The real way to enjoy any movie at home has to be through surround sound audio. So for those who want to really get the best experience at home, we reviewed the best Surround Sound Headphones for movies.
If you have ever watched movies in a cinema, you should know how surround sound affects your experience. The best way to actually enjoy movie audio is with the help of surround sound; but going to the cinema for watching a movie is not always a choice for people. Choosing one of these best surround sound headphones for movies, however, will make watching movies at home just as good.
There are many reasons why you would watch movies at home. It might be your social preference or you just do not want any disturbance throughout the movie. Having a home theatre to watch movies is a luxury not everyone can afford; but most people will have either a computer or a laptop at home. Just choosing the right surround sound headphones will make the movies feel that much better.
So we went ahead and reviewed some of the best surround sound headphones for movies; but what is surround sound and what makes it so special? You might have seen many audio devices boasting this technology, but what does it really do to create such expansive audio in the first place?
What is Surround Sound and How Does It Work?
Well surround sound is a technology that creates a real-life audio experience. When you are watching a movie in a cinema you can probably tell which speaker is producing what sounds. And there are multiple audio devices placed in ideal locations throughout the theatre. And when in a movie you see someone yelling from the right, the speakers placed in the ideal position provide the audio to reflect that.
But that is understandable when you have multiple speaker setups. How can that work on headphones or headsets? Well, there is a process called HRTF used by headsets and software to emulate that feature. The best surround sound headphones for movies do exactly that, emulate it. We will not go into the science of how HRTF can emulate it though.
The bottom line is that most surround sound headsets do not have multiple drivers. They just emulate that feel through software and processing. The most common form of surround sound used in most headset software is Dolby Audio. You must have seen the Dolby Audio logo at the end credits of a movie!
What Sets Surround Sound Headphones Apart from One Another?
Build
The best headphones have a really strong and flexible build. The flex is important so that the headphones can endure being stretched out according to different head sizes. The material also has to be durable so that it can survive for a long time.
Good headsets can last from 5 to 10 years depending on how much you use and care for them. But some parts of the headsets can start to wear off quicker than others. So extra care is needed for those parts in particular.
Compatibility
Whether you are using your Windows PC/Laptop or a Mac/MacBook, most headsets are compatible with either. Though some headsets may have software that might not be compatible with older versions of operating systems. Although, if a headset has a USB input, it might not work on your smartphone device. But a 3.5mm input will work on most devices if they have a port for it.
Wireless vs. Wired Headphones
Wireless technology is far from what it was a decade ago. Back then the latency was terrible on wireless devices; you could literally feel the lag in the input and output of such devices. But today, wireless and wired have become almost indistinguishable. There is the least amount of latency possible in wireless devices, and so is the case with wireless headsets as well.
Wireless devices give you the luxury of sitting in your most comfortable position. That is because you are not bound by wires and do not have to adjust for them. However, wireless devices are limited by battery life; you’ll need to charge them every once a while to be able to function properly.
The 5 Best Surround Sound Headphones for Movies
1. Sennheiser RS 175 RF Wireless Headphone System
The Sennheiser RS 175 RF has all the features and quality making it one of the best surround sound headphones for movies. It has a comfortable build, the ear pads are well cushioned, and the headphones have a durable build. Something you would expect of a German brand!
Sennheiser is a name that needs no introductions. The German company is one of the biggest names in the audio industry; and thus, most headsets by the brand are high quality and have a premium feel to them. The RS 175 RF headsets are a prime example of it.
It comes with a charging dock which is also the wireless interface between the input and headset. It uses a 2.4GHz signal instead of a traditional Bluetooth for wireless which gives it a longer range. The charging dock also has buttons for switching between the surround sound option and the bass boost.
It also has long 18-hour battery life. There are volume control buttons on the headset, which is always a plus. The closed-back design allows isolation and prevents noise leaking.
But Sennheiser has many other headsets that offer a more slim design with similar features. So it is hard to choose these over others. But none the less, these headsets have some of the best features in the market.
Pros
- Wireless
- Toggle Buttons for Surround Sound and Bass Boost on Headset
- Long 18-hour Battery Life
- Ergonomic
- Durable Build
Cons
- Heavy
- Outdated Bulky Design
2. Sony MDR-DS6500 Digital Wireless 3D Surround Headphones
Sony MDR-DS6500 Digital Wireless 3D Surround Headphones have multiple features that place it above others. The headset gives you features such as Dolby Audio and DTS Audio decoding and a toggle button for compression as well. But that is not all, the headsets are also very comfortable, with ample padding on both headband and ear pads.
