[Suave]

Hi All!

Been meaning to write a post about thse two for a while now and have finally got round to doing it! I have had both the Pioneer SE-DIR2000C's and the Philips SBC-HD1500U 5. 1 Dolby Digital/DTS Headphone systems for quite some time now and both having hundreds of hours of use.

Both are not available in the UK (for the Pioneer, go to audiocubes and for the Philips go to an EU country). WARNING: If you buy the Philips, make sure it is the upgraded HD1500U version - the previous version had limited connection and were prone to getting broken!)

The Pioneer uses IR while the Philips uses RF. Both have excellent connectivity. The Pioneer is more futuristic looking while the Philips is more standard. The headsets the selves are very different. The Pioneer headset allows permanent storage of the batteries and when not in use, the headsets rest on a the decoder unit and automatically get charged - very neat indeed. Also the headsets only switch on when you have them on so as to save power - again very cool. The headsets are not the best looking and are an open air design that rests on the top of the head and have very, very little pressure around the ears. They are VERY comfortable but sometimes they can be a bit too loose and may tend to slip off. The Philips on the other hand are closed a loop system. Again, the Philips are not the best deigned headsets either. The batteries are need to charged in the decoder unit and changed when they run out. Philips do, however, supply two sets of batteries. The headsets form a very tight grip around the ears - a bit too tight and can get quite uncomfortable after a while, as the ears get kind of hot and sweaty. The Philips headsets have a manual on/off switch. Both headsets have volume controls. As far as comfort is concerned, the Pioneer are miles ahead - you can wear them all day long and after a while not notice they are there (as long as they don't slip off!). The Philips will have you massaging your ears after a couple of hours but will stay well rooted to your head!

As far as the base decoder units are concerned, both are very well built, easy to use and understand. Both allow you to hook up a wired headset of your choice if you wish and have independent volume control. The Pioneer will allow you to connect one wired headset but the Philips allows for two. The Philips allows for two Digital Inputs and two analogue inputs. The Pioneer allows for 3 digital inputs/outputs and one analogue. Both units have an attenuator to level selection if source sound output is low. Both units are different but I would give then equal score.

SOUND: This is very difficult to as both systems are so VERY GOOD but sound so VERY DIFFERENT. BOTH SYSTEMS IN TERMS OF SOUND QUALITY AND SURROUND SOUND DECODING/EFFECTS ARE VERY IMPRESSIVE INDEED. Considering you are not just getting headphones but electronics as well, I would rate them as EXCELLENT and I have been a headphone listener for over 25 years and have had numerous brands and models.

PLEASE NOTE: Both these headphones finally prove how very good wireless headphones now are - they are the best I have ever heard and I am an old fashioned git who refused to ever believe that wireless headphones would ever be any good. Trust me, they can hold up very well against many quality wired headsets. You will be very surprised indeed - I most certainly was - did not want to believe it even afterwards!

Both systems will bring a smile to your face and DEFINITELY change the way you watch movies and tv when using headphones.

Pioneer: A very complete headphone - sound is just wonderful. They are can adjust from being subtle and refined one moment and yet quite dynamic but in a very smooth way. They exhibit excellent transients with crystal clear sound. The top end is very smooth but efficient. Midrange is not at all coloured being crystal clear with a very natural sound - stunning. As for the bass, again, I am surprised at how good it is: it is tight, controlled, has good attack but is controlled. Using Dolby Digital or DTS sources and you really are in for a treat. Excellent surround sound effects with good steering and most of the time very convincing effects. You can hear the very, very subtle rear effects that one would ordinarily miss. The whole package just works so naturally and very pleasingly together. You kind of always have a smile on your face and a sense of real satisfaction. Bad points: Like I said, most of the time, they are so comfortable, you forget they are on but on my head at least, they are prone to slipping off - I think Pioneer tried to make them so as they put the minimal amount of pressure as possible on ones ears. The other point is to AVOID at all costs a function called 'Bass Assist.' It attempts to boost the bass but just makes things worse - leave it off at all times!

