The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    7.1 Surround Headset - Worth it?

    Discussion in 'Accessories' started by Eambo, Jul 22, 2009.

  1. Eambo

    Eambo Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    60
    Messages:
    361
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I'm looking to buy a 7.1 Surround headset. I had my heart set on the Razer Megalodon, however reviews say it's only good with games that support 7.1 surround - which is very few.

    Other headsets I've looked at (G35 for example) seem to have the same response overall - good with 7.1 surround, not worth it without.

    I have a Logitech 5.1 surround system, that uses an intelligent matrix to turn stereo output into 5.1 surround. I was wondering if anyone has heard anything similar to this with 7.1 headsets - and if so, how well does it work?

    Anyone with the Megalodon - post what you think of it here. Is it worth the money?
     
    Eambo, Jul 22, 2009
    #1
  2. Raziel66

    Raziel66 The Reaver

    Reputations:
    54
    Messages:
    934
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I posted the review for the Megalodon here and have a vid on youtube about it. It's worth it only if you already have games that support 7.1 already, or are planning on buying a lot of new games in the future. I know that sounds kind of weird but I have a lot of friends that only play older computer games like Diablo, and Starcraft. More games will support 7.1 so its just a matter of time. Incompatible games still sound excellent in the Megalodon's 2.1 mode.. so that works as a good holdover until more games come out.

    I returned my Megalodon's so I could pick up a pair of Astr's for comparison. I think 5.1 is probably the better choice right now as it is of course a more common audio setup and has more support overall.

    So it all depends on you and what kind of games you have or are planning on buying.

    5.1 headphones will work great now and will still be supported in the future.
    7.1 should be seen as more of a long term investment until more games offer support.
     
    Raziel66, Jul 22, 2009
    #2
  3. Eambo

    Eambo Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    60
    Messages:
    361
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Does the megalodon only have 2.1 and 7.1 modes? Games with 5.1 won't run in 5.1?
     
    Eambo, Jul 22, 2009
    #3
  4. Raziel66

    Raziel66 The Reaver

    Reputations:
    54
    Messages:
    934
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Right, it's one or the other. Considering the fact that it's virtual sound I'm not sure why they wouldn't make it three sound modes. Right now anything that isn't made to do 7.1 sounds a distorted and odd since the audio is being spread across more channels.
     
    Raziel66, Jul 23, 2009
    #4
  5. ViciousXUSMC

    ViciousXUSMC Master Viking NBR Reviewer

    Reputations:
    11,461
    Messages:
    16,824
    Likes Received:
    76
    Trophy Points:
    466
    Its not worth it, get some good 2 speaker headphones and a clip on microphone.
     
    ViciousXUSMC, Jul 23, 2009
    #5