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10 Best Surround Sound Headphones for Movies in 2022- Expert Buyer Guide

There are two things that truly make my movie experience immersive. One of them is quality visuals from a large screen with bright, vivid, and clear picture. The second one is high sound quality.

For audio, my amplifier and surround sound speakers usually get the job done. While this setup often works, I’ve being getting a lot of complaints, letters, and occasional angry looks from my neighbors. Which got me thinking, “Is it possible to enjoy surround sound with a pair of headphones?”

Yes! In this post, I’ve narrowed down some of the best surround sound headphones for movies in the market today. Additionally, I’ve got some really helpful tips for helping you chose & buy only the best of the best.

Quick Roundup: 10 of the Best Surround Sound Headphones for Movies

In the next section, I’ll review each of the 10 best surround sound headphones for movies in great detail. I’ll get into their pros & cons and also discuss what you should consider before buying movie headphones. Keep reading for more information.

Best Overall: Sennheisser RS 175 RF

If there’s a pair of movie headphones that really stood out for me would be the Sennheisser RS 175 RF wireless headphone system. When it comes to durability, comfort, bass, and surround-sound, there’s no feature that this headphone lacks.

At first glance, these wireless headphones might seem bulky but that’s just because they are over the ear headphones. Their ear pads are extremely soft and plush & the headphones are extremely lightweight, compact, & ergonomic.

When it comes to the batteries, these headphones provide up to 18 hours of playback time on a full charge. Additionally, these batteries are rechargeable too. Therefore, you can be assured of continued usage if you are watching TV or even listening to music for long hours.

The closed ear cup design of the Sennheisser RS 175 ensures that there’s no sound leakage even on high volume. Therefore, you can continue watching movies or listening to music while still being discreet.

Not to mention, the headphones come fitted with 7 surround sound listening modes for an improved audio experience. Among them is speech mode that eliminates background noise & focuses on speech clarity.

Lastly, if you happen to have another pair of wireless headphones, you can simply connect them to the multi-utility transmitter as well. Meaning, anyone else in the room can enjoy the seamless surround sound flowing out of these headphones.

Overall, in terms of surround sound quality, these are the ultimate surround sound headphones.

Specs/Features

  • Type: Closed-back, Over-ear headphones
  • Battery Life: Up to 18 hours of Playback
  • Range: Up to 100 meters or 330 feet

Pros

  • No sound leakage
  • Easy to setup & use
  • Comfortable & lightweight
  • Sturdy & durable

Cons

  • Not portable
  • Not waterproof

Why I Recommend Them: The Sennheisser RS-175 surround sound headphones offer excellent audio quality if you want to watch movies. The headset itself offers a comfortable fit & offers high quality sound. The wireless transmitter provides extended range, even through walls, & easily connects to the TV, computer, or any other audio device. The connection is rock-solid with features such as bass boost & faux surround. These are indeed the best surround sound headphones for movies.

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Best Surround Headphone for Movies: Sony WH-L600

There is no doubt that Sony engineers some of the best audio devices in the market. It would be hard for me to complete this list without a Sony product in the mix. More so, the Sony WH-L600.

The Sony WH-L600 is a lightweight & comfortable surround sound headphone that’s easy to set up & connect. Fitted with a rechargeable battery, this headphone is capable of offering up to 17 hours of playback time. The ear cups are soft & lightweight for additional comfort while watching TV.

Although the headphones are wireless, they come with an adapter bundle that includes a Y-adapter for TV headphones and HDMI connections. They also offer a decent range of up to 100 feet of Bluetooth connectivity.

Their virtual surround sound ranges up to 7.1 on this particular set of headphones. However, they are compatible with 5.1 as well. Therefore, you can easily get the most functionality out of this headphones.

 When it comes to audio quality, you are spoilt for choice. These headphones offer four different sound modes; movie mode, gaming mode, sport mode, or voice audio mode. Depending on what you need, you can easily pick a model that best suits you.

