Surround Sound Gaming Headsets - Lots of people are doing it wrong!

So while trying to find more info on my problem with the BlueTooth mike on the Turtle Beach PX5 (just posted here)I was reading a bunch of reviews on this and similar headsets, and i found something very peculiar! It seems like half the people are doing it all wrong!

Here's what's relly important:
When you get a 7.1 dolby digital surround sound, or some other beast of a headset for your PC, you need to change your PC's & games' audio settings. First mistake that i've noticed is that i think some people fail to set their speaker settings in the OS or game to surround sound.. they keep it in stereo.

So the next thing that happens, is they complain because the audio is devoid of rich highs and bassy lows! The trash talk the equipment and give up. The thing is, the audio IS DIFFERENT! When you upgrade from a headset of standard stereo quality to a dolby digital surround sound.. you'll have to get used to the different feel of sound in the head set. This was truly amazing and blew my mind repeatedly. I always though bah!- how can a headset do surround.. pfff... At first you're weirded out because things don't sound so rich in your ears as normal headphones tend to do. But if you have the software setup correctly, got your surround sound / dolby stuff on, its ON.

It took me a bit to realize this actually... I played a few games with the GAME settings still on stereo. Once put the speakers on 7.1 and clicked the dolby button.. loaded up World of Tanks... wooooow... Still had to get used to it for a second but the natural instinct took over. The sound was so real - like it was all around you.. (duh). But i mean.. not only direction, but distance too! I thought my neighbor dropped something on his grill outside.. nope.. in game sound. I kept hearing things and taking my headphones off, then looking around at silence. For a long while i'd take off the headset just to make sure that this sound wasn't REALLY coming out of my speakers and disturbing my neighbors. Seriously.

Another way to put it - when wearing the headset, it seemed like the sound was layered over the natural sound around you.. it became part of your environment. Not like regular headphones which will muffle or close out the sound. Some people actually complained about this as well. But its a matter of getting used to it.

So yeah - those of you who've ever tried a surround sound headset (5.1 or 7.1 / dolby type.. aka a good one?) and hated the flat sound.. etc.. set your settings correctly and give it a chance. Once you get into it, you'll never want to think of even going back to a stereo gaming headset. It would be equivalent of going from FIOS/Cable to dial up modem.

But i found out how truly amazing the sound is, once i returned the headset due to the microphone problems. I put on my old headset, loaded up Tribes 2 beta.. and whoaaa.. i could NOT tell what was going on.. I still feel like half my senses are gone. This surround sound headset made me extremely aware of my surroundings. Without it i was greatly handicapped.

Even the guys on chat (vent/TS) sounded so real - as if they were placed around in the room. I knew who was talking by direction and distance (or at least that's how i remember it). Once there was some silence and my friend spoke up in vent - i got startled cause i forgot he was on and thought someone was talking to me. The audio is no longer jammed into your ears - its displaced in a space around you. The end result is very instinctive and natural.

So i never realized what i've been missing! All these years on a crappy stereo headset :( I thought it was a gimmick.. how can you do surround sound in a headset? ha! Was I wrong! For anyone who's considering buying a new headset - TAKE MY WORD - buy a good quality dolby 7.1 surround sound headset. Its the other half of the experience and if you're still on stereo, you're missing out big time... I cannot exaggarate of emphasize this enough.You'll wonder how you've played all this time without it...

:D

Lots of people are doing it wrong, by buying surround sound headphones.

Lots of people are doing it wrong, by buying surround sound headphones.

Phoenix534

Lots of people are doing it wrong, by buying surround sound HEADSETS.

Phoenix534

Fixed. You and the TC are getting the two mixed up lol. :P

Headsets = do not buy unless you don't care about quality sound.

Headphones = DO buy.

[QUOTE="Phoenix534"]

Lots of people are doing it wrong, by buying surround sound headphones.

FelipeInside

[QUOTE="Phoenix534"]

Lots of people are doing it wrong, by buying surround sound HEADSETS.

Elann2008

Fixed. You and the TC are getting the two mixed up lol. :P

Headsets = do not buy unless you don't care about quality sound.

Headphones = DO buy.

[QUOTE="FelipeInside"][QUOTE="Phoenix534"]

Lots of people are doing it wrong, by buying surround sound headphones.

