Question regard Plantronics GameCom 777 USB 5.1

dmxdex2020

dmxdex2020

dmxdex2020

Soldato
Joined
16 Nov 2008
Posts
2,925
Location
West Midlands
I am looking to buy a decent headset, the plantronics headset seems like a good buy the reviews look good.

Now i says that it is USB and needs to be plug into a USB sound card with 5.1 to get the full experience.

I have the sound blaster x-fi titanium, does the headset have other cables so i can rig it up to my sound card and get the 5.1 from that?
 
You can get a surround effect over stereo headphones with the X-Fi. It's called CMSS-3D heaphone. I've used the Medusa 5.1s (which aren't USB) and CMSS-3D heaphone works better - especially with a good set of headphones (Edit - to clarify CMSS-3D headphone works better than the Medusas). It works in a similar way to Dolby Headphone.

With the latest drivers, set the X-Fi control panel to headphones. Then go into Control Panel - Sound and select configure. Set it up as 5.1 or 7.1.

For older drivers you may need to select an option in the X-Fi control panel that will either say 'desynchronise' or 'optimise for headphones'.

Edit: with the vast majority of USB headsets you don't get EAX over EAX2. Some Creative sets give EAX4. No USB set currently available will give EAX5. If you use a USB set you may as well remove your X-Fi as you will not be able to use any of its features with the headset. If you're using Vista, the Alchemy software doesn't work properly if you have another sound device (including USB headsets) installed so it will break surround sound with your X-Fi in various games. This applies even when the USB headset isn't plugged in. The only way you can get the X-Fi working properly again is uninstalling all sound drivers and then reinstalling only the Creative ones.
 
Last edited:
You could - but I would strongly advise getting stereo headphones and using CMSS-3D headphone on the X-Fi.

I've used CMSS-3D headphone (on X-Fi), Dolby Headphone (on Xonar, which I prefer) and the Medusa 5.1s. Both of the soundcard based technologies did a better job of giving surround sound over headphones than the Medusas. These virtualised surround technologies have come a long way compared to a few years ago. The X-Fi version of CMSS-3D is far better than the one used on the Audigy series (and some X-Fi variants like the Xtreme Audio and USB versions). In my opinion, CMSS-3D and Dolby Headphone have made multiple driver surround sets like the Medusa redundant. From what I've read, there are no multiple driver surround sound heasets that are better than an X-Fi or Xonar with good stereo headphones.

Edit: That plantronics set actually used Dolby Headphone, not multiple drivers. It's quite similar to what your X-Fi already does. The USB soundcard is built into the headset. Either get a cheaper headset without the Dolby Headphone built in or, for real quality, go for a set of hi-fi headphones with a clip on mike. The Goldring DR150s and an Elara clip on mike would work very well with your X-Fi.
 
Last edited:
Like I said - any stereo headset or headphones will give a 5.1 effect with your X-Fi. I'm hesitant to recommend anything I've not personnaly tried or has a well established good reputation.

I assumed that the Plantronics 777 (with OCUK price of £67.84 inc VAT) was the sort of budget you were looking at, hence the recommendation of Goldring DR150s with a clip on mike. I recommended the Goldrings because I've not yet come across a PC headset with a mike that offers sound quality as good for the price. If you're looking for something cheaper, I can also recommend the DR100s.

Do you currently own a stereo headset or headphones? If so - you already have a surround sound over headphones capable rig (see post number 4 in this thread).
 
You might also consider the Sennheiser HD555. Not tried them myself but people who've tried both have said that they're more comfortable than the Goldring range, although sound quality isn't quite as good (although still excellent).
 
i looked at the goldring and it didnt seem to have a headset in a lot the pictures i seen of them, i though it would be easy to find a 5.1 headset to plug into my card not true lol.

oops didnt read part about alara clip lol.
 
Last edited:
Uriel said:
Don't get a USB heaset. They have onboard sound chips and your X-Fi is much better.

Get one with standard jack plugs.
Click to expand...

Not 100% correct the 777 has a 5.1 "dongle" which gives you the 5.1 sound but you have to plug the headsets phono plugs into the Dongle to achieve this. So if you want to plug the hedset into your sound card you can or use the 5.1 dongle.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom