Take Your Music and Gaming Experience to the Next Level: Everything You Need to Know about Surround Sound Headphones and the Top 10 Surround Sound Headphones in India for a Truly Immersive Listening Experience (2020)

You might be familiar with mono audio (a single speaker producing sound which seems to emanate from a single source, or the left and right speakers or earphones playing the same audio), stereo audio (two earphones, or speakers producing sound at the same time but both playing different beats, decibels or effects of the same track, thus providing a better listening experience) and most of the TVs and phone speakers provide stereo sound. The latest in the sound legacy is surround sound, which some of you may have heard and experienced and would know how magically different and better it is than stereo sound.

Surround sound literally means sound emanating (or creating an effect as such) from all the sides to provide a lifelike effect to your ears (similar to what our eyes experience in a 3D movie). Though surround sound is not a new concept in multiplexes where Dolby Digital surround sound effect is used while playing movies or in sound systems using 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound system. But surround sound headphones are comparatively a newer gadget which give you the same effect which you get while watching a movie in a multiplex or with your home theatre sound system.

Surround sound headphones will make you feel the sound of a bullet, horses running, the sound of a fighter plane, or chirping of birds, feel alive. No matter what the content you are enjoying on your mobile, tablet, or laptop; you get the sound as if the action is happening right around you as you can feel the sound coming from all directions. One more benefit of surround sound headphones is that you can connect it to your TV and evade the bulky set of 6–10 speakers.

Surround sound headphones can be further categorised into 2 types viz., true surround sound headphones and virtual surround sound headphones. True surround sound headphones use similar basic technology as used in surround sound speakers, thus they have multiple speakers in both the headphone cups which enter your ear canal from different angles (these headphones are also bigger and a bit heavier). On the contrary, a virtual surround sound headphone has just the 2 basic speakers like a stereo headset, but this headphone has a special software and algorithm pre-installed to give you the feel of 8 speakers. However, virtual surround sound headphones can’t match the sound quality and realistic experience which a true surround sound with 7 mini speakers and 1 subwoofer can provide. The only flip side with a true surround sound headphone is that they are expensive, heavier and bigger.

If you are a gamer, then a virtual surround sound headphone may give you the feel of sound coming from all directions while you are immersed in your game and that too in a budget. These are smaller in size and cheaper as compared to a true surround sound headphone. However, few pro-gamers prefer the true surround sound headphones due to the accuracy of the sound experience which is crucial in some of the high-end games.

As the name suggests, a 5.1 surround sound headphone has five mini speakers and a subwoofer for low-frequency bass, fitted across both the ear cups to provide an experience of sound coming from all directions. It contains a centre speaker, a front-left speaker, a front-right speaker, a rear-left speaker, a rear-right speaker, and a subwoofer. A 7.1 surround sound headphone also uses the same technique as used in a 5.1 surround sound headset but with two more speakers on each side to give a more immersive experience. However, 7.1 surround sound headphones are more expensive and you should check the compatibility with your gaming and entertainment devices before buying one.

Surround sound headphones are available in both wired and wireless models. While gamers prefer the wired models as they are sitting close to their PC hence within reach of the USB cord, people who would simply want to enjoy a movie or web series on their mobile, tablet, or any other device prefer the wireless ones. A wireless surround sound headset with USB is a good option as many laptops and cheaper desktops don’t have the inbuilt option for surround sound on the motherboard or a dedicated sound card, and a USB takes care of the audio processing with the help of the software. A wired headset is also good for gamers as it doesn’t have a few milliseconds audio lag and you don’t have to recharge the headset every now and then.

We have selected the top 10 surround sound headphones and further segregated them into 2 categories, wired and wireless. This will help you to choose the best surround sound headphones as per your requirement and budget.

Logitech, a Swiss company founded in Lausanne, Switzerland in 1981, is today a well-known brand in the computer accessories and peripherals segment. The Logitech G431 7.1 Surround Sound Headset gives you a virtual 7.1 surround sound experience and is specially built for gaming. However, with the 3.2 meter long cable, you can also use it to watch movies, etc. on your tablet or laptop.

Equipped with a Dolby Headphone and DTS Headphone, the audio controls of this headphone are built on the cable and hence easily accessible. The ear cups are cushioned with a soft cloth for enhanced support and comfort during long hours of usage and the cloth cover is detachable and washable. The ear cups have a lay-flat design thus can be folded to 90° for easier portability. The mic is also foldable and has a noise-cancellation boom feature that suppresses the background noise so that your voice is crisp and clear while you are talking to your friends. The 360° immersive sound experience ensures that you can clearly hear the lowest of the notes and the USB adapter makes it easier to connect to multiple devices as it supports PS4, Windows 7, Windows 8, Mac, etc. You can order the Logitech G431 Headset from Amazon for ₹ 6,449.00.

