Namrac

A good set of stereo headphones will sound better, including positioning, than a set of 5.1 headphones, given a good source.

5.1 headphones are a gimmick. Always have been, always will be, and the sooner people start accepting that, the better.

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H3||scr3am

yes yes, we're all entitled to our own opinions now, just like others will say that Bose headphones are the freaking greatest things known to man... and skullcandy as well, but audiophiles agree that they're just not up there in accurate audio presentations.... I personally have a set of Turtle beach HPA earforce 2.0s ($100 5.1 gamer headset) and I hate them, A) they're uncomfortable, B) the soundstaging is off, as there is no true rear channel, and the phantom centre channel sucks C) overkill on bass, in counterstrike greande warmup round on our gun game server, I take them off because all you can hear is the explosions.... and D) they suck at anything other then gaming... music is too horrible to even talk about, especially with the over amped bass...

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H3||scr3am

Trust us when we tell you that you bought into a gimmick, that that is exactly what you did... plus who wants an orange headset? most computers are definantly not orange, by my books... I've tried other 5.1 headsets, borrowed, tried on etc, at LAN parties, and some people are good with them, but I can't stand them. they're too inaccurate, then the sound stage is too small and tight, it always sounds like people are right there when they're really further behind then you think (sucks for a surprise CS knife...) thats why I prefer my stereo headphones... and I have a few

DT770 pro 80s (new, and breaking them in, but love them so far)
HD650s (they were used and broken in, great for music, less bass then I would have liked will mix with amps later)
HD555s (great for games, one of my favorites for classical music)
AD700s (nice balance, great for gaming, good sound staging)

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I am 91% addicted to Counterstrike. What about you?
OCN CS:S GG: overclock.nuclearfallout.net:27015
OCN TF2: 8.9.16.94:27015 (temporary)
[CSS GUN GAME ADMIN] Ban Hamma of Pwnage +5 skillz
[TF2 ADMIN] Ban Hammer of scouting + 20 scout powaz
Nominate me for Overclock.net's Game Server Supervisor

DJ.BigBear

oh i've tried icemats, steelseries, razer, zalman, and tritons.....
none of them impress me as much as my X-Fi Prelude + ATH-A900

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Namrac

Have you tried Sennheisers? AKGs? Audio Technicas? Beyerdynamics? Any number of real headphones from companies that focus exclusively on real audio?


I'm glad you like your headphones, we're not trying to tell you not to like them. But what we are saying is that 5.1 IS a marketing gimmick. It's not opinion. Good stereo headphones can put sounds behind you too, especially with the help of something like the X-Fi's CMSS-3D. And it will sound a hell of a lot better while doing it.

__________________

Audio Setup:
PC > TCA Gizmo > Ultralink Matrix 2s > AV123 ELT525Ms
OCN Headphone Club. Because computers don't suck up enough of my money.

DJ.BigBear

hahahaha... calm down namrac.

ok let me explain this like i used to...

using 5.1 headphones will surely give you exact surround, better surround than stereo headphones, even the best ones.
but surround headphones have one major weakness, they have to compromise most of the sound quality to get multiple drivers.... just to make that surround sound.

on the other hand....

using stereo headphones won't give you better positioning than surround headphones, even with effects like dolby headphones or CMSS3D...
but to compensate that, some of them have really amazing sound staging(imaging) that almost projects the same surround effects just like surround headphones.
and since they only have to make 2 drivers on each headphones, ofcourse all the sound quality of each drivers will be far superior than surround headphones.



and last thing to remember.... surround effects is just like a shadow... they only make very little sound...

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DJ.BigBear

well if you have tried it first, then you would know for sure if it's a gimmick or not, good sir.

the very root of this argument is which is better, between surround or stereo headphones.

to sum it all up... here's what i've concluded after a few years of experiments.

a good stereo headphones combined with kick ass soundcard:
Sound stage/positioning/surround effects : 6 Pts
Sound Quality : 8 Pts
total: 14 Pts

a damn good surround headphones combined with kick ass soundcad:
sound stage/positioning/surround effects : 7 Pts
Sound Quality : 5
total: 12 Pts

believe me that some stereo headphones can do wonders to your ears.

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Aura

Jon - major props bro, it is looking very good for an initial guide. We really have needed this for some time and you deserve a pat on the back for willing to undertake it.

Everyone else - no matter how hard you try, you cannot simply convince someone that Model A headphone sounds better than Model B headphone if they have already developed a certain taste or preference. This arguing is moot. Comments/suggestions/impressions are incredibly beneficial for everyone if you maintain some civility in your posting and realize that there are two sides to every story. Headphones are very love/hate (as are speakers, cars, wine...), and if you cannot grasp this inherit truth then you need to step back, refocus yourself, and return as calmly as possible.

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Cordova

Great guide so far! Glad to see my K81DJ's made the list!

I must know your secret. Subbed.

DJ.BigBear

there is this thing called Plantronics switcher....
it's a nifty little item to help you switch between speakers and headphones.

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