iRock 5.1 Theater Sound USB headphones theoretically, um, rock.

These new USB headphones from First International Digital bring 5.1 surround to the mix. The iRock 5.1 Theater Surround Sound headphones are lightweight units featuring six speakers, each in an individual sound chamber, giving gamers and portable home theater watchers a virtual surround sound experience. The $59.99 headphones are Mac and PC compatible, and included PC-only software adds support for individual speaker control and equalizer presets.

[Via Mobilewhack]

[SIKES @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

I wonder how these baby's would sound when your watching a porno flick?

[Brian @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

wait, why usb?

[Sebastian Probst Eide @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

Why not USB? That way you don't need a built in soundcard...

[SIKES @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

#2

5.1 surround sound cards have 3 line out jacks instead of just one.
GREEN, ORANGE and BLACK

The green is for the Left and right channel.
the Orange is for the Center Channel
Black is for the rear Left and rear right chan.

The problem is, a laptop doesn't have these three conections built in so USB is the best choice sice any type of signal can be sent from it to be amplified.

The other reason why I think its USB is because you can easily switch the headset between desktop and laptop.

[Brian @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

you're kind of screwed if you want to plug them into anything else.

[Admiral Ackbar @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

EAX (and other similiar technologies) can make any normal "2-speaker" headphones sound like surround headphones. I don't understand why every is jumping on the "surround headphone" bandwagon. If you don't believe me check out this dolby demo (works with standard headphones):
http://www.dolby.com/consumer/technology/headphone.html

[Nige @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

I have a SpeedLink Medusa 5.1 headset (with attached mic.) and htis comes 2 forms with USB connection. I got the USB version of that as the other verison they offered required more than 1 sound output on my sound card (I just have the standard single stereo output).

The USB versions allow them to chuck all the data out of the PC without needing to go through the ports on your sound card.

[Nige' @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

The Medusa works great too. Would recommend it to anyone, especially for gaming. Somehow sounds much better than the faked 2-speaker system.

[rebbelscum @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

One of these puppies for the Xbox/PS2/GCN would be fantastic

[duestown @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

So I'm guessing the decoder and amp are all packed into that little plastic thing on the cord?

I'm guessing $60 5.1 cans with a USB powered amp can't sound all that good...

[Moonshine @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

I own the SpeedLink Medusa 5.1 USB. Sound quality is good, but the surround capabilities are exaggerated. Don't expect too much from the iRock 5.1 ...