Firstly, do they work to make a excellent surround sound feeling like surround sound speakers?
Secondly, would I be able to listen to stereo? (5. 1 headphones)
Thirdly, I have Intel High Definition Audio 2. 0 with the optional Integrated Sound Blaster Audigy Advanced HD Software Edition, would I need anything to really use surround sound headphones?
Finally, can anyone recommend me a pair that works well under $90?
Categorized | surround sound headphones
Questions About Surround Sound Headphones?
Posted on04 September 2009.
4 Responses to “Questions About Surround Sound Headphones?”
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I have never listened through anything but stereo headphones. In the 70s there were “Quad” headphones. Theoretically it is possible for headphones to present a multi dimensional sound field but there needs to be a processing unit that shifts the phase of certain parts of the input. As I recall the quad phones had such units. With all respect I reckon David C is confused about the way surround sound works. The various speakers reproduce different spacial parts of the sound field not different sound ranges. This is why you can hear things like aircraft passing from front to back in a film track. All of the channels, even 7.1 systems, are full range with the exception of very low bass. In a high quality system all of the speakers have both woofers and tweeters and some are even three way with a midrange. Some receivers can give you options where low bass is reproduced by all channels and / or which channels are directed to the subwoofer. If you want excellent headphones look for Senheiser, Beyerdynamic and Fostex. Koss is excellent with their higher end models. They are pricey but you can usually find a excellent deal on eBay. A excellent pair of headphones will shock you at how terrible most speakers sound. You might even forget about surround sound.
The thought of surround sound headphones seems a bit fishy to me. First, because you need multiple separate sound sources in different locations to make surround sound. How is that possible when the speakers in the headphones are an inch from your ears? I suppose there could be an attempt to simulate the surround, but I would be very surprised if the simulation was at all convincing.
Aren’t “regular” headphones the ultimate way to immerse yourself in sound anyways?
This 5.1 stuff sounds like a marketing gimmick to me.
I’ve used a ancient pair of Sonys for listening to music and recording for years. In fact I reckon they still make them for about the same price…
Here is a link…mine are an older model, but they’re just about the same thing.http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/pro…
First Kwel guy Ha Ha Ha on the 5.1 headset.
Headphones are stereo and any resemblance to surround sound is merely perceived based on you only listen in stereo and with both ears covered your only gonna hear into each ear at best.
5.1 refers to a speaker setup that has a left / right, front / back, center(5) for mid tones and high tones , a bass background speaker to fill in the low frequency sounds, (7.1) would be an additional pair of speakers and may be specifically for high tones because some speakers don’t contain tweeters. Depends on what you have on the flip side a pair of headphones would not technically have right bass reproduction.
Third the sound card your refering to in laymens terms digitally gives you refined audio reproduction so you hear better highs and lows as well as immersing the user in as excellent of a synthetic sound envirnoment as possible. Headphone outputs are much simpler because they don’t need all the same controlling features as a excellent set of speakers provide cause the headset is too small to give you right sounds anyway.I ‘m sure they are working on it The problem with speakers is they project sound in the direction the speaker points. It is not like the natural sounds you hear which are for the most part omni-directional. In mans quest for the perfect sound reproduction device they are continually developing these electronic filter and amplifier devices so you get the impression you are right in the middle of the concert.
These days there are so many excellent headsets available that are under $100 that you will have to try them out, For that price you should be able to get noise cancelation technology thrown in.Noise cancelation sends a background tone out so you can’t hear other sounds which get thru the headsets acoustic material makeup. People have their own preferences I prefer Sony or Bose but there are as many out there as stereo recievers.They come with 1/8″ , 1/4″jacks and even dual jacks for some stereo systems. The excellent thing is you can usually find an adapter to switch between the ones you come across.
This is just one of many ; http://www.shop.com/Electronics-a-Sony+Headsets…