The best surround sound headphones, especially those with 7.1 audio, can make an outstanding headset for a variety of listeners. Whether you are an active gamer in need of the most immersion from your game, or you are a cinema buff that loves getting into the action of your favorite movies, high quality surround sound can make that happen.
When it comes to a surround sound system, you don’t need multiple speakers set around your room in order to get the same immersive and impressive audio. In fact, due to the directed 360 degree audio surround sound headphones can provide, you may even get better response from a single headset than a dozen speakers.
While there are a number of different options on the market today for high quality surround sound headphones, we have taken a closer look at the various headphones available today. There are a range of different styles, prices, brands, and models to consider. The best surround sound headphones for you will depend on your needs and budget.
Whether you have a large budget or want to keep things a bit more modest, there is a 7.1 surround sound headset available for you. Once you have the best surround sound headphones for your needs, you will notice more immersion from movies and even a competitive edge from gaming when you are able to hear even the smallest sounds around you.
| Best Overall Surround Sound HeadphonesSee On Amazon |  | Logitech G433 Gaming Headset | See On Amazon |
| Best Battery Life Surround Sound HeadphonesSee On Amazon |  | SteelSeries Arctis 7 2019 Edition Wireless | See On Amazon |
| Best Premium Surround Sound HeadphonesSee On Amazon |  | Razer Nari | See On Amazon |
| Best for Gaming Surround Sound HeadphonesSee On Amazon |  | Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 Wireless | See On Amazon |
| Best Budget Surround Sound HeadphonesSee On Amazon |  | Corsair HS35 | See On Amazon |
Balanced and 360 degree 7.1 DTS positional audio to make you feel like you are in the action of movies or games.
Whether you enjoy listening to your music at reasonable volumes, or want to crank it up to max, you will get a truly immersive and detailed sound experience from these Logitech G433 7.1 surround sound headset. The DTS 7.1 surround sound is fully positional which helps increase the immersion you experience when gaming or watching action movies.
The sound response is extremely detailed at a low of 20 Hz, and a max of 20 kHz giving you a decent range of highs and lows no matter what type of audio you are listening to. While these 7.1 surround sound headphones were created for gamers as the priority, they are excellent for music lovers and cinema buffs as well providing a full 360 degree directional audio output.
If you are worried about discomfort when wearing these virtual surround sound headphones for long periods of time, don’t fret. They are extremely lightweight which helps prevent fatigue and muscle strain on your ears and scalp. Additionally, they are covered in a stain resistant and hydrophobic material to prevent discoloration from sweat or other moisture. The cool sport mesh and microfiber exchangeable earpads can let you decide if you want to focus on comfort or coolness.
Very crisp and clear surround sound audio from wireless surround sound headphones that also provide up to 24 hours of constant battery life.
If you are looking for a truly well defined audio profile, along with DTS X 7.1 surround sound quality, the Arctis 7 is a great choice. First of all, this gaming headset is extremely comfortable with cool and moisture wicking woven fabric to keep your ears and the headband area free from excess sweat. The build of this gaming headset is lightweight and the design elements are more practical than they are decorative which makes this a serious and bold looking pair of 7.1 surround sound headphones for any type of listener.
The built-in microphone is multi-directional and easy to conceal by retracting back into the surround sound headset. The Discord certification means the virtual surround sound headphones will work perfectly well with this voice chat program giving you a great way to discuss gaming strategies or arrange watch parties for movies with your friends around the world.
These DTS 7.1 surround sound headphones offer extreme clarity and great sound quality when it comes to audio playback. You’ll hear almost zero distortion when listening to rumbling bass even at high volumes, and will be able to distinguish between subtle audio details. Plus, with up to 24 hours of battery life, you can enjoy marathon gaming or movie-watching sessions on this wireless surround sound headphone without having to stop and recharge your batteries in the middle of it all.
Flawless THX spatial audio in addition to haptic technology to create an extremely immersive experience in games and cinema.
