Sony PlayStation 5: What is 3D Audio?
With the release of the PlayStation 5, there’s been plenty of chatter about the console’s upgraded audio capabilities. The PS5 touts a new system architecture designed to bring a greater level of immersion to the audio experience. Being SoundGuys, this got our attention! Here’s what you need to know about the Sony 3D audio system.
What is Sony’s 3D audio?
Developed for the PS5, Sony’s 3D audio uses an object-based system to place virtual objects in 3D space around the user. Sony isn’t the only company to move away from basic 2D audio formats, and it’s keeping pace with the industry trend towards advanced object-based surround sound with added height information.
You won’t be needing those up-firing speakers to experience Sony 3D audio.
Rather than adopt or build on an existing standard such as Dolby Atmos or DTS:X, Sony created its own competing system from the ground up. This is becoming a crowded field, given that Microsoft’s Windows Sonic spatial sound system also supports Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S.
Unfortunately, Sony’s 3D audio system is not compatible with either Dolby Atmos or DTS:X, even though the PS5 will output Atmos encoded digital audio when playing a Blu-ray disc.
How does Sony’s 3D audio work?
Since all the processing is built-in, no special external hardware is necessary. Sony 3D audio will work over your existing TV speakers, a stereo, 5.1 or 7.1 system, or preferably, headphones, which convey the effect of 3D audio most dramatically.
The developers position game sounds in 3D space around the player to reflect where those sounds should be, relative to the player and the screen in front. This provides increased “presence and locality,” in Sony’s words. In practice this means you get a better sense of immersion through atmospheric sounds; the audio also can provide more accurate clues about what’s happening both on and off-screen, around the player.
Since all the processing is built-in, no special external hardware is necessary. Sony 3D audio will work over your existing TV speakers, a stereo, 5.1 or 7.1 system, or preferably, headphones, which convey the effect of 3D audio most dramatically. To make 3D audio work, the virtual soundfield signals generated by the PS5 for your headphones or speakers are multiplied with a detailed Head Related Transfer Function (HRTF).
What’s an HRTF?
The term HRTF refers to the effect our shoulders, head, and outer ears have on sound waves coming from different sources before they encounter our eardrums. Those physical interactions impact the timing, levels, and phase relationships of the different frequency content of the sounds we hear. As part of our hearing system, our brains are able to decode all those changes to decipher where the sound likely originated in the space around us.
If you were to place tiny microphones inside your ears and make a recording, it would include the effect of your personal HRTF. You would have a binaural recording that would work perfectly for you if you played it back over headphones, but it wouldn’t work quite as well for anyone else. Since our ears and ear canals are all different shapes and sizes, our individual HRTFs are unique.
Your ear anatomy and head shape affect how your brain localizes sound.
To make 3D audio work as well as it does, Sony measured and studied hundreds of HRTFs and reduced the data down into five “types.” Choosing your closest fit from those five generic HRTFs is part of the audio settings and something you should do when turning on 3D audio.
Do you need the Sony Pulse 3D headset to get the most from the PS5?
This is definitely a headset aimed at couch-bound gamers.
Sony released the Pulse 3D headset to accompany the PlayStation 5. While this headset was specifically developed for the console, it isn’t necessary to get the full 3D audio experience. Sony designed the feature so it wouldn’t require special external hardware—if you already have gaming headphones you’re happy with, or you’re eyeing another brand, those will work too.
Related: Best PlayStation 5 gaming headsets
How effective is Sony 3D audio?
Sony clearly spent a lot of time developing its Tempest audio engine and the results of the PlayStation 5’s 3D audio are indeed impressive. At this time it is most effective over headphones, which is clearly where the company focused the majority of its research.
How well the effect works over speakers will depend on your speaker setup and on your room. Performance over speakers, in their various possible configurations, is expected to improve over time with future updates.
Additionally, Sony has hinted at plans to roll out further refinements to the HRTF options, with the potential for customized or even fully personalized HRTFs in the future. There is still room for improvement to what Sony already achieved in the current release.
Is Sony 3D audio a good thing for the consumer?
Whether Sony 3D audio is considered a good thing or not really depends on where you’re coming from. If you’re a gamer who prefers using headphones, this is all great and definitely something to be happy about. You don’t even need to buy a new gaming headset to enjoy the feature.
If you rely on your TV’s speakers, stereo speakers, a 5.1, or 7.1 system for gaming, you should also be happy: the PS5 can use them. The console’s processing might even breathe new life into your existing setup, as it lets you fine-tune your speaker configuration and placement in the PS5 audio output menu.
