Creative Omni Soundblaster 5.1 Soundcard with PS4/TV

[lambournledge]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for an external soundcard that would allow me to listen to surround sound through my headphones using my laptop, PS4 or TV. I've come across this product below:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00F8VB0IW/ref=ask_ql_qh_dp_hza

I just wanted to confirm something before i committed to buying it. Sorry i'm new to this kind of stuff; i see it has an optical out so i can use it to get surround sound from my PS4 and TV using my headphones, right? Just getting a bit confused because in the product description it says it's used for PC and Mac and no mention of it being compatible with gaming consoles or TV?

Sorry if this is a really basic question but i just wanted to confirm this before i spent my money!

Thanks

 

[basroil]

It says it pretty clearly in the picture, "Optical Out". That thing is an external USB soundcard, it requires Windows or OSX to function. http://us.creative.com/p/sound-blaster/sound-blaster-omni-surround-5-1#tag-specifications

Anyway, headphones cannot output surround sound, since the human ear cannot handle multiple sources by itself, you need both ears to know direction (and why headphone virtualization is used to make sounds appear to be in other locations). Just spend that money on a nice set of headphones like the HD558, MDR-7506, etc and you'll be much happier with the sound quality.

 

[lambournledge]

Thanks for the reply. I've got a nice pair of headphones already (AKG K550). I know true surround sound isn't possible using headphones. I'm only after virtual surround sound for use with movies, gaming and music

I understand now that this specific external soundcard is for pc/laptop use only. Looks like i would have to get two separate headphone amps/external soundcards- one for use with gaming/tv and one for use with laptop..Is that correct? Unless there is one that does all 3- which is kinda what i'm after. But if not, i'm happy enough to buy 2 separate headphones amps.

Thanks for your help

 

[basroil]

You can always go with http://us.creative.com/p/sound-blaster/sound-blaster-e5 or similar devices from other companies. Sure it's a bit more than buying two amps, but cheaper than http://us.creative.com/p/sound-blaster/sound-blaster-x7

You could also always go with a receiver, and some have fairly nice amps built in. Costs quite a bit more though 😉

 

[lambournledge]

i was just looking at that actually. So what is it about that headphone amp, compared to the one i originally mentioned, which allows it to be used with consoles/TV's also? Is it just that it doesn't require computer software to function?

 

[basroil]

i was just looking at that actually. So what is it about that headphone amp, compared to the one i originally mentioned, which allows it to be used with consoles/TV's also? Is it just that it doesn't require computer software to function?

It's a full DAC and amp, and this one does have digital (optical) in (and out) in addition to USB input. Also has bluetooth input and a microphone thrown in for good measure (not sure how useful it it outside USB/bluetooth)

 

[lambournledge]

i was just looking at that actually. So what is it about that headphone amp, compared to the one i originally mentioned, which allows it to be used with consoles/TV's also? Is it just that it doesn't require computer software to function?

It's a full DAC and amp, and this one does have digital (optical) in (and out) in addition to USB input. Also has bluetooth input and a microphone thrown in for good measure (not sure how useful it it outside USB/bluetooth)

Oh right i see!

Thanks a lot for your help

 

[lambournledge]

I'm really intrigued by this soundblaster E5 actually. Is it more built for laptop/pc use or will it allow me to listen to surround sound from my PS4 better than, for example the Astro Mixamp would https://www.astrogaming.co.uk/mixamp%E2%84%A2-pro/3AM99-AGU9X-975.html (which is designed specifically for console gaming).

 

[basroil]

Not sure, no personal experience comparing the two, and the astros have no reviews from audio reviewers (only found ones from PC/gaming websites that don't really care about sound quality as much as gaming convenience).