SOUNDaround Surround Sound Processor

I'm VERY familiar with SRS Surround Sound. It's been around a long LONG time, and I've owned a box before that I used to boost audio on my desktop speakers and video game systems. Does it produce incredible surround sound? Not exactly. What SRS does it fiddle with the audio cues to make sound more expansive, clear, and immersive.Does it work? Mileage may vary. Some people like the effect, others think it makes no difference whatsoever. Personally I like the effect, as it give the perception of a more open sound stage and drawing attention to background sounds while simultaneous making dialog easier to hear/understand. It ESPECIALLY enhances the sound through headphones.It has a remote for switching modes, but no volume control on the remote (if you use headphones you have to get up, walk up the device, and turn a knob). It's inputs are simple and there is only one input and one output. If you want more inputs I suggest investing in a Pelican 5-Way System Selector which serves exactly that function (while also freeing up your video inputs).Take note that if you want to run your sound from your Xbox 360 through this unit and still have hdmi picture you will want to invest in a "Hdmi Cable and Adapter for Xbox 360" (yeah that's the actual product name) which allows a 360 to output optical/analog audio while using said hdmi.If you want 7.1 Surround sound for your headphones...buy the Ear Force DSS 7.1 Channel Dolby Surround Sound Processor. If you want enhanced sound with a headphone jack this is what you want. I use it to keep my family members from waking up when I'm watching movies or playing video games early in the morning and late at night...and to enhance movie and game sound.

I bought this item as a cheap alternative to the Turtle Beach DSS1 or DSS2 to use with an intro level Turtle Beach headset I found at a thrift store. As far as I can tell, it is simply an amplifier and makes the sound from the TV come out louder - it may equalize it a little as well.The unit itself is pretty small, about 1 x 4 x 6 in. It has a regular size (1/8") headphone jack on the front and a volume knob. The remote allows you to toggle through a number of settings: "bypass" which doesn't do anything to the sound from your TV, "Stereo" which turns on the bass amplification, and "Surround" which claims to create a 5.1 type sound experience. On the remote, there are also buttons to control the bass level (which this amplifies nicely) and a "clarity" button which cleans up the sound mix a little bit. There is also a toggle switch on the back which you can use to adjust the output for small, medium, and large speakers. I have only tried it with my X-box 360 while playing Battlefield 3, during which it did make the sound in the headphones louder and improved the bass - but it didn't create a markedly improved the 3D/spatial awareness as I had hoped.Some other reviews have noted that you need the special RCA/whatever attachment to use this with an X-box 360 - this is only true if you don't have an RCA audio out (red and white audio outs) on the back of your TV. In my case, I was able to hook my X-box up to my TV with an HDMI cable and then run the included RCA cables from the TVs audio out to the SoundArround without having to buy any additional hook ups.For now, I'm giving this item a 3/5 - but I might change my review if I find settings that help improve the 3D effect. I'd also like to note that the shipping for this item was incredibly fast. I have Amazon Prime and asked for two day shipping and ended up getting the item the next day!

There are almost no difference between the modes. Surround mode with clarity engagen somewhat improves the sound when watching a movie. But in surround mode there is a boost in loudness. It is difficult to judge the true level of effect. Very Very noisy headphone amp. This unit is useless!

The only reservation I have about this item is that it claims to provide a bit more than it actually does. It certainly increases the depth and "presence" from two speakers, but if you're expecting true surround sound there's just no substitute for a decent set of rear speakers.That said: I have my TV and DVD player run through a stereo amp into a decent set of speakers. But I've always been disappointed in the sound quality--by comparison with CDs, LPs, or even FM radio run through the same system, the sound has always seemed "muddy" and I've had to turn the volume up to hear dialogue clearly. The SOUNDaround took care of the problem completely--voices are now clear and crisp, the channels are far better defined, even low-volume sounds are distinct, and crisp. The stereo imagery is much improved--sounds seem to hang in the air rather than coming from two distinct sources, which was a common problem before. Bass enhancement is adjustable, so if you want the subwoofer "whomp" you can get it, but also turn it down if you share a wall (or a floor or ceiling) with neighbors.With several user-adjustable features and a remote so you can make adjustments from your listening spot not while standing at your console, this item is a true bargain at just over $16 (a small fraction of the price of a quality surround amp and speakers). I would recommend it to anyone seeking home theater sound who cannot or does not want to install the necessary equipment. Your ears will thank you!

Sent it back.