Technology: A New World of Sound

One of the DVD revolution's great leaps forward was encoding Dolby Digital surround sound on each disc--three channels in front, two in the back for atmosphere, plus a subwoofer to provide true-to-life rumbles and thuds. Until that point we had known only two-channel stereo sound, whether from a CD, the TV or a videotape.

But the DVD breakthrough also created problems. One is logistical. Whether you assemble a massive sound system or opt for a simplified "home theater in a box," you have to figure out where to place five speakers plus the subwoofer. Then there's the noise issue. If you live in an apartment, or with someone who doesn't share your love of theatrical sound, your movie nights may produce a great deal of volume--and a few enemies.

But help is on the way. One option, introduced a few years ago but only now catching on, is a Dolby-certified surround-sound wireless headphone system. Sony, which introduced its flagship set, the MDR-DS8000 ($800), last year, is about to roll out the MDR-DS3000 ($300). Pioneer this month will begin selling its first pair, the SEDIR800C ($475), and in August Philips will launch its SBC HD1500 ($600).

The concept of the surround-sound headphone is, well, heady. Though surround sound is made for five speakers, we only have two ears. Sound from each of the five speakers ricochets off every surface in a room, reaching our ears at different times. Our brains analyze it all to discern where the sound is coming from. (Sound from behind is duller, because it has to pass through the skin flaps of our ears.) The headphones come with processors that analyze incoming sound tracks and transform them into two-channel tracks. This replicates the behavior of sound coming from five speakers and a subwoofer that would bounce around a room before landing in our ears.

How good do the headphones sound? We found they compare positively with even a medium-price surround-sound setup. In our tests (listening to Finding Nemo), we discerned no difference between the five-speaker system and the new Sony and Pioneer models. The only times we missed real speakers were in scenes with lots of bass. The headphones were no match for the rumble of a good subwoofer. But with the headphones you're able to find Nemo without neighbors wondering what you're looking for.