Most people love going to the movies.
They love the intensity of the action scenes and the heart pounding and powerful musical scores that accompany them.
Most people have large HD TV screens at this point, but they lack the stereo surround sound to go with their big and beautiful TV screens.
Instead of investing thousands of dollars in a new home stereo system, consider choosing the best surround sound headphones for movies as an alternative.
You don’t have to look any further to find the best available options. Just read my reviews and make an informed decision.
Quick List: Top 5 Surround Sound Headphones for Movies
- JVC EXOFIELD Surround Sound Headphones – Best Overall
- Sony L600 Wireless Headphones – Best Bluetooth
- ASTRO Dolby Gaming Headset – Best for Movies & Gaming
- Sony WHRF400R Wireless TV Headphones
- Sennheiser RS 175 Headphones
Researching Surround Sound Headphones for Movies
Choosing the right headphones to review is never as straightforward as it might seem.
Much forethought and consideration goes into the overall selection process.
You wouldn’t want me to choose the first stereo surround sound headphones to come along, would you? Of course not!
You want me to find the best of breed because you deserve to have a pleasurable and exciting surround sound listening experience. And even more important, you trust that I will handle the heavy lifting and vet these headphones on your behalf, which I am happy to do.
Getting the research right is the most important part of the process. Besides looking for high quality surround sound headphones for movies with all of the necessary surround sound features, I also take other things at the consideration.
Some examples include: wired or wireless technology, Bluetooth technology, ergonomic design and comfort, bass boost, easy to use controls on the outside of the headphones, surround sound mode, open back or closed back, noise reduction or isolation, and analog or digital compatibility to name a few areas that I like to focus on.
Don’t worry! I wouldn’t expect you to know how to research all of these areas. Just trust that I have reviewed hundreds of headphones, speakers, and other audio equipment and I know what I’m doing and I’m here to help!
The Best Surround Sound Headphones for Movies In 2022
1. JVC EXOFIELD Surround Sound Headphones – Best Overall
- JVC's own EXOFIELD sound field procressing techology reproduces multi-channel audio (7.1.4 channels)
- Enjoy audio formats such as Dolby Atmos and DTS: X for a realistic sound field comparable to listening to a multi-channel speaker system
- Supports Up-mixing of 2-ch and 5.1-ch material to 7.1.4 channels
The JVC EXOFIELD Surround Sound with Headphones will truly provide a game changing experience. This audio dynamo delivers a sound field processing technology and gives users the ability to listen to Dolby Atmos surround sound audio while watching their favorite movies and TV shows.
✔️ What we like: Connects to smartphone app for easy adjustments
❌ What we don’t like: Pass-through function doesn’t connect effectively
Standout Features
- Connects directly to a smart phone app
- 2.4/5 GHz dual band digital wireless transmission
- Headphones and sound processor connect
- Movie theater quality sound
- Multi-channel speaker system
There’s so much to love about the JVC EXOFIELD surround sound experience that it’s hard to pinpoint all of the amazing features. For starters, I love the fact that this system connects to an app on your smartphone. You can set up the audio to match your liking and save it on the smartphone app.
You are allowed to see up to four different users on the app at any time. You can turn your settings back on whenever you decide to watch a movie using this surround sound system.
The headphones that come with this system are large, comfortable, and have really soft cushions on the ear pads. So, you can wear them for many hours in a row without feeling any discomfort whatsoever.
And speaking of time, the headphones are wireless and they have a 12-hour battery life, which gives you more than enough time to sit down and binge watch your favorite show on Netflix or watch a Lord of the Rings movie marathon for 12 hours straight!
To keep things in perspective, one previous customer said that the pass-through function doesn’t work properly and it has a difficult time connecting. He wanted to watch his library of 4K movies and after putting on the headphones, he felt that the Dolby Atmos audio didn’t produce the surround sound experience that he was hoping for. The connectivity just wasn’t there for whatever reason.
At the end of the day, it’s my pleasure to recommend the JVC EXOFIELD surround sound headphones. The app connectivity, 7.1.4 channel surround sound mixing, comfortable fit, and surround sound headphones create a truly incredible movie watching experience that I know you’ll absolutely love.
2. Sony L600 Wireless Headphones – Best Bluetooth
- Immersive surround sound with theater mode
- Four sound modes for enhanced movies, Dialog, games and Sport
- Up to 98.43-Ft wireless range for listening and viewing freedom
The Sony L600 Wireless Headphones are an excellent choice. They have excellent Bluetooth capabilities, immersive sound, over the ear comfort, and their excellent wireless range provides real freedom of movement.
✔️ What we like: Long-lasting battery life, charging stand
❌ What we don’t like: The headphones make creaking noises
Standout Features
- 17 hours of battery life
- Wireless range is 98.43 feet
- Comes with charging stand
- 4 sound modes
- Optical cable included
I truly appreciate the incredible Wi-Fi capabilities of the Sony L600 Headphones. Unlike other Bluetooth headphones, these go above and beyond because the wireless range is 98.43 feet. Hardly any digital devices have the ability to receive this kind of range, which lets us know that the wireless connectivity is off the charts. That’s why I consider them the best Bluetooth headphones for movies.
