Surround Sound Headphones
Sometimes you just can't listen to your home theater system the way you want to. Whether it's because of the neighbors or your studying roommate, there are times when it's just not possible to crank up your system. That is where surround sound headphones come into the picture. There are all types of headphones on the market today; everything from the cheap ones you find at the megamart that starts with a "W" to those so expensive they demand to have their own carrying case. If you are looking for the freedom to listen to your home theater system while outside or around the house doing chores, wireless headphones may be what you are looking for.
A 3-D Sound Experience
The thing that separates surround sound headphones from the pack is the fact they come equipped with built-in sound processors that are used to simulate a 3-dimensional sound environment. Some of the higher end models may even be compatible with the main surround sound formats such as Dolby Digital and DTS. This is exactly what you need in order to enjoy your home theater system without upsetting the sensitive ears of those around you. As far as the surround sound processing, know that it is called "virtual surround sound" for a reason. Two earpieces just are not able to recreate the same sound stage a multiple speaker surround sound speaker can. The built-in sound processor is used to closely simulate the effect of a surround sound system but the fidelity is not exact. With that in mind, you can now look for your pair of surround sound headphones without being disappointed that they do not sound exactly like your home theater system does through the speakers.Surround Sound Headphone Features
When choosing which surround sound headphones to buy, comfort definitely needs to be taken into account. You will be wearing your surround sound headphones for an hour and a half or more depending on the length of the movie, so you need to make sure there is plenty of padding to keep your ears comfortable. One-size-fits-all flexing headbands will only cause problems down the
road.
Make sure the headphones come
equipped with an adjustable headband to accommodate you or anyone else
who may use them. It seems like a small detail but you will
be happy you addressed it. Sealed headphones will ensure that
what you listen to does not disturb anyone else. In addition,
having sealed headphones will makes sure that anything going on around
you will not distract from your movie watching experience.
With that said, know that sealed headphones are a trade-off because
open sets can create a more natural soundstage.You need to know the size of the headphone output on your receiver prior to narrowing down your list of which set of surround sound headphones to purchase. If you already have your heart set on a particular pair and you find that the plugs do not match, don't worry you can almost always find an adaptor that will save the day.
Now take cord length into consideration. One method that will help you determine about how much cord you need is to take a string and tape it to your receiver next to the headphone output. Run the string loosely to where you will be seated when watching movies. Hold the string up to ear level and take note of the location on the string. Now measure the length of the string and this is your minimum cord length. Look for headphones that have the cord connected into only one earpiece in order to avoid tangle-ups.
The range of hearing for the average person is 20 Hz - 20 kHz, so make sure that the surround sound headphones cover those frequencies.
Surround Sound Headphones: Final Thoughts
Surround sound headphones are a great addition to your home theater system, especially if you have roommates or neighbors to consider. Using these tips, you should be able to select your pair easily.If you are looking for a great set of headphones but aren't particularly concerned about the virtual surround sound, take a look at the SENNHEISER HD 590 Prestige High Definition Headphones