Using Roccat Kave as 2.1?

IxD3ViiLx · 12 Mar 2012 at 18:27

Hi.

I am looking to buy a gaming headset. I will be using it with an iMac.

Of course, you can only use 2.1 sound on an iMac because it only has 2x 3.5mm jacks (unless you use optical)..

I am thinking of buying the Roccat Kave (5.1 Sound)
http://www.roccat.org/Products/Gaming-So...-Kave-5-1/

However, If I buy the 5.1 headset ^ and only use it as a 2.1 will I still get the performance of a 2.1 headset or will it be reduced because it was designed to be used as a 5.1 etc...

Thanks.

VaderDSL · 12 Mar 2012 at 20:38

Why bother?

As others have already said either buy a 5.1 headset based on USB or ignore 5.1 and just get a set of 2.1 headphones.

Buying a 5.1 headset and only using it on 2.1 source is daft, you get the worst of both worlds, poor 2.1 performance and paying £ for something you can't use.

IxD3ViiLx · 12 Mar 2012 at 20:57

VaderDSL said:
Why bother?

As others have already said either buy a 5.1 headset based on USB or ignore 5.1 and just get a set of 2.1 headphones.

Buying a 5.1 headset and only using it on 2.1 source is daft, you get the worst of both worlds, poor 2.1 performance and paying £ for something you can't use.

5.1 on USB would require drivers (I think) and most of them don't support MAC OS X.

So it is true, 5.1 on 2.1 is not as good as normal 2.1 headphones?

Also the Razer 2.1 headphones and the Roccat 5.1 are roughly the same price.

ExRayTed · 12 Mar 2012 at 21:15

2.1 speakers are 2 speakers and a subwoofer. 2.1 headphones are, in my opinion, a complete con. They won't offer anything over a quality pair of ordinary headphones. Save your cash and buy a pair of quality cans instead.

IxD3ViiLx · 12 Mar 2012 at 21:57

ExRayTed said:
2.1 speakers are 2 speakers and a subwoofer. 2.1 headphones are, in my opinion, a complete con. They won't offer anything over a quality pair of ordinary headphones. Save your cash and buy a pair of quality cans instead.

I am looking at the Logitech G35's. They use a USB and even though it does not have drivers to support MAC OS X I can boot camp in Windows and use the 7.1 surround sound when playing games and standard stereo on MAC OS X .. now just to see if the microphone and noise cancellation requires the drivers to function..