Philips: When I first heard these (utilising DD/DTS), I had one big grin on my face I can tell you! They too sound totally free of any interference just like the Pioneer's. As for the sound - they sound different to the Pioneer's - whereas the Pioneer's seem to PRESENT the sound to you - The Philips do the opposite - they literally smack it to you - a very attacking and forward presentation and depending on the source/material, works EXTREMELY well in some cases and on the whole works well generally but possibly with some loss of detail compared to the Pioneer's. They are not as refined or as controlled as the Pioneer's but depending on what you are listening to that is not always a bad thing - they are really great when watching in your face action movies. They do go very loud to the point that they can distort if you push the volume too far. Having said that they will go as loud as anyone would want before needing to push them to such a level - it can be painful. As for the Bass, again, like the Pioneer's. it is VERY impressive (bass being an inherent weakness of headphones normally), they can deliver quite a wallop! The midrange and vocals are very admirable indeed - I was impressed as being a Philips product I expected it to sound shrill and just horrible. Not so. they sound clear and very pleasant - you can concentrate on the whole event decent midrange and vocals throughout. The Pioneer's are however, are a bit more accurate and have a better tonal presentation than the Philips in the vocals and midrange. The same can be said for the top end - it can be a little dry and brittle compared to the Pioneer's which work in its favour in some circumstances but not in others. As for DD/DTS and surround sound decoding and effects - like the Pioneer's - truly excellent - very impressive indeed.

So, what's my conclusion? Well, it depends, firstly, which ever one you get - you will be very happy with so that should be some comfort. Overall though, the Pioneer wins it and I will tell you why. Firstly it has the edge on comfort. Then on the way it charges without having to change batteries and the auto shut off system, On the sound front, the Pioneer's are more adaptable than the Philips. They fully handle all sources very successfully without any compromise whether it be DD/DTS movies, TV or multi-channel music. They are more refined and detailed in sound overall and more controlled and offer a more spacious sound when watching DD/DTS movies/Pro-logic TV. With non movies and multi-channel music/normal music the Philips are less so which is why I give the final decision to the Pioneer's. I still do however truly love the Philips - They just are great too - you cant help but like them! I am lucky I guess as I have both so can alternate on which one I use and for what and more importantly, the type of mood I am in! If you want a system for both movies and music - go for the Pioneer - DEFINITELY. If you want a system just to watch movies then the Philips is the way to go!

VERY IMPORTANTLY!! you all will be EXTREMELY impresses when watching regular TV via Pro-logic and Dolby Headphone mode regardless of whether it is the Philips or the Pioneer's - They really do both rock - I was STUNNED at how good the surround sound when using non DD/DTS material as I had initially dismissed altogether just assuming that I would not enjoy anything other than a DD/DTS source but the complete reverse is true. Sometimes, I swear it is even more effective - or at least appears so - I know when I just get that smile on my face and thinking - boy, that sounded good!

If there is a common weakness to both systems, it is that the so called centre channel (created by no other option than by processing) on a 5.1 headphone system is to me nowhere near convincing. There is no real sweet spot AHEAD of you from where vocals emanate. I guess the Techno Boffins at Pioneer and Philips haven't quite fully figured that one out yet!

Both systems sound so good but still so different, its strange! Forgive me for the comparison but what come to mind is that if they were both cars, the Pioneer's would definitely be a BMW M3 - totally balanced, race bred, designed to do all things well, can handle itself and knows it, doesn't have to show off but can wipe away most things that angers it but still do so ina very dynamic, efficient and elegant way with real sense of assurity. The Philips on the other hand is a Mitsubishi Evo ot Subaru Imprezza - designed just to rock and have fun with on a rally circuit I guess(and what fun!) but is wasted on the roads or track! Does that make sense? If they were boxers, the Pioneer's would be akin to Sugar Ray Leonard while the Philips would be closer allied to Mike Tyson!

Both systems come with a remote control which caters for most selection options (great I thought, as previously I had the Pioneer SE-DIR800c's which did not have an RC) and being the lazy couch potato that I am, it made me mad having to get up and manually change modes every time I wanted to compare DD to DTS!! So the RC's solve this problem right? Unbelievably, NO!! I just can't believe it - both of them got it wrong!! oh well!

Final thought for the former purists like me who always rigidly believed that wireless headphones would never sound any good - its just not true anymore!

Hope you all find the above useful and interesting!