The headsets have an ergonomic fit and design. They are not bulky or thick, making them better than the Sennheiser’s RS 175 RF. They are not that heavy either. The surround on these is great, making them one of the best surround sound headphones in the market.
If we had one complaint about the headsets it would be the glossy plastic look on the earpieces and straps. A complete matt look like the top of the headbands would have been much better in our opinion. Also, the earpieces do not pivot so they cannot lay flat on your shoulders.
Now when it comes to sound quality, Sony is a renowned brand. We have yet to find any audio deficiencies in any of Sony’s headsets. Although it does not have the modern standard of 50mm drivers, the 40mm ones sound just as clear and fantastic.
Pros
- Ergonomic Design
- Huge Wireless Range
- Large Battery Life
- Dolby Digital and DTS Decoder
- Wider Frequency Range
Cons
- No Pivot Support for Placing Earcups Flat on Shoulders
- 40mm Drivers
3. CORSAIR Virtuoso RGB Wireless High-Fidelity Gaming Headset
The Corsair Virtuoso Wireless RGB Headsets have impeccable audio clarity and amazing sound. The design is light and comfortable, and they also look very modern. They are one of the best Surround Sound Headphones in the market at the moment.
Now before you call us out on these being gaming headsets, hear us out. Any headset with good audio can be used for gaming, so why can’t it be the other way around. Now it does have some gimmicky features like RGB, but you can simply turn them off. After the microphone detaches they look like plain headsets.
They do not have an edgy gamer design to them, which makes them an ideal candidate for normal use as well. Watching movies on these is an amazing experience; the surround is great, but not as great as the Sony MDR-DS6500 though.
Meanwhile, the gaming aspect is also attractive as you can use these for more than just movies. Games use the most from surround sound after all. So movies sound equally good on these headphones. The Corsair Virtuoso is a more affordable pair of headsets compared to Sony or Sennheiser.
Pros
- Multipurpose Use
- Long Battery Life
- Wireless with Wired Support
- 50mm Drivers
- Light Ergonomic Design
Cons
- Designed with Gaming in Mind
4. Sony WH-L600
We return to Sony for another great headset, the Sony WH-L600 has an amazing design with a matte black finish. The ear pads are super comfortable and do not hurt the ears even after prolong usage. The battery life lasts for about 17-hours non-stop.
The docking station looks decent and also has that matt black finish. It features multiple input support on the back. The dock finishes charging the headsets in a 3-hour time. The headsets also feature on-ear volume controls and a power button. You can also switch the sound field using the on-ear controls as well.
Sony makes some of the best Surround Sound Headphones in the market. And there is no refuting that fact at all. With Dolby Audio surround sound, you get the best sound quality, ideal for watching movies, and more. Sony’s name itself speaks about the quality of the headsets. They are quite flexible and made out of durable material.
Pros
- Signature Sony Sound
- Great Design
- Comfortable Fit
- Great Battery Life
- On-ear Volume Controls and Sound Field Toggle
Cons
- People Complaining of Low Volume
- Cannot turn Surround Sound off
5. Razer Tiamat 7.1 v2 Gaming Headset
And in the last place, we have what we can call a true Surround Sound Headphone. The Razer Tiamat 7.1 v2 has 10 drivers, 5 in each ear cup that provides pinpoint-accurate surround experience. The plush leatherette headsets feel nice and comfortable. The headband feels durable and has a comfortable clamping force.
Razer is one of the most hugely famous gaming brands that have great headsets. Although the sound quality does not compare to what Sony or Sennheiser might provide on their headsets. But since we are talking about surround sound, most headphones just emulate it. This headset has the tools to create it without needing to emulate it.
But the bulky design due to having 5 drivers in each ear cup does make them weighty. Also, the leatherette, instead of a breathable material, makes it wearing these for too long mildly uncomfortable.
Pros
- True Surround Sound with Multiple Drivers
- Added Audio Control Unit for Finding that Sweet Spot in Audio
- Comfortable and Plush Earpieces
- Comfortable Fit
- Durable and Flexible
Cons
- Bulky
- Leatherette instead of Velour Cause Heat build-up
Your movie headphones, your choice
There are many other surround sound headphones out there; so many in fact, that most people would be confused going through all of them. But these are tried and tested headsets, and choosing any one of them will serve be able to provide you with a great movie experience.
