Review: Terratec Headset Master 5.1 USB

It’s curious how humans, with just two ears, can sense sound coming from all directions. But then there’s more to it than two tympanic membranes.

The shape of our ears, and the body’s own sensitivity to vibration, help with directional sense, which is handy when, for example, avoiding being hit by a vehicle approaching from behind. It’s also very useful for film makers and video game developers, who have long been exploiting the phenomenon of surround sound to create an immersive listening environment.

Naturally, to reproduce five channels of audio, plus extended bass (or ‘.1’), you need six speakers, five of which are positioned around the listener and with the bass driver positioned to suitably wobble the bowels.

So how has Terratec managed to create a stereo sound field with what looks like a pair of mid-priced, open-backed, stereo headphones? The Headset Master 5.1 USB has six speakers, five of which are positioned to replicate lateral surround, with the sixth devoted to reinforcing the bass - ever a problem with headphones because they typically under-represent bass frequencies.

The unit is a doddle to install. Load the supplied software driver, plug the cans into a spare USB2 port and play a movie or game.

The earpieces do not fit snugly, which gives the feeling that the unit is perched atop the head and the temptation is to clamp them down with your hands. OK for movie-watching, but not too good for games. There are inline controls for adjusting volume, the amount of surround, its positioning, the level of bass and to mute and unmute the detachable microphone.

Little experimentation is needed to achieve a passable surround effect, although it doesn’t hold a candle to a proper 5.1 speaker array. Sounds in front and behind appear too ‘in the head’, which is inevitable because of the speakers’ positioning. Bass response is poor, too. The combination of open-backed design and ill-fitting earcups means adjustments with the Sub bass control are near inaudible.

Audiophile headphones they are not. But if you enjoy surround-sound gaming, play at unsocial hours and don’t want to keep the household awake, the Headset Master is a worthwhile buy. The microphone will help with online gaming, or even internet telephony, and the headset isn’t so heavy as to induce strain during long sessions of use.

However, movie buffs seeking lush surround and expansive frequency response should look elsewhere.

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