True 5.1 vs Virtual 5.1 (headsets)

[wUgamBinOs]

This has been asked soooo so so so many times, however has anyone had any first hand or reliable knowledge of the differences?

I'm in the market for a good 5.1 headset, but mainly i'm just quite interested...

[Betty_Swallocks]

I have a Zalman 5.1 set of headphones and tbh I can't detect any form of surround sound. It just sounds like very good stereo. No indication as far as I can tell of whether something is in front or behind. I'm using a Creative xFi sounds card too so it isn't a problem with the card. My son's headphones (can't remember the make but they have a seperate control boc) don't do much either.

so as far as I'm concerned the difference is that 5.1 speakers work and 5.1 headphones don't.

[wUgamBinOs]

I've heard people (one in particular with a pair of Tritton AX 51 pro) say you have to spend a good while tweaking each driver's equiliser (if you have the ability), master volume, etc, to get an accurate surround sound... I guess with true 5.1's that mean tweaking your sound card's software. I've actually just ordered a pair of Roccat Kaves and will be getting an Auzentech Forte soon, I'll give a quick shout on here to say how they fair...

[shaithis]

I got the Sharkoon X-Static 5.1's and they are OK. Took a lot of fiddling in the Xonar's virtual surround settings but they work fairly well now.

Still, no where near as good as a proper 5.1 surround system....unless your trying to keep the noise down anyway!

[wUgamBinOs]

Well actually i have the discontinued Logitech G51 5.1 speakers, and i can honestly say that even with the volume cranked up on them the positional awareness is still not as good as a £15 stereo headset, probably because the sound is being emitted right next to my ear......?

[MadduckUK]

odd, my razer HP1's do it fine :s not as immersive as a set of 5.1 speakers, but you know if its fore or aft, and left or right- which is good enough

[Uriel]

Have owned both. 'True' 5.1 headsets are just a bad design to be honest. Any 5.1 content is mastered / mixed / rendered for speakers and you just don't hear drivers strapped to your head in the same way.

Some virtual surround solutions are very good. I find Dolby Headphone to be the best 'affordable' solution with CMSS-3D Headphone not too far behind. With the right set of headphones Dolby Headphone can sound very close to a 5.1 speaker system.