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An Introduction:In the first part of this Headphone guide, we looked at the technology - or rather the acoustic principles applied in order to make this headphone listening technology possible. In particular, we have seen how the Dolby algorithm for headphone listening generates what are referred to as 'virtual speakers'. These virtual sound sources make it possible to play a 5.1-channel sound over an ordinary pair of stereo headphones. The resultant headphone listening experience is practically the same immersing experience one enjoys when listening to sound from a multi-channel speaker setup. The good news for headphone users is - you do not need much to enjoy this headphone listening technology! In this second part, we take a look at what are your available options to enjoy this headphone technology. Our discussion on Dolby digital headphone technology does not stop there - nothing is perfect in life! We also examine the technical limitations associated with this technology vis-à-vis a speaker setup. Dolby Headphone - What do you need to enjoy this headphone technology?Dolby virtual surround headphone technology works well for all listeners and with any multi-channel audio program source - no custom adjustments are needed. The beauty is that you do not need much to enjoy a great sound experience using Dolby digital headphone technology - even an ordinary pair of headphones will do. But as with all home theater equipment, audio quality improves with the quality of your gear. So what do you actually need to enjoy this great technology? There are two basic approaches:
If you are making use of a pre-encoded Dolby surround headphone soundtrack, make sure that any digital signal processing (DSP) modes often referred to as simulated soundfield modes e.g. Cinema, Hall, Live, are disabled. Any such processing will severely degrade the Dolby Headphone soundtrack. Dolby Headphone LimitationThe Dolby Headphone algorithm is designed to simulate the soundfield created by a 5.1 home theater speaker system. This means that it is not able to virtually produce the surround sound stage created by the surround back channels in extended surround sound formats such as THX Surround EX and DTS Extended Surround (DTS-ES). To be fair though, Dolby Digital Headphone technology was never meant to virtually re-create extended surround sound formats. Is Dolby Headphone a replacement to a Home Theater Speaker setup?Not quite. But then it all depends on whether you want to enjoy your home theater with your family and friends, or whether you are bound to use your home theater with the volume almost completely turned down because maybe a family member is sleeping in an adjacent room. From a pure sound perspective, Dolby Surround Headphone technology is capable of virtually re-creating in an amazingly faithful manner, the imaging and soundfield created by a 5.1 multi-channel speaker system. In other words, it is capable of creating that same immersing soundstage of a surround sound system, even though it doesn't quite match the same detailed imaging as produced by a real five speaker setup. This is because through correct speaker placement in a 5.1 channel system, it is possible to impart a level of sound detail not possible with even the best quality headphones. But... If you ever need to make use of a pair of headphones, ensure that you will be making use of Dolby Headphone technology - not only you wouldn't be subject to any listener's fatigue, it is also the only headphone technology that can provide you with the best possible immersing sound experience. Additional Dolby Headphone Related Info:More information on Dolby Headphone Technology is available at the Dolby Headphone official website by Dolby Laboratories. ...back 1st part of this Dolby Digital headphone Technology Guide ...back to Headphones - Section Index
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Lots more info at Practical Home Theater Guide Suggested Further Reading: Speaker Placement in multichannel Audio Correct home theater speaker placement plays a critical role towards achieving that seamless ‘enveloping’ sound so important in the overall home theater experience.
Time Delay
Settings in Surround Systems
Surround Sound
Formats
THX Home
Cinema - An Overview
Wireless Home Theater: A buying guide to Wireless
Speakers Systems
A Quick Guide to A complete e-Book on how to research, design and build your own Home Theater. by Duncan McClelland Wireless Headphones with Dolby Headphone Technology @ AMAZON
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