What is your gaming audio experience?

[Pup Shepard]

Maybe Linus and Luke can include this topic in a wan show but I would like to know what are your audio preferences for gaming?

 

Since building my first surround setup from old parts found at reuse centers, I managed to get a 6 channel speaker setup which I love for gaming since I can hear people and effects behind me making it easier to avoid death by stealth attacks.  For my birthday I received a skullcandy plyr 1 7.1 headset which I use Dolby digital live for 6 channel gaming though I would prefer Dolby to develop 8 channel digital live.

 

Future developments such as Dolby Atmos would allow speakers to be placed above and below allowing for a more immersive experience.  If combined with VR technologies It would be the closet to the enterprise holodeck so far.

 

Comment bellow,

 

Do you think high quality audio is relevant to gaming?

 

Also what Is your audio preferences for gaming?

 

Linus If you are reading what are your thoughts on price to performance of high quality audio solutions, is it only a luxury for retired people?

[ZetZet]

Stereo headphones. Stereo. Please, people. Please.

[AnnoyedShelf]

Stereo headphones. Stereo. Please, people. Please.

This.  High quality audio is also important to me.

[ZetZet]

This.  High quality audio is also important to me.

There is a reason why Dolby doesn't bother with 7.1, it's useless.  :mellow:

[AnnoyedShelf]

There is a reason why Dolby doesn't bother with 7.1, it's useless.  :mellow:

Well, it's great for home theater systems, but headphones?  FUCKING FORGET ABOUT IT.  Stereo is the way to go.

[ZetZet]

Well, it's great for home theater systems, but headphones?  FUCKING FORGET ABOUT IT.  Stereo is the way to go.

5.1 is enough for home threater and it's easier to calibrate, 4 corners and a center. 7.1 is just wtf.

[Exploded117]

My current audio setup is pretty bad.... I've got a Logitech G230 Headset and some Logitech R20 Speakers, also the integrated audio on my PC is pretty bad so occasionally I hear static and have overall bad audio quality.

My dream/ideal setup is completely different however. Although I haven't completely decided on speakers yet, I think i'm going to go for some audioengines.

 

As far as a headset goes, i'm not going to get one. (haHA, Plot TWIST) I'm going to get a nice pair of headphones and a studio microphone. For the microphone i'm going to get an Audio Technica AT2020 mostly for it's well known great quality. For headphones, i'm going to be using some Audio Technica ATH-M50X headphones for when i'm watching videos, listening to music, or on the go. For when i'm gaming I want to get some nice openbacks. (which I haven't decided on yet so I could use some recommendations)

 

I'm also going to get a DAC, for improving the sound quality coming out of my computer. Cuz I need to improve that schiit.

[evilarceus]

I don't really care about audio quality unless it's music or an FPS (to listen to footsteps). I'd also go with Stereo.

[Diederik_Gr]

I used to be absolutely sold on 7.1 headsets, thank goodness my eyes (or my ears in this case) opened and I now use a pair of open stereo headphones. DT-990's to be exact, massive jump in quality compared to the G930's I still have.

Yes, high quality audio definetely adds to the experience. Hearing things like a car functioning in full detail makes you appreciate the work the developers put into it.

[AnnoyedShelf]

5.1 is enough for home threater and it's easier to calibrate, 4 corners and a center. 7.1 is just wtf.

I have 7.1.  While it may not be necessary, it sure is immersive. (3 front(left, middle, center) 3 rear(left, middle, center) and a subwoofer)

[GoldSrc]

OP, we are all humans here (I hope), we have 2 ears, we only need 2 drivers.

5.1/7.1 headsets are pointless, as far as headphones/headsets go stereo>potato>turnip>7.1/5.1.

 

Get yourself some good stereo headset and enjoy.

[Pup Shepard]

OP, we are all humans here (I hope), we have 2 ears, we only need 2 drivers.

5.1/7.1 headsets are pointless, as far as headphones/headsets go stereo>potato>turnip>7.1/5.1.

We hear surround due to how the brain processes sound.  This can be simulated with any headphones by software, most notable Dolby Headphone.  I would argue hearing video games in surround gives an advantage.  I give an example in Far Cry 3 when a tiger was trying to hunt me.  I was able to face the source of the sound better with 6 channel audio (5.1) over 3 channel audio (2.1).

