Looking for the BEST pair of 5.1 headphones.

[Patrick Wolf]

Medusa 5.1

LTB 5.1

Turtle Beach 5.1

Other?

THe Medusa seem to be the best based on reviews, but I've been reading problems with it when using an X-Fi or Audigy 2 card; it having no bass in rear/center speaker and the rear speakers having tiny sound.

Seen in this rather large thread.

 

[BDawg]

The X-Fi does a pretty good job of faking 5.1. Why not just get a good pair of Seinheissers, Grados, or Sonys?

 

[Oyeve]

Originally posted by: BDawg
The X-Fi does a pretty good job of faking 5.1. Why not just get a good pair of Seinheissers, Grados, or Sonys?

QFT. I have the Zalman theater crap and the Medusa's, and while the medusas are much better than the Zalmans (IMO) they still dont do the job for me. Plus, they are so open that even at low volumes everyone can hear them so it kind of defeats the purpose of "headphones". Might as well just get a 5.1 speaker system. The X-FI does a good job simulating surround like BDawg states. Just get a really good pair of headphones and you are set. While I love Sennheiser (own about a dozen various sets) stay away from the HD-280 Pros. Even tho everyone says they are great I think they suck. They cannot take any real power and for the price you can get a pair of original Sony MDR-V6 which, while I am NOT a sony fan, have been arpund for over 20years (that says something!) and they are cheaper than the 280s. I would reccomend the V6 or Sennheiser 555 or similar, even tho they are open they are great.

 

[NanoStuff]

The problem is there are no good 5.1 headphones. So even the best one; whatever it may be, would still be pretty lousy compared to an equivalent priced stereo pair.

 

[Proprioceptive]

I actually OWN that Turtle Beach set. I had a friend of mine who raved about them, so I bought some. DO NOT BUY THEM. They are incredibly uncomfortable and clumsy with the many plugs and hookups you have to struggle with. The ear pieces don't fit very well, are very thin, and the speakers are cheaply made. The sound quality is horrible, even with X-fi. The 5.1 that my x-fi creates with my 2 channel sennheisers is FAR superior to the Turtle Beach set. I've never experienced the other two you linked, but I'd honestly say just get a good set of sennheisers, sony... whatever you prefer. You won't be disappointed.

 

[JMoore]

The Audio Technica A900 is the best gaming headphones out there period. They are also pretty good for music as well.

 

[TrevorRC]

Originally posted by: BDawg
The X-Fi does a pretty good job of faking 5.1. Why not just get a good pair of Seinheissers, Grados, or Sonys?

QFTx2

Originally posted by: JMoore
The Audio Technica A900 is the best gaming headphones out there period. They are also pretty good for music as well.

Maybe not the BEST, but very good bang/buck.

I personally went through TWO sets of Zalmans [they have a manufacturing problem where the cord comes out quite easily from the headphones.], before I FINALLY wisened up, read some audiophile links, and settled on a pair of A900s. Good stuff, worth every penny. [200 bucks. So that says a LOT.]

If I had to do it all over again, I'd hop on the A900s, no doubt.

Super-comfortable [though NOT good for running/etc.], good for wear for extended periods. [6+ hours.], and GREAT sound quality.

--Trevor

 

[Ctrackstar126]

Head-fi


Get your information and get out as soon as you can. If you stick around you won't be able to pay bills. They also warn you you with your first post.
Head phones can become an addicitve hobby

 

[Patrick Wolf]

Originally posted by: BDawg
The X-Fi does a pretty good job of faking 5.1. Why not just get a good pair of Seinheissers, Grados, or Sonys?

The X-Fi does a fairly good job of faking surround sound. By the diagram on the Game Console it simulates sounds coming from 8 speakers.

Originally posted by: Oyeve
I have the Zalman theater crap and the Medusa's, and while the medusas are much better than the Zalmans (IMO) they still dont do the job for me. Plus, they are so open that even at low volumes everyone can hear them so it kind of defeats the purpose of "headphones". Might as well just get a 5.1 speaker system. The X-FI does a good job simulating surround like BDawg states. Just get a really good pair of headphones and you are set. While I love Sennheiser (own about a dozen various sets) stay away from the HD-280 Pros. Even tho everyone says they are great I think they suck. They cannot take any real power and for the price you can get a pair of original Sony MDR-V6 which, while I am NOT a sony fan, have been arpund for over 20years (that says something!) and they are cheaper than the 280s. I would reccomend the V6 or Sennheiser 555 or similar, even tho they are open they are great.