Elann2008

[QUOTE="Phoenix534"]

Lots of people are doing it wrong, by buying surround sound headphones.

FelipeInside

You don't need that either. You can get a pair of Audio-Technica ATH-M50s for $150 and they'll sound infinitely better than a crappy surround sound headset.

[QUOTE="FelipeInside"][QUOTE="Phoenix534"]

Lots of people are doing it wrong, by buying surround sound headphones.

Phoenix534

You don't need that either. You can get a pair of Audio-Technica ATH-M50s for $150 and they'll sound infinitely better than a crappy surround sound headset.

[QUOTE="Phoenix534"]

[QUOTE="FelipeInside"] Well, not everyone can afford (either money-wise, cabling-wise or space-wise) to put 7 speakers around the computer desk.FelipeInside

You don't need that either. You can get a pair of Audio-Technica ATH-M50s for $150 and they'll sound infinitely better than a crappy surround sound headset.

Not the way headsets do. But the provide better sound quality and probably a larger sound stage which allow you to determine directional sounds anyways such as footsteps in FPS

[QUOTE="FelipeInside"][QUOTE="Phoenix534"]

You don't need that either. You can get a pair of Audio-Technica ATH-M50s for $150 and they'll sound infinitely better than a crappy surround sound headset.

lostrib

Not the way headsets do. But the provide better sound quality and probably a larger sound stage which allow you to determine directional sounds anyways such as footsteps in FPS

[QUOTE="Phoenix534"]

[QUOTE="FelipeInside"] Well, not everyone can afford (either money-wise, cabling-wise or space-wise) to put 7 speakers around the computer desk.FelipeInside

You don't need that either. You can get a pair of Audio-Technica ATH-M50s for $150 and they'll sound infinitely better than a crappy surround sound headset.

They're stereo headphones, but the way the sound stages work on high quality stereo headphones still provides a sense of direction.

[QUOTE="Phoenix534"]

[QUOTE="FelipeInside"] Well, not everyone can afford (either money-wise, cabling-wise or space-wise) to put 7 speakers around the computer desk.FelipeInside

You don't need that either. You can get a pair of Audio-Technica ATH-M50s for $150 and they'll sound infinitely better than a crappy surround sound headset.

But that's what I am asking. Those you mentioned, do they do 7.1?

You're asking the wrong question. The question that should be asked is: Do dedicated sound cards do 7.1? Yes they do. And it works also when headphones are plugged in. On top of that, you can control the placement of each virtual speaker in terms of distance and direction. And like Lostrib said, it has a larger sound stage that's superior in quality. I've used "gaming headsets" like the Logitech G35, and I would never go back to them. Not in a million years.

Headsets come with a built-in sound card. That's it. You have no control over it. You can't adjust the EQ. Nothing. If you want a microphone, just buy a Zalman clip microphone. It's like $10.

[QUOTE="FelipeInside"][QUOTE="Phoenix534"]

You don't need that either. You can get a pair of Audio-Technica ATH-M50s for $150 and they'll sound infinitely better than a crappy surround sound headset.

Elann2008

But that's what I am asking. Those you mentioned, do they do 7.1?

You're asking the wrong question. The question that should be asked is: Do dedicated sound cards do 7.1? Yes they do. And it works also when headphones are plugged in. On top of that, you can control the placement of each virtual speaker in terms of distance and direction. And like Lostrib said, it has a larger sound stage that's superior in quality. I've used "gaming headsets" like the Logitech G35, and I would never go back to them. Not in a million years.

Headsets come with a built-in sound card. That's it. You have no control over it. You can't adjust the EQ. Nothing. If you want a microphone, just buy a Zalman clip microphone. It's like $10.

[QUOTE="Elann2008"]

[QUOTE="FelipeInside"]

But that's what I am asking. Those you mentioned, do they do 7.1? FelipeInside

You're asking the wrong question. The question that should be asked is: Do dedicated sound cards do 7.1? Yes they do. And it works also when headphones are plugged in. On top of that, you can control the placement of each virtual speaker in terms of distance and direction. And like Lostrib said, it has a larger sound stage that's superior in quality. I've used "gaming headsets" like the Logitech G35, and I would never go back to them. Not in a million years.

