Surround Sound Headphones / Dolby Headphones

[SuperBeatBoy]

That looks like it does the job. Is there a difference between more expensive optical leads over cheaper ones or are they all the same?

[EvilBoris]

I'm guessing that as with HDMI and it being a digital signal, there is little signal degredation, unless you are going over long distances

[SuperBeatBoy]

Thanks mate, saves me some money considering how much ive spent already.

[SmokeMeAKipper]

Wasn't sure if this should go in this thread but here we go...

My question is over surround sound through headphones and a receiver. I've got the Sony HTSF1000 surround sound system which is fairly basic but as a first system I'm impressed with it. One of the biggest bugbears I have with it is that it doesn't have a headphone socket.

Late at night I have to play with headphones on. I bought a Panasonic surround headphone kit a while ago which came with headphones (duh) and a little surround receiver through which you plug your phono / optical cable. It's not bad - better than normal stereo - but it eats batteries.

Finally, we get to my question... for a surround system that DOES have a headphone socket (e.g. Onkyo 606) would plugging headphones in give me the equivalent surround sound via headphones or is it still just stereo sound?

[Brad]

Stereo mate. Some amps claim to provide a surround sound mode (My Yamaha does) and whilst the sound quality is both excellent and immersive, it really isn't surround sound. I'm using decent over the ear cans too. Maybe some amps can do a better job of it though.

[Morph]

I heard these were really good for surround sound heaphone use. Any one know how to use these with PS3, Xbox. It has optical out but I'm not sure if I would need a sepearate amp to power it. this one

[andy572]

It mentions two AA batteries (and approximately ten hours of use), Morph. From what I can see there, you'll need to look into obtaining a suitable cable for connecting to the 'mini jack' (the description mentions an "optional connecting cord"). I expect that'll just be a standard TosLink to mini-optical cable - easily found at your favourite on-line cable-selling emporium for ?5 - ?10 (or more, if you're an 'interconnect' rather than a cable sort of person!).

It simply looks like a headphone amp with surround decoding and mixing capabilities, and should do just what you want. For a more permanent solution, add a DC adapter and an optical switcher. You'll then easily be able to switch between sources (e.g. from your PS3 to the Xbox) and won't have to worry about going through batteries at a great rate.

If you've heard or read elsewhere that the unit was good, perhaps you could ask there and get your questions better answered?

I'm certainly interested in hearing more about it and should your research turn into a purchase, would like to read your findings.

I hope that it meets your needs!

[yesteryeargames]

hi all,


can someone help me with a setup Q

basically ivegot the logic 3 sound thing which uses optical, ive also got the sony wireless headphones which use optical, i was wondering is there a device i can use to make the signal come out at both speakers and headphones at the same time, like a splitter? i dont want one that will just swithc where to signal goes to but it will allow both to run at once if you get me?

would this work http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2-Way-Optical-...1%7C240%3A1318

and if so would there be a reduction in the quality of the signal?

thanks for your time

[Morph]

It mentions two AA batteries (and approximately ten hours of use), Morph. From what I can see there, you'll need to look into obtaining a suitable cable for connecting to the 'mini jack' (the description mentions an "optional connecting cord"). I expect that'll just be a standard TosLink to mini-optical cable - easily found at your favourite on-line cable-selling emporium for ?5 - ?10 (or more, if you're an 'interconnect' rather than a cable sort of person!).

It simply looks like a headphone amp with surround decoding and mixing capabilities, and should do just what you want. For a more permanent solution, add a DC adapter and an optical switcher. You'll then easily be able to switch between sources (e.g. from your PS3 to the Xbox) and won't have to worry about going through batteries at a great rate.

If you've heard or read elsewhere that the unit was good, perhaps you could ask there and get your questions better answered?

I'm certainly interested in hearing more about it and should your research turn into a purchase, would like to read your findings.

I hope that it meets your needs!

thanks mate I'll try and pick one up then report back

some reviews from buyers here

yesteryeargames - that should work can you describe how you plan on connecting it, I don't know if you'd lose signal strength with optical if both devices are working at the same time but this is what usually happens when you split an analogue connection (lower volume on both devices). Give it a try I suppose but maybe some one else has used these and can confirm for you.

[Raggen77]

Has anyone any experience with this headset form Turtle Beach?

[Malc]

Can anyone recommend me a decent pair of Dolby 5.1 headphones that I can use with my Xbox 360 please? I'd prefer if it was wired and also doesn't have any microphone or other unnecessary addendums on it. I'd like them to be of decent sound quality, but nothing insanely expensive.

Thanks for any help.

[gunrock]

I'm attacking this from a different angle. I've just bought a cheap, secondhand Yamaha AV receiver (RX-SL80) and I'm using the Yamaha's Silent Cinema feature. I gave it a bit of a play yesterday and it works well. If you have a Yamaha amp already (or a Pioneer, or Marantz which have either their only surround headphones algorithm or Dolby headphone), it's worth a try.

The amp (and Yamaha NSP-110 speakers) were only 80 quid all in. That way I can spend about 120 quid on some decent headphones (Ultrasone HFI-680), if and when my bonus comes in....

[Morph]

Can anyone recommend me a decent pair of Dolby 5.1 headphones that I can use with my Xbox 360 please? I'd prefer if it was wired and also doesn't have any microphone or other unnecessary addendums on it. I'd like them to be of decent sound quality, but nothing insanely expensive.

Thanks for any help.

All dedicated 5.1 headphones generally sound poor there is however one decent but expensive set. Astro A40 (Designed for gaming they are great in that they allow you independent control of the voice chat volume)

This is why I was looking into buying the JVC SU-DH1 mix amp, this takes care of all 5.1 processing and down mixes the channels to output through a stereo pair of headphones (see my previous posts). Thing is there is nothing special about the speakers in so called surround headphones infact a decent pair of Senheisers, Grado or other professional headphones will most likely kick any surround headphone in the teeth. My understanding is that surround headphones have a built in 5.1 processor that is okay for the job however the speakers themselves leave a lot to be desired.

I still can't afford to order my JVC SU-DH1 unit but when I do I will leave some feedback although going by other peoples experiences I'm expecting them to be all that. recently I've also been looking at the Astro A40 mix amp that is sold without the headphones (already have a decent pair) because of the seperate voice chat controls however the A40 mixamp a little more expensive than the SU-DH1 and I'm not quite sure I'm prepared to spend any more.

Sadly all these goodies are not easy to buy locally and have to be imported so expect heavy shipping charges as well as possible if not dead cert custom charges.

[hoyteamx]

I have a wireless internet connection and a wireless connection between the PC and the 360. Is any of this likely to interfere with wireless headphones?

I looking at either the Pioneer SE-DIR800CII mentioned in this thread or the Sony MDR-DS700 (I live in japan so am restricted to japanese models - unless anyone knows somewhere that does international shipping?!)

I heard the pioneer model need to "be in the line of site". Does this just mean i can`t leave the room??

Anyone have any knowledge of the sony MDR`s? They`re a new model only available in Japan so I can`t seem to find much written about them.

Any help much appreciated!

[ChrisF]

DECT might interfere...

Line of sight basically meants its Infra Red, so yes, you'd need to be in the same room, Or in the door way basically anywhere you can see the base unit while wearing the headphones.

I read up recently on sony earphones and the general concensus was that they weren't that good...