Do you know why else I like them? Their amazing surround sound capabilities. It’s so hard to find a good pair of Bluetooth capable headphones that also have theater-style surround sound built-in. These bad boys are truly special because the surround sound is simulated by Dolby Audio, so when you turn on your favorite movie to listen to them with the headphones on, it will seem like you’re watching and listening to it right in the theater.
Nothing is ever perfect as you can imagine. For some reason, these headphones tend to make a bit of a creaking and groaning motion while they’re on top of your head and you move around. This can get a bit frustrating at times to say the least. Another weird issue is the earcup controls are so close to the cup that it’s difficult to properly manage the controls. Previous users have complained that they would need to take the headphones off, make the proper adjustments, and then put them on again to get them to work to the best of their ability.
Overall, I’m a huge fan of the Sony L600 Wireless Headphones because of their incredible range an excellent Wi-Fi capability, the stereo quality surround sound with Dolby Digital audio, and the fact that they have a theater mode, which makes listening to movie audio seem like you’re right in the movie theater listening with intensity along with the rest of the crowd.
3. ASTRO Dolby Gaming Headset – Best for Movies & Gaming
- Pro Audio Quality
- Superior Fit & Finish
- Precision Microphone
The ASTRO Dolby Gaming Headset is our favorite for movies and gaming because it works with a PC, PS4, and Xbox One and has Dolby 7.1 stereo sound.
✔️ What we like: Professional audio quality for gaming
❌ What we don’t like: Randomly stops working for no reason
Standout Features
- Easy headset pairing
- 5ghz wireless technology
- Precision microphone
These gaming headphones from Astro are really exciting to me because they not only enhance the overall gaming experience with the built-in microphone and high quality audio, it’s also possible to use your gaming console or PC to listen to powerful audio from your favorite movies and TV shows.
The stereo surround sound 7.1 Dolby quality is truly outstanding and you’ll hear everything so clear that you’ll feel like you’re watching your movie in a movie theater.
These headphones are also really comfortable too, so if you’re a gamer you should know that you’ll be able to wear them for many hours without feeling any discomfort whatsoever. They have a superior fit and finish, the material is soft and comfortable, and the microphone is positioned so that it doesn’t hurt your jaw or interrupt your speech for any reason whatsoever.
On a down note, one reviewer was really upset because these headphones kept cutting in and out on him for no reason that he could figure out. The audio would just stop working and the microphone would cut out every now and then for no rhyme or reason. It seems like he had a defective headset and he should contact the manufacturer to see if they’ll provide him a new pair of headphones free of charge.
At the end of the day, the ASTRO Dolby Gaming Headset is a great choice because it works with all of your favorite gaming consoles and PC games, has a precision microphone, a superior finish and fit, and the audio quality is Dolby 7.1 surround sound which is flawless.
4. Sony WHRF400R Wireless TV Headphones
- ALL-IN-ONE AUDIO HEADPHONE SET – Bundle Pack Includes HD Wireless Headset Transmitter/Charging Dock & BONUS Y-Adapter w/3 5mm Stereo & 2 NeeGo RCA Plugs
- EASY WIRELESS CONNECTIVITY – Radio Frequency Headphones Let You Move Freely Up to 150 Ft Through Walls & Ceiling Battery Life Up to 20 Hours Per Charge
- SENSATIONAL HD PERFORMANCE – Sony Technology Produces High Fidelity Sound & Booming Bass w/ Noise Reduction Voice Mode Volume Control & Auto Tune
The Sony WHRF400R Wireless TV Headphones are easy to wirelessly connect, provide a sensational high definition performance, and are optimized for cinematic experiences.
✔️ What we like: Headphones designed to hear cinema quality stereo surround sound
❌ What we don’t like: Uncomfortable headphones if you wear them with glasses
Standout Features
- Extremely comfortable design
- Complete cinema optimization
- High quality HD performance
You’re going to love these headphones because of the cinematic experience that they present to the listener. Or at least I think you will because it’s the main reason I like them. They have 40 mm drivers in these headphones that create warm, dynamic, and detailed sound.
When you’re listening to a car chase scene, as an example, you could really hear the tires screech, hear it when they slam on the brakes, hear the wind whipping through the windows, and hear the tires spinning on the asphalt and the exciting sounds that go along with these thrilling chase scenes.
I also appreciate the comfortable design. I tend to binge watch movies and TV shows, so if I’m going to wear headphones they have to be comfortable enough to wear for anywhere from 8 to 10 hours straight before I finally stop binging again. These headphones cut the mustard because they definitely feel comfortable even after a long binge.
I didn’t like how uncomfortable these headphones feel while wearing glasses though. I only wear reading glasses so I don’t need them while watching movies, but I did put them on for the heck of it because another reviewer mentioned that the headphones were uncomfortable with glasses.