Key Features

  • Type: Over-ear
  • Battery Life: Up to 17 hours of playback time
  • Wireless Range: Up to 100 feet

Pros

  • Wireless or wired option
  • Reputable electronic brand
  • Lightweight & comfortable
  • Easy to setup & use
  • long battery life

Cons

  • Not waterproof
  • Sound leaks on high volume

Why I Recommend Them: The Sony WH-L600 surround sound headphones offer premium sound & are worth every dollar. First & foremost, you can use them either wired headphones or as wireless Bluetooth headphones. Second, they provide up to 17 hours of playback time on a full charge. The wireless connectivity works up to 100 feet. They also include several sound presets that offer a customized audio experience. Lastly, they are pretty lightweight, offering ample comfort during long watch hours.

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Best Performance: Philips Performance PH802

Straight out of the box, the Philips Performance PH802 are flat folded which means they are easy to store & carry around. Additionally, they have an in-built microphone that can mute background noise during use.

Perhaps their strongest feature is the ability to offer 30-hours of playback time on a full charge. A quick 15-minute charge is capable of providing you with up to 6 hours of playback, which is awesome!

They also come with a 3.5mm jack for high fidelity sound optimization. When it comes to sound, they offer a punchy bass that creates an enjoyable experience. They are also clear when it comes to high notes.

However, they do tend to leak on high volume. Albeit the leak is not that serious. The headphones weigh about 9 ounces which is great if you need to watch movies for long hours. Additionally, the ear cups are soft & plush providing a comfortable fit. They are perfect for watching movies.

Key Features

  • Style: Over-ear
  • Battery Life: 30 hours of playback on full charge
  • Wireless Range: 10 meters
  • Frequency Response: 7 Hz – 40 kHz

Pros

  • Can be used wired or wireless
  • 30 hours of playback on full charge
  • Lightweight & comfortable
  • High-Red audio certified
  • Rapid charging capability

Cons

  • Sound leakage on high volume
  • Not waterproof

Why I Recommend Them: The Philips Performance PH802 headphones are definitely the surround sound headphones worth your attention. These headphones are extremely portable, meaning you can take them anywhere. And, they offer up to 30 hours of playback on a full charge. Not to mention, they fit snug over your ears. Therefore, you can comfortably watch movies for longer. The sound performance on this is superb! You can’t go wrong.

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Best Wireless: Bowers & Wilkins PX7

Bowers & Wilkins are renowned in the industry for manufacturing premium quality audio products. Therefore, it’s not a surprise that one of their products makes the cut into best surround sound headphones.

If you are looking for superb sound quality paired with a solid build, then the Bowers & Wilkins PX7 are perfect. They are lightweight, offer soft & plush ear cups, and provide reliable wireless connectivity. And if you are running out of charge, you can simply use them wired.

One of their most outstanding feature is their adaptive noise cancellation. Using the latest technology, noise cancellation on the headphones adapts to any environment for consistently clear audio.

There are 3 levels of active noise cancellation settings. Transparency mode is perfect if you want to hear background noise and still have a natural experience while watching movies.

The headphone also uses USB type C for rapid charging & offers up to 30 hours of playback on a full charge. A 15-minute charge grants you up to 5 hours of playback.

Sound on the PX7 is rich, clear, & balanced with the right amount of bass making movie dialogue sound extremely better.

Key Features

  • Style: Over-ear
  • Battery Life: 30 hours on a full charge
  • Battery Type: Lithium-Polymer
  • Charging Port: USB type C
  • Charging Cable Length: 1.3 meters
  • Range: Up to 60 meters

Pros

  • Outstanding noise cancellation
  • Auto pause & play
  • 30 hours of playback
  • USB type C charging
  • long battery life

Cons

  • Not water resistant

Why I Recommend Them: First & foremost, the Bowen & Wilkins brand is popular for creating products with excellent sound quality. Therefore, if high quality audio is something you’ve been looking for, the Bowers & Wilkins PX7 headphones will do. Apart from high quality audio while movie watching, these headphones provide a solid wireless connection. There is also provision for bass boost along with several noise cancellation settings. They are definitely the best headphones for watching movies.

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Top Notch Sound: Razer BlackShark V2

Razer is a renowned brand known for crafting some of the best gaming products in the market. The Razer BlackShark V2 is one of their top-rated gaming headphones popular among gamers but also awesome for watching movies.

The Razer BlckShark V2 boasts of 7.1 surround sound that helps provide an immersive spatial audio & directional sense. They also offer advanced passive noise cancellation. These headphones cancel external noises gently without having any leakage even on high volume.

