5.1 or 7.1 headphones?

[youngsyr]

Anyone using a pair of 5.1 or 7.1 headphones for gaming?

I've been playing quite a few first person shooter multiplayer games on the PS3 recently (MAG, Space Marine, etc.) so picked up a pair of stereo headphones at the weekend (Turtle Beech P11).

I can't say it's made the game play that much easier although from time to time it is slightly easier to pinpoint from which direction noises are coming from. It's nowhere near what I expected from all the hype though.

Does anyone using the more expensive headphones with simulated 5.1 or 7.1 sound think they're worth the cost?

[totlxtc]

I used to use a set of wireless headphones to play the battlefield series. I felt it had a huge advantage as I could hear enemies coming from all sides. Was fun just following them around and then letting rip in their face with a few rounds. Funny when you know you have made someone jump when they instantly aim in the air

[youngsyr]

totlxtc said:

I used to use a set of wireless headphones to play the battlefield series. I felt it had a huge advantage as I could hear enemies coming from all sides. Was fun just following them around and then letting rip in their face with a few rounds. Funny when you know you have made someone jump when they instantly aim in the air

Do the surround sound headphones really make that much difference?

The stereo sound I have in my P11s isn't that accurate, so although I can sometimes hear whether a sound is sound is coming from somewhere to the left or right of me, it's very difficult to tell how far away that sound is, or precisely which direction it's in.

Which model headset did you use?

[3sixty]

I had some MedUSA 5.1 headphones when I used to play CS and TFC. They really do make a difference, you can pinpoint exactly where they are coming from.

Thoroughly recommended, just mine broke and not been replaced as don't have much time for online gaming anymore (Football Manager on the train is all I am limited to at the moment)

[FellowPazzini]

Here's a link that helped me greatly while looking around for a gaming headset. I ended up opting for the Astro MixAmp plus the Sennheiser PC 360 headset. Obviously it's a little over the top for what it is but hopefully should do the trick. Have a read through this guys reviews, not sure the P11's are there but he might explain the 5.1/7.1 thing a little.

http://www.head-fi.org/t/534479/mad-lust-envy-aka-...

[davepoth]

I only hear in stereo, does everybody else have at least 3.1 more ears than I do?

[youngsyr]

davepoth said:

I only hear in stereo, does everybody else have at least 3.1 more ears than I do?

Do you have to turn your head to the side to work out whether a noise is coming from in front of or behind you?

If so, I'd get your ears checked!

[spats]

davepoth said:

I only hear in stereo, does everybody else have at least 3.1 more ears than I do?

I'm sure you at least have the ability to hear low frequencies

so you have the .1 at least!

[youngsyr]

FellowPazzini said:

Here's a link that helped me greatly while looking around for a gaming headset. I ended up opting for the Astro MixAmp plus the Sennheiser PC 360 headset. Obviously it's a little over the top for what it is but hopefully should do the trick. Have a read through this guys reviews, not sure the P11's are there but he might explain the 5.1/7.1 thing a little.

http://www.head-fi.org/t/534479/mad-lust-envy-aka-...

Thanks, it seems like you can spend mega-bucks on a pair of headphones, so I may just go for the new Sony wireless PS3 7.1 ones and call it a day. They seem to offer a lot for the money, but obviously won't be as good as those that are twice as expensive.

[dmulally]

What is this mixamp all about?

Is it an amplifier for headphones or just lets you turn the voice up over the sound with a dial?

[youngsyr]

dmulally said:

What is this mixamp all about?

Is it an amplifier for headphones or just lets you turn the voice up over the sound with a dial?

From what I understand, it's a small sound processing unit that takes an optical cable from the source (PS3, etc) and outputs simulated 5.1 or surround sound to any pair of stereo headphones that you plug into it.

Quite a clever piece of kit.

[Storm1984]

youngsyr said:

dmulally said:

What is this mixamp all about?

Is it an amplifier for headphones or just lets you turn the voice up over the sound with a dial?

From what I understand, it's a small sound processing unit that takes an optical cable from the source (PS3, etc) and outputs simulated 5.1 or surround sound to any pair of stereo headphones that you plug into it.

Quite a clever piece of kit.

It also allows you to change the balance between game and voice volumes which can be very nice. If you're willing to spend the money the Astro A40's with Mixamp are the ones to get IMO

[youngsyr]

Storm1984 said:

It also allows you to change the balance between game and voice volumes which can be very nice. If you're willing to spend the money the Astro A40's with Mixamp are the ones to get IMO

You can buy headsets for £40 that allow you do have individual game and chat volume controls, no need for a mixamp just for that. The main point of hte mixamp is for simulated surround sound.