Best Regards!

Suave!!

[BritBoB]

Great reviews Suave, thanks.
I am new to Headphones and bought a set of the Pioneers out of necessity as loud films in the house are not an option at the minute. All I have read since then is that Wireless headphones are not worth getting and that Dolby Digital headphones are just a gimic so it is nice to read that someone with some experience of headphones has enjoyed using these. I have liked the sound they produce from the start but have no comparisson point with any other headphones.

I don't know if you've read my post about the problems I have been experiencing with the Pioneers. Are you using them in the UK? And are you using the voltage converter supplied by Audiocubes if you purchased from there? I presume you have not experienced any problems yourself but am just curious of your set up.

Thanks again,

Bob

[socrates1]

Excellent review, thanks very much.

I have the Philips HP1500 which is the wired version and I love it. Have you compared the performance of wired versus wireless headphones on the two units?

Agaian, thanks for a great review.

[Suave]

Originally Posted by BritBoB

Great reviews Suave, thanks.
I am new to Headphones and bought a set of the Pioneers out of necessity as loud films in the house are not an option at the minute. All I have read since then is that Wireless headphones are not worth getting and that Dolby Digital headphones are just a gimic so it is nice to read that someone with some experience of headphones has enjoyed using these. I have liked the sound they produce from the start but have no comparisson point with any other headphones.

I don't know if you've read my post about the problems I have been experiencing with the Pioneers. Are you using them in the UK? And are you using the voltage converter supplied by Audiocubes if you purchased from there? I presume you have not experienced any problems yourself but am just curious of your set up.

Thanks again,

Bob

Hi Bob!

Yes, I did buy from audiocubes an am using the suppied power/voltage converter supplied by them. I have had them for nearly two years now and in that time they have been constantly been connected to the mains AC via the voltage converter - thats 24 hours a day for nearly two years and I have never experienced any sort of problem whatsoever. THe same was true when I had the SE-DIR800C's.

If you look on the internet, there a a few specialist voltage transformer companies/makers in the UK - if you write to them with the exact power conversion needed I am sure that you will be able to find one and this will solve all your problems - I will find the company for you and get back to you - I bought a converter for my previous system here in the UK as I had purchased originally in the US. It seems the base unit is very sensitive to the power requirements so when enquiring about a suitable transformer ith a UK maker, send them the power spec requirements and get them to verify that it will be fully OK using it with the SE-2000C's. Thats what I did!

Regards

Suave!

[BritBoB]

Thanks again Suave,

I have ordered an adapter direct from Pioneer UK (well their official parts supplier in th UK) and asked specifically for one for use with the SE-2000C so hopefully when that arrives all will be well. I wonder what causes the problem with me and not with anyone else. Maybe I have dodgy electrics in the house our something. It's all very strange but you've given me a bit more confidence that they will work properly in the end and that hopefully I haven't caused any perminant damage.

All the best,
Bob

Thank you Suave for such a detailed review! You are very convincing that I made a good move last week by ordering the Pioneer's SE-DIR2000C!

I couldn't figure out exactly what you mean when you say that both systems have failed with the RC's to avoid you having to get up and manually change modes? Is is that there are some options that you can't remotely control or that it doesn't work at all times or what?

Last question, are we missing something that instructions are in Japanese only? Are there any features that you found out after many hours of trial and error?

Gratefully yours!
Michel

[Suave]

Originally Posted by mikeduchesne

Thank you Suave for such a detailed review! You are very convincing that I made a good move last week by ordering the Pioneer's SE-DIR2000C!

I couldn't figure out exactly what you mean when you say that both systems have failed with the RC's to avoid you having to get up and manually change modes? Is is that there are some options that you can't remotely control or that it doesn't work at all times or what?

Last question, are we missing something that instructions are in Japanese only? Are there any features that you found out after many hours of trial and error?

