PS5 3D Audio Explained: A Deep Dive into Immersive Gaming Sound
The launch of PlayStation 5 brought an all-new and even more immersive gaming experience to fans. One of the PS5’s lesser-talked-about qualities is the Tempest 3D AudioTech, which can bring a new layer of immersion to titles on the platform. It may sound like a marketing buzzword, but there’s more to this gaming audio than meets the ear.
How PS5 3D Audio Works
3D Audio is a form of surround sound unique to the PS5 console. It all comes down to the Tempest 3D AudioTech engine located on the console’s custom AMD RDNA 2 microarchitecture Oberon GPU. This object-based audio engine simulates sound around you by running an accelerated algorithm that can emulate localized and distant noises from hundreds of sources from a 360-degree range.
It’s similar to what we’ve seen from the Dolby Atmos support available on the Xbox Series X or Windows Spatial that’s been a part of PC gaming for years now. The main difference is that Sony’s 3D AudioTech is exclusive to the platform and tailored for supported PS5 games, whereas the latter two options are more general in how titles support the virtual 7.1.
With realistic audio, you can actually hear footsteps from the exact direction that an enemy is approaching. 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.
Dolby Atmos on PS5
A PlayStation audio engineer has confirmed that all PS5 games that support Tempest 3D audio will automatically get Dolby Atmos support. There is an automatic Atmos mix for all existing games that support 3D Audio.
PS5 media apps will not automatically support Dolby Atmos. Sony encouraged media app providers to update their apps on the PS5 to add Dolby Atmos support. However, the ability to do so will become available after the system update leaves beta and is rolled out worldwide.
As a reminder for beta participants, Dolby Atmos can be turned on by going to [Settings] > [Sound] > [Audio Output] > [Audio Format (Priority)].
Supported Games and Devices
The amount of PS5 3D audio-supported games has continued to increase since the console’s launch in November 2020. Over 25 games on the platform can now take advantage of the technology from both first and third-party releases. Some of the biggest names include Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Gran Turismo 7, and Horizon: Forbidden West.
It can be utilized by some of the best gaming TVs through built-in speakers or localized through one of the best PS5 headsets. You will pick up the nuances with a PS5 headset, such as the official Pulse 3D Wireless Headset, or a third-party option like the SteelSeries Arctis 7P+ Wireless. You don’t necessarily need any fancy sound equipment to make the most of it, though.
The upcoming Pulse 3D wireless headset has been engineered to take full advantage of PS5’s 3D Audio capabilities. With a refined design, dual noise-cancelling microphones, and an array of easy-access controls, the Pulse 3D wireless headset offers a seamless experience for both the PS5 and PS4. This is definitely a headset aimed at couch-bound gamers.
Setting Up 3D Audio on PS5
To set up 3D Audio on your console, go into the PS5 settings and the Sound section. There you will find two dedicated setup screens; ‘3D Audio for TV Speakers’ and ‘3D Audio for Headphones’.
3D Audio for TV Speakers
Use your TV speakers and the built-in mic on your wireless controller to measure your room acoustics. Sit in the same position you would when you normally use your PS5 console.
- Go to Settings > Sound.
- Select 3D Audio (TV) and follow the on-screen instructions to adjust the optimal 3D audio setting based on the measurement results.
- After measurement is complete, you can listen to and compare both stereo audio and 3D audio to see which you prefer.
The next time you select Settings > Sound > 3D Audio (TV) and turn on Enable 3D Audio for TV Speakers, stereo audio switches to 3D audio. When you turn off this setting, 3D audio switches to stereo audio.
Whenever you change the position of your TV, your seating, or the room environment, you should measure your room acoustics again.
If you're having difficulty hearing the effects of 3D audio or you’d like to improve it, try the following:
- Check that nothing is blocking the TV speakers.
- If Apply 3D Audio Measurement Results is turned off, sit in front and center of your TV.
- Watch your TV at a distance suitable for its size. Check with your TV's manufacturer for the recommended distance.
- Disable any sound quality adjustment functions for your TV, such as surround sound.
- The volume may change depending on the 3D audio effect. In this case, adjust the volume of your TV.
3D Audio for Headphones
Listen to sounds played at different positions and angles to create an audio profile tailored to your hearing. There are two ways to create a profile:
- Create a personalized 3D audio profile: Measure how you hear 3D audio to create an optimized experience.
- Select from 3D audio presets: Select from 5 preset settings for an easy way to enjoy 3D audio.
- Go to Settings > Sound.
- Select 3D Audio (Headphones) > Create Personalized 3D Audio Profile and follow the on-screen instructions.
- Listen to sounds and answer questions about the position and direction of the sound to set up your personalized 3D audio profile.
Once your personalized 3D audio profile is created you can enable Apply Personalized 3D Audio Profile. When you turn off this setting, the preset 3D audio profile will be used for 3D audio.
The next time you select Settings > Sound > 3D Audio (Headphones) and turn on Enable 3D Audio for Headphones, stereo audio switches to 3D audio.
Personalized 3D Audio Profiles
PlayStation 5 will get improved 3D audio through an option to create a personalized audio profile. Several years ago, FlatpanelsHD was given a demonstration of Sony's 3D audio technology, long before it was introduced as 360 Reality Audio for music and as Tempest 3D AudioTech for PlayStation 5. During this demonstration, we had our ears mapped using a camera to create a Head-Related Transfer Function (HRTF).
- "We’re pleased to introduce a feature that lets your PS5 console create a personalized 3D audio profile just for you," explained Sony.
Sony's personalized 3D audio works with headphones and earphones connected to PS5. Each PS5 user can create a personalized audio profile.
The company said that personalized 3D audio will only be supported in games run locally on the console.
HRTF Explained
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.
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.
Does 3D Audio Make a Difference?
I’ve found that 3D audio was a definite improvement over stereo when playing games such as Spider-Man: Miles Morales and Ghost of Tsushima. Although the list of games that support the tech isn’t too extensive right now, it’s well worth experiencing as there’s no need for pricey hardware.
3D Audio vs. Surround Sound
3D audio is an advanced form of surround sound that simulates hundreds of sources with its object-based engine instead of more general directions. Because the PS5’s GPU powers the Tempest 3D AudioTech, it can pick up more nuanced and subtle sounds for deeper, richer audio.
Is PS5 3D Audio Worth It?
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.