First announced at CES 2009 nearly 1.5 years ago, the 5.1 surround sound gaming cans from Psyko are now finally heading to retail stores across North America. This headset is radically different from other surround sound headsets as the five speakers are not placed in the ear cups, but above your head in the bridge of the headset to provide a more natural sound experience.

Subwoofers are located in the ear cups, and the headset also features a removable microphone and a separate headphone amplifier box with volume and bass level controls. It should be available in retail stores for around $299.99.

While the PsykoWave Technology sounds pretty impressive, arecent review indicates this headset isn’t really worth its money. The headset does deliver pretty impressive positional accuracy, but the reviewer complains the sound quality is atrocious, and notes even his $33 Koss PortaPro headphones boast higher fidelity.

Psyko Audio Labs Inc., a leading innovator in PC Gaming headphone technology, is ecstatic to unleash the dawn of audio as a weapon through the immediate availability of the highly anticipated Psyko 5.1 PC Gaming Headset System to USA and Canada. Psyko’s patented PsykoWave Technology empowers PC Gamers with an unfair advantage over the competition through precise 3D sound that drastically heightens awareness of your gaming surroundings. Players can instantly identify and locate every gun shot, footstep, and explosion allowing for faster reaction times, higher player performance, and the most immersive gaming experience to date.

PsykoWave Technology – Psyko headphones deliver true 5.1 sound from 5 speakers strategically placed in the headband. The sound is channeled and flows to each ear in a natural way which allows everyone to enjoy true 5.1 sound.

* The headphone bridge houses 5 audio speakers (front left, center, front right, rear left and rear right) with a subwoofer in each ear cup for a total of 7 speakers.

* Sounds from each speaker carry throughout the Wave guides to pass over the front and back of both ears, giving users natural, not simulated, surround sound.

* Precise Simplicity – Another significant advantage to gamers is the simplicity and accuracy of speaker setup. Rather than the normal compromises in speaker positioning typical to 5.1 room systems, the speakers are in exactly the right spot automatically. You literally just put them on and you are in the optimal “sweet spot” of the 5.1 surround sound experience. Gamers often hear directional sound more accurately wearing the Psyko 5.1 headphones than they do with their 5.1 room system.

* Optimal Comfort– Psyko 5.1 gives the user control to either block outside sounds, or open the ear cup to vent their ears for cooling and to hear conversation in the room during game play. The headset is fully adjustable and provides maximum cushioning using fabric rather than faux leather or vinyl which gets slippery and itchy with sweat. Marathon gaming sessions have never been so comfortable.

* Psykowave Custom Sound Control – The Psyko 5.1 PC headphone amplifier allows control of the volume and bass levels as well as being the first headphone system to have lights that provide a visual indication of the direction of every sound. These amplifier lights provide a simple way to see if your computer is in stereo mode or using the full 5.1 surround sound mode.

* Removable Microphone – Psyko 5.1 comes with a removable microphone.

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Sony have announced three new home audio systems, with two soundbars for the cable-phobic and a 5.1 surround setup for those slightly more ambitious.

The Sony HT-SF470 is a 3D-capable 1000 watt (157W x 5 +167W sub) system with three HDMI inputs and an HDMI pass-through port, together with BRAVIA Sync, a Digital Media Port for use with an optional iPod cradle, two digital audio inputs (coax and optical) and digital cinema auto calibration for straightforward setup.

As for the HT-CT350, that has 400W (100 watts x 3 channels + 100 watts subwoofer) while the HT-CT150 has 340W (85 watts x 3 channels + 85 watts sub). Both have three HDMI inputs and one HDMI output, and support LPCM Blu-ray Disc audio together with 3D pass-through. They too have dual digital audio inputs, as well as BRAVIA Sync and iPod cradle compatibility.

The CT350 comes with a bracket for attaching it to Sony’s 40-inch and larger HDTVs, while the CT150 has the same for 32-inch sets. Both sound bars will go on sale in May, priced at $400 for the CT350 and $300 for the C150. Meanwhile the HT-SF470 will arrive in June, priced at $550.

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ASUS introduced the Cine5, a new compact speaker that provides 5-channel sound.

ASUS today announced the launch of the ASUS Cine5 PC speaker which provides accurate 5-channel surround sound in personalized spaces such as study rooms. With its all-in-one design, the Cine5 delivers realistic and dynamic surround sound to satisfy consummate gamers and personal entertainment users. To deliver exceptionally full sound from a compact form factor, ASUS drew on its expertise in high-performance audio cards during the development.

Leading Surround Technology for True Cinematic Enjoyment
The Cine5 is the first PC speaker in the world to offer leading surround sound presence with the new “EmbracingSound Theatre HD” technology. This patented technology leverages on a discrete 5-channel output to deliver full audio surround, which users can experience whenever they are directly in front of the speaker. In a First Player Shooter game, the Cine5 provides precise sound location that improves shooting accuracy and heightens gaming thrills. The Cine5 also revives 5-channel audio from any down-mixed 2-channel source—for a high-fidelity, multi-channel sound during PC gaming or movie sessions.

Space-saving Design and Convenient Home Entertainment Setup
By integrating an array of speaker drivers into a single bar, the Cine5 PC speaker helps users save space in their study rooms. Additionally, installation is simplified by eliminating the need to set up multiple satellite speakers—users just need to place the Cine5 PC speaker below the computer monitor. No positional adjustment is necessary to get the sweet spot for audio recreation.

Refined Audio Performance
Utilizing premium speaker drivers and a specially-designed bass reflex port, the Cine5 provides 15dB more bass than speakers of similar size, thus revolutionizing bass delivery in compact speakers—to add depth to games and movies. Also, its multi-driver configuration reduces individual driver load by 50%, resulting in better high-frequency responses for more brilliant sound.

