Stereo with Spatial Sound (Dolby Atmos) vs 7.1 headset

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TheKaptain

TheKaptain

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Nov 15, 2016
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Tldr; getting new headphones, should I replace with high end stereo headphones if I use spatial sound and mainly play games supporting stereo audio only (PUBG) or will I still benefit from having 7.1 capabilities?

I'm looking to replace my gaming headphones, I currently have the Logitech G933s and have been very satisfied with them, however one of my speakers is crackling and I need to replace them. I have always owned 7.1 headphones because that's what I have just assumed is the best for FPS games to better locate players movements, but lately I have been doing more research before I buy my pc parts and have read that 7.1 headphones are "a gimmick" or unnecessary. The main game I play currently is PUBG and that only supports stereo audio, I also have my surround processing through the Logitech app turned off and am using spatial sound through Dolby, so am I even using my 7.1? Or is it simply running stereo and Windows is processing the surround? If the latter, wouldn't it make more sense to buy higher quality stereo headphones instead of spending extra money for surround sound?
 
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photonboy

photonboy

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Jun 20, 2006
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Arguably the "best" option is to get headphones where the Virtual Surround portion is REMOVABLE.

So you plug in via USB and use as up to "7.1 Surround" which the processing unit in the USB adapter converts to stereo. That gives better SPATIAL AWARENESS but at reduced fidelity.

I think some of them can change from Surround to Stereo (thus bypassing the virtualization portion and being normal stereo headphones) with a simple switch on the USB connection though if you do that the quality of the stereo sound depends in part on how good the DAC is in that USB device.

USB devices always have their own DAC. If it's a REMOVABLE device instead, so you revert to 3.5mm adapter then the quality of processing depends on the motherboard audio or sound card.

SUMMARY:
Again, you want the ability to use EITHER function depending on where it benefits the best. In shooter style games virtualization tends to be best, and for other games, movies, music you want just STEREO.

(You do NOT want headphones with multiple drivers. Drivers meaning speakers. You want one per ear.)
 
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photonboy

photonboy

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Jun 20, 2006
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The Logitech 933 headphones appear to have a USB adapter (in base station for wireless) which can bypass from stereo to surround/virtualized via a switch on headphones or in software but it was hard to tell from the web page.

That's probably what you still want if it worked well for you, though if you don't need the WIRELESS I'd avoid that as it adds to the weight and cost of the headphones.

If you avoid wireless, then I'd look for a USB solution with a button for Stereo/Surround, and optionally a removable 3.5mm jack to use without the USB solution.
 
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TheKaptain

TheKaptain

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Nov 15, 2016
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I have been looking at getting the Razer Tiamat 2.2. They connect via 3.5mm but still offer virtual surround sound. Are you saying the 933s would be a better audio experience because of the USB connection? Again I'm not using the Logitech virtual surround, I have that disabled at all times and run spacial sound through Windows for Dolby Atmos
 
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sizzling

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Oct 18, 2006
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The distortion used to try and emulate surround sound is software driven with any headset using 3.5mm sockets, it has to be, there is nothing special about the headset as its only 2 drivers. The Tiamat's just use Razer Surround software which can be used on any stereo headset https://www.razerzone.com/surround

After trying many headsets including the Tiamat 7.1's I now agree with those who say surround sound in a headset is a gimmick. Its nothing like true surround sound and reduces the quality of the sound. From what I have read many professional gamers will only use stereo as they would rather a better quality stereo sound.
 
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Dhardrian

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Jul 15, 2015
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The first thing to understand is that there are two different types of 7.1 headphones. True 7.1 headphones like the Razor Tiamat 7.1 have multiple drivers (speakers) within each ear cup. In the case of the Tiamat, there are five drivers in each, which allows for a full native 7.1 including sub-woofer.

The second type are virtual 7.1 headphones that simulate surround sound with one speaker in each ear. These headphones IMO are gimmicky, as the "virtual 7.1" is all completely software driven. The Dolby ATMOS drivers available through Windows 10 can make a basic two driver set of headphones sound pretty good however.

It really comes down to preference though. I can get the same spatial awareness in FPS games with straight stereo, simulated 7.1, or true 7.1. The quality of the sound differs in each, which is really where the preference comes into play. Go to a store that has display models and try out the various options and choose what sounds best to you.
 
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