They do tend to get in the way and press down on the glasses frames which could definitely get uncomfortable after doing so for a while.
On the whole, I feel good recommending the Sony WHRF400R Wireless TV Headphones because of the awesome HD sound, the cinematic audio experience, the comfortable design, and the simple to connect wireless pairing and 20 hours of battery life.
5. Sennheiser RS 175 Headphones
- Compact, ergonomic over-ear headphones. Connectivity Technology: Wireless.Frequency response 17 - 22,000 Hz
- Bass boost and surround sound listening modes. Maximum sound pressure level: 114 dB at 1kHz, 3 percentage THD. THD, total harmonic distortion:
- Digital wireless technology ensures that signal transmission remains clear and accurate
The Sennheiser RS 175 Headphones are a superior choice because of their compact over the ear design, their wireless connectivity, and the easy set up and surround sound listening.
✔️ What we like: Surround sound stereo headphones
❌ What we don’t like: Ear pads fell apart after two years
Standout Features
- Compact and ergonomic design
- Bass boost feature
- Digital wireless technology
Everyone looking for a truly cinematic experience will love these headphones from Sennheiser. They have surround sound listening mode, which means you can turn on your favorite action movie and pump up the audio, switch the headphones over the surround sound, and feel like you’re watching from inside a movie theater.
Watching movies like the Star Wars franchise, The Fast and the Furious movies, and other action flicks are an absolute dream to listen to on these headphones.
They also have innovative wireless technology that improves the overall listening experience. Some headphones have a tendency to cut in and out, make things sound very unclear and even kill audio accuracy.
You’ll hear the audio coming through your speakers but it will not match the mouth movements on the TV screen, which is really annoying. Fortunately, these headphones eliminate those problems because of the wireless technology they use to kill these potential pitfalls.
Unfortunately one reviewer was upset because the ear pads started falling apart and ripping after two years. While I guess it can be annoying to have to get new ear pads after spending a pretty penny for these headphones, it really isn’t the end of the world in my opinion.
Things break all the time and getting ear pads to last for two years actually seems pretty good in my opinion. Shell out the $20 or $30 for new ear pads and move on with your life!
At the end of the day, I’m a big fan of the Sennheiser RS 175 Headphones because of the noise isolating from the closed back design, the ergonomic around the ear headphones and the studio quality stereo sound that makes listening to my favorite movies and TV shows a pleasurable experience.
A Guide to Choosing Surround Sound Headphones for Movies
Some people take their movie watching seriously and they do not want to be disturbed in the least. In this case, they typically look for the best surround sound headphones for movies to provide movie theater quality audio from the comfort of their own home.
Are you one of these people? I shared my seven favorite surround sound headphones for movies with you above. Look over my reviews and see if there’s anything that you like. If not, please use the following information as a guide to choose high quality surround sound headphones that are perfect for movies, TV shows, and other digital video watching practices.
Noise Cancellation Capabilities
If you’re anything like me, you do not want background noise interrupting your movie watching. You want to focus on the movie, drill down into the story line and try and figure out what’s going on because you like predicting the outcome. With background noise creeping into your awareness, you can easily lose your focus and miss out on crucial parts of the movie. Headphones with great noise cancelling or noise isolating capabilities will keep the noise out and the movie audio in to prevent this from ever becoming a problem in the future.
Quality & Comfort
Headphone quality and comfort is also of the utmost importance. Why? You may like to spend your weekend binge watching your favorite movies and Netflix shows on TV, so you’ll need comfortable headphones that you can wear for many hours in a row without experiencing unwanted discomfort. Focus on choosing headphones made of soft materials and an ergonomic design that will provide a comfortable and pleasurable fit.
Stereo Surround Sound
This should go without saying, but you also have to search for headphones with incredible stereo surround sound for movies. Otherwise your overall movie watching experience might not be as enjoyable. You want to hear every little bit of the movie in crystal-clear stereo sound, so choosing the best headphones is of the utmost importance.
Find the Truth About the Ultimate Surround Sound Headphones for Movies
Are you satisfied with my overall choices for the best surround sound headphones for movies? If so, you should focus on the reviews above to find the right headphones to meet your needs.
Some have excellent Bluetooth qualities, some are great because they’re very affordable, and others are awesome because they’re great for movies and gaming.
But I also shared my favorite pair of headphones overall for an excellent movie watching experience, so consider choosing this option because it’s definitely the best of the bunch. Thanks for reading my reviews!
Further Reading:
- 9 Best Behind the Neck Headphones In 2022 (You’ll Love)
- 10 Best Earbuds For Small Ears In 2022 (Super Comfy)
- 6 Best Bluetooth Headsets For Truckers In 2022
- 6 Best Over Ear Headphones Under $200 (Quality & Affordability)
- 6 Best Noise Cancelling Headphones Under $100 (Comfy & Affordable)
Trent is a music lover, musical instrument player and passionate audio afficionado.