Gratefully yours!
Michel

Hi Michel,

As far as the RC issue: On both systems you can pretty much control most parameters set: ie{ Source whether diital or analogue, dolby headphone mode, pro-logic mode etc. What I meant was that there was no dedicated selection that allows one to switch between Dolby Digital and DTS. Sometimes when watching a 5.1 the DVD menu allows you to select your preferred sound format either DD or DTS. Sometimes I like to switch between to two to try and figure out which whether DD or DTS is better suited to the material being played - usually when I am nice and comfy in my bed watching in the dark and its a pain having to get up thats all! It would be nice if the RC allowed one to switch between the two thats all - not the end of the world I guess! As for the instructions, although in Japanese, it is very straightforward to set up indeed - everything on the unit is labelled in English anyway!! If you are connecting directly to a DVD Player only then make sure that your DVD Player has dedicated on board DD and DTS Decoders (as I have done) or you will have to connect the unit to an AV amp that does have the decoders. Whether you use digital optical or coaxial cables - there is no difference I can tell in terms of sound quality. I would buy a relatively better quality of standard analogue cables though - nothing too fancy just use something better than that which comes as standard on most audio equipment one buys!

Regards

Suave!

[NicolasB]

Originally Posted by Kilian Collins

I have the Philips HP1500 which is the wired version and I love it. Have you compared the performance of wired versus wireless headphones on the two units?

I'd be quite interested in the answer to that too.

[Suave]

Originally Posted by NicolasB

I'd be quite interested in the answer to that too.

Hi NicolasB,

To be honest, I have not ever hooked up a wired headset as I do not have any anymore! To be honest, when watching movies etc, it is a very great comfort FOR ME not to be tripping or worrying about cables (especially as I watch alot of late night, in the dark movies - I use to connect a wired set in the past to an av amp before I bought this system and sometimes if I was not careful, the headphone jack use to disconnect and then all the speakers use to kick at fairly loud volumes at all hour in the night!!

I have been meaning to try out a set but I do not see the point unless it is with a quality high end headphone - I have however PERSONALLY been VERY intrigued to see what the system sounds like with a pair of Jeckiln Float 2's as they had an incredibly spacious sound nd soundstage and a very transparent presentation - my thinking was due to their sonic characteristics and design that they would enhance the 5.1 effects further (the next best affordable thing to a pair of AKG K1000's I guess!) Trouble is I am having a hard time getting a hold of a pair since they were discontinued years ago. I heard that someone used a pair od Senn HD600's and thought they sounded marginally clearer than his surround sound set up which was a Pioneer SE-DIR1000C which was the previous version. I have reservations about the HD600's as I feel they are designed best for classical music and may prove to be disapointing for movies etc as they may sound a little flat and laid back in this area. Just speculating as I use to have a pair. Something like the HD600's or a decent pair of AKG's or the lie may work very well with 5.1 music though...

Suave!

[Bourner]

Suave,

Great review, slightly of topic but was hoping to pick you brains as you appear to have a good knowledge on this subject. Hope you don't mind.

Today I inherited some Pioneer Wireless 5.1 Headphones and receiver with XBOX branding on the side for free. They looks almost identical to the headphones your reviewing above. I've done a search on the models numbers which bring up next to nothing apart from Japanese and even translating it via google brings up next to nothing. Model number:- Digital Cordless Transmitter TRE-XB1 and Headphones SE-XHP1, do you known if they have an equivalent model that aren't branded by xbox that I can find reviews of? Do you know when they started and ended production? They use 12V DC and haven't come with an adapter, do I just need a 240V AC to 12DC converter to get them working? Does anyone on the forum have these headphones already?

Any help appriciated, TIA.

[Suave]

Originally Posted by Bourner

Suave,

Great review, slightly of topic but was hoping to pick you brains as you appear to have a good knowledge on this subject. Hope you don't mind.

Today I inherited some Pioneer Wireless 5.1 Headphones and receiver with XBOX branding on the side for free. They looks almost identical to the headphones your reviewing above. I've done a search on the models numbers which bring up next to nothing apart from Japanese and even translating it via google brings up next to nothing. Model number:- Digital Cordless Transmitter TRE-XB1 and Headphones SE-XHP1, do you known if they have an equivalent model that aren't branded by xbox that I can find reviews of? Do you know when they started and ended production? They use 12V DC and haven't come with an adapter, do I just need a 240V AC to 12DC converter to get them working? Does anyone on the forum have these headphones already?

Any help appriciated, TIA.

Hello Bournier!

