5.1 gaming headset?

[thecoffeeguy]

Because I have a newborn in the home, I really can't go out and buy a nice set of 5.1 or even 7.1 speakers because it would wake the baby (and my wife).

To replace that, I was looking for a very good gaming headset that can take advantage of 5.1. I have a X-Fi sound card and I would prefer the headset to NOT BE USB. I wan't to plug it directly into the X-Fi sound card to get the full experience.

I've seen the Medusa 5.1 and Razer barracuda headsets advertised and they are around $120 bucks, which seems step but if it offers what it says, I can live with that.

Are there any other alternatives out there? Anything that really makes a difference in game play? I really want a good, comfortable set...

Thanks.

 

[Smartazz]

I'm wondering the same thing, hope someone responds.

 

[SoMBrA]

Hello guys!
I've been using Zalman 5.1 headset and i'm very happy with them... Got mine for 50? last year...
U said u want a very good set, and 120$ for headphones is quite expensive, i dont know if there will be much difference between them!

 

[Quiksilver]

Here's a nice review of the Razer HP-1's
http://www.mvktech.net/content/view/3369/39/1/0/

 

[PurdueRy]

Get a nice pair of stereo headphones such as the Sennheiser HD555's or 280's(open vs sealed depending on how much noise isolation you need) and use CMSS 3d to emulate surround sound. It is the better way to go.

 

[Oyeve]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy
Get a nice pair of stereo headphones such as the Sennheiser HD555's or 280's(open vs sealed depending on how much noise isolation you need) and use CMSS 3d to emulate surround sound. It is the better way to go.

QFT, except for the 280s, they suck IMO. Anyway, I have the Zalmans and the Medusas and they both suck ass. The medusas sound better and are louder but the whole room can hear it. Might as well just user a 5.1 speaker system! As purduery said, just get a good set of cans and you are set.

 

[ryan256]

Well... I have the Medusa headset as well. Audio quality is pretty good but I doubt the quality is any beter than a set of stereo headphones. Also localization isn't all that accurate. Trying to tell if stuff is behind you or not takes some listening. All in all though I can't complain. The mic pics up well and the audio does sound good.

 

[dBTelos]

I have only heard bad things about "surround sound" headphones. They just don't seem to work the great. Do as Mr. Purdue says.

 

[jodoog]

http://www.audiocubes.com/product/Audio-Technica_ATH-A500_Art_Headphones.html

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Yeah, since you already have the X-Fi, a good set of stereo headphones would be a great way to go.

 

[thecoffeeguy]

Originally posted by: jodoog
http://www.audiocubes.com/product/Audio-Technica_ATH-A500_Art_Headphones.html

This look interesting.

If I went this way, what would be the best option if I wanted to get a Mic, for teamspeak/ and stuff?

 

[darkswordsman17]

Originally posted by: thecoffeeguy

Originally posted by: jodoog
http://www.audiocubes.com/product/Audio-Technica_ATH-A500_Art_Headphones.html

This look interesting.

If I went this way, what would be the best option if I wanted to get a Mic, for teamspeak/ and stuff?

I believe that there are a few different microphones that can be clipped onto headphones or adjusted to fit onto them without much trouble. I don't know of what brands or anything to look for though.

And yes, pairing a good set of stereo headphones with and X-Fi will beat pretty much all surround headphones (I don't think even the Razer one would be worth it).

 

[thecoffeeguy]

Originally posted by: darkswordsman17

Originally posted by: thecoffeeguy

Originally posted by: jodoog
http://www.audiocubes.com/product/Audio-Technica_ATH-A500_Art_Headphones.html

This look interesting.

If I went this way, what would be the best option if I wanted to get a Mic, for teamspeak/ and stuff?

I believe that there are a few different microphones that can be clipped onto headphones or adjusted to fit onto them without much trouble. I don't know of what brands or anything to look for though.

And yes, pairing a good set of stereo headphones with and X-Fi will beat pretty much all surround headphones (I don't think even the Razer one would be worth it).

Thanks for the help. I am not an audio guru by any means...with the headphones above, from audiocubes.com be classified as stereo speakers?

 

[jodoog]

Stereo headphones? Yup

 

[thecoffeeguy]

Originally posted by: jodoog
Stereo headphones? Yup

Oh ya, doh!
I'm tired.

