[Matt The Giant]

Hi, I am currently using a pair of Sennheiser HDR-120 wireless RF headphones, which have been fine for the last 2 years of usage, however, I feel it is time to upgrade. The current headphones hiss when things are quiet, and when I get caught in a shotgun fest in a Gears math, I can't hear anyone, therefore I have to turn the game volume down (so that the voices sound louder), and I have to put up with the hissing (volume constraints so I can't make the game volume loud and the voicer even louder).

My system isn't a superpowerful gaming rig, it's an Xbox 360 Elite, as you will have probably guessed, with an audio converter cable meaning it would be easier for me to use an amp (as opposed to having to stick an amp behind my TV because of component). My only concern here is, I will need an amp that can accept component cables.

I am aware that an Xbox 360 only utilizes 5.1 surround, and so I wouldn't want to splash out on something above what I need, though I do want to be treated to TOP NOTCH sound quality.

I have so far enjoyed being able to hear almost exactly where people are with my surround sound, and I was wondering, firstly, what headphones do and don't support surround sound, and secondly, which out of the surround headphones have the best sound quality.

To give you an idea of what I have been looking at, I was thinking of getting myself Sennheiser HD-650 headphones, as I hear they are very high tech pieces of equipment. My only concern is that I read somewhere they assume the audio source is directly in front of you or something... I'm pretty new to all this, but it sounds slightly worrying, hence why I have come for some help from you guys.

Any help is much appreciated.
Ty in advance.

[alexs2]

Matt...I'd suggest doing a search here on both the HD600 and HD650,plus some of the Grado products.

You need to be aware that whilst these will work with just about any headphone outlet,they do need a headphone amp to get the best out of them,especially the HD600 and 650.

[Spinning Plates]

The problems you descibe about voices, would that be other people using voice chat meaning they are coming through your headphones and not the headset earphone?

[Steven]

Spatial awareness and detail

There is nothing like a top quality headphone a step above the rest which lets you know the exact direction of gun fire or footsteps, rather than a vague left or right

I do not game much anymore but the Audio Technica AD700 or AD900 are often recommended

[Midnight Tboy]

are these Audio Technica AD700 or AD900 models easily available, as am looking at some of the 5.1 sound solutions and not too many to choose from here in the UK. Do these allow optical input for best sound input quality?

I'm ideally looking for some that I can use for watching movies too, where I can plug 2 pairs in for 2 ppl to watch together. Do not mind if they are wired, as dont fancy having batteries running out half way thru movies

[Spinning Plates]

Matt The Giant, you should read this thread - 5.1 Headphones ok for gaming? - NeoGAF

The consensus is the Victor (JVC) SU-DH1 headphone surround amp combined with a good pair of stereo headphones is the best solution for 5.1 surround through headphones.

Same for you MTboy, you may want to have a look at the pioneer headphone systems that support Dolby Headphone for 2 people watching movies with headphones. There not cheap btw.