Surround Sound Headphones???

Rick Meyer

Rick Meyer

Veteran
Hey gang!

I recently got a laptop with a Sound Blaster Z2 sound card. This thing sounded great on my desktop, so I had to get the upgrade on my laptop. The question is, I was about to get a nice pair of headphones strictly for editing and movies (I have a small etymotics for shooting to prevent echo but I wanted to get a more traditional, less "invasive" pair).

Question is, this sound card has a CMSS surround sound standard, which would allow me to listen to movies, dvds, etc, in surround sound. I am not even sure how this would work (before anyone sends me a wikipedia link...im already on it.)

Now, I assume a nice set will cost me, MAX $100.00bucks. Thats the MOST I will spend. Prior to this laptop purchase, I have been looking solely at high quality STEREO headphones. And, time and time again, I heard great things about the Sony 7506s. Also, I heard great things about the GRADOS. Thing is, I really want to utilize the surround sound capability by getting a pair that is designed for this...if thats even a true possibility and not just some marketing scam.

I guess my question(s) is(are), does anyone have a solid pair of surround sound head phones that they could recommend? Is there really a difference between surround sound headphones and high fidelity stereo headphones like the 7506s?And, with respect to editing, is there really an upside to getting one type of headphone pair over the other?

Thanks guys (and gals) for your advice!
Rick
 
I don't know much about surround headphones, so I'll leave that to someone else.

I will say, though, that the general consensus is that you should not edit with headphones. You need a good set of monitors to do your best editing work with. There are a couple of threads that discuss which monitors are best overall.

Phil
 
Thanks. Well, I don't have large monitors. Im not really outfitted for it. I do have a decent 5.1Logitech set up, which sound pretty fantastic for my needs. I just wanted to get a second set of headphones that would compliment what I already have.

Sometimes, when I am working, I like to tune out with headphones.
 
rlm7189 said:
Thanks. Well, I don't have large monitors. Im not really outfitted for it. I do have a decent 5.1Logitech set up, which sound pretty fantastic for my needs. I just wanted to get a second set of headphones that would compliment what I already have. Sometimes, when I am working, I like to tune out with headphones.
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First...I would stay away from surround sound headphones since they are not accurate enough for mixing..even though you should use monitor speakers versus computer speakers...but if funds is tight then I would invest into Sony 7506's or Sennheiser 280's. But using a Soundblaster soundcard will be more hifi'd versus flat. Soundblasters are more of a gamers card and not really considered a mixers card. A more professional sound card from like M-audio or RME will give a you more accurate results.
 
Consumer "surround" headphones typically play around with the phase to increase the width of the apparent stereo image. To achieve a true surround-sound or 3D audio image using conventional stereo headphones, it is neccessary to convert the surround signal to a binnaural stereo signal. Although I haven't used the Z2-series cards, the old SB-Live Value card I have on the PII-450 supports this option.

However, I'm curious as to why do you need to monitor your editing in a surround environment, especially if your audio hardware is limited to consumer-level gear. If you're using that laptop for sound editing and critical audio monitoring, go out and get yourself an MBox2 (with an eye to eventually upgrading with the DV Toolkit).

If funds are as tight as you say they are, you should be concentrating on preparing a solid stereo mix rather than aiming for multitrack surround. The Sony MDR-7506's are a giant step in the right direction, since you'll never know just what you're getting when you work with multimedia speakers. They won't replace a good set of studio monitors during a mix, but they'll get the job done during your sound edit. As long as you keep in mind the innaccuracies inherent to headphone monitoring (lack of bass, exaggeratedly deep perspectives, etc.) you can go a long ways with just a set of 7506 cans. That said, you would be well advised to take your projects to a propper mixing theater to fine-tune your headphone premix and to satisfy yourself that what you're hearing is what you'll be gettting.
 
Thanks everybody for the input...

Actually, money is not "tight" persay. I just knew that the SONY-7506s were $100.00dollars. The SONY-7506's get RAVE reviews on this board. And since they are excellent, and only $100.00 dollars, I was using that as a benchmark. I was willing to spend $100 dollars on the SONY-7506's OR an equivalent amount on a pair that was just as good that catered to a surround sound card.

This is not really for editing. Its mostly for entertainment. I have a nice pair of ETYMOTICS, which I love for shooting, because they tune out the world and prevent echo. However, they are not really comfortable for me. I can't wear them for hours at a time.

As for editing, I can use my speaker monitors, but sometimes, I like to throw on a nice pair of headphones instead. I like to tune out from the world around me. Its helps me focus. So, these headphones where going to be multifunction: entertainment (DVDs in laptop)...occasionally for editing....etc.

I guess the best way to rephrase my original question (since I am already leaning towards the SONY 7506s) is do the SONY 7506s headphones utilize the THX or DOLBY encoding from a SOUND BLASTER AUIDGY Z2 Card?
 
If you want to seriously pimp out your Etymotic headphones, get a set of the custom molded musicians earplugs. In addition to having configurable levels of noise reduction, you can get an adapter to allow them to connect to their headphones. I can wear the earplugs for hours without them getting uncomfortable.

Personally I would rather use my 7506's in just about any type of studio or location situation.
 
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