How to Enable 3D Audio on PS5: A Comprehensive Guide
Clearly, during the development of PS5, Sony decided to start chasing technological advances that weren't just graphics because it's harder to market purely on just that in our world of ever diminishing returns. So they decided to focus on developing DualSense and 3D audio to engage your other senses. Dualsense has been a big success. Can't say the same for 3D audio.
This guide explores how to enable and optimize 3D audio on your PS5, discussing its benefits, limitations, and how it compares to traditional stereo sound.
Understanding 3D Audio Technology
3D audio utilizes binaural sound to create a spatial audio experience. Our ears are naturally just two point listening devices. Binaural audio is what gives us the sense of spatial audio. The shape of our ears/head determine how that reaches the eardrum (what's attenuated) and with what delay between the two ears, that's how we get a sense of direction. Nothing else. When we "fake" this we do the exact same. We delay sound to each ear and distort it the way our head and ear shape would depending on the position of that sound.
It uses binaural sound. It's designed to be used with any stereo headphones. You don't need "surround headphones" to use it. You have 2 ears. You only need 2 sound inputs to create 3D audio from a fixed location source (i.e. headphones). Binaural audio (3D audio) isn't the same as simply recording in stereo, it's designed to give you spatial information that stereo doesn't give you, and it works. It's worked since the early days of 4D cinema experiences at theme parks. Except now instead of recording binaural audio we can generate it based on a head related transfer function (HRTF) and move the source of the sound to where we like giving the listener spatial awareness.
You cannot do this with simple stereo sound without support for 3D audio. Surround sound systems sure (which does't require simulation of 3d audio in the first place) but simply stereo no. The pulse 3D headsets and most headsets playing 3D audio aren't the same as simply hearing in stereo. So when you say they're stereo yes they are 2 speakers but your ears are just 2 eardrums.
Gaming Headset for PS5
Benefits of 3D Audio
- Enhanced Spatial Awareness: 3D audio provides a more immersive gaming experience by allowing you to pinpoint the location of sounds in a 3D space.
- Improved Positional Accuracy: In games where sound cues are crucial, such as locating enemy footsteps, 3D audio can offer a competitive edge.
Limitations and Considerations
It has never to me sounded like more than "Stereo+". Doesn't matter which headphones I use or which profile I select in calibration. It just sounds like stereo to me. So now Sony introduces this new calibration tool where you can make a profile specific to yourself…"great!" I thought. Nope. Can't hear the height. The swooshing sounds that are supposed to be coming from above or below you are impenetrable to my ears. Now I have to go without a custom profile because I'm not going to just guess and let it calibrate itself based on a bunch of phony data. What gives Sony? It barely works for me.
It's worth it for games where you need to locate enemy footsteps or sounds (like CoD). They had 3D audio since PSVR launched back in 2016. It was great then, it's even better now.
It's worth it for games where you need to locate enemy footsteps or sounds (like CoD).
If a game has built-in ways that does this already, as in make the sound physically correct based on position then it is essentially 3D audio already coded into the game. But when you say the difference isn't much what do you mean, what are you comparing to, a simple pitch difference based on front or back as an audio cue? If so then I disagree, there is nothing physically correct about that. What would you then do for up and down? That would be primitive and would require you to just get used to an incorrect cue regardless of surroundings. COD is even modelling reverb now so it wouldn't work well either.
How to Enable 3D Audio on PS5
To enable 3D Audio on your PS5, follow these steps:
- Go to Settings.
- Select Sound.
- Choose Audio Output.
- Enable 3D Audio for Headphones.
Optimizing Your 3D Audio Experience
- Use Compatible Headphones: While 3D audio is designed to work with any stereo headphones, some headphones are specifically optimized for the PS5's 3D audio capabilities. I have the pulse headphones (came with the bundle) and personally I had a better sound experience with the Sony's whmx2 with noise canceling.
- Calibrate Your Audio Profile: Sony introduces this new calibration tool where you can make a profile specific to yourself.
- Adjust Game Settings: Some games may have specific audio settings that can enhance the 3D audio experience.
Dualsense Controller
3D Audio vs. Stereo: What's the Difference?
The vast majority of headsets are not actually surround sound headsets... the thing is, many games do that themselves already, just maybe not as detailed. But footsteps from in front of you usually have a different pitch than ones behind you. 3D Audio does the same thing just slightly more sophisticated. It's not just slightly more sophisticated it's much more sophisticated.
Playing Apex Legends with 3D audio or at stereo is pretty much the same.
Works amazingly well on my Nova 7Ps once you really tune it in.
Here's a table summarizing the key differences between 3D audio and stereo:
| Feature | 3D Audio | Stereo |
|---|---|---|
| Spatial Positioning | Simulates sound from all directions | Sound primarily from left and right |
| Immersion | Highly immersive | Less immersive |
| Hardware Requirements | Works with most stereo headphones | Standard stereo headphones |
| Positional Accuracy | More accurate positional cues | Limited positional cues |
In conclusion, while individual experiences may vary, understanding the technology and optimizing your settings can significantly enhance your gaming experience on the PS5.