Anatomy of a sound stage. What you need to know as a PS3 gamer - Blu-ray Forum

Headphone Czar · 01-14-2011, 10:46 PM

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.

01-14-2011, 10:46 PM	#1
Headphone Czar Active Member Member since:May 2008 Location:San Jose, CA Blu-ray reviews:2	Anatomy of a sound stage. What you need to know as a PS3 gamer 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. Last edited by Headphone Czar; 01-14-2011 at 10:49 PM.

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