PS5 3D Audio: Gimmick or Game Changer? (with examples)

In this video I give a technical explanation of how Tempest 3D Audio works in terms anyone can understand. I also give examples you can hear for yourself with your own headphones and give my thoughts on Sony's Pulse 3D Audio Headphones.

examples

Binaural audio - 2:23

PS5 Astro’s Playroom1 8:43 - things wizzing overhead 10:15 various effects coming from behind left and right sporadically 12:07 raindrops over head

PS5 Spiderman Miles Morales 12:25 fighting - enemies behind you as you move around

Note: These examples are of actual game play, not a “tech demo”. In my experience, the effect seems to be used mostly to let you know what's happening behind you, or what is happening that you can't see on the screen. This is very useful and natural sounding when gaming, but might not wow you with the effect as much as a tech demo would. I'm sure some games may wow you with the effect more than others depending on how the developers want to use it. Also, this is just the start of a new technology. It will be interesting to see how it develops.

[Geeztown]

Here are a few things to check if you are not getting the 3D effect.


If you are not getting correct stereo signal, here are some things to check.

- Try listening on another device with different headphones.

- Make sure the left and right speakers of your headphones are on your respective left and right ears and you don’t have them on backwards.

- Turn off any kind of 3d audio, virtual surround sound, or other processing that may be happening on your device. Many phones and laptops have this built in and is either turned on by default, or it got turned on in the initial setup and forgotten about. Double check in your audio settings.

- Check your connections. Sometimes the wrong kind of adapter, or a cord / connection not plugged all the way in can cause you not to be getting a correct stereo signal in your headphones.

- Higher frequencies tend to be more directional. If your headphones are very bassy with not much treble / high frequencies, this may effect the strength of the effect.

- If you watch the video in very low quality, this may effect the sound. Try watching in 720p or higher.

It is possible that the effect is subjective, but I would then ask if you are able to hear if something is behind you in real life, because it’s scientifically the same effect.

There are settings within PS5 to adjust the effect. Those may help. Some have stated that if the microphone used isn’t set up with the exact measurements of your own head it won’t work. While I agree that the effect won’t be as precisely realistic without those exact measurements used, I believe the effect will still work. It may just end up sounding like the position of something is slightly off from where it should be placed. I don’t think a variation in those measurements would cause the effect to not work at all.

I would also like to point out that after using PS5 for a while, I don’t even notice it as an “effect”. It’s very natural sounding. I hear something behind me in a game and it sounds very much like real life. In real life, I don’t jump up and say “OMG, i heard something behind me!”. In that sense, it could be that people aren’t noticing it because it just sounds like real life (aside from video game sound effects). Try closing your eyes while listening and seeing if you can pinpoint the direction of where things are coming from.

I hope this helps some of you
- Aaron

[cjdj]

Was playing miles morales on pulse 3d headset. An audio cue of a jet flying overhead played while I was singing and It genuinely took me a second to realize it wasn't from outside... really cool stuff

[billrear]

Those whispers in the left and right ears sent shivers down my spine. excellent video.

[voltgaming]

This is type of guy that is one of the few people who explain a thing perfectly

[kashy]

Underrated video, underrated channel and an underrated man. Props to you and your craft

[DaveOrderedPizza]

I am rarely impressed with someone’s else’s knowledge of home theater or even just audio in general. This is a great video and you clearly know what you are talking about. Just liked and subscribed.

[mowlye]

Dude this was an awesome video. Thank you so much for this. I wish the best for your channel.

[frey]

This is great explanation and the examples really sounded great! I have been wanting to hear something like that since I still don’t have a PS5. Great video man. Loved it! Thanks!

[aiellamori]

I'm getting my ps5 in 5 days, I can't wait to experience this

[randomname]

I just bought the Pulse 3D headphones because I thought they had 3D tech in them to match the tempest engine and were required. Because they put "3D" in the name it tricked me into thinking they weren't just normal headphones. If I had known the tech was in the ps5 and worked with anything I would have used my planar hifimans or my sennheiser noise canceling pair. 😞

[SpencersStuffTV]

As more games have been coming out that take advantage of it, I immediately notice there is depth that I never got on previous consoles or PC. I am using the Audeze Penrose and it's just glorious. I'm happy audio is coming to the forefront and it needs to keep growing and moving forward.

[XxMsrSzprzxX]

Excellent video. Can’t believe you only had 299 subscribers. 300 now.

[louiskhel]

Im sold. Great explanation. Probably the best video around regarding 3d audio. Thanks

[OrangeSunshine]

after using Logitech pro x with ps5 for well over a year, today I learnt that (in simple terms) the 3d magic is done in the ps5. I disabled the 3d option in the logitech settings and connected it again and honestly the sound is much much better. Thanks a lot for this video!

[DiegoLopez-skkp]

Fantastic explanation of the 3D audio with actual examples. Great work man! I look forward to more coverage on this topic.

[DaBigMook]

Appreciate the reminders of your Minneapolis Minnesota background. Definitely got my headphones and speakers ready for the YouTube compressed review. Just gotta run to my local pawn shop and relearn how to pronounce binaural and I’ve achieved end-game level hair and background feedback… So damn close..

[HipnikDragomir]

I was doing it with Astrobot and I couldn't really tell any kind of difference with the audio. Hmm...

[cantseeshadow]

I disabled it after 4 weeks. Everything sounded muffled and suppressed. After I disabled it, everything sounded so much clearer! I have Sennheiser 598 CS so I doubt its the headphone quality.

[FEWGEE]

It's definitely a game changer. TLOU2, and Ratchet and Clank Rift Apart sound amazing on my Steelseries arctis pro. It just needs to be properly supported by 3rd party developers to truly succeed.

[Jackelope]

This is such a great explanation of the tech. I hope it takes off.