Decent Kit - Can't Use It

phartars

phartars

phartars

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10 Mar 2008
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310
Ok, so we got the big LCD, the amp, speakers and the PS3 for the bluray but then we had a kid.

Big picture, small sound 'coz we can't turn it up without holding the remote in hand and waiting for the gunshots or the explosions, followed by the crying if we're not quick enough turning teh volume down :rolleyes:

We're thinking of buying 2 pairs of surround sound headphones.

Anyone here using/used them ? References or trusted links ?

We know it's a compromise but needs must !
 
smother your child.... .. no please don't..... erm generally the audiophiles seem to recommend stereo headphones, tend to be better quality sound and even better positioning. I've got a pair of £50 5.1 headphones, and my £20 seinheiser sports earphones beat it on every level.... and also far fewer cables... especially if you're using 2 headphones
 
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I echo the above statement, stereo all the way. You're not really missing much with surround, and depending on your kit, you may still be able to sort of use 5.1 with stereo phones. I don't know if the PS3 can do anything fancy like that though.
 
Doing a bit of research it seems you're all right and stereo is probably the way to go.

Now on the hunt for 2 pairs of IR cans.

"smother your child" did consider putting the cot in the garage on movie nights but her indoors went mad :(
 
Unfortunately, even the headphones might not cut it, as you'll need to be able to listen for the baby monitor.

If you do wish to go the headphone route, and have the budget, you might want to consider a dedicated headphone amp. Some can run two pairs of headphones. Taking it a step further, some DACs come with built in headphone amps. If you're only using stereo anyway, chances are that most reasonable DACs would outperform your AV amp (unless it's big league stuff).

One last thought, the PS3 and probably your AV amp will have a "night mode". This applies dynamic compression (not a good thing sonically from a purist perspective, but possibly useful here). In short, it tries to make all of the film sound like it's at the same volume. That would reduce the amount of time you spend playing with the volume on the remote.
 
Mr S - he already ruled out a night mode in #8:) (hadnt realised the PS3 had one, usually that kind of thing is on the amp - learn something new every day)
 
FrankJH said:
Mr S - he already ruled out a night mode in #8:) (hadnt realised the PS3 had one, usually that kind of thing is on the amp - learn something new every day)
Click to expand...

Oops, had missed your post. Apols for that. I can confirm that the PS3 definitely has it as an option, quite how effective it is though is another matter.
 
If you go headphones and need to be able to hear for a baby monitor, look at an open cans such as grado SR60i or equivelants. These will allow you to hear outside sounds pretty well which is why I got them.
 
how about some kind of mixer so you can hear the baby monitor directly into your headphones over the audio if it breaches x threshold of SPL?

good idea, probably not feasible :D
 
phartars said:
Ok, so we got the big LCD, the amp, speakers and the PS3 for the bluray but then we had a kid.

Big picture, small sound 'coz we can't turn it up without holding the remote in hand and waiting for the gunshots or the explosions, followed by the crying if we're not quick enough turning teh volume down :rolleyes:

We're thinking of buying 2 pairs of surround sound headphones.

Anyone here using/used them ? References or trusted links ?

We know it's a compromise but needs must !
Click to expand...

...turn the volume up far enough in the first place and you won't hear the crying, problem solved.
 
Most babys will sleep through anything.
Its not good being quiet when there young as they come to get use to it and any sound will then wake them, you then spend the next few years of your life tip toeing around the place when they sleep. :)

Some amps have a dynamic sound control so that sudden loud noises get muffled slightly, i take it yours doesnt?

Edit - just read posts above, it doesnt :(
 
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