For those who enjoy having a wired connection, there is also a regular 3.5 mm input. They provide the most realistic movie experience whether you are at home or anywhere else. You can hear every aspect of your movie without any problems.

When it comes to comfort, the Razor Blackshark V2 have oval-shaped ear cup designs. They’re made of black plastic with some neon green accents & a green Razer logo. Their ear cups are made of a soft material covering soft faux leather. As for the ear pads, they are made of memory foam covered in cloth.

Besides, the headphones are pretty to use and connect with any device that has support for a 3.5mm connection. The best part? They are also gaming headphones. You can easily transition from movies to gaming without having to change them. Plus, you can look stylish while you do it.

Key Features

  • Style: Over-ear closed-back
  • Wired Connection: 3.5mm
  • Cable Length: 1.8 meters
  • Microphone Frequency Response: 100 Hz – 10 kHz.

Pros

  • Detachable mic
  • Adjustable microphone settings
  • Comfortable for extended use
  • Passive noise cancellation
  • Wide frequency response
  • 7.1 virtual surround sound
  • 3.5mm input

Cons

  • No ANC

Why I Recommend Them: The Razor BlackShark V2 come from a popular gaming brand; Razor. They also offer 7.1 virtual sound surround that creates a truly cinematic experience when watching movies. Not to mention, they have a detachable quality microphone with advanced passive noise cancellation. Vibrant black & green colours also make sure you look stylish while you use them. If you are looking for great sound quality, the Razor BlackShark V2 are it.

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Best Look: Skull Candy Crusher Evo

SkullCandy is another brand that makes an attractive line of premium surround sound headphones. They are suitable for use with smart devices such as mobile devices. And, they are popular because they are affordable.

One of the most standout feature of Skull Candy Crusher Evo is that they have premium battery life. They offer up to 40 hours of life on a full charge. That makes them the best headphones for movie watching especially on long-flights.

Skull Candy Crusher Evo have a dedicated sub-woofer that provides a deep & clean bass that brings your movies to life. They also have a dedicated adjustable bass boost feature that enables you to activate the right kind of sound while watching TV.

Charging is done through a dedicated USB type C cable. You can get about 4 hours of use from 10-minutes of charge. Not to mention, they have a microphone, so you can call, track, or even enjoy volume control without any issues.

These headphones come in several different colors. Therefore, you are spoilt for choice. Even though they are made of plastic, they are super-lightweight & flexible. The headband is adjustable & made of soft-leather. The ear cups are made of soft leather as well.

 The Skull Candy Crusher Evo headphones are Bluetooth headphones. Therefore, they require Bluetooth connectivity. They use the latest Bluetooth 5.0 chip that provides a stable & reliable wireless signal. You can enjoy a truly cinematic experience without any audio lag.

 Key Features

  • Type: Over-ear
  • Battery Life: 40 hours of playback
  • Wired Connection: 3.5 mm
  • Charging Cable: USB type C
  • Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz

Pros

  • Incredible battery life
  • Adjustable bass technology
  • Bluetooth transmitter
  • Rapid charging
  • Active noise cancellation
  • Easy control

Cons

  • Low quality power saving feature

Why I recommend Them: The Skull Candy Crusher Evo surround headphones are popular for their sound quality as surround sound headphones. They are also super affordable when it comes to price. If you are a big fan of wireless Bluetooth headphones, you will love these headphones. They are ergonomic over-ear headphones which means they are comfortable. Additionally, they last for 40 hours on a full charge. Plus, they have a bass feature that makes audio quality superb. Absolutely one of the best surround sound headphones for movies.

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Adjustable Bass: Hyper X Cloud Alpha Sound

When it comes to bass, the Hyper X Cloud Alpha Sound headphones are perfect! These headphones feature a dual-chamber driver that lets you separate the mids from the highs. You can comfortably watch any movie with bass-rich soundtracks & the headphones will deliver.

In case you are on a budget, don’t worry. These headphones are inexpensive. They also have a detachable mic and audio cable which is great if you prefer using them wireless. They have an aluminum construction to them which translates to durable quality.

Although they have a metal frame, they are extremely lightweight & comfortable. Therefore, if you love watching movies for long hours, you’re set. You can also activate 7.1 surround sound or the bass to change the sound quality whenever you need.

