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Im happy to inform you that these words arent just marketing drivel.

What is spatial audio and how does it work?

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TheAbbey Road Institutedefines spatial audio as any audio which gives you a sense of space beyond conventional stereo.

Back in the day, stereo sound was utilized to allow sound to pan from left to right.

It separates itself by using two additional speakers than the 5.1 setup for a deeper immersive sound experience.

Photo of the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro and the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5P headset on a wooden table.

There are actually two different types of 7.1 surround sound - virtual and True.

Virtual 7.1 surround sound recreates sound via different distances and directions and is almost indistinguishable from spatial sound.

Currently, there are two types of spatial audio, Binaural Audio and Head-Related Transfer Functions (HRTFs).

Razer BlackShark V2 Pro 2023 headset detail images

Gaming headset spatial audio simulates the way sound behaves, to enhance immersion.

Which gaming headsets have spatial audio and how do you use it?

For PS5 headphones, you have to enable 3D audio from within the PS5s console parameters.

Headband of Alienware Pro Wireless headset on a wooden desk

Why is spatial audio important for gaming headsets?

Sure, some killers have a terror radius, which will sound off a spooky theme whenever theyre near.

That doesnt mean you might only find spatial audio within a gaming context.

Alienware Pro Wireless Gaming…

It may just be that extra source of immersion youve been looking for.

Some of thebest gaming earbudsare also equipped with their own 3D audio features.

Prime

Alienware PRO WIRELESS GAMING…

Razer Kraken V4 Pro Wireless…

CCL

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless gaming headset

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless in white being held in front of a PS5

Razer Kaira headband

Razer Hammerhead Hyperspeed with Nintendo Switch console

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Razer Barracuda X gaming headset with Nintendo Switch

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PS5 Pro reveal from trailer

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Logan Kim as Hershel and Lauren Cohan as Maggie in The Walking Dead: Dead City season 2