Introduction and Specifications

Psyko AudioLabs is bridging the gap between the benefits of a stand-alone 5.1 surround sound setup and standard gaming headphones with their Psyko 5.1 headphones. These $300 headphones were previewed at last year’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas and were even recognized with a 2009 CES Innovation Award. We will see if these high-end cans give us an edge in our favorite FPS games.

Psyko Audio Labs goes all in with their 5.1 headphones

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Courtesy of Psyko Audio Labs

A PC gamers’ experience can differ greatly upon the performance of several factors ranging from their graphics card, processor, system memory, and other intangibles inherent to the overall gaming environment itself. However, feeling truly immersed into the game itself requires the ability for a game to entice two of our traditional five senses – sight and sound. The sight sense is stimulated by high-definition LCD and LED displays running at 1680, 1920, or 2560 pixels depending on your display’s native resolutions. But, the sound people hear during gaming comes from a variety of sources including headphones, two–channel speakers, and 5.1 and 7.1 surround sound systems.


Psyko 5.1 Surround Sound Headphones Review - General Tech 32
Courtesy of Psyko Audio Labs

A company called Psyko AudioLabs is bridging the gap between the benefits of a stand-alone 5.1 surround sound setup and standard gaming headphones with their Psyko 5.1 headphones. These $300 headphones were previewed at last year’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas and were even recognized with a 2009 CES Innovation Award.


Psyko 5.1 Surround Sound Headphones Review - General Tech 33
Courtesy of Psyko Audio Labs

The entire design and technology behind of these 5.1 headphones is unique from other standard gaming headphones in numerous ways. Psyko actually put five speakers on the top bridge of the headset to give users their front, center, and rear speakers as they would typically have in a 5.1 setup. They use wave guides to transfer the sound from the speakers to the ear cups below. The front speakers transfer sound through the front wave guides while the rear speakers transfer sound through the rare wave guide to give users a true 5.1 experience without the use of synthetic surround sound drivers. The ear cups include subwoofers to complete the 5.1 experience.


Psyko Audio Labs 5.1 Headphone Technical Specifications

  • Delivers True 5.1 Surround Sound based on psychoacoustic research

  • Five 30mm directional speakers

  • Two 40mm dedicated sub-woofer speakers

  • Cable length, 6 ft on headphone, 5’ 8″ on amp = 11’8″ in total.

  • User controlled side panels: open for complete ventilation, closed for passive noise blocking

  • Comfortable fabric pad covers

  • Powered amplifier with 5 LED Visual Direction Indicator

  • Master volume and bass volume controls

  • Wall power converter with North America style wall plug, 110 to 240v, 50 to 60 Hz.

  • Detachable high sensitivity microphone

  • No software drivers needed, works just like a room 5.1 system but automatically puts you in the sweet spot.

  • Requires analog 5.1 sound card (on-board, or 3rd party card)


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