You will find the bass setting on the ear cups. The advanced audio control mixer will help you turn on or off the surround sound mode.

Key Features

  • Type: Over-ear, Closed-Back
  • Wired Connection: 3.5 mm plug (4 pole) / USB Sound Card
  • Battery Life: 40 hours of playback
  • Wired Connection: 3.5 mm
  • Cable Length: 1 meter
  • Frequency Response: 50 Hz – 18 kHz

Pros

  • Detachable microphone
  • Detachable Cable
  • 7.1 surround sound
  • Durable build
  • Customizable bass

Cons

  • Short cable

Why I Recommend Them: The Hyper X Cloud Alpha Sound headphones have a solid aluminum frame that’s very durable. They also have customizable bass which a lot of headphones don’t provide. You can also detach the mic & the cable in case you want a wireless experience. They are also lightweight despite their metal frame. The bass settings are located right on the ear cups for easy adjustments. These are definitely among the best surround sound headphones for movies.

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High Tech Noise Cancellation: MEE Audio Matrix Cinema

The MEE Audio Matrix Cinema headphones offer you unprecedented control over your listening. They utilize both CinemaEar audio enhancement & NoiseSHIELD technology.

CinemaEar works with all Bluetooth devices & allows you switch between different sound enhancement profiles. NoiseSHIELD technology allows for distraction-free listening & TV watching. These two technologies are combined with Qualcomm aptX technology to reduce latency.

The CinemaEar audio enhancement features are on located on the left-earpiece. You can easily cycle through the different sound profiles provided to choose the one that suits the movie you are watching.

Included with the MEE Audio Matix Cinema headphones is a Bluetooth transmitter that allows any television to become Bluetooth-enabled. You can connect the Bluetooth transmitter to the TV via Toslink optical, RCA audio cables, or 3.5 mm auxiliary.

They also have a dual-streaming feature that enables you to connect an additional set of Bluetooth headphones or speakers. You can comfortably enjoy the immersive experience with a significant other or friend.

When it comes to build-quality, the headphones come with a padded headband and form ear-cups. They also feature a Lithium-Ion battery that supports 30 hours of playback on a full-charge. Therefore, you can enjoy immersive surround sound comfortably & longer.

Key Features

  • Type: Over-ear
  • Wireless Range: 30 feet
  • Cable Length: 1.4 meters
  • Battery Life: 30 hours of playback
  • Charging Port: Micro-USB
  • Frequency Response: 100Hz – 10kHz

Pros

  • CinemaEar audio enhancement
  • Compatible with both new & old TVs
  • Stereo sound experience
  • Soft memory foam ear pads

Cons

  • No support for Dolby audio 

Why I Recommend Them: These headphones are designed for all types of media. They can even work on old TV sets through a variety of connectivity options. Not to mention, the combination of CinemaEar audio enhancement & NoiseSHIELD noise cancellation technology gives you unlimited control over your surround sound listening experience. Qualcomm aptX technology ensure you have low latency.

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Best Comfort: Steel Series Arctis 7

Next in the list of best surround sound headphones for movies is the Steel Series Arctis 7. The Steel Series Arctis 7 is a gaming headphone that has won many awards for being the best wireless headphone. It’s comfortable, reliable, and has awesome sound surround sound.

When it comes to connectivity, there are a number of options to connect to your TV. You can use a 3.5mm auxiliary cable or a USB. The headset itself connects to the USB dongle via a 2,4GHz wireless radio frequency signal.

When it comes to sound quality, these headphones utilize DTS Headphone:X V2.0 surround sound technology. With this kind of technology, you’ll have sound coming from all directions. Additionally, they provide excellent sound quality across all frequency ranges.

When it comes to build-quality, the Arctis 7’s headband is made from lightweight steel for enhanced durability. The headband is also covered in elastic fabric for optimal comfort. The ear cups are made from AirWeave cushion that keeps ears cool & dry for extended periods.

The headset’s battery can last up to 24 hours on a full charge. It’s also compatible with a number of devices & platforms such as Nintendo Switch, PC, Mac, PlayStation, etc.

Key Features

  • Type: Over-ear
  • Cable Length & Type: 3 meters, detachable
  • Connection Type:  USB or 4-Pole 3.5mm via provided adapter.
  • Frequency Response: 100Hz – 10kHz.