 

[westihockey09]

For gaming the ICEMAT siberias have gotten good reviews. On another note, medusas might be banned by various game tournaments because of their false noises.

 

[thecoffeeguy]

Further questions on finding a good headphone/set:

This would be primarily used for gaming so that is important to me.
I have read quite a few reviews on the Barracuda headset and they all seemed to say that you really could hear footsteps, bullets flying, where they come from etc. that is pretty much what I like.

They say they are 5.1, but is that true? I know it can't be true 5.1, but probably close.

Those speakers from http://www.audiocubes.com Those are stereo speakers? How would that compare to something that is 5.1? Would they have similiar experiences and performance? Or is it completely seperate?

I like the look and sound of the audiocubes and don't mind finding a clip on mic.

I'm just trying to get a very good headset that makes a difference in games (makes games like FEAR more creepy and helps with FPS) as well as comfortable.

I appreciate the feedback.

Cheers,

Coffeeguy

 

[thecoffeeguy]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy
Get a nice pair of stereo headphones such as the Sennheiser HD555's or 280's(open vs sealed depending on how much noise isolation you need) and use CMSS 3d to emulate surround sound. It is the better way to go.

Using the Stereo speakers and set it up to do surround sound; that would give me the same benefit for making games more 'creepy' and allow me to hear where my enemies are?

I guess that is my biggest question is trying to differentiate between the stereo speakers and "gamer headphones/sets".

 

[So]

Last time I checked, I still had 2.0 ears, so 2.0 headphones with good response is still ideal.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: thecoffeeguy

Originally posted by: PurdueRy
Get a nice pair of stereo headphones such as the Sennheiser HD555's or 280's(open vs sealed depending on how much noise isolation you need) and use CMSS 3d to emulate surround sound. It is the better way to go.

Using the Stereo speakers and set it up to do surround sound; that would give me the same benefit for making games more 'creepy' and allow me to hear where my enemies are?

I guess that is my biggest question is trying to differentiate between the stereo speakers and "gamer headphones/sets".

Stereo speakers set to try to give you surround doesn't work very well. For headphones you can simulate surround much better with just stereo headphones.

If you want to get a surround experience from speakers, you need to get a surround set. Is that what you were asking? I can't tell

 

[thecoffeeguy]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

If you want to get a surround experience from speakers, you need to get a surround set. Is that what you were asking? I can't tell

I guess, im trying to find out what would be best for me. I realize to get the best 5.1 experience I would go with actual speakers. Headset/phones won't give that "ideal 5.1 surround experience", but im looking for something to get me as close as possible.

That help?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: thecoffeeguy

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

If you want to get a surround experience from speakers, you need to get a surround set. Is that what you were asking? I can't tell

I guess, im trying to find out what would be best for me. I realize to get the best 5.1 experience I would go with actual speakers. Headset/phones won't give that "ideal 5.1 surround experience", but im looking for something to get me as close as possible.

That help?

I would rather have a 5.1 set of speakers, but that's probably because I don't really like using headphones.

A lot of serious gamers prefer headphones though and a set of stereo headphones paired with X-Fi seems like a very good way to go. It should be easier to pick up small details with headphones than speakers.

 

[thecoffeeguy]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

I would rather have a 5.1 set of speakers, but that's probably because I don't really like using headphones.

A lot of serious gamers prefer headphones though and a set of stereo headphones paired with X-Fi seems like a very good way to go. It should be easier to pick up small details with headphones than speakers.

Me too, but since I have a wife and newborn...I think i'd get into some trouble if im waking people up in the night or early morning. LOL

So pick a good set of stereo headphones, setup X-Fi to do surround sound and I should be good to go?

 

[jodoog]

Yup. Have fun

Joe

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: thecoffeeguy

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

I would rather have a 5.1 set of speakers, but that's probably because I don't really like using headphones.

A lot of serious gamers prefer headphones though and a set of stereo headphones paired with X-Fi seems like a very good way to go. It should be easier to pick up small details with headphones than speakers.

Me too, but since I have a wife and newborn...I think i'd get into some trouble if im waking people up in the night or early morning. LOL

So pick a good set of stereo headphones, setup X-Fi to do surround sound and I should be good to go?

That's what I would do.

If you ever get into music through headphones, you'll really thank yourself then.