5.1 or 7.1 true headset

[p1987]

Hi,

I will eventually be replacing my Rocat Kave true 5.1 headset. These headsets comes with the green, orange, black and pink Jack's that fit into my Creative sound blaster z soundcard.

I am not fussed on the virtual sound cards or the ones that can be adjusted by a dial such as the Asus Strix as I believe you lose customization and sound quality.

Are there good headsets out there with the multiple connectors (green, orange, black, pink) that I can get use out of my soundcard ?

Can't seem to see this answer on Google.



Many thanks

 

[NeverBackDown]

Pretty much all new headsets have surround sound virtualization. I doubt you'll find something that is true surround sound for headsets. You'll need to go speakers for that if you indeed need it that bad

 

[Warchild]

Pretty much all new headsets have surround sound virtualization. I doubt you'll find something that is true surround sound for headsets. You'll need to go speakers for that if you indeed need it that bad

True surround has been tried and tested. It came out rather weak.

Razer tiamat 7.1 for example. It is nice for FPS but that is where the perks stop.

 

[MacLeod]

Honestly I still think plain old stereo headphones are the best way to go. You're going to get much better sound quality and the imagine cues are still going to be excellent no matter what game you're playing. A lot of times, how well the surround works depends on the game and not the headphones or sound card.

If possible, try to audition some real stereo headphones and see what you think. I have not found a set of surround cans yet that sound anywhere near as good as my Sennheiser HD 558's. I'm running them off my Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 system. It has a 3.5mm headphone jack on it and has a MUCH more powerful amp than you'll find on a sound card. This really brings out detail and impact in games.

 

[NeverBackDown]

I would say open headphones would be ideal as they tend to tire you out less than closed headphones. However depending on the game the better sound isolation closed headphones can definitely be better, like PUBG for instance.

 

[AlienALX]

Mine is true surround but you sure pay for the privilege.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EImd3oTqOHY

I got mine on clearout for £154. Well worth it, but can't even touch a proper pair of £150 headphones for SQ or volume. Even with the supplied amp they are not very loud.

Honestly I still think plain old stereo headphones are the best way to go. You're going to get much better sound quality and the imagine cues are still going to be excellent no matter what game you're playing. A lot of times, how well the surround works depends on the game and not the headphones or sound card.

If possible, try to audition some real stereo headphones and see what you think. I have not found a set of surround cans yet that sound anywhere near as good as my Sennheiser HD 558's. I'm running them off my Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 system. It has a 3.5mm headphone jack on it and has a MUCH more powerful amp than you'll find on a sound card. This really brings out detail and impact in games.

Yeah I would agree with that. I had a true surround set I got back in 2010 (Turtle Beach HPA2 Ear Force) and they were true surround. They also sounded nice (for the time) and were extremely loud.

I do have the Centurion but I literally only use it for playing Fallout 4, where it is very very good. The supplied amp is nice, because if you make the sound behind you slightly lower than the front (like IRL really) then the surround is amazing. It also helps to know where bullet fire is coming from and etc.

However, going back to what you have said? I would have a top quality headphone first. I already pretty much took care of that (with about 15 pairs) before I even considered getting another surround set. If they are going to be used solely for gaming and absolutely nothing else *and* they improve a game you always play and work properly with it? then yes, maybe then I would choose the surround set first.

I literally bought mine to improve FO4, which IMO they have. Immensely.

 

[Warchild]

Mine is true surround but you sure pay for the privilege.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EImd3oTqOHY

I tested the centurion and was quite disappointed in it. Given the cost, the sound was average at best. Bit too bass heavy and quite muddy overall. And the Mic has to be the worst sounding one I have ever had to deal with.

It was at least a huge improvement over the Tiamat 7.1, but then again, it was Razer made so that isnt hard.

In the end, I returned it and went for a Rig 800LX with Atmos. But as Alien and Macleod have said, Stereo will provide a far better listening experience. Maybe not as immersive but i rate quality of audio over everything. Oddly enough, I'm using my Shure846 even for gaming due to the clarity and excellent soundstage they have. They provide just enough bass for me not to feel uncomfortable over long periods too.

 

[AlienALX]

I tested the centurion and was quite disappointed in it. Given the cost, the sound was average at best. Bit too bass heavy and quite muddy overall. And the Mic has to be the worst sounding one I have ever had to deal with.

It was at least a huge improvement over the Tiamat 7.1, but then again, it was Razer made so that isnt hard.

In the end, I returned it and went for a Rig 800LX with Atmos. But as Alien and Macleod have said, Stereo will provide a far better listening experience. Maybe not as immersive but i rate quality of audio over everything. Oddly enough, I'm using my Shure846 even for gaming due to the clarity and excellent soundstage they have. They provide just enough bass for me not to feel uncomfortable over long periods too.

I certainly wouldn't play music through it. Even a set of £100 B&O destroy it.

 

[Dicehunter]

While 7.1 headsets can sound good, A good stereo headset with AMP/DAC will blow it out of the water as far as sound quality and volume are concerned and you will pay around the same as well.

 

[MacLeod]

While 7.1 headsets can sound good, A good stereo headset with AMP/DAC will blow it out of the water as far as sound quality and volume are concerned and you will pay around the same as well.

Every time. It's simple physics. Displacement matters when it comes to speakers and output. A larger speaker will move more air which means more volume, impact, dynamics and clarity. When you only have to fit 1 driver in a set of headphones, you can fit a larger one designed and tuned to work in that particular enclosure. When you have to fit several smaller drivers inside a set, it's never going to sound anywhere near as good. Lets face it, a 1" inch driver is really a tweeter, the tiny little speaker that just does high end frequencies.