I do have the Klipsch ProMedia 5.1. If other people can hear my headphones that's not a problem for me.

I should have mentioned I'll probably be using these only for games and music when it's "quiet time", for movies I'll just use my Klipsch since most of the movies I watch at home don't get too loud.

I would probably be happy with a great pair of stereo headphones and CMSS-3DSurround, but giving up true 5.1 is disappointing.

What don't you like about the Medusa, exactly, besides the sound leakage?

 

[Patrick Wolf]

And why doesn't anyone ever comment on something from LTB? Doesn't anyone own a pair from them?

 

[Lalakai]

I also second the choice of getting good cans versus 5.1. I've been using headphones for many years, gaming and music; there are some speakers that sound better but for gaming you can't beat headphones. Don't worry about isolating the seperate sounds, a good set of headphones will give you more seperation, isolation, and depth of sound, then any gaming speakers you'll find. The only thing really missing from the cans, is the actual thumping of good base.

Yep, I've never listened to a set of 5.1 headphones but i have listened to many many headphones and i'm very picky about my music and gaming. Get a good set of over the ear style and for additional enhancement you might want to consider a seperate headphone amp. When friends use my set up, maybe 1 in 5 can hear the difference of using the headphone amp. Get to a high end stereo shop, bring your own music cd's, and listen to their headphones.

Curretly i have the beyer dynamics dt-250 80's which are about 5 years old; looking for an upgrade in the near future and will return to HeadRoom for my next set.

good luck

 

[BDawg]

Originally posted by: Patrick Wolf

Originally posted by: BDawg
The X-Fi does a pretty good job of faking 5.1. Why not just get a good pair of Seinheissers, Grados, or Sonys?

The X-Fi does a fairly good job of faking surround sound. By the diagram on the Game Console it simulates sounds coming from 8 speakers.

I believe the consensus is you would get far better overall sound from getting a good pair of headphones with the X-Fi than buying 5.1 headphones.

 

[Patrick Wolf]

OK, I thought about it. 5.1 headphones just aren't there yet.

I haven't heard a good pair of stereo cans, nor have I heard 5.1 cans. And no one here seems to have tried the LTB AC97 (non-USB) and Oyeve didn't say exactly what he didn't like about his Medusa.

Based on various reviews, the LTB and Medusa are the best, but I couldn't find a review where someone used the LTB AC97 w/ the X-Fi which is what I'll be doing.

A safe bet would be a good pair of stereo cans, so, what's a good pair of gaming cans for around $100? When I say "gaming" I don't mean CS:S and BF2, I mean games like F.E.A.R, HL2, DOOM, ect. 1 player games where sound is more important than frags.

 

[BDawg]

I have a pair of Sony studio monitors MDR-600s, I think. They aren't too expensive and sound great. For your price range they're great.

If you were going to spend over that, you should probably look at Grados.

Edit: Corrected model number

 

[Patrick Wolf]

I just watched the Dolby Headphone demo of Speedway racing and was quite impressed, even with my crap cans I have now.

I have PowerDVD 6 w/ DH so that takes care of movies. Games however, not sure how many support DH. I must make a decision.

I was over at Head-Fi, the Audio-Technica ATH-A500 Art Headphones look like a winner. I don't think it really matters what I choose, either way I'm no doubt going to love them and they'll sound great.

 

[Oyeve]

Originally posted by: Patrick Wolf
.

Originally posted by: Oyeve
.

I do have the Klipsch ProMedia 5.1. If other people can hear my headphones that's not a

What don't you like about the Medusa, exactly, besides the sound leakage?

