If you want to enjoy the full potential of your PS5 games, you need a headset that can deliver immersive sound. Surround sound is a technology that creates the illusion of sound coming from different directions, not just from the left and right speakers. It can enhance your gaming experience by making you feel more involved in the action and aware of your surroundings.
But what is surround sound exactly, and how does it work in headsets? And what are the best headsets with surround sound for PS5? In this article, we will answer these questions and help you find the perfect headset for your gaming needs.
What is surround sound?
Surround sound enriches sound reproduction by using multiple audio channels from speakers that surround the listener. It was first used in movie theaters to create a more realistic and immersive sound experience.
Surround sound systems typically use 5.1 or 7.1 channels, meaning they have five or seven speakers around the room, plus a subwoofer for low-frequency effects. The speakers are labeled as left, right, center, surround-left, surround-right, side-left, side-right, and rear-left and rear-right. Each speaker plays a different part of the audio track, creating a sense of directionality and depth.
However, most headsets do not have multiple speakers in each earcup. Instead, they use virtual surround sound, a technology that simulates the effect of surround sound by processing the audio signal and applying various filters and algorithms. Virtual surround sound can create a convincing impression of sound coming from different angles, even though it is played through only two drivers.
Virtual surround sound vs true surround sound
Virtual surround sound is not the same as true surround sound, which requires multiple physical speakers to produce the effect. Virtual surround sound relies on software and hardware to manipulate the audio signal and create a virtual sound field.
The quality and accuracy of virtual surround sound depend on several factors, such as the quality of the headset drivers, the device’s processing power, the source’s audio format, and the listener’s personal preference. Some people may find virtual surround sound more immersive and realistic than others.
Virtual surround sound also has some limitations compared to true surround sound. For example, it may not reproduce height information (sound coming from above or below), which is possible with some advanced surround sound systems like Dolby Atmos or DTS:X. It may also introduce some distortion or artifacts to the original audio signal.
Benefits of using PS5 headsets with surround sound
Despite these drawbacks, headsets with virtual surround sound can still offer many benefits for PS5 gamers. Here are some of them:
- They can enhance your spatial awareness and immersion in games by making you feel more connected to the game world and its characters.
- They can give you a competitive edge in multiplayer games by helping you locate enemies, footsteps, gunfire, and other sounds more accurately.
- They can improve team communication by providing clear voice chat and reducing background noise.
- They can save you space and money by eliminating the need for a separate speaker system and amplifier.
- They can provide more privacy and convenience by allowing you to play games without disturbing others or being disturbed by external noises.
Top PS5 headsets with surround sound
Now that you know what surround sound is and how it works in headsets, let’s look at some of the best headsets with virtual surround sound for PS5. These headsets are compatible with the PS5’s 3D Audio feature, which is Sony’s version of virtual surround sound, aiming to deliver realistic and immersive sound in games.
Here are our top picks:
Sony Pulse 3D Wireless Headset
This is Sony’s official headset for the PS5, designed to work seamlessly with the console’s 3D Audio feature. It has a sleek and comfortable design, a built-in microphone with noise cancellation, easy-access controls, and up to 12 hours of battery life. It also comes with a wireless adapter that lets you connect it to other devices like PCs or smartphones.
SteelSeries Arctis 7P Wireless
This premium wireless headset offers excellent sound quality, comfort, and durability. It has a retractable microphone with noise reduction, a dedicated volume dial, a ChatMix feature that lets you balance game and chat audio levels, and up to 24 hours of battery life. It also comes with a USB-C dongle that enables you to connect it to other devices like PCs or smartphones.
Razer BlackShark V2 Pro
This high-performance wireless headset delivers a crisp and clear sound with powerful bass. It has a detachable microphone with noise cancellation, an EQ feature that lets you customize your sound profile, a Game/Chat Balance feature that enables you to adjust game and chat audio levels, and up to 24 hours of battery life. It also comes with a 3.5mm cable that lets you use it as a wired headset.
HyperX Cloud II Wireless
This comfortable and reliable wireless headset offers balanced and detailed sound with rich bass. It has a detachable microphone with noise cancellation, a 7.1 virtual surround sound feature that can be toggled on or off, a volume control wheel, and up to 30 hours of battery life. It also comes with a USB dongle that lets you connect it to other devices like PCs or smartphones.
Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2
This versatile, feature-packed wireless headset offers immersive, customizable sound with deep bass. It has a flip-to-mute microphone with noise cancellation, a Superhuman Hearing feature that enhances subtle sounds in games, an EQ feature that lets you choose from different sound modes, a Bluetooth feature that enables you to connect it to other devices like smartphones, and up to 20 hours of battery life.
What are Some Other PS5 Accessories?
The PS5 headset with surround sound is not the only accessory that can improve your gaming experience on the PS5. There are many other accessories that you might want to check out, such as:
The PS5 DualSense controller
This is the official controller for the PS5 console. It has adaptive triggers, haptic feedback, motion sensors, a touchpad, a speaker, a microphone, a headphone jack, and a light bar. It also has a built-in battery that can be charged via a USB-C cable or wireless charging station.
The PS5 HD camera
This camera can capture your gameplay in 1080p resolution. It has dual lenses, an adjustable stand, background removal tools, and an integrated microphone. You can stream your gameplay live on YouTube or Twitch or record it for later viewing.
The PS5 media remote
This remote control can help you navigate the media apps on your PS5 console. It has dedicated buttons for Netflix, Disney+, Spotify, YouTube, and PlayStation Now. It has volume control, play/pause, fast forward/rewind, home, back, options, and microphone buttons.
The PS5 Pulse 3D wireless headset
This is another headset that can provide 3D audio for the PS5 console. It has a similar design and features as the PS5 headset with surround sound, but it also has a refined design, enhanced battery life, and additional controls.
Conclusion
Surround sound is a technology that can make your gaming experience more immersive and enjoyable by creating the illusion of sound coming from different directions. However, not all headsets can deliver surround sound, and not all surround sound systems are the same.
To get the best surround sound experience for your PS5 games, you need a headset compatible with the PS5’s 3D Audio feature, which is Sony’s version of virtual surround sound. Choose a headset that has good sound quality, comfort, battery life, and features.
We have listed some of the best headsets with surround sound for PS5 in this article, but you can also check out other options online or in stores. Just make sure to read the reviews and specifications carefully before buying.
We hope this article has helped you understand what surround sound is, how it works in headsets, and how to choose the best headset for your PS5 gaming needs. Happy gaming!