Headsets come with a built-in sound card. That's it. You have no control over it. You can't adjust the EQ. Nothing. If you want a microphone, just buy a Zalman clip microphone. It's like $10.

yeah thats pretty much what im getting. so guys forgive me for being lost in the sauce. also thanks TC for making this thread as i was considering buying new headphones for gaming in the near future. and thank you guys for listing some quality options...especially since im over here using these good old "suqmaster 3000's" that ive been struggling with for so long...

I'm happy with my Steelseries Siberia 2. Aside from stereo, a few games have a headphone setting, I usually use Home Cinema or Surround and it's ways better than headphone setting. Also, most games actually don't even use 7.1, they use 5.1 or stereo.

I remember when I had my PS3 and I had a pretty decent Onkyo 5.1 setup that blew my mind. Everything sounded so fvcking good on it and it wasn't even top of the line. Then I tried surround headphones and none of them come close to what real speakers can do. They don't have that delicious deep room rattling bass from a subwoofer.

For me it's either real speakers or nothing. I don't want to waste money on headphones

Good quality 2.0 headphones >>>> surround headphones >>> headsets

You could buy a asus xonar dg soundcard for $30 which has Dolby headphone for simulated surround sound(same tech the headphones tc is talking about uses) with any pair of quality stereo headphones like the AD700, AKG K240MKII, A900X, orCreative Aurvana Live(a better sounding rebadge of the highly praised denon d1001 using the same drivers).

Xonar DG

Audio Technica AD700

AKG 240MKII

Audio Technica A900X

Creatve Aurvana Live!

As for a mic you can use an omnidirectional clipon mic or desktop mic. If you want a headset ****boom mic then you can buy the AntLion mod mic its a detachable high quality mic you can attach to any pair of stereo pair of headphone and you can get multiple bases to use it with several pairs of headphones if you want.

http://www.modmic.com/

I remember when I had my PS3 and I had a pretty decent Onkyo 5.1 setup that blew my mind. Everything sounded so fvcking good on it and it wasn't even top of the line. Then I tried surround headphones and none of them come close to what real speakers can do. They don't have that delicious deep room rattling bass from a subwoofer.

For me it's either real speakers or nothing. I don't want to waste money on headphones

seanmcloughlin

[QUOTE="seanmcloughlin"]

I remember when I had my PS3 and I had a pretty decent Onkyo 5.1 setup that blew my mind. Everything sounded so fvcking good on it and it wasn't even top of the line. Then I tried surround headphones and none of them come close to what real speakers can do. They don't have that delicious deep room rattling bass from a subwoofer.

For me it's either real speakers or nothing. I don't want to waste money on headphones

Lox_Cropek

Very good point. I had forgotten that being that I live near no one :P

I used to own a pair of Logitech g35s until recently i got a Creative sound card and a pair of sennheisers HD 558s and the differnce in sound quality is huge! the sound card can also do the virtual surround sound even better than the g35s , i don't actually use such features as the sound stage of the 558s is good enough . Like most people suggested here , buy a decent sound card with a decent pair of stereo headphones and don't fall for the "gaming" surround sound headhset gimmicks .

[QUOTE="Lox_Cropek"]

[QUOTE="seanmcloughlin"]

I remember when I had my PS3 and I had a pretty decent Onkyo 5.1 setup that blew my mind. Everything sounded so fvcking good on it and it wasn't even top of the line. Then I tried surround headphones and none of them come close to what real speakers can do. They don't have that delicious deep room rattling bass from a subwoofer.

For me it's either real speakers or nothing. I don't want to waste money on headphones

seanmcloughlin

Very good point. I had forgotten that being that I live near no one :P

[QUOTE="seanmcloughlin"]

[QUOTE="Lox_Cropek"]The problem is that speakers force others to hear what you're hearing too. That's why I use headphones. It doesn't bother the others in my house.

Lox_Cropek

Very good point. I had forgotten that being that I live near no one :P

Another reason why I prefer my headset is cause 80% of the time when I'm playing something, I'm on skype and if the games audio is coming from the speakers it usually bothers my friends on the otherside, so I just keep all audio to the headset and just lower whichever with the mixer in Win7.