Pros

  • 30-hour battery life
  • Retractable mic
  • Premium build
  • Comfortable fit
  • Incredible sound quality

Cons

  • USB transmitter not compatible with every device
  • Not as portable

Why I Recommend It: The Steel Series Arctis 7 has won the award for being the best wireless gaming headset. This headphone made it to the list for being feature-packed, comfortable, reliable, & lightweight. It provides high sound quality making it perfect for gaming, listening to music, & even movie watching. This is specifically why they have made it to the list of best surround sound headphones for movies.

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Best Wireless Range: Corsair HS70

Although the Corsair HS70 is a gaming headphone, it’s still ideal for having an amazing surround sound movie experience. It features a built in microphone that’s detachable & connected through a 3.5mm audio plug.

It also delivers sound via large 50mm neodymium drivers that deliver clear & bright audio through a number of wide sound frequency ranges. It also has a 7.1 channel surround sound audio that gives off the feeling of being within the movie.

To connect the headphones to your TV, you will need to use the USB adapter. Therefore, you will require a TV or device with a USB port. You can then connect to the TV or device via 2,4 GHz radio frequency.

When it comes to the build, the headphones have ample padding on the headband. The ear cups are fitted with plush memory foam letting you watch all the movies you want without any sign of discomfort.

Although the battery doesn’t last as long as other products in the list, it will give you up to 15 hours of playback from a full charge. You will definitely not go wrong with these surround headphones for movies.

Key Features

  • Type: On-ear
  • Wireless Range: 40 feet
  • Battery Life: 16 hours
  • Charging Port: USB-C
  • Frequency Response: 100Hz – 10kHz.

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Comfortable fit
  • Surround sound
  • 50 mm neodymium drivers

Cons

  • Requires a USB port
  • Poor Battery compared to other products

Why I Recommend Them: The Corsair HS70 have a 7.1 channel surround sound audio that makes you feel part of the movie. You get realistic sound coming from every direction. All these you get from an affordable headset that offers great value for your money. Padding on the ear pieces is perfect for long hours of movie watching. They are so comfortable that you will forget that you are wearing them. Plus, you receive up to 15 hours of playback from a full charge. This makes the Corsair HS70 the best surround sound headphones for movies.

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How to Find the Right Surround Sound Headphones- Buyer’s Guide

Before you hit that buy button on those quality headphones, there are a couple of features that you need to consider. Let’s take a look at some features that you need to consider when buying surround headphones for movies.

Sound Quality

Sound quality is an important feature that needs to take priority while choosing quality headphones for movies. Therefore, you will need to spend quite some time assessing the sound quality of the movie through the headphones.

Before you make a choice, you need to ask yourself the following questions:

  • I’m I looking for movie headphones with Dolby Audio surround sound support?
  • I’m I looking movie headphones with different levels of noise isolation?
  • Do I need bass heavy movie headphones?
  • I’m I looking for 7.1 surround sound headphones?

Durability & Comfort

Remember, you’ll be sitting for at least 2 to 3 hours with these headphones on to at least finish one movie. Therefore, you can’t overlook the level of comfort provided by these headphones. Any sign of discomfort and your viewing & concentration will be constantly interrupted.

All the headphones in our list are both durable & comfortable. They are also lightweight. The ear cups are cushioned and the headbands are adjustable. You can easily cruise through several movies without any form of discomfort.

Wired or Wireless

You also need to check your connectivity options. Do you prefer wired or wireless options? For instance, wired headphones are known to cost significantly less than wireless headphones. They are also easy to setup (plug & play) and offer unlimited playtime.

Unfortunately, wired headphones can restrict your range of motion. Also, there is the problem of having to untangle knotted wires, which can also lead to fraying. Not to mention, wires are extremely fragile. On the other hand, wireless headphones offer more autonomy of movement & are compatible with modern devices.

They are also more portable and you don’t have to deal with wires all the time. The downside to wireless headphones is that they require constant charging & can be a little expensive. There’s also the risk of connectivity & pairing issues. Therefore, you really have to weigh what you need when it comes to connectivity.