Mpow EG3 Gaming Headset is a pocket friendly, yet efficient virtual 7.1 surround sound headphone which is compatible with Win 7, Win 8, Win 10, PS4, laptops and other devices which have a compatible USB slot for audio. A USB adapter is provided along with the headset which can be attached to your PC and you can fully customise the sound as per your requirement after downloading the Mpow Gaming software. The metal frame is sturdy and flexible, thus the tightness and fitting can be adjusted as per your personal choice. The earpads are made of soft memory foam which is comfortable and also blocks the outside noise. The LED lights on the headset add to the cool quotient of this surround sound headset which is available for ₹ 1,699.00 on Paytm Mall.

Corsair Void Pro is compatible with both Mac and Windows 7, 8, and 10 and can be connected with the help of the USB adapter. The earpads are made of memory foam and covered with breathable mesh fabric that provide extra comfort; reduce the heat and fit perfectly on the ears while the microphone has features like noise cancellation and a mute indicator which enhances the voice quality by eliminating the ambient sounds. The Dolby ® headphones provide a virtual 7.1 surround sound experience that has crystal clear, immersive and crisp high-quality sound. You can order a pair of these headphones from M D Computers for ₹ 7,499.00.

Razer Tiamat 7.1 V2 offers you true 7.1 surround sound on a budget and has 5 inbuilt speakers in both the cups for an amazing surround sound experience. The ear cups are made of plush leatherette to provide comfort and avoid outside noise. You also get a separate audio control unit to control the volume of different audio channels and switch between stereo audio and true 7.1 surround sound. The chroma lighting feature on the ear cups provides the perfect match for gamers and comes with 16.8 million colour options which are customisable through Razer Synapse. You can order Razer Timat 7.1 V2 true 7.1 surround sound headphones from Headphone Zone for ₹ 5,499.00 and it comes with a 2-year warranty.

The SteelSeries Siberia 350 Headset is a lightweight earphone that comes with a self-adjusting headband. The memory foam cushion on the ear cups provides a comfortable feel while wearing them and also improves the outside noise reduction. The DTS Headphone X provides a 7.1 surround sound and the freedom to customise your music as per your liking. The microphone has features like noise suppression, auto compression and it can be hidden away in the cup when not in use. The headphone is illuminated with LED lights and you can choose from 16.8 million colours to customise it as per your mood. The headphone comes with a 1-year warranty and can be ordered from Flipkart for ₹ 11,499.00.

Turtle Beach is a well-known brand in the premium audio segment. The Turtle Beach Ear Force Stealth 450 Wireless Headset is equipped with DTS Headphone X surround sound technology and comes with a detachable mic. The built-in lithium-ion rechargeable battery can easily fuel your gaming or infotainment for 15 hours while the 50 mm powerful and high-quality speakers provide a crisp and immersive sound experience. The product weighs approximately 300 grams and can be ordered from Amazon for ₹ 32,630.00.

The Sony WH-L600 Digital Surround Sound Wireless Headphones have an impressive wireless range of 30 meters which gives you the flexibility to move around the house while you are listening to your favourite music and the battery life of around 17 hours ensures that you don’t have to charge it every other day. The headset enhances your movie-watching experience with cinematic surround sound and comes with a charging stand, 1.5-meter optical cable and an AC adapter. The product comes with a 1-year warranty and you can order it for ₹ 19,990.00 from Tata CLiQ.

Designed in the US, Audeze – Mobius is a 3D audio headphone that has a balanced sound signature and comes with a detachable microphone. You can seamlessly listen to high-resolution sound for up to 10 hours in a single full charge of the battery and enjoy movies, music and gaming. The 3D audio technology comes with advanced features like sound localisation, integrated head tracking, room emulation, and anatomy calibration HRTF. The headset can be connected via USB, Aux or Bluetooth and the microphone comes with inbuilt volume controls. The Audeze – Mobius headset is available on Headphone Zone for ₹ 29,990.00.

Sennheiser is a well-known brand and a pioneer in premium headsets and headphones. These EPOS surround sound headphones by Sennheiser have features like 7.1 surround sound, low-latency Bluetooth, audio presets, and a noise-cancelling mic. The Bluetooth connection works in a range of 10 meters and for up to 20 hours on a full charge. The headphone also has a fast-charging feature through which a 7-minute fast charge can get you going for 2 hours. Compatible with PS4, mobile phones, and Win 10, the headphones come with a USB cable, a USB dongle, and can be ordered from Ubuy for ₹ 26,901.00.

JBL needs no introduction when it comes to headsets and speakers, etc. and the JBL Quantum 600 Wireless Bluetooth Gaming Headphone is another premium product which comes with the advanced JBL QuantumSURROUND and DTS sound technology. The durable and lightweight headset allows you to play games or enjoy the content for long hours without any discomfort while the voice focus flip-up boom mic gives seamless communication. The product comes with a 1-year warranty and is available on Reliance Digital for ₹ 12,999.00.