Stereo vs surround headset

badger906 · 31 Oct 2011

I'm reluctant (well I'm not as I like spending money lol) to buy a head set as I have a very high quality home cinema av receiver.

However the position I sit to play games means the surround speakers are to my left, and ruin the whole surround experience.
And moving the speakers and or myself is out of the question.

So I wish to buy some gaming headphones.

Being a bit of a sound freak (hence the stupidly over priced home cinema system) I like things to sound good.

Now my speaker experience tells me that the likes of turtle beach or tritton surround sets can't possibly sound as good a decent pair of stereo speakers.

So I'm just wondering from your guys experience are the surround headsets actually any good? As I can't see how speakers in close proximity can come anywhere near close to surround.

Essay over :)

Sent from my BlackBerry 9900 using Tapatalk

speedgamer01 · 31 Oct 2011

I actually haven't tried any of these surround headsets, but I know that most (maybe all) of them use virtual surround. So what it means is that they tweaked their stereo sounding that much that it doesn't sound like a stereo headset... which they might call surround. These headsets tend to have the option to turn this feature off (who the hell bought them otherwise) but considering that you are an audiophile you wouldn't like it anyway because it degrades the audio quality (I know games' audio quality might not be as important as the music quality is).

I say buy a headphone which is a plain stereo one (I would go for an Akg since they are known for the non tweaked sounding, which saves you even more quality). I think that the virtual sorrund is only a matter of taste in games.

I hope I helped somewhat :)

badger906 · 31 Oct 2011

The newer breed have multiple speakers in the cups, so claim its a more true surround sound.

I am inclined to go stereo, as a decent multi speakered set is just under £200... Makes my wallet quivver a little... And my av receiver hate me even more!

Sent from my BlackBerry 9900 using Tapatalk

ignatzatsonic · 31 Oct 2011

badger906 said:

Now my speaker experience tells me that the likes of turtle beach or tritton surround sets can't possibly sound as good a decent pair of stereo speakers.

So I'm just wondering from your guys experience are the surround headsets actually any good? As I can't see how speakers in close proximity can come anywhere near close to surround.

I'd say your instincts are correct.

I'm a recovering old-time two channel audiophile and would not know "surround sound" from a side of beef.

But I suspect the most you could expect from "surround sound" headset is that it sounds different. Not to be confused with better. Just more gadgetry.

Zepher · 31 Oct 2011

I have the Logitech G35 surround headset and it produces an amazing surround sound experience from only 2 drivers.
I also use a Sennheiser PC135 USB headset and the imaging is amazing with this pair of Stereo headsets.
With either pair, I can play my games and hear where other people are.
The Logitechs are PC only and my Sennheisers can be used on a PC or any device with a 3.5mm jack as it has a USB Dongle that you can unplug the headset from.

badger906 · 31 Oct 2011

well i bought a really cheap set of 5.1 headphones.. was only £50.. so not holding out for much, but ive been suprised by unknown brands before lol

badger906 · 01 Nov 2011

well i thought id let you know how pleasantly surprised i am with what i considered a "dirty cheap" headset lol.

I bought a set of Trust GXT-26 5.1 surround usb headphones. they cost less than £50..

The sound is actually really accurate and true, im not convinced by the surround aspect as it just feels liek the sound is quieter when at the rear, but at the same location.

The bass is a little lacking, and doesnt quite boom, but im comparing that to my subwoofer which cost almost 10 times that of the headset.

The mic volume is a little low, and i have to talk at normal to slightly louder than i normally would, so late night gaming chat is out of the question lol.

ill stress it against bf3 later and see if im surprised further!

Zepher · 01 Nov 2011

how much are the G35's over there?
Logitech - G35 Surround Sound Headset

oh, they are 110 pounds!!
http://www.logitech.com/en-gb/gaming...s/devices/5095

badger906 · 01 Nov 2011

some sellers sell them fro around £80 as i looked at them after you suggested.

pparks1 · 01 Nov 2011

I've got a pair of Logitech G35's as well and am very pleased with them. I've been using them a lot lately playing BF3 and the sounds within game are solid. I can hear things coming in from behind as well as the sides. Sometimes I even pop them off to see if it's actually sound coming from my speakers that are placed on my desk.

I'm also a bit of an AV nut too. I don't have anything too elaborate, but I have 2 different 5.1 systems in my house (1 upstairs and 1 downstairs). None are HTIB setups, they are true receivers (downstairs is a Sony, upstairs is a Harman Kardon), and I run a variety of different Polk Audio speakers for my fronts, rears, centers and subs. For my work listening, I use a pair of Grado SR125 headphones. (Grado SR125 Review - Headphones - CNET Reviews).

With all that said, i couldn't be more pleased with my Logitech G35 setup. And may family upstairs is also happy as they don't hear anything, but the clicks from my mechanical keyboard.