What's the difference between stereo headsets and 5.1 headsets?

Some of the 5.1 headsets try to improve sound quality by including a full range of little speakers inside the headsets... others mimic this with clever engineering and just one or two speakers.

5.1 Sound is supposed to be: Center, Sub, L+R front, L+R back. On a good pair of 5.1 headsets you'll often see a larger cone and 2-3 additional cones per headset.

The naming "5.1" isn't exactly correct, but it'll use the dynamics of the different cones as well as some fancy engineering trickery to try to create the 'illusion' of a better sound scape.

The big thing to remember is TRY BEFORE YOU BUY! A lot of big box stores might tell you that you can't.. but if you reason with them, saying that if they don't let you you'll just buy/return them until you find one you want, they might let you.

stereo only gives the sound of 2 speakers

the 5.1 headset will give the sound of 5 speakers plus bass

5.1 is much better for gaming

Stereo Headsets use 2.1 speakers, 5.1 headsets sound basically like a movie theater, with big boom explosions and a full range of sound

Stereo means it is has a left and right channel.

So in a surround sound equivalent, it would be a 2 channel setup with no subwoofer.

5.1 means it has 5 separate channels, and a subwoofer.

5.1 is better for gaming.

Surround sound headsets actually have multiple speakers in the earpieces. Meaning if a sound comes from behind you in the game, the speakers towards the back of your ear will play it. It sounds like a slight difference, but it can be impressive. A great many people see it as unnecessary though.

5.1 is like a Rolex while stereo is like Timex.

5.1 is like Godiva while stereo is like Hershey's.

Basically, 5.1 is later and greater. It is surround sound which makes you feel like you are a part of the music. It immerses you in a world of sound.

Dammit, I sound like an advertisement. But all the stuff I said was true.

Stereo are the regualr 2.1 channel 3.5mm jacks

5.1 is surround sound