Transmission Distance

Once again, if you are relying on a wireless headphone, you need to consider the transmission distance as well. As you are well aware by now, wireless headphones utilize radio transmission technology to transfer audio data.

They do this using three technologies; Bluetooth, Radio frequency (RF), or Infrared frequency (IF). Depending on whichever of the above technologies the headphone is using, the transmission distance has to be supported by the strength signal.

If you are the kind who likes to take several food breaks, you might want to get surround sound headphones with a strong transmission distance. Anything less and you will constantly lose signal when you walk into other rooms.

Active Noise Cancellation

Noise cancellation is definitely a matter of personal preference when it comes to headphones. Some people love the duality of headphones when they use them for surround sound purposes. They want the headphones to keep them in the action but they also want to be aware of outside noises too.

For others, they want to drown out as much background noise as possible. They don’t want to be distracted or to lose focus on the movie through outside noise. Again, this doubles down to personal preference.

Some surround headphones will offer active noise cancellation while others will just reduce background noise. Others will really do nothing for noise. Therefore, depending on what you want, you may have to really pay attention to this feature.

Ease of Use

You may not know this, but not every aspect of surround headphones is easy to operate. In fact, some headphones are downright complicated to use.

For instance, you want to make sure that they connect easily whether over Bluetooth or via a jack. You just need the process of using them to be simple; from connecting them to using the surround sound option.

You shouldn’t have to play with a ton of settings just to get a decent surround sound out of them.

Budget

The price of the headphones matters a lot if budget is a big concern to you. However, I personally don’t recommend weighing the benefits of the headphones against their prices.

Remember, a high price doesn’t always translate to an incredible product. When you take a look at the surround sound headphones on our list, you’ll realize that price has nothing to do with the quality of the headphones.  

Headphone Type

There are different types of headphones in the markets such as over-ear, on ear, closed back, or open back. The type of headphone that you use will have a significant effect on the sound quality.

For instance, if you are going to be watching movies at home, where sound leaks are fine, you might want to use open-back headphones. However, if you are outside or love to watch movies into the late night, you might want to go for closed-back headphones.

Closed-back headphones don’t leak sound. Therefore, they are preferable over open-back headphones. However, the choice between either of them depends entirely on your needs.

Conclusion

I certainly hope that this guide was helpful & intuitive. I recognize that choosing the best surround sound headphones is a personal choice. However, I want you to make the best surround sound headphone choice to fulfill your audio needs. 

The headphones in my list are the best in their respective categories. I’m sure you won’t have a tough time identifying the best movie headphones out of the 11 recommended. Whatever decision you make; I hope that you enjoy your surround sound experience.

What movie do you hope to watch with your new headphones?

FAQ

What Headphones Are Good for Watching Movies?

My top choice headphones for movies would be the Sennheiser. Of course, all our other products in the list have something to offer over a wide range of uses. However, to come to this conclusion, I focused on comfort, audio quality, & usefulness.

I landed on the Sennheiser surround sound headphones. They offer superior surround sound experience, are light weight, & are super comfortable to wear. I don’t think you can go wrong with these headphones at all.

What Headset Has Best Surround Sound?

The best headphone for best surround sound is the Sony WH-L600 for watching movies. They are compatible with both 7.1 & 5.1 channels. Therefore, they offer the best functionality when it comes to surround sound. Not to mention, they offer different sound modes; movie, gaming, sport, & voice. These headsets are the best for surround sound while watching movies.

Is Surround Sound Good for Headphones?

Yes, surround sound is good for headphones. True surround sound headphones have a variety of inlaid speakers angled in different capacities & sizes.

They work the same way that surround sound systems comprising of several speakers and a sub-woofer work. The key is to distribute & get the full range of sounds that you would get from surround sound.

However, there are other headphones that have what we call “virtual surround sound.” In such kind of a setup, the headphones comprise a speaker in each ear cup & the remaining sound is added using advanced programming techniques.

Does 7.1 Surround Sound Make a Difference On Headphones?

Yes, it does make a difference, especially if you are using true surround sound headphones. The more the number of speakers, the better the audio quality.

The audio quality you get from a 7.1 surround sound headphone is better than that delivered by a 5.1 surround sound headphone.

However, as you make your choice, be careful. Some manufacturers might place a 7.1 label just to stand apart. Be sure to check into that. 

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