[garetjax27]

While shopping for a new PC gaming headset, I've come across a lot of different technologies and different ways to use them to get the best sound of your games. Being the clueless soul I am, maybe you guys (and gals!) can help me out here:
 
1) Do all headphones support Dolby Headphone technology?

2) Positional 7.1 surround sound - Can an ordinary pair of cheapo headphones support this?

3) What would the benefit be (or not) of using an Astro Gaming mixamp (like that found with the A40) with a PC outfitted with a Creative X-Fi Titanium Fatality sound card? Is the use of the mixamp wasted in this application?

4) Is a headphone that uses USB really an audio sin where audio quality and perfomance is concerned?

5) Are headphones with muliple drivers/speakers (Razer Tiamat) better for producing surround sound than headphones with one single Left and Right driver/speaker (Audio Technica ATH-AD700)?
 

 

[chewy4]

Quote:

While shopping for a new PC gaming headset, I've come across a lot of different technologies and different ways to use them to get the best sound of your games. Being the clueless soul I am, maybe you guys (and gals!) can help me out here:
 
1) Do all headphones support Dolby Headphone technology?

2) Positional 7.1 surround sound - Can an ordinary pair of cheapo headphones support this?

3) What would the benefit be (or not) of using an Astro Gaming mixamp (like that found with the A40) with a PC outfitted with a Creative X-Fi Titanium Fatality sound card? Is the use of the mixamp wasted in this application?

4) Is a headphone that uses USB really an audio sin where audio quality and perfomance is concerned?

5) Are headphones with muliple drivers/speakers (Razer Tiamat) better for producing surround sound than headphones with one single Left and Right driver/speaker (Audio Technica ATH-AD700)?
 

1) Yes.
2) Assuming you mean simulated 7.1 positional sound created by something like Dolby Headphone, yes.
3) X-Fi cards have CMSS-3D, a  technology like Dolby Headphone, and the mixamp is adding Dolby Headphone. I couldn't imagine using CMSS-3D and DH together would be a good idea.
4) A lot of people will tell you that the DAC and integrated amp are going to be crap on these, but I think the main problem is that these headphone's generally just have poor sound quality in general compared to similar priced headphones. Which isn't a problem with USB, it's just the way all gaming headsets are.
5) I doubt it, but I can't say I know from experience. The drivers are still just right up to your ear and the best positional sound is binaural which only takes advantage of two.