OK, this may seem like a very stupid question, but is it possible to get surround sound from my Xbox through headphones. Reason being, I can;t afford a 5.1 speaker setup, but I assume I need some kind of reciever anyway to make this work.

Anyone able to clear this up, and if so, what's a decent pair of headphones?

[dolph]

By the time you've bought some surround sound speakers and a receiver/decoder you're probably not spending much less than a small 5.1 speaker/reciever system.

Alright, but headphones really are my only option, because of neighbours/house mates. Plus I'm about to sign up for live, and will be using the headset. So have I got any options?

[Squiffy]

Yes, Zalman do 5.1 headphones.

I've got a set, and they're "OK". It isn't anywhere near the same as having a proper 5.1 setup with beefy subwoofer shaking the floor, but it IS more immersive than plain stereo.

I got mine in the classifieds here for about £40 IIRC. I think the guy I bought them from got them from PC World originally.

[dolph]

Squiffy - do you use those with an Xbox?

[Squiffy]

Sorry no, only used them with my PC.

They have three connections that go into the back of my Audigy 2 in the same way as my Altec Lansing 5.1 system does.. I'm not quite sure how I'd connect them to my Xbox....

This is a review of the same model as I've got - http://www.3dvelocity.com/reviews/za...anphones_1.htm

I guess a search on Google for the model number (ZM-RS6F) along with Xbox might throw up some more useful stuff.

[Squiffy]

Just done a quick search...

According to Zalman themselves, you need an amp.

See http://www.zalman.co.kr/usa/product/ZM-RS6F_FAQ.htm

It would still be worth doing your own search - some third party somewhere might have already thought of and addressed this....

[dolph]

Well, my research into this so far has proved less than helpful!!!

I have found only one set of headphones with built in decoder for an optical signal - Called Mentor RCH001 - and they only seem to appear in Australia!!

Beyond that I'm afraid it involves buying some surround sound headphones and a decoder and an amp - however I'm struggling to find a cheap stand alone decoder and/or decoder/amp.

[wireman]

I've just seen these headphones from thrustmaster which caught my eye

http://europe.thrustmaster.com/news/read.php?id=254

Not out till Nov' but might be worth a look?

[Sting King]

Ive just bought a pair of pioneer se-dir800cs for ue with my Xbox they cost £290 so not cheap,they are cordless with a built in decoder, they decode 5.1 into dolby headphone.
They sound awesome, check out peoples reviews/opinions on this site.

I believe they are the best surround sound headphones available at the moment.

[Squiffy]

Where did you get them?

[dolph]

Originally Posted by Sting King

Ive just bought a pair of pioneer se-dir800cs for ue with my Xbox they cost £290 so not cheap,they are cordless with a built in decoder, they decode 5.1 into dolby headphone.
They sound awesome, check out peoples reviews/opinions on this site.

I believe they are the best surround sound headphones available at the moment.

£290!? Gulp.... You know it's serious when you spend 3x as much on the headphones as the xbox costs in the first place...!!

[dolph]

Originally Posted by wireman

I've just seen these headphones from thrustmaster which caught my eye

http://europe.thrustmaster.com/news/read.php?id=254

Not out till Nov' but might be worth a look?

Seemingly available now from www.fnac.com (french site) for €150, + €8 shipping to UK that's all in about £115?!