Anatomy of a sound stage. What you need to know as a PS3 gamer

[Headphone Czar]

Anatomy of a sound stage. What you need to know as a gamer
by Kool Bubba Ice

Recently, there has been much interest in finding headphones with a big sound stage for gaming. Yes, the size of the sound stage does matter, but there is much more to a sound stage then mere size. Other factors come into play, and will make or break a sound stage. This can apply to speakers as well.

Sound stage
Width. How wide is the sound stage horizontal. Think Left to Right.
Depth. How deep is the sound stage vertically. Think forward to backwards.
Spacious. The perceived space & distance pertaining to allies, gunfire, foot steps, & enemies combatants.

Parts of the puzzle. What makes a stellar sound stage.

1. Coherency. How consist is the audio in the sound stage. Think of proper physics, but relative in audio terms.

2. 3D/Full bodied. 2D/3D is an extension of imaging. 2D is flat. 3D is like a pop up book in audio terms. 3D allows you to get a better grasp of the anatomy of the sound. Shape, size, width, length and dimensions. This allows you to do a better job at interpreting the sound, while your brain visualizes what it would look like. Having a full sound fleshes out the audio. It gives them more weight. The sound feels more real and lively. A gun will have a sense of weight to it. To the point it will feel 'heavy.'

3. Accuracy. Positioning and locating sound through audio cues is only part of the equation. You can locate a sound in a general direction, but the accuracy of the can (headphone or speaker) will enable you to pin point the sound easier and faster.

4. Separation. Separating audio with a 'distinctive' break. Fast transient can also play a factor. This is especially useful when using a 5.1 surround sound DSP. Better and more distinct channel separation.

5. Spatial ability. How well it portrays the audio between space. Can really be beneficial to the imagining quality.

6. Imaging. How well you can 'see' with your ears.
You can visualize the surrounding, enemies, and can resolve them in
good detail without seeing them.

[jsteinhauer]

So for the headphone bound gamers, are there recommendations or reviews? Some games, let's use Dead Space as an example (and hopefully Dead Space 2), detailed sound in three dimensions and directional accuracy are big part of that gaming experience, and apartment and dorm dwellers and those with families should not miss out, even late into the night.

[Headphone Czar]

Originally Posted by jsteinhauer

So for the headphone bound gamers, are there recommendations or reviews? Some games, let's use Dead Space as an example (and hopefully Dead Space 2), detailed sound in three dimensions and directional accuracy are big part of that gaming experience, and apartment and dorm dwellers and those with families should not miss out, even late into the night.

If you are headphone bound or late night gamer, I would get a 5.1/7.1 device from Astro or TB.. There are better options from Beyer that includes head tracking, & studio quality 5.1 DSP technology, way beyond what Dolby DH offers, but cost around 1,700. The box is well built & has many functions & outputs. The Gamezone. This won't be as good or as a true 5.1 speaker set up, but is still very good & convincing in terms of giving the 'illusion' of channel separation & hearing sounds from the front, back, left, & right.. With the game zone being more convincing & life like.. & doesn't depend so much on reverb..

[kingofgrills]

Interesting. Would you please list some links to your recommendations? I have never heard of Astro, and I don't know what TB stands for.

[Headphone Czar]

Just check out a few of my blogs.

http://base.teamxbox.com/43202/