I use to use a Asus Xonar D2X along Sennheiser HD 555's to Acoustic Energy Aego M 2.1 speakers and never will I use head phone ever again... unless the baby is sleeping. Otherwise head phones just don't compare.Grey_Eyed_Elf

You accidentally a few words in your post.

So as the OP, let me chime in here a bit more :)

1. I have a decent sound card built into my MoBo. It has a fiber-optic output (digital).
2. The headset (headphones w/mike) i had was(very specific here):
3. Digital input
4. Dolby Digital 7.1 surround sound

I see a lot of "surround sound" or what i'd call "immitation 5.1/7.1" headsets/phones. What i mean by that is these headsets are actually regular STEREO headphones and they have a surround sournd effect added to them. I'm honestly not sure if the TurtleBeach PX5's were multi speakers, but dang.. the end result left me pleasently shocked.

I understand what people are saying about the lack of rich bass etc, but once you set CORRECT settings and tweak the EQ, it sounds just as rich in addition to all the great surround sound you get. I'm telling ya, i was REALLY surprised at how well they performed. I'm still looking around for a new pair, but i'm careful not to buy a set with a sound processor that turns regular headphones into surround sound. The key here, i believe from my home audio experience, is that the signal must be digital and processed as such. Sure there are ones with 5 jacks... but i'd prefer coax/fiber :)

These headphones sounded just as good as any real 7.1 speaker system (a bit of an exaggaration i suppose). I'm still on the hunt for the perfect set and i spent a few hours looking at what's avaialble (mostly from TurtleBeach). It seems like there are a lot of "buzz words" like "surround sound", "7.1" etc, that are used in cheap sets and good ones. Immitation vs true.

So... Yeah, like i mentioned in the OP, initially the sound is actually dissapointing. Then you correct your settings, tweak the EQ (not even necessary) and set the game to the proper mode. BAM. And please stop thinking or comparing a good stereo set to a real 7.1 set - really its an astronomical difference.

I'm happy with my Steelseries Siberia 2. Aside from stereo, a few games have a headphone setting, I usually use Home Cinema or Surround and it's ways better than headphone setting. Also, most games actually don't even use 7.1, they use 5.1 or stereo.
trastamad03

Umm, not sure what 'headphone' setting you're referring to... Games will usually have "speaker" configuration in the autio properties such as.. Stereo, 5.1, 7.1, dolby etc... For those that use 5.1 the headset will just step down. I dunno, most games i have use 7.1 and i wouldn't even expect them to.

I remember when I had my PS3 and I had a pretty decent Onkyo 5.1 setup that blew my mind. Everything sounded so fvcking good on it and it wasn't even top of the line. Then I tried surround headphones and none of them come close to what real speakers can do. They don't have that delicious deep room rattling bass from a subwoofer.

For me it's either real speakers or nothing. I don't want to waste money on headphones
seanmcloughlin

I think we're so used to regular headphones being RIGHT OVER/IN our ears and the "Rich" sound the produce IMO is more of an illusion. We switch to the surround sound sets and because the audio is displaced AROUND you, we think its weaker. Its as if you had your friend talk into your ear, or them being across the room. With stereo, you get the first. With SS, you get both, depending on where they are...

I'm saying all this because i almost gave up initially.. i thought something was wrong.. I though the audio was shotty too!

For those asking what we recommend?

I only tested the Turtle Beach PX5 and an equivalent unit. I loved them.. the woven fabric ear covers sinched it for me :) I'm talking to Turtle Beach and getting more details on their choices and line up. The only recommendation i'd make is what i've been ranting about - Dolby Digital 5/7.1. Period. Even RTS games like Company of Heroes sounds AMAZING.. totally amazing...

YOU HAVE TO GET USED TO IT AT FIRST! :) Another analogy - stereo is like... TV, surround sound is like 3d TV, Digital (dolby?) 7.1 is like.. reality (was gonna say virtual reality, but who's heard anything about that since the 90's :P )

For those who recommend headphones:

You got my attention... I may check out some headphones that would do the same and then just get a separate mike or what not...

I'll update you all once i get more info from Turtle Beach.

