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Trying to find closed back 5.1 gaming headset

Forum CPU & Components : Sound Cards - Trying to find closed back 5.1 gaming headset

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My wife got me an early Christmas present, the Turtle Beach Ear Force HPA2 headset and they are wonderful but when I am wearing the headphones my wife can hear EVERYTHING I am listening to in the other room. I might as well have my speakers on.

So I am trying to find a good comparable closed back headset for gaming. Any ideas?

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Funny, on the product description for those on Newegg, it says,"Pump up the volume without disturbing the neighborhood! The comfortable deep cushioned earcups also block sound leakage."

Anyway, I use the Razer Barracuda headset and it seems to keep sound in pretty well and it sounds amazing once you get the settings all tweaked for it.

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Reply to Spikke

Spikke wrote :

Funny, on the product description for those on Newegg, it says,"Pump up the volume without disturbing the neighborhood! The comfortable deep cushioned earcups also block sound leakage."

Anyway, I use the Razer Barracuda headset and it seems to keep sound in pretty well and it sounds amazing once you get the settings all tweaked for it.



Yeah that is why I got them, but they are not quiet at all. I called Newegg and at first they said it was a non-refundable product but I complained and they are allowing me to return them.

I will check out the Razer set.

Reply to Vanished

1 pair of headphones

eDimensional AudioFX 5+1 Force Feedback headphones.

I love Bass, they are lovely headphones. They dont let any sound come through, however some people dont like the color. I dont recommend the cheaper version cuz is smaller.

------------------------------ [quote:e59fbc2129="Buzby"]Should I upgrade my Ram from 256mb to 1 mb?[/quote:e59fbc2129]
[quote:e59fbc2129="chips2481"]Geforce is like a cheaper made quadro card[/quote:e59fbc2129]
ASUS Striker Extreme
Intel E6600 @ 3.15Ghz
Reply to slim142

Vanished, have you now been able to directly compare the HPA2 to the Barracuda? I'm looking into purchasing a 5.1 analog headset and I'm leaning toward the HPA2 (which are selling on Newegg for about 75 bucks compared to 120 for the Razer set). Sound leakage isn't much of a concern for me. I also like that the splitter for a simultaneous speaker connection is included in the Turtle Beach package.

Does anyone else have suggestions for an analog 5.1 headset? I've also looked into the Speed-Link Medusa 5.1 Home Edition, but it doesn't seem to be sold anywhere except their website, and it costs about twice as much as the HPA2. By the way, I'm running an X-Fi Platinum.

Thanks in advance.

------------------------------ E6600 @ 3GHz | D975XBX | 2GB Ballistix DDR2-800 | 2 x X1900XT | 150GB Raptor | 320GB Barracuda | X-Fi Platinum | FSP FX700-GLN | Gigabyte 3D Aurora | Dell 2407WFP | Logitech Z-5450 | Logitech G15 | Razer Copperhead
Reply to The_Rev

I have the TB HPA2. It has no software needed to run them. They connect to the 5.1 sound card connectors. I read that the SW used by other 5.1 headsets isn't that good (sorry no linky, but look into reviews of the ones you are interested in).

I went with the HW solution. I like them, in Bioshock it's wonderful and immersing.

Reply to Conumdrum

Conumdrum wrote :

I have the TB HPA2. It has no software needed to run them. They connect to the 5.1 sound card connectors. I read that the SW used by other 5.1 headsets isn't that good (sorry no linky, but look into reviews of the ones you are interested in).

I went with the HW solution. I like them, in Bioshock it's wonderful and immersing.




Yup, that's why I'm looking into an analog direct-to-the-soundcard connection as opposed to a USB connection. It seems it would be pretty pointless to have an X-Fi and then just plug in a USB headset. Also, since USB headsets need software to work, they utilize CPU cycles, which is a big minus in my book.

I've read reviews on the HPA2 and most seem to like it, but I haven't found any reviewers who directly compare several 5.1 headsets, so that's why I'm seeking Vanished's opinion.

Thanks for the reply -- it's good to hear you like the HPA2.

------------------------------ E6600 @ 3GHz | D975XBX | 2GB Ballistix DDR2-800 | 2 x X1900XT | 150GB Raptor | 320GB Barracuda | X-Fi Platinum | FSP FX700-GLN | Gigabyte 3D Aurora | Dell 2407WFP | Logitech Z-5450 | Logitech G15 | Razer Copperhead
Reply to The_Rev

Sennheiser HD280. They run about 100 Bucks but are far superior to anything out there for closed ear headphones. Some people say they fit a little tight, which they do, but can be worn for hours and hours without discomfort. They are circumaural which means they go completely around your ear. Well worth the money and will work great for music listening too. Originally designed for music studio use they offer 32db of attenuation, which means you wont hear anything outside of them and no one will hear a peep from you. Look 'em up on Newegg. They also have a headset model with a mic but they run around 200$.

Reply to Smoked Turkey

Smoked Turkey wrote :

Sennheiser HD280. They run about 100 Bucks but are far superior to anything out there for closed ear headphones.


I hear those are great headphones, but they aren't actually 5.1 headphones, right?
Some people find 5.1 headphones to be kind of gimmicky, and for them it looks like the stereo HD280 would be a great option. On the other hand, it seems many folks out there swear by the 5.1 sets...

------------------------------ E6600 @ 3GHz | D975XBX | 2GB Ballistix DDR2-800 | 2 x X1900XT | 150GB Raptor | 320GB Barracuda | X-Fi Platinum | FSP FX700-GLN | Gigabyte 3D Aurora | Dell 2407WFP | Logitech Z-5450 | Logitech G15 | Razer Copperhead
Reply to The_Rev

I've tried (and bought) several 5.1 sets. I'm a bit of an audiophile, so I was definitely hesitant to get headphones a lot of people consider "gimmicky". And "Gimmicky" did prove to be the case for the first two sets I tried: the LTB AC97's and Zalman ZM-RS6F's were tinny, have little bass, cheaply constructed, and look like toys. In addition, the sound leak on these muffs is horrible - not good since my G/F and I live in a loft apt that's open space. However, I recently got the Razer HP-1s and am completely convinced now headphones can do 5.1 headphones correctly. They have rich sound, great bass, reproduce 5.1 accurately, and feel nice. Better yet, the sound leak is hardly noticable: I need to really crank the volume for anyone to hear sound. Some people have had issues with the mic, but mine works fine with teamspeak, skype etc.

I've also got a pair of Audio-Technica ATH-A55's (closed-back) which are sweet for music and have no sound leak at all, but I by far prefer the HP-1's for gaming and general computer use.

------------------------------ q9450(@3.6ghz) - Abit ix38 Quad GT
4GB G.Skill 8500 - 2X WD 640GB RAID 0 - 2X Sapphire 4870 X2 CrossfireX
Razer Barracuda AC-1/HP-1 Sound - HP LP3065 30"
Vista Premium 64
Reply to harmattan

what about the mic on the Razer HP-1 headset? I heard ppl said it sucks cause it's too far away from ur mouth.

Reply to jincuteguy
Tom's Hardware > Forum > CPU & Components > Sound Cards > Trying to find closed back 5.1 gaming headset
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