Well, the earcups fall off easily, they do NOT produce believable 5.1, the wiring is wrong for the rear and center (or the front and rear, or one of the damn speakers) so you have to use the sound test from the card to find where the cables should go. The "sub-woofer" is actually the best feature as the medusas use some vibration technic. The amp is definately needed to drive these and does a semi-decent job. The leakage is the real reason I dont like them. For gaming I use many headphones (I have dozens, its a hobby of mine ) for the most part I use my Sony MDR-V700DJ, my Sony MDR-V6 (had em over 16years) but mostly my good old discontinued Denon AHD-750s, nothing can touch those babies! I also have good results from my Sennheiser HD-465 and HD-485 but prolonged wearing makes my ears hot because of the cushions, they are very comfy tho. I also occasionally use my over 22 year old Azden AD-70 headphones. Bought these when CDs first came out and spent a fortune on them. Even though many reviews say the Sony MDR-V700DJ headphones suck I mainly use these. They can handle so much power without clipping that its amazing. Using and X-FI and the MDR-V700DJ is a great combo. In games and using the CMSS I can hear 7.1 and up and down. For example, when I use the V700DJ and play GTA: San Andreas, I can locate a cop helicopter coming from above left-rear. Its pretty freaking cool!

 

[Patrick Wolf]

Originally posted by: Oyeve

Originally posted by: Patrick Wolf
.

Originally posted by: Oyeve
.

I do have the Klipsch ProMedia 5.1. If other people can hear my headphones that's not a

What don't you like about the Medusa, exactly, besides the sound leakage?

Well, the earcups fall off easily, they do NOT produce believable 5.1, the wiring is wrong for the rear and center (or the front and rear, or one of the damn speakers) so you have to use the sound test from the card to find where the cables should go. The "sub-woofer" is actually the best feature as the medusas use some vibration technic. The amp is definately needed to drive these and does a semi-decent job. The leakage is the real reason I dont like them. For gaming I use many headphones (I have dozens, its a hobby of mine ) for the most part I use my Sony MDR-V700DJ, my Sony MDR-V6 (had em over 16years) but mostly my good old discontinued Denon AHD-750s, nothing can touch those babies! I also have good results from my Sennheiser HD-465 and HD-485 but prolonged wearing makes my ears hot because of the cushions, they are very comfy tho. I also occasionally use my over 22 year old Azden AD-70 headphones. Bought these when CDs first came out and spent a fortune on them. Even though many reviews say the Sony MDR-V700DJ headphones suck I mainly use these. They can handle so much power without clipping that its amazing. Using and X-FI and the MDR-V700DJ is a great combo. In games and using the CMSS I can hear 7.1 and up and down. For example, when I use the V700DJ and play GTA: San Andreas, I can locate a cop helicopter coming from above left-rear. Its pretty freaking cool!

Thanks for the reply.

Would you say there's a problem with the Medusa producing bass from the rear/center speakers? Many people report that if, for example, an explosion goes off behind them, there's no or little bass produced, but if it's from the side it sounds good.

 

[Patrick Wolf]

The hell with 5.1 phones. After reading over at Head-Fi (thanks Ctrackstar126 for the link ) and a little testing of my own with Dolby Headphone, I decided to get a good pair of stereo cans.

And I think the Audio-Technica ATH-A700 will fit the bill.

 

[Ctrackstar126]

Originally posted by: Patrick Wolf
The hell with 5.1 phones. After reading over at Head-Fi (thanks Ctrackstar126 for the link ) and a little testing of my own with Dolby Headphone, I decided to get a good pair of stereo cans.

And I think the Audio-Technica ATH-A700 will fit the bill.

:thumbsup:

Let us know how you like them when you get them

 

[Patrick Wolf]

Originally posted by: Ctrackstar126

Originally posted by: Patrick Wolf
The hell with 5.1 phones. After reading over at Head-Fi (thanks Ctrackstar126 for the link ) and a little testing of my own with Dolby Headphone, I decided to get a good pair of stereo cans.

And I think the Audio-Technica ATH-A700 will fit the bill.

:thumbsup:

Let us know how you like them when you get them

I will. It won't be for awhile (maybe 10-15 days) untill I have them, if I go with those. I'm asking the Head-Fi crew what they think. I'm a total noob and I've never heard any high-end cans before, so I think I'm in for a real shock.

 

[Hepafleb]

are these any good? they aren't 5.1 but are they good for gaming?

Sennheiser HD 201