sennheiser DSP Pro and Philips SBC HP1500 hardware solutions.

The Sennheiser does not come with headphones but, not surprisingly, Sennheiser cans are recommended! I have tried a number of different models but find the HD565, HD580 or HD600 give the best results. These headphones have a broadly similar sound: the critical factor seems to be extended treble within an overall balanced response. This model does not decode Dolby Digital -- just Pro Logic.

The Philips comes with Philips HP1000 headphones, so one could guess that the hardware has been "tuned" to suit them. I have not tried any other headphones with this system as yet. The HP1000 has a "darker" sound than the Sennheiser HD565/580/600 but it's still pretty well balanced across the spectrum.

I have found that both systems are quite good at simulating the surround channels but don't do as well with the center front. If you imagine the soundfield as a spherical bubble around your head, you seem to be sitting close to the front of it, rather than in the center. I therefore suspect that certain models from Ultrasone (notably the HFI-700 DVD) and Sennheiser (the HD555 and HD595), which have angled drivers and claim to project a more realistic soundfield in front you, might help to put you closer to the center of the "bubble". I plan to try out these cans in the coming weeks and will report back to this thread (provided it hasn't drifted off course before then

).