If you recently shelled out some big bucks on upgrading your TV sound with Dolby Atmos and/or DTS:X capabilities, you’ll probably be disappointed. The PS5 doesn’t fully utilize those systems.
If you’re just an interested observer with no real interest in actually buying a PlayStation 5, the important thing to understand about all this is there’s now another 3D surround sound format out there. It might be superior, but it doesn’t play nicely with the competition. Clearly, Sony is coming out swinging for another format war.
I Wasn’t Convinced By 3D Audio On PS5 Until I Used Sony’s Official Headset
By
Andy Kelly
The Pulse 3D headset is not only a quality pair of gaming headphones, but the most convincing showcase for PS5’s 3D audio technology.
I’ve always been wary of tech that claims to offer virtual surround sound. Without exception, whether it’s hardware or software, it always sounds terrible—a kind of distant, overly compressed, oddly watery sound, as if you’ve dunked your head in a sink. So I admit I approached the Pulse 3D, Sony’s official wireless PS5 headset, with some trepidation. The console’s Tempest audio engine simulates spatial audio in supported games, creating the illusion of sound moving around you. It actually works with any headset—and, since the latest PS5 firmware update, standard TV speakers and soundbars. But having tested it through a bunch of different audio devices this week, including high-end Beyerdynamic monitor headphones and a Sonos soundbar, I was surprised to discover that it was the Pulse 3D—a $100 headset—that really made me a believer in the tech.
The effect is more understated than you might think. When you hear a sound coming from a particular direction—like, say, a character standing to your left and speaking—the sound of their voice isn’t thrown for miles to the side to emphasise the 3D effect. It’s shifted just slightly, but enough to create a sensation of depth. In a cutscene in Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, a character walked around Ratchet as they spoke, and the position of their voice moved with them—which was one of the first times I really appreciated how subtly effective 3D audio can be. This restraint is one of the most impressive things about it. If the effect was more exaggerated, with sounds swirling dramatically around your head, it would be too much. The games I tested struck a nice balance, creating a palpable sense of scale and space, but not in a way that feels distracting.
Related: Gran Turismo 7 On PS5 Is A Perfect Fit For Ray Tracing
It’s great for ambient sound too. This first hit me when I played Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut, and found myself standing in the hot springs at the Hiyoshi Inn, listening to the water bubbling and trickling around me. Later, a storm rolled in while I was riding on horseback and the sensation of the rain falling and the thunder rumbling in the distance was incredibly transporting. Similarly, in Death Stranding Director’s Cut, the lonely howl of the wind on the volcanic plains and the patter of timefall really drew me into the environment. I’ve always been someone who takes the time to appreciate sound design in video games, but with 3D audio I find myself stopping more than ever to just listen. For games like these, the 3D effect really enhances the feeling of being in a wide open space.
I also enjoy the way it simulates directional audio—from something as simple as a dragon swooping over your head in Demon’s Souls, to anticipating the approach of an enemy based on where the sound of their footsteps are coming from. The latter is an example of how 3D audio can actually impact how a game plays. Directional audio is nothing new in games, of course. Some of the earliest 3D games let you locate enemies based on sound. But with the 3D audio tech on PS5, the effect is richer and more dynamic, which makes for a more convincing and readable soundscape overall. After experiencing it, going back to a game that doesn’t support it feels like a step back. It’s spoiled my ears.
The design and construction of the Pulse 3D also contributes to the effectiveness of the spatial audio. It’s incredibly light for one, and sometimes I forget I’m even wearing it—something not many gaming headsets can claim. It’s delightfully unintrusive, which helps you get lost in the soundscape. This lightness makes it a little flimsy, but it’s a worthy sacrifice for a headset you can wear for hours without discomfort. The closed back cups create a nice seal around your ears, blocking out background noise, and the soundstage is brilliantly wide and open—essential for making sound feel big. I really don’t have a bad word to say about the 3D Pulse, and I’m extremely picky when it comes to audio gear. I return so many headphones.
It’s integrated wonderfully into the PS5 hardware too, with functionality built in at an OS level, including an adjustable EQ and a battery meter on the dashboard—incidentally, you’re looking at about 12 hours of play per charge, which is done via USB-C. There are better sounding headsets out there, especially if your budget stretches beyond the $100 mark. But the way the Pulse 3D works with the PS5 as an official peripheral makes it feel a bit more special than just plugging in a pair of random Sennheisers—and from my experience, the 3D audio just works better with it. Its aesthetic matches the PS5 nicely too, so if you’re as into tech uniformity as I am, it looks nice sitting next to the console and DualSense.
