Do i need a soundcard for 7.1 headphones?

[SoldierScar]

I'm going to buy Steelseries Arctis 5 headset which connects with USB and has 7.1 surround, will it work if i simply put the usb cable to my pc or do i need a dedicated sound card?

[Bad 💀 Motha]

No, they're USB, they don't use any audio card type devices; USB has its own Chip + Driver.

USB is pain in the butt; it must always stay plugged in.

Analog you can unplug whenever, cause the audio card never disconnects.

[Master0fBlunt]

Yeh thats all software. VLC Media Player, etc will send 7 channels of audio out of your USB port and your headphones will send the signals to their proper and respective internal speaker themselves. Dolby just had a little partnership of sorts with windows 10 and released a really neat filter for headphones that increases audial immersion, Microsoft of course has their own free version also. It does make a difference, let me know what you think of it using 7 channel headset. Right click volume icon, "Playback" tab, select your headphones, then "Properties". Go to the "spatial Sound" tab and there you will find Dolby's and Microsoft's headphone filter that is supposed to increase the depth and quality of headphone sounds.

[SoldierScar]

Okay thanks, i thought it's this way but i was confused because one guy was asking this question at an online store where i want to buy them and the admin/worker said he will need a soundcard and the one he has will be fine with it, they don't even know what they are talking about.

[Master0fBlunt]

SoldierScar eredeti hozzászólása:

Okay thanks, i thought it's this way but i was confused because one guy was asking this question at an online store where i want to buy them and the admin/worker said he will need a soundcard and the one he has will be fine with it, they don't even know what they are talking about.

No, they rarely do. Some of the STUPIDEST and most PC ILLITERATE people I have ever met work in Best Buy's Computer section, or you know, any other "Tech" stores PC section. It's quite saddening and insulting that consumers have to deal with such drech when shopping. Unless you're a hardcore audiophile with a fine taste for music or an actual producer, you don't have need for a sound card tbh. Sound cards are the audio equivalent to video's graphics cards. It allows you to process a higher level of data and quality that most people can't even appreciate or have use for.

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Who "needs" a Sound Card; we all have one, right on the Motherboard.
Doesn't matter what the headphones says they do for 5.1, 7.1 etc... Headphones are Stereo only anyways. They do surround sound virtually.

USB just means thats how they will connect/get power. And those will of course use their own driver, which are probably the worst part here.

Why buy something that is USB that's meant for a Console? Your PC already has onboard audio.

[Boomer Lite]

Bad_Motha eredeti hozzászólása:

Who "needs" a Sound Card; we all have one, right on the Motherboard.
Doesn't matter what the headphones says they do for 5.1, 7.1 etc... Headphones are Stereo only anyways. They do surround sound virtually.

USB just means thats how they will connect/get power. And those will of course use their own driver, which are probably the worst part here.

Why buy something that is USB that's meant for a Console? Your PC already has onboard audio.

Headsets/headphones with 5.1 drivers and 7.1 drivers (drivers = speakers, in this case) are available. They may not be worth the cost, but they exist.

USB headphones can have a sound card built into the USB connector. So it's not using the motherboard's sound chip.

[pasa]

Sir eredeti hozzászólása:

Headsets/headphones with 5.1 drivers and 7.1 drivers (drivers = speakers, in this case) are available.

Really? You say you can find 3 actual drivers per ear, one in the center and even a subwoofer is magically summoned somewhere?

I tried to find a pic for disassembled Arctis 5 on the net, no luck, maybe someone else. The best info located claimed a 40mm driver, that is realistic -- meaning you get a single of those per ear and that is it. And all the 7.1 is just hype.

[MrMcSwifty]

pasa eredeti hozzászólása:

Really? You say you can find 3 actual drivers per ear, one in the center and even a subwoofer is magically summoned somewhere?

I tried to find a pic for disassembled Arctis 5 on the net, no luck, maybe someone else. The best info located claimed a 40mm driver, that is realistic -- meaning you get a single of those per ear and that is it. And all the 7.1 is just hype.

I have no idea what's out there nowadays but this isn't anything unusual. I owned a pair of Turtle Beach HPA2s that had 3 drivers + sub in each can. Razer Tiamats had a surround version that did something similar.

It's a gimmick though. In the case of the HPA2s the sound quality was atrocious in "true" surround mode and you were better off just running them in 2.1 mode and then using software virtualization if you needed it.

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Yes, I suppose some are still out there, but most now are generally just two physical Drivers of approx 30 - 50 mm in size, one in each ear / can. The surround is generally done via software emulation. Just like if you go on your PC and connect only 2 or 2.1 Speaker setup, then go into your Audio config and enable Virtual Surround. Most Games you often don't need to toggle this, as the game itself can usually do it via it's own options and emulation of sound-track, etc.

But it's mostly all gimmicks anyways; You can use the ear-buds that shipped with your phone, connect and configure your PC for "Stereo / 2.1" and then enable Virtual Surround and get basically all the same effects.

Sure it might not sound as good, with a comparison of Ear-Buds vs a decent set of cans with 50mm drivers inside; sure... but you get the idea.

If you're buying a product based around "Best Gaming Awards" "Best suited for Gamers" "Phenomenal Surround Sound" you're just throwing $ at the market leading gimmick is all you're doing.

[OLDMAN🎅]

WTF is 7.1 headphones 7.1 headsets are a joke If you want proper 7.1, setup a surround system in your room.

[SoldierScar]

I know its mostly just a gimmick and probably far away from real 7.1, i just wanted to buy a headset with removable cable and this is the only one i found with good reviews for a price in my budget, i dont care much about 7.1 but it will be a fine bonus to try out. From multiple reviews ive read the surround is good/bad, depends on the game. It will surely be better than this 10 dollar headset i have now.

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Well, sometimes you just have to try and see for yourself.
I for one (despite all the praise from various sources) can not stand to wear something like Steelseries Arctis 5 for long periods of listening or gaming, the cans are very shallow and this hurts my ears physically from rubbing contact. I for one have to go with deep over the ear cans. But hey, everyone is different.

[SoldierScar]

Bad_Motha eredeti hozzászólása:

Well, sometimes you just have to try and see for yourself.
I for one (despite all the praise from various sources) can not stand to wear something like Steelseries Arctis 5 for long periods of listening or gaming, the cans are very shallow and this hurts my ears physically from rubbing contact. I for one have to go with deep over the ear cans. But hey, everyone is different.

Well i will see, if its not gonna fit my ears or head ill return them.

[Boomer Lite]

pasa eredeti hozzászólása:

Sir eredeti hozzászólása:

Headsets/headphones with 5.1 drivers and 7.1 drivers (drivers = speakers, in this case) are available.

Really? You say you can find 3 actual drivers per ear, one in the center and even a subwoofer is magically summoned somewhere?

I tried to find a pic for disassembled Arctis 5 on the net, no luck, maybe someone else. The best info located claimed a 40mm driver, that is realistic -- meaning you get a single of those per ear and that is it. And all the 7.1 is just hype.

I'm not endorsing them. I just mentioned that they exist. I use stereo headphones (audio technica ath-m50x).

https://www.razerzone.com/gaming-audio/razer-tiamat-71-v2

https://www.asus.com/us/Headphones-Headsets/STRIX_71/