I think you have the Pioneer SE-XB1?. PIonner originally came out with two top models - The SE-DIR1000C (now discontinued) which was aimed at movie and music goers finished in silver. The SE-XB1 was designed also to be used for a 5.1 gaming experience (for those who wish to enhance their gaming experience) in addition to watching movies and listening to music. The SE-XB1 came finished in a much better and very cool black finish and was designed to compliment the X-BOX console. In reality, the SE-DIR1000C and SE-XB1 are 99% IDENTICAL - the only differences between them was the black finish and X-Box logo on the side of the Transmitter unit of the SE-XB1 and sonically the SE-XB1 had a slightly boosted bass figure for gaming - thats the only differences. The SE-DIR1000C has been replaced by the SE-DIR2000C which I have written about earlier. I think Pioneer was originally trying to capture two markets and create dual demand by trying to distinguish between movie/music and gaming 5.1 headphone systems so people would buy either two or to maximise profits as much as possible from both sectors! In reality it made a gnats difference to the sound!! (It was all fancy and strategic marketing I guess!). It is an excellent set you have so be happy especially as you got it for free you lucky bloke! They were not cheap (around $500 in the US). Pioneer also brought out a second model - the SE-DIR800C which I had and also thought was fab which has now been replaced by the SE-DIR800C Mark II. Both the SE-DIR1000C & The SE-XB1 have recieved excellent reviews. I have provided a link below that gives a 4 page in depth review of the SE-XB1 (the one you have!) and it was full of praise - please see below. The SE-DIR2000C replaces the SE-DIR1000C & SE-XB1.

Hope that helps!

Suave!

SE-XB1 Review:

http://reviews.digitaltrends.com/review1821.html

[NicolasB]

Originally Posted by Suave

To be honest, I have not ever hooked up a wired headset as I do not have any anymore! To be honest, when watching movies etc, it is a very great comfort FOR ME not to be tripping or worrying about cables

Sure, but not everyone would agree with that. If it saves £100 and sounds at least as good, some people might be willing to put up with a wire. I'm especially interested in how the wireless 'phones that come with the HD1500 compare to the wired ones that come with the with the HP1500.

Originally Posted by Suave

I have been meaning to try out a set but I do not see the point unless it is with a quality high end headphone
[...]
I heard that someone used a pair od Senn HD600's and thought they sounded marginally clearer than his surround sound set up which was a Pioneer SE-DIR1000C which was the previous version. I have reservations about the HD600's as I feel they are designed best for classical music and may prove to be disapointing for movies etc as they may sound a little flat and laid back in this area. Just speculating as I use to have a pair.

In an audio store some years ago I briefly tried out my HD600 'phones attached to a Denon A1SR, and that sounded stunning. For comparison the same device was hooked up to B&W Nautilus 805/HTM2 speakers, slightly cheaper B&W rears, and a mid-range REL subwoofer. The headphone sound completely blew away the speakers. The soundstaging wasn't as effective, of course, but the transparency and lack of distortion was vastly superior, and it was far more pleasant to listen to.

As you may have read in another thread I recently bought a Philips HP1500 system on eBay. Sadly it's turned out to be defective, so I probably shouldn't draw too many conclusions from it, but on the occasions when it's working it does sound very good. I did briefly try connecting my HD650 'phones to it. It seemed to improve the bass response - I don't know if the Philips 'phones go low enough to get the full benefit of the subwoofer channel - but it also sounded a little distorted. I suspect the HP1500 base unit doesn't produce enough power to drive high-end Sennheiser 'phones properly. It had that indefinable "you need a headphone amp" quality to it.

[dmach22]

Hi all.
I have the Philips SBC-HD1500u wireless set and a quality pair of wired phones (Audio-Technica ATH-A900LTD's). To put it bluntly I now almost never use the wireless phones because the A900LTD's sound so much better in my opinion and are a lot more comfortble.

[Suave]

Originally Posted by dmach22

Hi all.
I have the Philips SBC-HD1500u wireless set and a quality pair of wired phones (Audio-Technica ATH-A900LTD's). To put it bluntly I now almost never use the wireless phones because the A900LTD's sound so much better in my opinion and are a lot more comfortble.

