Which VR Devices Provide Spatial Sound – The Complete Guide, Suggestions, & More

People often ask, which VR devices provide spatial sound?

Let’s find out!

Which VR Devices Provide Spatial Sound?

The answer is simple: all of them do. All VR devices provide spatial sound. The only thing that matters is the quality and type of headphones you use with your headset.

What Is Spatial Sound?

Spatial sound refers to a 3D audio experience that allows you to hear sounds from different directions and distances.

It’s similar to how we perceive real life.

For example, if you are in a room where there are two people talking at once, you can easily tell who is speaking by their voice.

You know it’s one person because they have a unique voice.

If you were to walk into another room and listen to what was happening, you would be able to understand who is speaking based on the location of the voices.

This is exactly what happens when you use a virtual reality headset.

When you put on your headset, you enter a completely new world where everything around you becomes a part of the game or application.

So, if you are playing a game like Beat Saber, you will feel as though you are actually playing the game while wearing the headset.

When you play Beat Saber, you are hearing sounds coming from every direction.

These sounds are coming from the objects in the game, so you don’t just hear things from behind you.

Instead, you also hear things from the sides and above you.

This creates an immersive experience for you.

Now, let’s take a look at some of the best headsets available today.

Linear vs. Interactive Audio Design

Regardless of which type of spatial audio you’re creating, the playback and consumption of the spatial audio are the same. However, the creation of spatial audio for each of these types of experiences is significantly different.

For example, video game developers often use audio samples that play from discrete sound sources that mix in real-time relative to where the camera is located.

The Oculus Audio SDK adds high-quality spatialization tools to existing tools and engines often used by game developers.

Thanks to the growth in production and consumption of immersive 360° or VR content, developers and infra­structure owners are reconsidering the constraints of video container formats.

Better file compression, encoding, and streaming infrastructure for multi-channel spatial audio, or, supporting various real-time interactive meta-data tags to influence traditional TV playbacks or social reactions with live videos are examples of trends that prove the world of traditional TV broadcasts and siloed game apps coming together.

Ambisonics

Spherical audio is a way to create three-dimensional sounds for people who wear headphones. It works by creating an immersive experience where the listener feels like they’re inside the sound.

There are many different methods for rendering 3D sound into a 2D space, but they all require decoding from a binaural stereo format to be able to play back through a regular set of headphones.

Ambisonic audio has multiple orders, which means that it consists of different numbers of speakers. Higher orders result in better spatial qualities, but there is a point where adding more speakers doesn’t improve the sound anymore.

Regardless of the number of channels used for decoding the original signal, the resulting stereo audio will always be two speakers.

As the user moves his/her head, the content of the decoder’s audio stream will shift and change accordingly, creating a three-dimensional spatial effect.

There are several ways to create a spatial sound for 360 video content. However, the effectiveness, features, toolchain, and final render quality vary between different methods.

Surround Sound (5.1, 7.0, etc.) which can be decodable over virtual speaker systems and rendered binaurally through headphones.

Depending on the type of audio, the rendered sound field may suffer from “holes” between the speaker positions and not have the same smoothness or spatial acuity as traditional surround sound.

Binaural beats: Four pairs of pre-recorded binaural beats at 0, 90, 180, and 270 degrees. Each pair fades in and out depending on where you look.

VR Headphone – Buyer’s Guide

What Are Headphones for Virtual Reality?

Headphones are a necessary part of virtual reality because they allow us to hear what’s going on in our environment while we’re immersed in another world.

They also help us avoid getting sick from motion sickness.

How Do I Choose Which VR Headset Is Right For Me?

There are many different types of headsets available today. Some are designed specifically for gaming, others are more suitable for watching movies or browsing the internet.

How To Get A Good Pair Of VR Headphones?

If you want to get the best possible experience when using VR, it’s important to choose the right pair of headphones. Here are some tips to help you make an informed decision.

1. Look at the size of the ear cups. You should be able to comfortably fit both ears inside the cup. This will ensure that you can hear everything around you without having to strain your neck.
2. Check if the headphone cable is long enough. Ideally, you should have at least 10 feet (3 meters) of cable between your device and your headphones. If not, you might need a longer one.
3. Make sure the headphones don’t block your ears. It should sit snugly against your head.
4. Test the volume level. Try turning up the volume on your device until you reach a comfortable level.
5. Consider the price. Don’t spend too much money on your new headphones. There are plenty of affordable options on the market.
6. Find out how well-built the headphones are. You want something that won’t break easily.
7. Ask yourself whether you really need wireless headphones. Most people prefer wired ones because they offer better audio quality.
8. Check the warranty. How long does the manufacturer guarantee their product?
9. Consider the comfort factor. Comfort is key when wearing any kind of headphones. You shouldn’t feel like you’re constantly being squeezed by the headphones.
10. Think about the noise cancellation feature. Does your headset come with active noise-canceling technology? If so, this could be very useful when you’re listening to music or watching a movie.
11. Consider the brand. Brands such as Bose, Sony, Sennheiser, Plantronics, Skullcandy, and Beats are known for making high-quality products.
12. Take into account the design. What style of headphones do you like? Modern designs tend to look sleek and stylish.

Conclusion

We hope that this article was helpful. If you have nay queries feel free to reach out in the comments section below.