$80 headphones vs $150 5.1 Speakers for gaming?

[Codesmith]

I already have a an adequate home theater system which I connect to digitally. For gaming I currently using a 6 year old Yahamaha headphones which cost $50-60.

I am not sure whether I would be better of spening $150 for on a Logitech Z-5300e 5.1 THX Certified Speaker System

<A HREF="http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=36-121-121&depa=0 " target="_new">http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=36-121-121&depa=0 </A>

or

$80 for headphones (Sennheiser HD 280?)

<A HREF="http:// http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=26-106-328&depa=0 " target="_new">http:// http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=26-106-328&depa=0 </A>

I am interested in options from people who have tried both headsets and 5.1 systems for gaming.

Also are headphone gamers at a disadvantage when trying to locate 3D sounds?

 

[folken]

If you like feeling explosions and stuff going off (ie bass) get the speakers. If you want very good sound clarity get the headphones.
My HD280 headphones sound way better than my Klipsch 5.1 system. But I love it when my windows shake in an explosion on my Klipsch system

<A HREF="http://www.folken.net/myrig.htm" target="_new">My precious...</A>

 

[Codesmith]

What about 3d sound?

Can you locate noises better with the 5.1 or the headphones?

 

[lb19984]

MY shure E3's blow everything away ...lol

U really like ure headphones nore than ure ultra's?
sad... very sad... very very sad... very very very sad...



<A HREF="http://www.freewebs.com/lb19984/" target="_new">My Rig</A>

 

[folken]

Don't get me wrong, my klipsch speakers blow everything away. They just arn't nearly as clear as my HD280s. I listen to a lot of Opera and Classical music and all of it sounds a lot clearer in my headphones.

<A HREF="http://www.folken.net/myrig.htm" target="_new">My precious...</A>

 

[Llamaman]

I've got the Medusa 5.1 heaphones and I was impressed by the quality. Not the sound quality you'd get from a top-end set of stereo 'phones, but much better than I expected for £30. The 3D isn't bad either. Go on - treat yourself and get both

 

[Codesmith]

I have a friend with the 4.1 Klipsch ProMedia. Scared the crap out of him when he was playing Undying and the subwoofer blew a paper bag from under his desk

Unfortunately I just bought a MSI Neo 4 Platinum, A64 3000, x800XL and there is not much left in my computer upgrade budget.

I have enough for maybe an Audigy 2 Value and better headphones or $150 speakers, but not a Klipsch 5.1 system.

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I still havent gotten an answer about the 3d sound?

I think that will be the deciding factor for me. If I can hear where sounds are comming from better with 5.1 speakers I will get those, if the headphones work equally as well then I will go that route.