The Pulse 3D wireless headset is available now for around $100, or possibly a little less if you shop around. Sony also released a midnight black edition recently if you don’t like the standard colour. Now whenever a new PS5 game or upgrade is announced, the first thing I check is whether it has 3D audio support. That’s how much I love it. If you’re thinking about embracing it yourself, just remember to temper your expectations: it’s a powerful effect, but a subtle one. It’s not like jacking your ears directly into a high-end surround sound system. But it’s enough to give the PS5 games that support it (see a complete list below) a satisfying injection of drama, scale, and immersion. Virtual surround sound has always been a pretty useless gimmick, but it seems Sony finally made it work.
- Anthem*
- Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
- Astro’s Playroom
- Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
- Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time
- Days Gone*
- Death Stranding Director’s Cut
- Demon’s Souls
- Destruction AllStars
- Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition
- Dirt 5
- Final Fantasy 14
- Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut
- Gran Turismo 7
- Horizon Forbidden West
- Horizon Zero Dawn*
- Immortals Fenyx Rising
- The Last of Us Part 2*
- Marvel’s Avengers
- MLB 19: The Show*
- Nioh/Nioh 2 Remastered
- No Man’s Sky
- Oddworld: Soulstorm
- The Pathless
- Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
- Resident Evil Village
- Returnal
- Sackboy: A Big Adventure
- Spider-Man: Miles Morales
- Spider-Man Remastered
- Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2
- Uncharted 4*
- Uncharted: The Lost Legacy*
* PS4 games played via backwards compatibility
Next: I Finally Got A PlayStation 5 And It’s One Of The Best First Days I’ve Ever Had With A Games Console
how to enable and set up 3D audio| ichip.
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05/16/2021
Author: CHIP
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PlayStation 5: How to enable and set up 3D audio
The 3D Audio feature on PS5 gives you the ability to play with 3D sound effects. We’ll tell you exactly what is connected with this technology and how to enable and set up 3D sound on the PlayStation 5.
PS5: what 3D audio technology gives
The PlayStation 5 console supports surround sound — 3D audio. This feature promises more realistic sound when playing on PS5. True, you can only use 3D Audio with compatible headphones.
As the name suggests, 3D Audio technology allows you to perceive three-dimensional sound. This means that when you play, you hear sounds and music exactly where they come from — left, right, above or below. For example, if an enemy attacks from the right, you will hear the accompanying attack sounds in that direction. If someone in the game passes by you, you will also hear the sounds of footsteps through the headphones exactly from where this character is walking.
Sony Pulse 3D Wireless Headset, specially designed for 3D Audio function. But other manufacturers also offer compatible headphones — as a rule, their characteristics say support for 3D sound.
How to enable and use 3D audio on PlayStation 5
As mentioned at the beginning of the article, you can use 3D audio technology while playing on the fifth curling iron only with appropriate headphones. To enable this feature, simply connect the correct headset to your PlayStation 5. In this case, you can set the sound individually:
- Launch the PlayStation 5.
- Open the «Settings» menu.
To do this, find the gear icon in the menu.
- Select the category «Sound» and open the subcategory «Audio output» in it.
- In the «Headphones» section, you can enable or disable 3D sound and adjust the sound profile.
Important: If you have connected incompatible headphones to your PS5, the 3D audio settings will not be displayed.
-
Iron
Everything about PlayStation 5: features, release date, compatibility with 9 games0003
Which PS5 games support 3D audio
Not all PS5 projects are designed for this technology, so with the right headphones, the sound in them can be very mediocre. But there are games specially designed for 3D sound, among them:
- Astro’s Playroom
- Demon’s Souls
- Gran Turismo 7
- Horizon: Forbidden West
- Marvel Spider-Man: Miles Morales
- Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
- Resident Evil: Village
Author
CHIP
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Sony Platinum Wireless Headset
There are definitely plenty to choose from for the PS4 console these days for those who want wireless headphones specifically designed for the system. Of course, the quality and features vary depending on the price and brand. Sony itself has already managed to release some audio solutions for its set-top box. However, it was with Platinum headphones that the corporation’s engineers managed to raise the bar for the quality of all previously produced products. After all, it is here that we are offered virtual 7.1 surround sound, a redesigned design, and the ability to choose audio settings for ourselves. Let’s now take a closer look at the design, features and sound quality to finally understand if they are worth 11.990 rubles, which they ask for.