Razer took gaming headsets to a new level with the Nari, as this is one of the very few 7.1 surround sound headphones on the market that has rumbling haptic technology. While this feature can be somewhat disorienting at times, it is extremely easy to turn off and on when needed. In some situations, haptic rumbles are unnecessary, but when listening to intense action movies or when in the middle of a fast paced gaming session, the vibrations can really add an extra dimension to the surround sound quality experience.
Since the “Hypersense” haptic feature is the main draw to this surround sound headset, it may not be a suitable headset for individuals that are not interested in vibrations from their virtual surround sound headphones. It is certainly a feature that can take some getting used to for those that have never used haptic peripherals before.
Without using the haptic technology, this wireless gaming headset offers around 20 hours of battery life. When using the haptics, however, the battery life drops down to around 8. Recharging is quick and simple though, and can be done within 4 hours of plugging it in. Even if you aren’t sold by the haptic technology, this gaming headset is a solid piece of gear that can deliver a perfect audio experience for gamers, cinema buffs, casual listeners, and more.
Powerful high quality surround sound headphones perfect for PC, Xbox or Playstation use with strong and clear directional audio.
Absolutely perfect for gamers on PS4, XBOX or PC, this virtual surround sound headphone offers a high quality audio experience and extremely detailed directional sound when needed. You’ll find large 50mm Nanoclear drivers in each ear to deliver some of the best and most responsive audio you’ve heard in a long time from a wireless gaming headset.
If that wasn’t enough, the built-in microphone can provide a variety of unique features including an automatic mute when the mic is in the concealed position. This lets you enjoy the 7.1 surround sound headphones without worrying if you are sending your voice over the mic unintentionally. Additionally, you will be able to have your own mic monitoring which is fully customizable and variable. Be able to hear yourself and adjust yourself as needed to ensure the people on the other end of the line can hear you clearly and at the best volume.
Connection to various stationary and mobile devices with this Turtle Beach gaming headset is done by Bluetooth technology connection giving you wireless freedom to move around your home or simply feel unhindered by cables when playing intense FPS games.
Massive 50mm drivers to create a deep and responsive audio experience for gaming and movie watching.
Not only are you getting a gaming headset from a brand that knows gaming peripherals, but you are also getting an extremely high quality audio experience from the massive 50mm drivers. Not only are these drivers huge, but they are very detailed and responsive too, offering a frequency range from 20 Hz to 20 kHz to give you the best surround sound quality possible in gaming headsets on the market today.
The on-ear fit of these budget surround sound headphones is extremely comfortable, thanks to the memory foam padding used in each ear cup as well as the headband. Even if you plan on wearing these gaming headsets for an extended period of time, you won’t notice any discomfort or fatigue after long gaming sessions.
The included detachable mic is perfect in case you just want to enjoy a listening experience on the Dolby audio without it getting in the way, and the volume and mute controls are very easy to find and convenient to reach during heat of the moment gaming times. Their location is on the side of the ear on these gaming headphones which is intuitive and simple to access without pausing your game.
Obviously if you are looking for the best true surround sound headphones, the audio quality and how good the virtual surround sound experience actually is will be a very important consideration. Not all surround sound headphones are created equally, in fact, some of the lower end 5.1 surround sound headsets are being phased out as more and more 7.1 surround sound headphones come onto the market.
If you are looking for the highest quality sound experience, look for a 7.1 surround sound audio quality with a high frequency range of at least 20 Hz to 20 kHz. This will give you a very detailed and highly responsive virtual surround sound when listening to movies, high speed music, or when gaming. Having the best virtual surround sound experience can improve your gaming responsiveness and reaction time as you can easily hear enemies coming with the stereo sound modes.
If gaming is your number one goal, try to find a gaming headset that offers 360 degree directional audio as well. This can give you a very precise audio cue from anywhere around you in case of an enemy walking up behind you or loading a weapon in a nearby area while you are playing a multiplayer FPS or war game.