So as the OP, let me chime in here a bit more :)

1. I have a decent sound card built into my MoBo. It has a fiber-optic output (digital).
2. The headset (headphones w/mike) i had was(very specific here):
3. Digital input
4. Dolby Digital 7.1 surround sound

I see a lot of "surround sound" or what i'd call "immitation 5.1/7.1" headsets/phones. What i mean by that is these headsets are actually regular STEREO headphones and they have a surround sournd effect added to them. I'm honestly not sure if the TurtleBeach PX5's were multi speakers, but dang.. the end result left me pleasently shocked.

polishpaul

Ok a lot to quote so I'll just cut it down :P

I am considering some headphones now though because I can't afford a 5.1 speaker set like before and regret selling my old ones. Also I don't really have the space anymore either. So would you recommend the Turtle Beach ones?

Just got back from Best Buy :)

Bought the DPX21 For about 150 and the Call of Duty: MW3 "Delta" (wireless) for about 190!!! This headset is just like the PX5 if not better... Turtle Beach website shows it at $300!

I'll let you know how they are. My primary goal here is to get this danged bluetooth to work with GOOD AUDIO quality and volume! Waiting for clarification from AZIO's (BlueTooth USB dongle vendor) support. They said:

Please note all bluetooth devices will sound poor when using HSP profile (Hands Free Profile). You must use A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile) for stereo sound. You can switch between the two by selecting your device inside the bundled Toshiba software.

Windows 7 can support this adapter without any software and still offer Stereo Sound, but XP requires the Toshiba software to receive stereo sound. Lastly, I don't know if you knew this going in, but the inherent weakness with Bluetooth is you cannot use HSP & A2DP at the same time, it can only be one or the at a time.

I'm beginning to think that the A2DP profile is just for listening and won't improve my mike : So far, the mike situation is still bleek with the wireless one.

I have Sennheiser 555 and Logitech G35.

The G35s sound better, and have a lot more bass, that's not muddy. The 555s are flat, and don't have the same punch.

As far as the guy that said - "just buy a good sound card, quality stereo headphones and a good mic, it'll sound better than surround sound headphones"

Really? You can get better sound by spending $450 , instead of just $90.? No kiddin?

If you want headphones and a mic that will outperform the G35s, you will have to spend at least twice as much as a G35 cost, and that doesn't include the sound card - that will be extra.

I have Sennheiser 555 and Logitech G35.

The G35s sound better, and have a lot more bass, that's not muddy. The 555s are flat, and don't have the same punch.

As far as the guy that said - "just buy a good sound card, quality stereo headphones and a good mic, it'll sound better than surround sound headphones"

Really? You can get better sound by spending $450 , instead of just $90.? No kiddin?

If you want headphones and a mic that will outperform the G35s, you will have to spend at least twice as much as a G35 cost, and that doesn't include the sound card - that will be extra.

Born_Lucky

That's false. I purchased my Audio Technica ATH-AD700 for $85 brand new. Asus Xonar DG sound card for $30. Total=$115. This setup easily crushes G35's. I would know.. I had the G35. Poor surround sound. You don't know where the direction of sounds are coming from. They're muddied. You can't tweak your sound with equilizer. You can't control the direction of speakers and distance. No stage sound. I could go on and on. You really don't have a clue about sound, and I'm considered an amateur...when it comes to sound.

$450? Sounds like trolling. Sure you could buy really high-end headphones for $300 but you are really getting what you pay for.. and anyone with half a sense would know you can't compare gaming headsets with audiophile headphones. No way.

Oh, and Zalman mic clip is only $10..

$450? huh?

I've listened to good quality stereo headphones and its a different beast from these that i'm testing.

So I just tried the DPX21 (D = digital, so this unit has a fiber optic input). Honestly... just like many reviews are complaining about.. i'm terrified that they will break. The construction feels very flimsty. On top of that, the earcup are smaller and not that comfortable! The PX5/Delta type of earcups fit my big ears perfectly. There is entirely waaay too much cabling going on with this.. Just go to their site and see the setup... Definitely returning these.

The last hope is the Delta. Ugh.. i'm so hell-bent on those woven fabric big earcups. Sigh... I can't seem to get that mike working better than "telephone" quality.. and i do NOT wanna be that guy in chat that nobody can hear.. "get a real flippin mike!" they'll say ;)

The more i think about this, the more i'm beggining to entertain the idea of the Logitech G930 or G35...

$450? huh?

I've listened to good quality stereo headphones and its a different beast from these that i'm testing.

