Zalman Theatre 6M - Pound for Pound Surround

Introduction and Physique

An Ear Gear For Gamers

When the mention of Zalman comes up, it’s only natural that one would think of their array of PC peripherals, ranging from extravagant CPU fans to effective PC cases. It should then come to everyone’s surprise (or delight) that the specialists of cooling have released an accessory belonging to another realm of PC entertainment: 5.1-channel surround sound gaming headphones. Let that sink in for a while as we take the Zalman Theatre 6M out for a spin of gaming and everything multimedia.

The Theatre 6M looks like something taken out of an episode of Star Wars, which is actually quite fitting for the gaming market. Hanging the pair by the bow or resting it vertically on a flat surface would show its natural form. The two extra-large cups dangle down like feet of some quad-legged robot. It’s obscurely eye-catching, making you almost forget that it’s a pair of headphones. At the end of the cable, you will find three connections, meant to be connected to the center, front, and rear audio ports. When a 5.1-channel setup isn’t available, you can also just connect the black cable to any 3.5mm audio jack, but you’ll obviously lose the surround sound capability.

The size can be a bit daunting at first, but it makes for a comfortable fit for those in need of snug cups. The reason for the extra “wings” to the side of the main drivers should be obvious – they contain the four speakers (two each side) that help work the surround sound magic. The large output at the center thus acts as the subwoofer of each end. Don’t think for a second though that Theatre 6M weighs as much as actual standalone speakers, because the headphones are especially light and sturdy. A look at the mirror while wearing them might shock you every now and then, since the enormous size doesn’t seem to match the actual lightweight build.