Video games are increasingly immersive. When engaged, avid gamers aren’t just playing their games; they live them. Whether you have a predilection for hunting zombies or driving fast, stolen cars, your gaming experiences deserve superior sound quality. For the most discerning gamers, audio setups for home theaters just won’t do. Fortunately, at Performance Audio, we know how to create the conditions for unparalleled gaming adventures.
Specialized Gaming Audio Equipment
Video game developers invest lots of time, money, and effort into sound production. If you’re playing a story-driven game, sound quality will majorly impact your ability to connect with the narrative. Standard headphones and speakers don’t offer the level of adaptability, comfort, and sound quality gamers seek. Features and capabilities like noise-canceling microphones and virtual surround sound aren’t available in products that are primarily designed for listening to music or watching movies. Headphones
Headphones
Don’t let salespeople fool you. There’s a big difference between gaming and standard headphones, and it extends beyond the addition of boom mics. Before you start shopping, consider all the available functions and then list what’s most important for you.
Best Headphone Features and Specifications for Gaming
Your listening needs will change from game to game. When you’re playing multi-player combat games, you’ll need to hear other players clearly. Mid-range clarity is perfect for competitive battles, but exceptional audio will prove better for immersive, low-intensity storylines. So you don’t have to toggle between gaming headsets when changing games, look for options with a “neutral/neutral bright range” and balanced bass and treble.
If you rely on audio cues when playing combat, exploration, or other reflex-reliant games, quality imaging is critical. With high imaging, you can accurately perceive the depth and lateral location of sounds and their origins. Headphones with excellent imaging will let you hear the soft crunching of leaves from footfalls just behind you.
Surround Sound Capabilities
Virtual surround sound capabilities allow for better imaging and spatial awareness. They also make it easier for players to feel a part of their games. If you wear gaming headphones to enjoy high-volume action without disrupting others in your household, virtual surround sound capabilities will give you a high-quality experience akin to playing with your headphones off.
Anti-Fatigue Designs
Wearing any headset for too long is bound to become uncomfortable. Look for options designed to delay fatigue with comfortable, ergonomic builds. Adaptability is also key to ensuring that your headset provides a comfortable fit and that you aren’t craning to speak into the microphone or constantly dropping your controller to make minor adjustments.
Gaming Speakers
When shopping for gaming speakers, players should always look for high levels of compatibility, easy connectivity, optimum frequency response, and excellent sound quality. The best gaming speakers rate well for tonality, clarity, and dynamics. You can connect them via analog, USB, or Bluetooth. If you’re worried about tangles of cords or overheating, you can keep your audio setup completely wireless. Flexible connectivity options also offer easier console portability.
Criteria for Selecting High-Performance Speakers
Sound cards can make a world of difference in sound quality even when using high-end, high-performance gaming speakers. If speakers have weak internal sound cards, their audio will invariably be muffled and muddy when paired with gaming computers. Look for excellent built-in sound cards or the option to easily add a quality external sound card via Firewire or USB.
Other features to look for when selecting high-performance gaming speakers include:
- Easy-access controls for volume, inputs, and power
- Quality audio processing drivers
- Long battery lives (wireless speakers)
For aesthetic thrills, you can even look for options with customizable RGB for personalized lighting displays.
Wired vs. Wireless Gaming Speakers
Wired gaming speakers have lower latency. They’re preferred for their precision and overall reliability. Opting for wireless options will result in lower performance in these areas but also eliminate tangles of cords, especially when gamers handle their audio installations.
Audio Interfaces
Audio interfaces enhance gameplay by improving sound quality. These improvements are in addition to those already supplied by high-quality gaming headsets or speakers. With a streaming audio interface, you can stream, record, and sync audio with video content. These setups are essential for players who stream their gameplay on video hosting sites as content. Simple gaming audio interfaces offer various forms of sound enhancement, including increased clarity when communicating with other players.
Surround Sound Systems
Surround sound technologies are key to immersive gaming experiences. Surround sound makes listeners feel as though sound is coming from all around them just as it does when actions and events occur in real life. This is accomplished via multiple, strategically placed speakers or in headphones or single speakers via audio signal processing.
3.5 mm jacks can connect 2.1 systems with subwoofers and 2.0 speakers. However, 3.5 mm jacks only accommodate analog connections. For multi-channel tracks, you’ll need a digital connection. Passive surround sound systems for most consoles use HDMI.
The best audio format for a truly thrilling listening experience will vary from console to console. Dolby is a compressed sound format that provides acceptable audio quality and superior compatibility. DTS offers good sound and slightly more limited compatibility, but with the DTS:X extension, players can get a much more immersive experience.
5.1 vs 7.1
Both 5.1 and 7.1 surround systems are multi-speaker setups with front and back speakers. However, 7.1 setups have two additional, ear-level speakers positioned between the front and rear speakers. These added speakers allow for a more immersive experience, and they put players right into the middle of the action.
The Pros and Cons of Using Surround Sound for Gaming
Surround sound allows for more immersive gaming experiences, spatial awareness, and overall adaptability. However, not all gaming rooms or areas have sufficient space to accommodate this audio system upgrade. Virtual surround sound via quality gaming headphones offers a comparable alternative and requires no extra space.
Importance of Audio Quality in Gaming Setups
Many factors affect audio quality in gaming setups. Some are environment-specific, while others directly relate to the quality and location of audio equipment. At Performance Audio, we account for soundproofing needs, optimum speaker placement, the correct calibration of audio settings, and more. If you’re looking for expert home audio system installation in San Francisco, CA, get in touch with Performance Audio now!
Image Source: Standret // Shutterstock