So I just tried the DPX21 (D = digital, so this unit has a fiber optic input). Honestly... just like many reviews are complaining about.. i'm terrified that they will break. The construction feels very flimsty. On top of that, the earcup are smaller and not that comfortable! The PX5/Delta type of earcups fit my big ears perfectly. There is entirely waaay too much cabling going on with this.. Just go to their site and see the setup... Definitely returning these.

The last hope is the Delta. Ugh.. i'm so hell-bent on those woven fabric big earcups. Sigh... I can't seem to get that mike working better than "telephone" quality.. and i do NOT wanna be that guy in chat that nobody can hear.. "get a real flippin mike!" they'll say ;)

The more i think about this, the more i'm beggining to entertain the idea of the Logitech G930 or G35...

polishpaul

[QUOTE="Born_Lucky"]

I have Sennheiser 555 and Logitech G35.

The G35s sound better, and have a lot more bass, that's not muddy. The 555s are flat, and don't have the same punch.

As far as the guy that said - "just buy a good sound card, quality stereo headphones and a good mic, it'll sound better than surround sound headphones"

Really? You can get better sound by spending $450 , instead of just $90.? No kiddin?

If you want headphones and a mic that will outperform the G35s, you will have to spend at least twice as much as a G35 cost, and that doesn't include the sound card - that will be extra.

Elann2008

That's false. I purchased my Audio Technica ATH-AD700 for $85 brand new. Asus Xonar DG sound card for $30. Total=$115. This setup easily crushes G35's. I would know.. I had the G35. Poor surround sound. You don't know where the direction of sounds are coming from. They're muddied. You can't tweak your sound with equilizer. You can't control the direction of speakers and distance. No stage sound. I could go on and on. You really don't have a clue about sound, and I'm considered an amateur...when it comes to sound.

$450? Sounds like trolling. Sure you could buy really high-end headphones for $300 but you are really getting what you pay for.. and anyone with half a sense would know you can't compare gaming headsets with audiophile headphones. No way.

Oh, and Zalman mic clip is only $10..

[QUOTE="Born_Lucky"]

I have Sennheiser 555 and Logitech G35.

The G35s sound better, and have a lot more bass, that's not muddy. The 555s are flat, and don't have the same punch.

As far as the guy that said - "just buy a good sound card, quality stereo headphones and a good mic, it'll sound better than surround sound headphones"

Really? You can get better sound by spending $450 , instead of just $90.? No kiddin?

If you want headphones and a mic that will outperform the G35s, you will have to spend at least twice as much as a G35 cost, and that doesn't include the sound card - that will be extra.

Elann2008

[QUOTE="Elann2008"]

[QUOTE="Born_Lucky"]

I have Sennheiser 555 and Logitech G35.

The G35s sound better, and have a lot more bass, that's not muddy. The 555s are flat, and don't have the same punch.

As far as the guy that said - "just buy a good sound card, quality stereo headphones and a good mic, it'll sound better than surround sound headphones"

Really? You can get better sound by spending $450 , instead of just $90.? No kiddin?

If you want headphones and a mic that will outperform the G35s, you will have to spend at least twice as much as a G35 cost, and that doesn't include the sound card - that will be extra.

FelipeInside

That's false. I purchased my Audio Technica ATH-AD700 for $85 brand new. Asus Xonar DG sound card for $30. Total=$115. This setup easily crushes G35's. I would know.. I had the G35. Poor surround sound. You don't know where the direction of sounds are coming from. They're muddied. You can't tweak your sound with equilizer. You can't control the direction of speakers and distance. No stage sound. I could go on and on. You really don't have a clue about sound, and I'm considered an amateur...when it comes to sound.

$450? Sounds like trolling. Sure you could buy really high-end headphones for $300 but you are really getting what you pay for.. and anyone with half a sense would know you can't compare gaming headsets with audiophile headphones. No way.

Oh, and Zalman mic clip is only $10..

what's the matter with the built in sound cards? They've served me well.

Well I tried about every set of SS headsets...turtle beach, tritton, and logitech.

I found that a decent sound card (one that has a SS setting) and a good head set was the best option in my opinion.

I went with an ASUS sound card and a pair of Klipish One headsets. I'm happy now...

what's the matter with the built in sound cards? They've served me well.

polishpaul