[dmulally]

youngsyr said:

dmulally said:

What is this mixamp all about?

Is it an amplifier for headphones or just lets you turn the voice up over the sound with a dial?

From what I understand, it's a small sound processing unit that takes an optical cable from the source (PS3, etc) and outputs simulated 5.1 or surround sound to any pair of stereo headphones that you plug into it.

Quite a clever piece of kit.

So is it in the little in line unit that it gets done freeing up the choice of any headphone or does it need a special type of headphone?

I have the Audio Technica AD900 ones http://headphones.com.au/psingle?productID=180 which definately doesnt have surround. I use a ps3 and have the headphones plugged into the TV. Sounds great but would love to see it even better.

I have to check the back of the ps3 but would be interesting to see if there is an audio output direct from the console (I use HDMI) which I could use as a connector to an amp mixer then plug the headphones into that. Hmmmm...

[davepoth]

youngsyr said:

Do you have to turn your head to the side to work out whether a noise is coming from in front of or behind you?

If so, I'd get your ears checked!

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10335634

Science says otherwise.

[youngsyr]

davepoth said:

youngsyr said:

Do you have to turn your head to the side to work out whether a noise is coming from in front of or behind you?

If so, I'd get your ears checked!

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10335634

Science says otherwise.

No it doesn't, or did you miss the first and last sentence of the linke you posted?

"Normally, the apparent position of a sound source corresponds closely to its actual position."

"The results clearly support Wallach's hypothesis and suggest further that head movements are not required to produce the dynamic cues needed to resolve front-back ambiguity."

[StormLoaded]

i have some turtle beach x41's (5.1 surround), they work really well i think, no match for my proper surround sound system but very good all the same and a must have for late night gaming where you want to feel like you're in a warzone!.. good direction, although clarity isnt quite there imho.

However i lost the mic ages ago for chat so have decided to upgrade to the Astro A40's (7.1 - allegedly) with wireless MixAmp, so will see how they compare when the astro's arrive (soon hopefully!).

I like the idea of the Astro's anyway as they are compatible (chat) with the ps3 aswell as the 360 and i may even try gaming with them on my htpc which is also connected.

[FellowPazzini]

dmulally said:

So is it in the little in line unit that it gets done freeing up the choice of any headphone or does it need a special type of headphone?

I have the Audio Technica AD900 ones http://headphones.com.au/psingle?productID=180 which definately doesnt have surround. I use a ps3 and have the headphones plugged into the TV. Sounds great but would love to see it even better.

I have to check the back of the ps3 but would be interesting to see if there is an audio output direct from the console (I use HDMI) which I could use as a connector to an amp mixer then plug the headphones into that. Hmmmm...

The AD900's would be an unbelievable pairing with Astro MixAmp (or even the Turtle Beach DSS). Don't quote me if I'm wrong here but as it stands you'll be listening to L/R sound but if you add the MixAmp you'll get DD 7.1. If you do get it I will recommend you get it from this reputable company Link (mine was delivered in 2 days with the cheapest option). There is a wired or wireless MixAmp, personally I've gone for the wireless & it has no sound quality loss or sound delay. The Optical cable will go from your PS3 into MixAmp then wirelessly over to the RX unit of which you'll plug your headset (& mic cable if needed) into. If you opt for the Wireless you'll either have to get an extra rechargeable pack (£15 each) or make sure you have some decent rechargeable batteries (AAA's). PS3's require a extra PS3 chat cable also (£7).

Not cheap but worth it to compliment them AD900's.

[swiftpete]

I'd like an upgrade on my headphones but don't want to spend a lot. I have the cheapest headphones you can get at the moment, are there any that are good for about £30 or so?

[davepoth]

youngsyr said:

No it doesn't, or did you miss the first and last sentence of the linke you posted?

"Normally, the apparent position of a sound source corresponds closely to its actual position."

"The results clearly support Wallach's hypothesis and suggest further that head movements are not required to produce the dynamic cues needed to resolve front-back ambiguity."

You missed

"More than 50 years ago Wallach [J. Exp. Psychol. 27, 339-368 (1940)] argued that small head movements could provide the information necessary to resolve the ambiguity. The direction of the change in ITD that accompanies a head rotation is an unambiguous indicator of the proper hemifield."

(ITD = Interaural Time Difference)

Front/back is easy enough, because the ear is designed to focus on sound from in front; stuff from behind will sound consistently different to stuff from in front. Wallach hypothesised that moving the head slightly will make enough of a change in the time that sound is received in each ear that you will be able to determine the direction when it is somewhat ambiguous (most likely up/down when directly in front, but possibly in other directions when the sound location is somewhat indistinct.

To put it another way, you only hear in Stereo.