Dress Up PCs with Elegance
The Cine5 PC speaker represents a modern form in PC speaker design. In a user setting, the three elements of a curved shape, black glossy finish, and its metal knob delivers a touch of elegance. It also blends in with most monitors, with its overall design featuring metal or rubber stands of different heights.

Onkyo have released a range of new home A/V equipment that offers HDMI v1.4 connectivity and 3D video support. The new line-up includes a pair of full-sized receivers, the TX-SA578 and the TX-SA608, a pair of mini-systems, the BASE-V30HDX and BASE-V20HDX, and a 2.1-channel sub/speaker system, the HTX-22HDX.

The TX-SA608 and TX-SA578 support seven channels of 190W and 160W respectively, along with Audyssey 2EQ, Audyssey Dynamic Volume and – on the SA608 only – Audyssey DSX support. They’ll go on sale by the end of March, priced at 84,000 and 71,400 yen respectively ($950 and $808 respectively).

The mini-systems, the BASE-V30HDX and BASE-V20HDX, come with two stereo speakers and a sub, but offer five channels of regular 30W output (and a 60W sub output) if you want to hook up the full surround set. Even without there’s virtual surround support, along with Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. They’ll go on sale in Japan on March 24th, priced at 74,800 and 64,800 yen respectively ($846 and $733 respectively).

As for the HTX-22HDX, that has three HDMI inputs (and one output), together with various analog and digital inputs. As standard it offers two front stereo speakers and a sub, but there are outputs for a further center and rear speakers and in fact Onkyo have matching models to go with the set. Each regular speaker channel gets 50W, while the subwoofer gets 60W, and the system supports Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio.

Auzentech has released the Auzen X-Fi HomeTheater HD, an HDMI 1.3a compliant audio card. The Auzen X-Fi HomeTheater HD has been designed around the latest Creative PCI Express X-Fi audio processor.

When paired with CyberLink PowerDVD 9 Ultra software, the X-Fi HomeTheater HD sound card provides the highest quality lossless multi-channel audio experience for enjoying Blu-ray discs at home (24 bit, 192 kHz), taking full advantage of lossless digital audio formats such as Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD™ Master Audio.

The X-Fi HomeTheater HD sound card provides full quality Blu-ray audio through eight 24-bit analog outputs, as well as providing the capability to “bitstream” the audio through your HDMI 1.3 connection. Simply route your HDMI video signal from your video card or integrated graphics output through the X-Fi HomeTheater HD, and the full quality audio is merged with the video signal, providing a single cable connection to your HDMI 1.3a capable television or receiver.

The Auzen X-Fi HomeTheater HD audio card is the only native PCI Express HDMI 1.3a compliant card in the market that supports bitstream audio and bit-by-bit video output.

For home theater enthusiasts, the processor includes HDMI 1.3a support and features Dolby Digital and DTS encoding for a single-cable connection to home theater systems. For gamers, the card leverages the power of the PCI Express-optimized X-Fi processor to deliver accelerated audio for improved game performance, with ultra-realistic EAX 5.0 effects and 3D positional audio. For audiophiles, Auzen X-Fi HomeTheater HD includes an independent Headphone Amplifier, Microphone Pre-Amp, and implements Auzentech’s Pointing Ground Design™ which greatly reduces noise and distortion in the circuitry.

The Auzen X-Fi HomeTheater HD brings together technologies of Auzentech, Creative Labs, CyberLink and Silicon Image.

“Auzentech and CyberLink have worked in collaboration to bring this amazing sound card to the market, and we’re pleased that this masterpiece is now available” said Alice Chang, CEO of CyberLink. “The X-Fi HomeTheater HD is the ultimate sound card for the home theater PC enthusiast, delivering the highest quality multi-channel audio through HDMI or via high quality analog connections.”

“We would like to thank all our customers who have patiently waited through the long development cycle, and all parties involved in creating the finest sound card to enter the market so far,” said Stephane Bae, President of Auzentech, Inc. “By teaming up with Industry leaders Creative, CyberLink and Silicon Image, end-users and Home Theater enthusiasts can enjoy Blu-Ray in its full glory.”

The Auzen X-Fi HomeTheater HD is priced at $249.99.

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DTS was pimping their new DTS Neural Surround Sound technology at the Game Developers Conference last week, this sound technology will enable real-time 7.1 audio tracks in games on platforms like the PC, PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii.

“Our goal is to give developers the audio tools to help them create gaming experiences more immersive than ever before. With our DTS Neural Surround technology, games will deliver true 360 degree gaming for the first time ever. The potential here for what sound does in a game is almost limitless,” said Mark Tuffy, director of business development of interactive media at DTS.

By using existing technology built into the systems, DTS Neural Surround is able to convert the 5.1 signal into a true 7.1 surround experience. Whether the signal is digital or analog, DTS Neural Surround is able to convert the sound into 7.1 channel surround sound. Unfortunately, not a lot of technical details are available. Based on the claims of DTS, the Neural Surround should provide lossless quality like audio in video games.

“Prototype” on Microsoft Xbox 360 will be the first title released using DTS Neural Surround, but according to DTS, games using the DTS Neural Surround technology are currently under development for all platforms.”

“You’ve come to expect this level of sound quality with your Blu-Ray movies, why not games? With DTS Neural Surround Audio, you’ll experience the game’s audio exactly the way the designers intend. When a rocket flies over your head and explodes over your left shoulder, or a ten foot tall Demon with a chainsaw creeps up just behind your back… you’ll hear it exactly like that — in incredible, location specific detail,” said Mr. Tuffy, who, prior to DTS, was director of games at THX.