Best surround sound headphones you've heard?

Maximumbass88 · 26-04-2009, 1:28 PM

I'm after some good 5.1 headphones as I'm moving into a flat in coming months. My budget is around £100. I'm going to be using them for movies, xbox and music, more so for movies. Would I be able to get something decent for £100 or would I have to spend more?

namuk · 26-04-2009, 1:59 PM

Have a look for some reveiws on the Sennheiser Range

there a big choice for gamers , do not use them myself but people i no who do rate them allot ..even geting a second pair after years of use

Computer Hardware - All - Speakers - Scan.co.uk

http://www.scan.co.uk/Index.aspx?NT=1-0-43-303-0

Maximumbass88 · 26-04-2009, 5:29 PM

Forgot to say good bass response is a must!

Uriel · 28-04-2009, 3:49 PM

I own the Speedlink Medusas. The 5.1 effect (using 4 drivers in each ear) does work but I'd hesitate to recommend them as you lose fair bit of sound quality (especially detail) over a set of stereo headphones in the same price range.

I've been very impressed with Dolby Headphone from my Xonar D2 soundcard, using stereo headphones. It gives an excellent representation of both depth (so it sounds like you're listening to speakers rather than headphones) and direction (so you can tell if stuff is supposed to be in front of or behind you). My suggestion would be getting an AV receiver with Dolby Headphone and adding a decent set of stereo headphones.

I've tried Dolby Headphone with Sennheiser HD580s, HD600s and Goldring NS1000s. All worked superbly well.

There are a few headphones with Dolby Headphone built in. Not tried any but maybe someone else could suggest one?

leeb-1977 · 29-04-2009, 11:25 AM

why not try the JVC SU-DH1 with a good set of stereo cans. I have the JVC... and ive paired it with a penguin tin amp and a set of AKG 240S cans and the overall effect is superb.

If you dont want to buy the SU-DH1.... why not look at the budget 5.1 home cinema range from sony - has a headphone out socket with dolby headphone decoding built into the amp - and then buy the best set of stereo cans you can for the money you have... you can always upgrade the ans at a later date should you desire it.

That way - you get 'proper' (albeit budget) 5.1 Surround sound - and the added advantage of dolby headphone support for late night viewing.

ive seen the sony dav 260 reasonably cheap nowadays... although it IS above your £100 budget.

If you want straight 5.1 cans though.... the tritton Ax360's are about the best ive heard and youll get those on your budget. They'll work with anything that has an optical output.

Uriel · 11-08-2009, 12:44 PM

I now have a Victor SU-DH1 (Japanese version of the JVC unit with 3v DC in). Dolby Headphone seems to be on par with the Xonar D2. Both are good options in my opinion.

Harmon Kardon seem to be the cheapest AV receivers with Dolby Headphone at the moment. The AVR155 is their base model.

Drubbing · 11-08-2009, 1:09 PM

Get some good quality open stereo phones instead. Better sound and separation for a lot less money.

It's about buying better drivers, not cramming more in.

Maximumbass88 · 12-08-2009, 8:59 AM

Atm I've got the Astro mixamp on my short list.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drubbing

Get some good quality open stereo phones instead. Better sound and separation for a lot less money.

It's about buying better drivers, not cramming more in.

You ever used the Audio-Tech AD500's?

Uriel · 12-08-2009, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maximumbass88

Atm I've got the Astro mixamp on my short list.

Having used Dolby Headphone a lot for the last few months, I don't fancy the Astro A40.

The reason is that, of the 3 Dolby Headphone implementations, I'm not keen on DH2. With the Astro it's the only option. On both the Xonar D2 and SU-DH1 DH1, and DH3 sounded better to me.

An advantage of the Astro is that there's supposed to be less latency than the SU-DH1.

Drubbing · 12-08-2009, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maximumbass88

You ever used the Audio-Tech AD500's?

No, but heard the AD700 and 900. The 700 is widely recommended for gaming, but also does music really well, I'm sure the 500 would be pretty good too. The 900 even more so, but cost means it's better value if used for music primarily.

Uriel · 12-08-2009, 1:05 PM

At the moment one of thethe best good but affordable open stereo headphones are probably the Goldring DR150. Under £40 from Amazon at the moment. They were £30 on play a while ago but the price has gone up now.

Someone did a test of them against the ATH-AD700 on head Fi and rated them higher.

From my own listening tests, I'd say they're a seriously good set of headphones at their RRP of nearly £70. I rate them above the Senn HD595 but a little below the HD580.

They have excellent synergy with Dolby Headphone if you wanted them for surround use.

Edit: However they are a little tight on my head. Audio Technicas ATH-AD500 and ATH-AD700 have an excellent reputation for comfort.

Drubbing · 12-08-2009, 1:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uriel

Someone did a test of them against the ATH-AD700 on head Fi and rated them higher.

HF, the last bastion of common sense and balance

That's only 1 opinion, the AD series have an infinite monkeys at typewriter's worth of keystrokes dedicated to them.

You're right about comfort, but small heads need not apply. I was keen on the AD900, but AT's just won't fit on a 54cm head. Most people have the opposite problem, so ATs have a reputation as some of the most comfortable around.

Also, while they're big, they're very light.

Suave · 13-08-2009, 1:34 AM

Hi,

Pioneer DIR-SE2000C followed by the Philips SBC-HD1500U's - I have both! If you are serious about surround sound headphones then you will have to pay a lot more than a £100 to get a proper with the electronics I am afraid!

Suave!

Uriel · 13-08-2009, 7:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suave

Hi,

Pioneer DIR-SE2000C followed by the Philips SBC-HD1500U's - I have both! If you are serious about surround sound headphones then you will have to pay a lot more than a £100 to get a proper with the electronics I am afraid!

Suave!

Dunno. Victor SU-DH1 (about £70 imported) with Goldring DR50 (£25) would do the trick. They worked well with Dolby Headphone on my Xonar. The combo would be a bit bass shy for movie watching though.

Maximumbass88 · 13-08-2009, 9:14 AM

Whoops, I meant the A500's! At the end of the day I'm looking for a good sound stage with a good bass impact for explosions as I'm going to be mainly using them for movies & games. Maybe the DT770's would be a better choice?

crazy8s · 17-08-2009, 12:08 AM

I watched Gladiator and Kung Fu Panda with the DT770's and they are great for movies. I configured Media Player Classic to enable Dolby Headphone mode and it really made a difference.

I wont be able to test surround sound on my XBOX 360 until I get a surround sound adapter (SU-DH1) but they seem good for music and great for movies IMO.

I should mention the DT770's are usually compared to the ATH-A900's over on Headfi and not the A500, so I would assume the Beyers are better than the A500, but this is from what I've read and not by my own comparison.