[Evin]

Hello dear HeadFi-Members, greetings from Vienna!

I've read numerous threads in this wonderful forum, but with every thread I got more and more clueless about upgrading my equipment. It would be really great if you could help me.

Usually I used regular 5.1-loudspeakers, but since my girlfriend moved her PC to the living room I switched to headphones and never regretted it.

Currently I'm using:

- Denon 1905 AV-Receiver
- Philips SBC HD 1500 DolbyHeadphone-Amp (the old Version with Coax)
- BeyerDynamic DT770Pro (250Ohm)

Before I found this forum, I thought the only possibilities for DolbyHeadphone would be an AV-Receiver (Marantz&Co) or those Philips-Amps. Now I found out that there are several other ways to achieve DH. (Astro, SU Victor... (I've forgotten the exact name

)).

So, as I said, I'm thinking about upgrading my equipment because after reading on this forum, I want more and better experience.

For example it's very hard for me to locate opponents in videogames. Many users say that the can locate enemies in a very precise way. Am I doing something wrong, or is it my equipment?

What would you recommend? I can spend around 550$ (maybe more, if a new AV-Receiver is necessary)

I want to connect a HTPC for movies and a PS3/360 for gaming. It would be great if could hear my own voice when chatting with other people to avoid raising my voice. (Do you know what I mean? It's a little bit complicated to explain it since didn't I speak english very well/often

)

My 5.1-system should be stay in place for watching movies with my beloved girlfriend/regime. ^^

I hope you can help my, because I'm lost.

 

[stang]

The ATh-AD700 are wonderful for positioning where enemies are. DT880 are also very good but apparently not as good as pinpointing enemies locations. An astro mixamp should do well. The AD700 are very open cans, so hearing people around you (I presume your girlfriend for example), is very easy. I know this coz I own the AD700 and have gamed with them for a long time, they are wonderful!

 

[Evin]

A thought about open Headphones, but I'm afraid that it would annoy my girlfriend, who is sitting 5m away. But I had to admit that I have no idea how loud open headphones are for people around.

The next big thing is, that I'm not a big fan of switching cables. Almost everything should work via remote. It would be horrible for me if I have to switch or change something every time I use my Xox360/PS3/HTPC. :/

It would be great if I could use this AVR: VSX-919AH-K 7.1 Channel AV Receiver with PQLS, HD Master Audio and iPod/iPhone Digital Direct via USB (Black) - Pioneer Amplifier and Receivers
But I have no idea how to achieve good "surround"sound on my headphones without switching cables like mad.

 

[Trapper31]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evin /img/forum/go_quote.gif A thought about open Headphones, but I'm afraid that it would annoy my girlfriend, who is sitting 5m away. But I had to admit that I have no idea how loud open headphones are for people around. The next big thing is, that I'm not a big fan of switching cables. Almost everything should work via remote. It would be horrible for me if I have to switch or change something every time I use my Xox360/PS3/HTPC. :/ It would be great if I could use this AVR: VSX-919AH-K 7.1 Channel AV Receiver with PQLS, HD Master Audio and iPod/iPhone Digital Direct via USB (Black) - Pioneer Amplifier and Receivers But I have no idea how to achieve good "surround"sound on my headphones without switching cables like mad.

The receiver you linked (which I also own) has a virtual surround mode specifically for use with headphones called Phones Surround. Unfortunately I have not tried it out yet as I am just now in the process of picking out my first set of headphones. And I don't think there is a shred of information anywhere on the entire internet regarding this surround mode and its performance. I'd like to know how it compares to Dolby Headphone or Yamaha's Silent Cinema.

If no one else can comment I'll be sure to give my impressions once I finally make a decision on my purchase (it's looking like the ATH-AD700s will be the big winner).

Actually, off-topic, I have a question for you - are you using a mic with your PS3? If so, how do you have it connected? I'd like to get something like that Zalman clip-on mic, but the PS3 does not have a 3.5mm mic jack, I think it has to go through USB.

Thanks!

 

[Evin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trapper31 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Actually, off-topic, I have a question for you - are you using a mic with your PS3? If so, how do you have it connected? I'd like to get something like that Zalman clip-on mic, but the PS3 does not have a 3.5mm mic jack, I think it has to go through USB. Thanks!

Afaik the PS3 only supports Bluetooth-Headsets. :/




Maybe I should buy a Marantz-Receiver with DolbyHeadphone...?

 

[Trapper31]

Yesterday I ended up ordering the AD700s, the Labtec ClearVoice head mic that Fragtality used for his mod, and a 3.5mm stereo/mic-to-USB converter (which had many positive reviews stating that it works perfectly with the PS3).

For now I will be using the Pioneer VSX-919AH-K and its virtual headphone surround mode, so I will be sure to let you know how that works when my headphones arrive. Unfortunately I don't have much experience with headphone virtual surround. I have an X-Fi card on my PC, but am using a crappy Plantronics headset along with the CMSS mode. So if I come back and say something like "BEST. EXPERIENCE. EVER.", take it with a grain of salt.

I know Marantz equipment can get quite expensive, so if you were looking for a new AV receiver just to add some decent virtual surround to your headphone listening, you may want to check out Yamaha's receivers. I have never used them, but while doing the research for my headphones I've read that their Silent Cinema mode works really well for headphone virtual surround (I believe it was Kool Bubba Ice who was familiar with them and mentioned Silent Cinema in his gaming headphone guide). Plus they are more than capable home theater receivers over all.

Good luck, let us know what you decide!