[shappy]

I like to watch TV and movies while I exercise on my elliptical machine. I currently use a Denon ADV-M71 receiver that had Dolby Headphone and a dedicated headphone amp along with some Sure E2c's.

While I think the sound quality is acceptable, I am not really satisfied with the surround effect, or lack thereof, that I get from this combination. I don't know if it is the quality of the Denon unit or what, but I just don't get a true surround effect from TV and movies.

Can anyone suggest a different solution? Perhaps some dedicated 5.1 surround headphones or a different amp? I am aware of the Yamaha YSV-1 that uses the SVS technology, but I just don't know if this is vaporware or not or how much it will really cost.

I am looking at spending not more than $500 in total and would need something that will hold up to the rigors of exercise (sweat).

Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[darkswordsman17]

From what I've gathered, surround sound headphone technology just isn't really viable. Either, you've got the cheap PC gaming ones, or else the higher end ones that sacrifice sound quality for the surround effect. I don't know that any of them would hold up well with your situation either.

Have you tried not using the Dolby Headphone effect? I think the big benefit it offered was with voices, not necessarily the overall surround sound.

If that doesn't sound any better, I don't know that you'd really get what you're seeking, especially with your budget (with a much higher budget you might find something).

Is there any reason you couldn't just put that $500 into some speakers? If there is, then I would say your best option would be to find some headphones with good soundstage/imaging. Maybe see what gets recommended for gaming and see if any of it fits what you're looking for. I don't know how well IEMs in general fare in those aspects.

 

[StealthR6]

I'd avoid 5.1 headphones, they all suck. I'd look into something like a Beyerdynamic DT770Pro80, I really like those for movies. Match it w/ a good DAC if on the PC (not necessary) and a good amp and you'll be in movie sound heaven.

Now for exercise, I'd recommend another set of phones, something like a Koss KSC75 or Sennheiser PX100 and just plug those into a MP3 player while to go running etc.

 

[thrillmetoo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by StealthR6 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'd avoid 5.1 headphones, they all suck. I'd look into something like a Beyerdynamic DT770Pro80, I really like those for movies. Match it w/ a good DAC if on the PC (not necessary) and a good amp and you'll be in movie sound heaven. Now for exercise, I'd recommend another set of phones, something like a Koss KSC75 or Sennheiser PX100 and just plug those into a MP3 player while to go running etc.

x2. The result from 'real' 5.1 cans are far from impressive.
I also have a Yamaha receiver with virtual surround, but that's also not impressive.

 

[shappy]

Thank you for everyone's input.

 

[Carl]

I'll put in a different view. I think virtualizers like Dolby Headphone offer a significantly more convincing effect than the straight headphone experience. Earbuds don't tend to work too well with DH, though. Which DH mode are you using? DH2?

 

[Fitz]

This reminds me that I still need to get a hold of a surround sound amp to try the K290 in 4-channel mode instead of 2-channel.

 

[MrKazador]

I have some experience in this area...
Like you, I wanted some 5.1 headphones. Read some reviews and decided to go with the Kinyo ky-100. This was about 2-3 years ago. It sounds like a true 5.1 setup, the "sub" is more of a tactile driver. I still have it now and it works perfectly fine.
I then bought the Sennheiser Hd555. WOW! Im using this with Intervideo's DSP downmix(Dolby Headphone) and Ac3filter. It sounds like your in a theater, open, voices are clear and the effects are nice. It sounds like im surrounded by 5 speakers and can hear things fly by behind my head, very impressive.
Im never going to buy 5.1 headphones again. With software from DOLBY, 2 channel quality headphones should be the better buy.
What I dont understand is how you can you fit 3 speakers in each ear piece(6 total) and get decent quality from a 5.1 headphone.

 

[shappy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carl /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'll put in a different view. I think virtualizers like Dolby Headphone offer a significantly more convincing effect than the straight headphone experience. Earbuds don't tend to work too well with DH, though. Which DH mode are you using? DH2?

Either DH1 or DH2, depending on what I am watching.

I picked the Sure E2c's since I figured they would hold up to a sweaty environment pretty good, and they have. I had some of the Sony Fonotopia (sp?) headphones that crapped out after about 6 months.

 

[shappy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carl /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'll put in a different view. I think virtualizers like Dolby Headphone offer a significantly more convincing effect than the straight headphone experience. Earbuds don't tend to work too well with DH, though. Which DH mode are you using? DH2?

Either DH1 or DH2, depending on what I am watching.

I picked the Sure E2c's since I figured they would hold up to a sweaty environment pretty good, and they have. I had some of the Sony Fonotopia (sp?) headphones that crapped out after about 6 months.