So I'm shopping for new pair of top tier gaming headset, and I was wondering is Dolby 7.1 surround sound necessary? Is 7.1 the future?
In a head set, so. You are much better off with a pair of decent/nice headphones. At that close to your head, surround is meh. Its all done in software anyway. From my experience, a pair of Open-design headphones has a wider and more surrounding soundscape than simulated surround. If you need the mic on the headset the Modmic is a great option as well as some of the new Sennheiser headsets that are basically their great headphones with a mic attached to it. That's my suggestion.
I've one of these
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826153133&cm_re=Tiamat-_-26-153-133-_-Product
Works great, I believe they reviewed it, the surround is good on it, music not so much, though why you'd listen to music without speakers is beyond me.
I have a pair of Surround Sound Gaming headphones, The surround sound is junk and not on a per application basis if that matters, games music and VoIP if on at the same time will all be affected. I have used the surround Sound a total of 3-6 times now and it always took away from the experience.
Unfortunately I found The Tek video about gaming sound after i bough the headphones.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1rXcJuEsy0
You are so far better off with a good quality pair of stereo headphones and a mic that it is laughable. Either save the money or invest the same amount in good headphones.
put your normal headphones/headset on and watch this...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUDTlvagjJA
you don't need no 7.1
From my experience with surround sound headphones, they are ok. The pair I had, Rosewill RH-8206, were a true 5.1 surround sound. I rarely use them anymore since I got the Rosewill Sonas headphones. Pending on the budget, do get a very nice pair of headphones and a stand alone microphone. If you are on a budget, then get a pair of Rosewill RHTS-8206 headphones. You will need to do a LOT of eq work to get the best sound quality possible.