Design and Ergonomics
The company treated the design especially well and with attention. The polished, built-in aluminum above the headband feels strong and durable. The headband of the headphones, which is made of dense rubber material, sits securely on top of the head and does not cause discomfort, and thanks to the flexibility of the headphones, they are easy to put on and take off. The rest of the material that can be replaced in finishes is mostly plastic. Headphones are easy enough to adjust for themselves by moving the plastic rim up or down. Having chosen the optimal fixation, it is securely attached to the head. Headphones also fold without any difficulties. Although, it is worth noting that when folded they are not symmetrical. However, this only adds to their convenience and comfort. Especially if you take them with you on a trip, or anywhere else. Overall, the minimalist design is aesthetically pleasing and well built.
Leather upholstery usually indicates that the earpads are quite soft and dense, but in this case they are not as deep as one might initially think. They cover the ears comfortably, but it is worth noting that they make it too tight. Literally in an hour or two, the desire to remove them will be extremely great. Since leather slightly restricts breathability and it can get hot inside the earbuds, the earcups don’t create a completely unbearable insulation, which somewhat alleviates this problem. The ergonomics of the new earphones will differ drastically from one user to another, as the earcup sizes are more geared towards small and medium sized ears.
Features
The sound control buttons are located just below the left earcup, which in practice works well when using headphones with PS4, but is poorly implemented when connected to other devices via a 3.5 mm jack. The voice chat control level is adjacent to the buttons responsible for the sound. Here you can balance game audio and voice chat on the go. This will be especially useful in cases where you need to concentrate on audio nuances, or when teammates are talking too quietly.
The USB charging port for the headphones is also located on the side of the left earcup. However, the cable that you will find in the kit is extremely short. Therefore, most likely, you will use the one that is already included with the purchase of PS4. As you might have guessed initially, the 3. 5 mm Jack is used here to connect devices using a cable. Moreover, you will also find this same cable in the package with these headphones. Wirelessly, the Platinum headphones connect fairly quickly with a USB dongle and work great on both PS4 and PC.
Sony, for some reason, has decided not to publish battery life. According to her statement, the headphones are equipped with a battery with an extended range of use, which in practice translates into approximately 10 hours of operation without recharging.
An integrated microphone, also located at the bottom of the left earcup, is capable of capturing clear sound and allowing ambient noise to pass through. Apparently, this is exactly what the engineers originally intended, since the design was worked out precisely with a dual microphone in mind. And it’s a really great ergonomics solution that goes against many bulky and inflexible noisy microphones.
Switching between standard sound and virtual surround (3D) is possible on the go using the button located on the right earcup. The effectiveness and benefits of this option may vary quite a bit depending on the use of applications and games. However, this feature can really impress, especially in games such as: Uncharted 4, The Last Guardian, Watch Dogs 2, Horizon: Zero Dawn. And this list will only grow.
Sony has taken care of users who use headphones for audio output and has made a companion app available for free download on the PlayStation Network in advance. In it, you have the opportunity to play with the equalizer settings, adjust for yourself and set game presets for any particular game. In total, it is possible to set up 2 presets and apply them to one of the two buttons located on the headphones.
Sound quality
Sony Platinum wireless headphones are equipped with 7.1 virtual surround sound. Moreover, it is implemented so well and successfully that it creates a feeling of complete immersion in what is happening. It’s as if you are not in your apartment, but somewhere out there, in the picturesque places of Uncharted 4, or in the vast expanses of Horizon: Zero Dawn. The sound literally wraps you around instead of just sounding in the earpiece. Despite the obvious plus, there is also a fly in the ointment. The voices of the characters in the dialogues are noticeably lost — there is no directional sound and lack of depth. Do not forget the fact that virtual surround sound is just a simulation of what is happening, since the headphones have only two physical audio drivers.
As can be understood from the above, virtual 3D sound is the main feature of Platinum headphones. Developers should initially implement this technology when creating their projects. At the time of writing this review, only a few projects can boast this feature. And mostly — it’s exclusives from Sony.
Total
The Sony Platinum Wireless Headphones are capable of delivering excellent, surround sound and modern design. However, they also have some disadvantages. The level of comfort due to ergonomics may vary depending on the user.