Comfort is very important if you will be using your surround sound headphones over several hours. This is especially common for gamers (see also most comfortable gaming headsets), but can also be something movie buffs need to keep in mind as well, especially if you have movie marathon weekends.
Look for surround sound headphones that have memory foam ear pads, cooling fabric mesh, or a lightweight design. All of these factors can improve the overall comfort levels of the surround sound headphones whether you wear them for an hour or 10 hours at a time, but will normally not have a major effect on the sound quality of high end or budget surround sound headphones.
Some of the best virtual surround sound technology can be improved by large and well padded ear cups as well. This helps limit background noise from leaking into your ears and disrupting the audio quality. Having the best surround sound gaming headphones for both playing games and watching movies can deliver great sound quality and improve your overall surround sound experience.
Design quality can be important if you are particular about how your headphones physically look. Some manufacturing brands will have their own custom aesthetic on their wired and wireless headset lines so you know at a glance which brand those surround sound headphones are. Other headphones will be simple and generic in their design, choosing to focus more on internal components and better sound quality than pretty exterior designs.
In general, design quality will not have an effect on the sound quality you can get from the surround sound headphone. It is simply a visual aesthetic which may mean something to some people, and nothing to others. Make sure you give some thought to the design and whether or not it is something that is important to you before you make your first purchase.
Knowing what design aesthetic you want can also help narrow down the manufacturer as well. Brands such as Razer, Corsair, and Turtle Beach all have noticeable exterior design aesthetics which are easy to see at a glance. You’ll be able to look at those headphones and instantly know if they are a Corsair or a Razer without having to find the logo.
For wireless headphones, battery life is a vital consideration. Most surround sound headphones these days can have very long battery lifespans up to 30 hours or longer. In general though, you will most commonly find wireless headphones that can be continuously used for 18 to 20 hours before needing recharged.
There are some things to consider if you want the longest battery life possible though. Extra features on your wireless headphones can drain the battery life quicker. This can include RGB lighting which is common on a wireless gaming headset, haptic technology, and playing the audio at extremely high volumes.
Haptic technology is the biggest drain on battery life, so it should be used sparingly. When left on all the time, haptic surround sound headphones can have their battery life shortened to 8 hours or less when they would normally withstand 20 hours or longer.
Most wireless headsets will connect via USB dongle in order to get crystal clear stereo sound. A dongle is a small connector that attaches to your device, whether it is a PC, laptop, tablet, or portable gaming system. The surround sound headphones will sync with the dongle and in turn will connect to your device so you can enjoy real time audio from whatever you are enjoying at the time with a superb sound quality and reduced ambient noise.
Wireless surround sound headphones are great for giving you a range of options when it comes to freedom of movement, and can also be great for listening to your favorite music or watching movies from bed. You also won’t be limited by a short cord as most wireless connections can reach incredibly long lengths such as 112 feet from the dongle source while wired surround sound headphones are normally limited to 6 foot long cords.
Extra features in surround sound headphones can include replaceable ear pads, RGB lighting, haptic technology, and more. Most extra features are not necessary for surround sound headphones to be used to their full potential and are more a quality of life addition or a decorative choice.
However, some extra features such as haptic technology and RGB lighting will increase the overall price, which is something to keep in mind. Other features, such as replacement or interchangeable ear pads, travel bags, and more are quality of life improvements you can choose to take or leave depending on your individual needs.
Before purchasing your headset, decide on your particular budget. A surround sound headphones’ price range will depend on a huge range of features including the type of surround sound it offers, the style of headset, the internal components, the external construction, the brand name, and more.
Extremely well known brand names such as Corsair, Sony, Bose, and others can be priced much higher than similar but lesser known brands. While the overall quality of the surround sound headphones could be identical, you may end up paying for the brand name itself.
However, well known brands normally offer very reliable warranties on parts and construction while lesser known companies may not. This could be worth the extra cost for you but not for others. Always keep your budget in mind, as well as what features and increased prices are worth it for you personally when searching for a new pair of surround sound headphones.
