5.1 headphone/headset recommendations

[Check]

Alright to start I have a soundblaster audigy 2zs sound card (very solid piece of work if I might add) and I am heading off to colege in a little less than a month. I currently have a monster of a stereo and don't plan on bringing it with me so I need a recommendation on a good 5.1 set of headphones.

Money isn't *too* much of a conscern, I don't want to spend like $200 on headphones however. The only other requirement is that they are 5.1 like I said already.
Headphones or headset are acceptable.

Any recommendations?

 

[PurdueRy]

My recommendation is to not get a set of 5.1 headphones





INSTEAD, get a quality pair of headphones. Such as the Sennheiser PX100's which are amazing for the low cost of around $40-$50

 

[Amplifier]

The 5.1's sound pretty good. But if you're going to college my big recommendation is to get the most comfortable headphones you can get (you'll wear them alot).

 

[wallrunnerm15]

i bought the audiothunder sharks or something. they were like $70. the positional audio is great and they are comfortable on my ears. the only downside is that they are a little on the heavy side or maybe it is just me not being used to them yet

 

[HDTVMan]

Sennheisers you just cant go wrong.

 

[imported_ArtVandalay]

I get good positional audio with quality 2-channel headphones. All of the 5.1 models available seem gimmicky, and many reviews pretty much confirm it. I'd recommend a quality pair of closed headphones for college. That way you won't disturb your roommate(s) by listening to music or gaming, and can throw them on if outside noise is preventing studying or sleep. Open headphones allow sound in & out freely, which is why they're a bad choice for college, imo. Some quality closed cans under $100 are the Sennheiser hd280s and AKG 240s.

 

[Laudas]

I got myself the Medusa 5.1's and they rock!! They are $120.00 new, but I found them on ebay for $60.00....

GoodLuck!

 

[valkator]

Well i dont know. I have tried 3 different 5.1 headphones and they are not that good. What i have noticed that the rear channel is kind of weak and they all didnt have that nice range of frequencies reproduced. Like more of a tinny type of high sound and not that nice rich sound like headphones should have.

I recommend getting something from Sennsheiser. They make wonderful headphones. Like i have the HD555s and they are just awesome.

 

[imported_ArtVandalay]

Originally posted by: valkator
Well i dont know. I have tried 3 different 5.1 headphones and they are not that good. What i have noticed that the rear channel is kind of weak and they all didnt have that nice range of frequencies reproduced. Like more of a tinny type of high sound and not that nice rich sound like headphones should have.

I recommend getting something from Sennsheiser. They make wonderful headphones. Like i have the HD555s and they are just awesome.

555s are nice phones, agreed. They're open, so keep that in mind though. Something else which might be a good choice are canalphones, such as those made by Shure and Etymotic Research. They keep your music in and noise out, and are also very small, thus easy to take care of and portable, if you have or plan on getting a portable mp3 player. Shure E2cs at about $65 and Etymotic ER6is at about $80 are two popular entry-level models. If you'd like to read up more on them I suggest www.head-fi.org The short end of it is that the Etys are generally considered to be more accurate and neutral than the Shures, but to lack a bit of low end.

 

[EULA]

True 5.1 kicks ass. I rarely use my speakers anymore...

 

[pensfan]

Pioneer Wireless 5.1 headphones with Dolby Digital / dts / Dolby Headphone - awesome! You should be able to find in the US for alot less:

http://www.audiocubes.com/product/Pione..._Dolby_Digital_Surround_Headphone.html

 

[glorygunk]

My advice: DONT GET SURROUND HEADPHONES.

I've tried two different types and neither impressed me. In retrospect, it really isn't possible to reproduce true 5.1 in a pair of cans. Doesn't even come close to 5.1 speakers. Don't fall for the surround headphones the way I have in the past.

For college, get a very comfortable pair of stereos with noise cancelling if you can afford it (Sennheisers seem good.)

EDIT: One more thing that occured to me...don't feel guilty about not fully utilizing your Audigy 2 ZS. You're going off to college, so there are far more things to experiment with than the B.S. that is surround headphones

 

[Excelsior]

What the others said. 5.1 headphones are gimmicks.

 

[Sentry2]

I have the MedUSA 5.1's with the external amp. Paid $128 for them. They sound pretty good. The mic works great too. TH gave them a good rating and I agree for the most part. If you're looking for a 5.1 headset these are for you. They have decent bass. The Center channel and Front L & R channels sound nice. I was dissapointed with the surrounds though. They are a little weak. Good luck! :thumbsup:

 

[imported_thomase]

Get Sennheiser HD-555 and the new Creative X-Fi when it comes out in 2 weeks. The X-Fi will produce surround sound over headphones better than any "5.1" multi-speaker headphones.