[GoldSrc]

We hear surround due to how the brain processes sound.  This can be simulated with any headphones by software, most notable Dolby Headphone.  I would argue hearing video games in surround gives an advantage.  I give an example in Far Cry 3 when a tiger was trying to hunt me.  I was able to face the source of the sound better with 6 channel audio (5.1) over 3 channel audio (2.1).

That's why games have a headphone setting in the audio options, hell, even old Half-Life can do that .

I have some cheap Sony stereo headphones and I can tell from where a sound is coming from , you don't need 5.1/7.1 headphones.

[Pup Shepard]

That's why games have a headphone setting in the audio options, hell, even old Half-Life can do that .

I have some cheap Sony stereo headphones and I can tell from where a sound is coming from , you don't need 5.1/7.1 headphones.

 

I dislike low quality headphones.  In fact I am aiming to buy studio production grade headphones for the overall quality in all areas in question.

[GoldSrc]

I dislike low quality headphones.  In fact I am aiming to buy studio production grade headphones for the overall quality in all areas in question.

Just don't fall for the BS that plagues the audio world.

Like 24/192 music, "high-end Oxygen-free cables", Sony's micro SD card for "premium sound" lol, etc.

If you go for build quality then go ahead, just avoid the BS and save your money.

[Pup Shepard]

Just don't fall for the BS that plagues the audio world.

Like 24/192 music, "high-end Oxygen-free cables", Sony's micro SD card for "premium sound" lol, etc.

If you go for build quality then go ahead, just avoid the BS and save your money.

Have you head the difference between apple ear buds vs any other headphones, preferably $50 or higher headphones.  Not all headphones and speakers are created equal.

[GoldSrc]

Have you head the difference between apple ear buds vs any other headphones, preferably $50 or higher headphones.  Not all headphones and speakers are created equal.

Nope, I haven't.

But audio is a very subjective thing, louder =/= better sound.

You also have to take into account human hearing, which gets worse with age .

Sure, some headphones sound like crap, but I can't complain about my cheap Sony ones, they do the job just fine.

[Pup Shepard]

But audio is a very subjective thing, louder =/= better sound.

 

 

But audio is a very subjective thing, louder =/= better sound.

I have never believed louder is better, dynamic range is what makes or breaks audio, however the headphones have little to do with the loudness war of music, The mastering engineers hold king on that arena.

[GoldSrc]

I have never belied louder is better, dynamic range is what makes or breaks audio, however the headphones have little to do with the loudness war of music, The mastering engineers hold king on that arena.

There are just a few of audio engineers who really care about preserving the dynamic range.

Most music is very compressed this days, I really hate when they do that with CD and the Vinyl one ends up having more dynamic range, they took the huge dynamic range CD has and turned it into crap, which is sad.

[randy hutajulu]

I use a 7.1 home theater setup and i have no problem.

I don't play FPS games that much so cinematic feels is a lot more important to me

[rattacko123]

My current audio setup is pretty bad.... I've got a Logitech G230 Headset and some Logitech R20 Speakers, also the integrated audio on my PC is pretty bad so occasionally I hear static and have overall bad audio quality.

My dream/ideal setup is completely different however. Although I haven't completely decided on speakers yet, I think i'm going to go for some audioengines.

As far as a headset goes, i'm not going to get one. (haHA, Plot TWIST) I'm going to get a nice pair of headphones and a studio microphone. For the microphone i'm going to get an Audio Technica AT2020 mostly for it's well known great quality. For headphones, i'm going to be using some Audio Technica ATH-M50X headphones for when i'm watching videos, listening to music, or on the go. For when i'm gaming I want to get some nice openbacks. (which I haven't decided on yet so I could use some recommendations)

I'm also going to get a DAC, for improving the sound quality coming out of my computer. Cuz I need to improve that schiit.

Get the sennheiser Hd558s they are cheaper than m50x and sound better and are super comfortable and open back

[1Scotty1]

Used to have 5.1 speakers, moved to 2.1 speakers, then I had Roccat Kave 5.1 headset, moved to Siberia V2 stereo headset, now rocking a 39" TV as monitor with built-in speakers, no headset, no nothing

[Exploded117]

Get the sennheiser Hd558s they are cheaper than m50x and sound better and are super comfortable and open back

 

Thanks for the suggestion. I will definitely look onto these headphones. I will still be getting the Audio Technicas for on the go music listening, but I will look into these for using with my PC for gaming. Thanks again for the suggestion.