Similar to surround sound speakers, surround sound headphones with the same features offer a detailed 360 degree audio experience whether you are listening to music, watching movies, or gaming. For many users, this directional audio is hugely beneficial for immersion and competitive FPS gameplay.
Surround sound headphones are normally larger than average, with well padded ear cups that cushion your entire ear. This helps trap the sound near your ear while also limiting the background noise that leaks in giving you a fully immersive audio experience regardless of what you may be listening to.
Most surround sound headphones will offer at least 5.1 surround sound capabilities, but more and more brands and models are embracing 7.1 to give their consumers an exceptionally detailed and very memorable experience when watching movies or gaming.
The first step is to determine what your needs actually are. Casual listeners will not have the same needs as competitive gamers or true cinema buffs. If you are a casual listener that enjoys listening to internet radio, podcasts, or watching online videos from YouTube or TikTok, you may not benefit from a variety of high end features on some surround sound headphones.
For competitive gamers, or any gamers that play FPS games, having responsive, clear, and detailed surround sound audio can be extremely important. If you are unable to hear a footstep behind you, or an enemy reloading a gun in a nearby area, you can be left at a disadvantage.
Gamers rely on having accurate and directional sound at all times to remain aware of their surroundings. Headphones with 7.1 surround sound capabilities can not only provide detailed, clear, and precise sound but can also give 360 degree directional cues as well. This makes these headphones some of the most valuable for gamers, especially those that want to remain competitive.
If you are a movie buff that loves getting a full cinematic experience from your films, 7.1 surround sound headphones can be extremely good for this purpose. It’s not always possible for a movie buff to invest in a dozen different room speakers, and then install them in the ceiling, walls, and various areas around the room.
Even if you did all this, there still may be a lack in the sound quality as it can be affected by the rooms size and acoustics. Headphones, on the other hand, are pretty much their own room when it comes to where sound can bounce. Since headphones with 7.1 surround sound will enclose your ear in a well padded cup, the sound has very few places to escape.
This gives cinema fans a very deep and detailed audio experience. Surround sound headphones are great for enjoying your intense action movies while other members of the family are sleeping as well. Sound leakage from high quality headphones is extremely limited, meaning you will get the full audio experience while a loved one sleeping next to you won’t hear a thing.
Surround sound headphones are just as usable as other headphones for casual listeners. However, 7.1 surround sound headphones may offer a variety of features that won’t make any difference to a casual listener. You may decide to go ahead and purchase these true surround sound headphones, but the extra features may simply be bloated technology making the headset slightly heavier and bulkier than it could have been if you decided against the extras.
The biggest downside is that these extra features can add onto the price of the headset. Casual listeners could find a perfectly suitable pair of headphones without these extra features and end up saving a decent chunk of change. In the end, however, aside from the extra features that may be unnecessary, there is absolutely nothing that limits a casual listener from fully enjoying the sound delivered by surround sound headphones.
In short, yes they are. Everyone has a different idea of what budget-friendly means, and each listener may have different needs when it comes to extra features, design elements, and more. Before making your headphone purchase, you will need to decide for yourself if having extra features you may not need is worth the extra overall cost.
For gamers, cinema buffs, some audiophiles, and anyone wanting an immersive audio experience, surround sound headphones are an exceptionally good choice for headphones. They can deliver the same, if not better, audio than a room full of speakers, and are compact enough to take with you on trips or while commuting.
After comparing these surround sound headphones among themselves and taking a look at each feature they offer, we have narrowed it down to having the Logitech G433 Wired Gaming Headset as our editor’s choice for the best surround sound gaming headphones. The included Logitech gaming software is plug-in-play meaning you can be listening to sound through your new headphones within minutes of taking them out of the box.
Not only are these the best 7.1 surround sound headphones that are also extremely affordable, but they offer some of the same high levels of audio quality and noise cancellation as much more expensive headphones. Their comfort levels are second to none with the inclusion of plush memory foam padding, and they are excellent headphones for competitive gamers, casual gamers, movie buffs, and casual listeners alike.