Zalman, mainly known as a CPU and VGA supplier, has entered the audio market. Its first audio device, the ZM-RS6F, is also the first 5.1 headphone, or the first headphone with "real" 5.1 technology.

Conventional stereo headphones that reproduce 5.1 multi-channel sound have been available for some time now. Indeed, the technology developed by Dolby Labs has found its way into numerous pieces of hi-fi equipment as well as into a number of PCs. However, Dolby's headphone technology merely simulates the six (5.1) audio channels on a normal set of headphones. Zalman goes much further: its ZM-RS6F phones are fitted with multiple drive units specifically for the purpose.

To achieve a more realistic reproduction of movie or games sound effects, the ZM-RS6F is equipped with a total of 6 transducers. By the way, it's worth bearing in mind that 5.1-compatible PC games are few and far between (although all Xbox games are compatible with Dolby Digital 5.1). Optimizing the Zalman headphones for surround or 4.1 sound is simply a matter of configuring the sound card driver accordingly.