surround sound headphones?

[raisedbywolves]

i'm thinking of buying a pair of surround sound headphones for when i move into an apartment rather than buying a home theater system (probably leaning towards the sony ht-ct100 if i go that route) in order to be conscientious of neighbors. is there anything out there for up to 300 (or a little more if necessary) that'd be worth it?

i'll be using it for movies (most likely rips or blu-ray discs from an htpc) and gaming (xbox 360 and maybe an occasional pc game), i'll probably be okay with most tv shows through the tv speakers and i'll listen to music through my computer or mp3 player.

the one i'm looking at right now is the astro gaming a40 since it'd double as a headset and has pretty favorable reviews, but i thought i'd ask you experts here for some suggestions.

thanks!

 

[Oggranak]

5.1 (in headphones) has got to be one of the biggest wastes of money, IMO. Stereo headphones actually give a fully 3D presentation. There are plenty of excellent stereo gaming headphones such as the Audio Technica ATH-AD700.

 

[MrKazador]

The Astro A40 MixAmp can take a digital input and convert that to Dolby Headphone. Problem is it only accepts Dolby Digital and not DTS. Another option is the JVC SU-DH1. Pair that up with a 2ch headphone like the HD555 or something a little more expensive. That would work well for movies and gaming.
I have upload some Dolby Headphone samples to give you an idea how it sounds. You need to use headphones and the stereo version in the description.
YouTube - Dolby Headphone TEST
YouTube - THX - Amazing Life (Dolby Headphone)

 

[CDBacklash]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oggranak /img/forum/go_quote.gif 5.1 (in headphones) has got to be one of the biggest wastes of money, IMO. Stereo headphones actually give a fully 3D presentation. There are plenty of excellent stereo gaming headphones such as the Audio Technica ATH-AD700.

I've always wondered how a low-bass, very open headphone came to be regarded as a great gaming headphone... Maybe if you are at home and do not like high impact explosions. I've heard the stereo imaging is great though, which is probably where this regard comes in but I have heard similar about many phones.
with regards to OP, dont waste your money.

 

[jageur272]

Quote:

Originally Posted by CDBacklash /img/forum/go_quote.gif I've always wondered how a low-bass, very open headphone came to be regarded as a great gaming headphone... Maybe if you are at home and do not like high impact explosions. I've heard the stereo imaging is great though, which is probably where this regard comes in but I have heard similar about many phones. with regards to OP, dont waste your money.

They're considered great gaming headphones for the imaging and soundstage that they provide. By good gaming headphones, the consensus is that they give you an advantage, not they sound good for games

And Team3d used to use open headphones (Senn 595's) to play counterstrike, isolation isn't that important.

 

[apatN]

Blasphemy!
For your needs the Beyer DT880 is absolutely perfect. You won't believe how good movies will sound through them. They do (as any other headphone, really) gaming as well superbly.
Do get an amp for them though. They like tubes.

 

[43st]

Quote:

Originally Posted by apatN /img/forum/go_quote.gif Blasphemy! For your needs the Beyer DT880 is absolutely perfect. You won't believe how good movies will sound through them. They do (as any other headphone, really) gaming as well superbly. Do get an amp for them though. They like tubes.

While the DT880 completely destroys the AD700 sonically, the Audio Technica's sound stage is noticeably wider.

 

[apatN]

^ They probably are more uninvolving because of that. My HD595s suffered from the same.

 

[Cecala]

I concur on the standard stereo phone being used for watching films. I've been doing that for years. I'm of the opinion that Dolby Headphone is more gimmick than anything else, it makes the output sound mushy or compressed.

 

[Likwid]

I actually have a pair of Ultrasone HFI580's on the way for my Xbox 360, they are supposed to have some good bass and natural surround sound. As for the actual surround headphones, I have not heard anything groundbreaking about any of them so far. I was actually going to buy a pair of surround headphones but after tons of research I decided to go with the Ultrasones.

 

[oqvist]

Quote:

Originally Posted by apatN /img/forum/go_quote.gif ^ They probably are more uninvolving because of that. My HD595s suffered from the same.

For me it´s headphones with small and flat soundstaging like the HD 650 which is the most uninvolving. Maybe I am unfair my other headphones is quite reknowned for their soundstage

As for complete 3d sound. Don´t read to much into that. Ultrasones is the best I have used so far for creating surround sound with dolby headphone anyway and the only ones that I would say would even fit the description by any degree. It´s scary accurate often and it does some things better (and some thing worse) then a 5.1 system. Overall a 5.1 system is more accurate though as you should expect.

It may be hard on the 300$ limit you could get some of the cheaper ultrasones. Have only heard the 750 and it impressed me quite a bit as well.

As for 5.1 headphones it´s a fun concept and it may get a revival since fewer and fewer games are developed with headphones in mind. (console gamers generally run on 5.1 systems). Psykoaudio 5.1 headphones looks interesting but I just can´t see that the sound quality would cut it really but interesting concept nevertheless.

 

[genclaymore]

Yea i agree with with oqvist, same with ultrasones, I found them working better with dolby headphone for me. Then the AD700's I had. I used to use 5.1 headphones my self too. Glad I stop.

they worked ok but not as good as CMSS3D and Dolby headphone, back then I didnt care much and just wanted 5.1 even if it didnt sound as good as stereo headphones.

Ultrasone HFI 780s go for 166 at northernsound, the padding will not hurt your ears if you have small ears. But if you dont like pleather any way. They can be fitted with DT250 earpads which are velvor

 

[kool bubba ice]

K290 surround.

 

[Duggeh]

Sennheiser Surrounder. Accept nothing less

 

[raisedbywolves]

thanks for the replies everyone.

yeah, i realize the surround sound earphones are kinda gimmicky, but i guess some people find them acceptable as well, so i was wanting to gauge opinion. i dunno, it's probably smarter to just get a surround system for now and just a decent headset for gaming later on from the sounds of it.