If a room cannot made to be sound proof and the next best thing is to use high-end head phones (instead of having to turn down the volume), which high-end head phones would almost rival the sound experience of a dedicated theater 7.1 or 5.1 sound system?

Would the HD800 be the best option?

http://www.sennheiserusa.com/private_headphones_audiophile-headphones_500319

http://www.sennheiserusa.com/media/productImages/privateMain/HD800_ProductPrivate.jpg

I recommend the Fostex T50-RP Studio Headphones (http://www.google.com/products?q=fostex+t50+headphone&aq=f); I use them.

(You've seen Fostex headphones in almost all music videos and studio documentaries)

http://www.pro-sound.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/t50rpslantlg.jpg

Excellent quality headsets with Regulated Phase, a new transducer technology which offers the finest quality audio reproduction. Used by professionals on stage and in studios the world over. The T50RP utilizes a newly designed development called an "RP Diaphragm". This unique Fostex technology employs a copper foil etched polyimide film to provide resistance to high level input peaks of up to 3000mW combined with a neodynium magnet for high sensitivity and excellent transient handling. This combination lifts quality of the T50RP's audio reproduction above that of the already superb T40RP and T20RP. In short, the T50RP offers perhaps the most natural and uncolored sound yet heard from a pair of studio headphones. SPECIFICATIONS • IMPEDENCE - 50ohm • SENSITIVITY - 98dB/m • FREQUENCY RESPONSE - 15Hz - 35kHz • MAX INPUT LEVEL - 3000mW • WEIGHT - 330g (without cable)

I might also suggest pairing the headphones with some tactile transducers mounted in your seating as well... Clark, Bass Shakers, Buttkickers, etc....

For that little extra thump. :)

I might also suggest pairing the headphones with some tactile transducers mounted in your seating as well.Excellent suggestion. I use the Aura Pro Bass Shakers. Now on sale at PartsExoress (http://www.amazon.com/Aura-Sound-Pro-Bass-Shaker/dp/B0002ZPTBI)for under $30 each!!@#$%^&*

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31JJWVDAYPL._SL500_AA250_.jpg

I have a paid of Tritton 5.1 surround soound headphones and I love them. I havent watched a movie yet with them, but for games they sound amazing.

December 2009 Widescreen review has an article on the Realiser that might be of interest. Gary Reber said he was very impressed with this system.

December 2009 Widescreen review has an article on the Realiser that might be of interest. Gary Reber said he was very impressed with this system.

Are you talking about this?


http://www.smyth-research.com/technology.html

That's the one (with optical tracking -A8).

Gary was pretty stoked about it. He said it fooled him, thinking he was listening to speakers.

Makes me wonder about a second system, based in a tiny room/cave with 2 comfortable seats and a large screen hdtv with a short viewing distance. No need for acoustical treatments, or properly placed seating. No speakers, no receiver, no equipment rack, and no need to worry about seating placement or even the room dimensions.... Might make for an excellent apartment setup, albeit limited to 2 people.

That's the one (with optical tracking -A8).


Makes me wonder about a second system, based in a tiny room/cave with 2 comfortable seats and a large screen hdtv with a short viewing distance. No need for acoustical treatments, or properly placed seating. No speakers, no receiver, no equipment rack, and no need to worry about seating placement or even the room dimensions.... Might make for an excellent apartment setup, albeit limited to 2 people.



Yup, hence my search for a good headphone.

I have some reasonably priced Grado headphones and a Compact Hybrid Amplifier (tube-based headphone amp) with a cryogenically treated tube, and the sound is fantastic. It's only two channel, though. Better in many ways than my home two channel system, which cost many, many, many times more.

That's the one (with optical tracking -A8).
Makes me wonder about a second system, based in a tiny room/cave with 2 comfortable seats and a large screen hdtv with a short viewing distance. No need for acoustical treatments, or properly placed seating. No speakers, no receiver, no equipment rack, and no need to worry about seating placement or even the room dimensions.... Might make for an excellent apartment setup, albeit limited to 2 people.

And no need for soundproofing. Headphones remove all considerations of the listening environment.

I first thought of this a couple of years ago. For a lot less money than the Realiser, you can use your own headphones with a Dolby Headphone-equipped receiver (Harman/Kardon, Marantz, Sherwood) and have reasonably convincing surround sound. I use it a lot and it's surprisingly good. Sit up close to a medium-sized plasma TV and you've got a very nice apartment/condo setup that no one will ever hear but you.

Found this thread on AVS this morning. Post 123 and 124 shows Edwood's "ultimate stealth home theater" setup.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1136269&page=3