Do 5.1 Headphones exist?

[takearushfan]

Hi there,
Sorry if I'm asking in the wrong place, but this seems the most appropriate...
Is there such a thing as headphones that provide 5.1 sound? ... or at least 5.0?
From searching the 'net, it looks like there actually is such a thing, but I'm not sure how it works or how effective they are.
Can someone please provide me with an explanation of how these work? Are there basically 5 (or 6?) mini-speakers on each side? I'm a bit confused here, heh.
Thanks again,
Justin
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www.myspace.com/justin_szczap
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[olyteddy]

http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=5.1+headphones&btnG=Search+Froogle according to Froogle, they do.

[Dragonsf]

There is also a technology called 'Dolby Headphone' where the DD/DTS stream is analysed and mapped to left and right stereo earphones. This mapping is quite clever, as it seem to work. I'm using the Pioneer version.

[bobkart]

Are there basically 5 (or 6?) mini-speakers on each side?

5 (or 6?) mini-speakers on each side would be 10 (or 12?) mini-speakers total, assuming 2 sides.

That's twice as many speakers as you'd need to reproduce 5 (or 6?) channels of audio information.

[takearushfan]

Yes, obviously I worded it wrong.

[3dsnar]

You can find out more about 3D sound modelling on stereo headphones for example here:
www.sensaura.com
Or search in google for HRTF

In genral, with a use of proper software and normal stereo headphones
you can have something more than stereo.

In general the tech is based on simulating head related transfer functions with digital filters.
Worth checking out, before buing a 5.1 headphones

[snipper_cr]

Ive used the Zalman 5.1 headphones for a while and they are really really good IMO. They are "True" surround sound headphones (although actually they do not have a .1) with 3 speakers on each side (2 for "center"). They lack a little bit when playing regular MP3 but i got used to it instantly and really like them.

Their folding is a bit awkward but when collapsed they are quite compact.

[TheFamilyMan]

I got one of these:
http://www.amazon.com/KINYO-KY-100-Surround-Sound-Headphones/dp/B00013BLEK/sr=8-1/qid=...&s=electronics
They are OK at best: you get what you pay for. These need individual analog line level input for each channel. I use them for PC games since I don't have surround speakers for my computer. The Doom3 game has excellent 3D sound and these 'phones did it nicely. For movie watching and music they sort of suck. Turtle Beach also makes a simular set. Last time I was at Disneyland they have an attraction that uses wireless headphones whose 3D imaging is absolutley mind blowing, so I know that somewhere the technology exists. I really have no idea of what they use; from the size of the headset, it seems to be a really hyper-focused stereo image or very tiny, well integrated multiple drivers.