Hi NicholiasB & Duncan,

Thanks for the input - Like I said, I would like to try out a high quality wired set with these systems - I was thinking along the lines of the Swiss Ergo's but cannot seem to find them anywhere! I have a very healthly regard for Senn's in general as I use to have a pair of HD600's - They were only marginally less better than the HD650's IMHO and I was struggling with cash at the time! I know that the likes of Audio Technica & AKG make some very fine top end headphones but they are costly!! I will however try a descent wired set out especially after Duncan's experience. I know Audio Technica do a DD/DTS system but is is expensive (around $800) but you do get a very high quality wireless headset with it where most of the expense has gone I believe. The electronics to me seem to be imported from Pioneer. Although I have not heard it, speculation is the The king od surround sound headphone sysytems is the AKG Audiosphere II (although it too is a high end wireless system but around $1000-$1200. I think it only offers DD and no DTS but its electronics seem to be far more sophisticated than most and may also allow connection of wired headsets. Nicholas, if so, the base unit of the AKG MAY be of interest to you or possibly closest to what you are looking for? In the meantime, I am going to see if I can borrow a high quality decent wired headphone from somewhere!

Regards all

[NicolasB]

Originally Posted by Suave

Although I have not heard it, speculation is the The king od surround sound headphone sysytems is the AKG Audiosphere II (although it too is a high end wireless system but around $1000-$1200. I think it only offers DD and no DTS but its electronics seem to be far more sophisticated than most and may also allow connection of wired headsets. Nicholas, if so, the base unit of the AKG MAY be of interest to you or possibly closest to what you are looking for?

It might be of interest to me, but only if someone else is paying.

I'm actually feeling a bit disenchanted as a result of this faulty HP1500 system I've got. Even I manage to get a refund (which isn't looking likely at the moment ) I'll probably hold off for a bit and see if Yamaha really is just about to release a device that incorporates Smyth Virtual Surround - the reviews of that have really had me drooling.

[dmach22]

Hi Suave,
I don't think the Philips are bad by any means, its just that the A900LTD's have much more balanced sound. The treble is much cleaner and I feel that the bass is more defined. I also think that they give the impression of a wider sound stage especially with music. The A900LTD's are very easy to drive as headphones go so unlike NicolasB the Philips base station has no trouble driving the headphones to very high levels. And as you have already experienced your head does feel a little like being held in a vice after wearing the wireless phones for a while.
Regards

[Suave]

Originally Posted by dmach22

Hi Suave,
I don't think the Philips are bad by any means, its just that the A900LTD's have much more balanced sound. The treble is much cleaner and I feel that the bass is more defined. I also think that they give the impression of a wider sound stage especially with music. The A900LTD's are very easy to drive as headphones go so unlike NicolasB the Philips base station has no trouble driving the headphones to very high levels. And as you have already experienced your head does feel a little like being held in a vice after wearing the wireless phones for a while.
Regards

Hi Duncan,

I have to agree you on most points there - on my review I had highlighted the very same points about the Philips as you did - I feel if you mainly watch movies - thet are great but the Pioneer was ALSO good for 5.1 music - and yes, they do hurt after a while! I feel that Philips designed this system for movies primarily whereas Pioneer developed an all round system. I also found the Philips top a litlle brittle and dry But for movies it does not matter much. I am not sure if the Philips headset uses 40mm or 50 mm magnets as the product spec uotes both but the Pionner definetly has 50mm magnets which is probably why they sound more refined, smoother and as you have described with you AT's, a wider sound stage witha more balanced sound.
Both AKG, Audio Technica and a few other companies make some very beautiful high end headphones which are not marketed over here as they are deemed to not enough of a market for them - even the two I reviewed are not available in the UK!!! How sad huh?

Suave!

[dmach22]

Hi Suave,
I know exactly what you mean. I don't think some companies care about having a UK market for some of their products. I' m glad I bought my A900LTD's when I did because they are now unavailable.
Thanks

[Alkaizer]

i just ordered the pioneer one for my PS3

this one is very good for gaming right? i dont want to disturb my family by using surround sound system

[NicolasB]

Originally Posted by Alkaizer

this one is very good for gaming right? i dont want to disturb my family by using surround sound system

Is the PS3 capable of doing real-time internal Dolby Digital encoding? If it only has 5.1 analogue output, I doubt very much whether the Pioneer setup will be able to do anything with that, so unless the game has a pre-recorded DD soundtrack you'll be limited to stereo.

Even if it does do DD encoding on the fly I have to question the usefulness of doing it, given that DD is a lossy compression format. It's like listening to a CD by ripping it and then converting it to a low bitrate MP3 rather than listening to direct output from a CD player.

[Alkaizer]

in the back of the ps3 games box written dobly digital
ps3 have fiber optic output
and also many ps2 games have DPL2

so this head phone will function well with these?

[NicolasB]

Originally Posted by Alkaizer

in the back of the ps3 games box written dobly digital
ps3 have fiber optic output

Yeah, but that might just mean that if you're using the PS3 to play a DVD or BluRay movie you can read the pre-recorded Dolby Digital soundtrack off the disc and feed it through the digital output. That's completely different from actually generating 5.1-audio on the fly and then compressing it into a Dolby Digital stream in real time. I'm not saying the PS3 definitely can't do that, I just don't know whether it can or not. (Hardly any PC-based system can, for example, even though most PC sound cards can output a pre-recorded DD stream qute happily).

Originally Posted by Alkaizer

and also many ps2 games have DPL2

so this head phone will function well with these?

That should be okay, yes.

[Alkaizer]

i think this card will work perfectly with this headphone
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...ture=AuzenTech

does this head phone have Dolby Headphone Mode?

[Sweet Green]

These look just what i need, i am however a little confused on the encoding/decoding front.

Is it not an option to simply connect the optical output of a dvd player/sky hd box straight into the optical inputs on the headphone decoder?

Or will i have to purchase a seperate a/v receiver to connect said dvd/skyhd to connect to and encode it, then output via the optical outputs on the a/v receiver into the headphone decoder?

[NicolasB]

Originally Posted by Sweet Green

These look just what i need, i am however a little confused on the encoding/decoding front.

Is it not an option to simply connect the optical output of a dvd player/sky hd box straight into the optical inputs on the headphone decoder?

Yes, that's fine. Things only get more complicated when you're talking about a video game rather than a pre-recorded movie or TV programme.

If you are playing a DVD movie then there is a pre-recorded sound-track which is in a format that can be read off the disc and directly piped out of the player's optical output. (The same applies to a digital TV programme). You could feed the digital audio into a home cinema processor which decodes it and then (via an amp) drives speakers, or you could feed it into a Dolby Headphone unit which decodes it and then drives headphones. No difference.

The difference with games is that the soundtrack is not pre-recorded, it's generated in real time as you go along. If the sound is in stereo only then it's quite easy for the console or PC to feed a digital version through the digital-audio output; but if the generated sound is 5- or 6-channel surround sound, then you can't feed that out through the digital output unless it is somehow converted into Dolby Digital format first (on the fly); very few gaming devices are actually capable of doing that. Surround sound output from PCs or games consoles while playing games is normally only in analogue form, and you can't feed a 5.1-channel analogue signal into a Dolby Headphone unit (unless it's the terrifyingly expensive one made by Lake Technologies, which you probably don't want to mess with). Most Dolby Headphones devices can accept a stereo analogue signal, but a 5.1-channel signal has to be digital.

[Sweet Green]

Thanks for that Nic, that's a nice and clear explanation.

[tedpon]

hi suave,what a good review,i hope you or someone can help me,its about surround sound from my hi fi stereo system, a few years ago i read a review of a psudeo surround unit that is used between dvd or tv and hifi,it got a very good recommendation ,.does anybody know of this unit or any simlar addon to give me a kind of sorround effect in my room,as this room is not the right shape for 5.1 dolby system,... hope for help,

[Mauro]

Is it possible to purchase just the Pioneer decoding section as I already have an excellent and expensive set of headphones?

[Fangorn]

Just changed to the new Pioneer 600 dvd player and getting lip synch problems, any ideas guys ?

[Mauro]

Originally Posted by Fangorn

Just changed to the new Pioneer 600 dvd player and getting lip synch problems, any ideas guys ?

I think you posted in the wrong section fella.