Audio quality can make or break your entertainment experiences, and gaming is no different. But high definition audio is not just an enjoyable party trick. In fact, it is known to offer a huge advantage in competitive games with audio cues.
One of the biggest factors behind the quality of the sounds you hear from your digital devices is your configuration of audio drivers. Using better audio drivers will magically boost your auditory experiences without you breaking a sweat!
This article covers all you need to know about audio drivers and surround sound and a complete overview of their usage in gaming headsets, offering you a one-stop solution to all your aural needs.
Quick Verdict: Surround sound in gaming headsets is worth it for games that benefit from auditory positioning, such as CS:GO and PUBG. However, the implementation of surround sound varies by game, so it’s essential to verify that the game supports surround sound before purchasing a headset.
What Are Audio Drivers?
Simply put, audio drivers are the components that ‘drive’ the sound coming out of your devices. As you can probably imagine, the quality of this audio output is affected by both hardware and software differences, so audio drivers can actually mean either of them.
Let us take a deeper dive into these two types of audio drivers to understand them a bit better.
Audio Drivers in Hardware
The physical parts in hardware, like headsets and earbuds, that are responsible for practically converting the electrical signals coming from your digital devices into actual audio output are the hardware based audio drivers.
You can also think of these physical drivers as the tiny speakers within your headset that produce sounds that you hear. Obviously, the better these speakers are, the better your audio quality is going to be. Simple, eh?
If you are reading this because you are in the market for a good pair of gaming headsets, note that a larger audio driver does not always mean better audio quality. Instead, buying good quality headsets with drivers made out of quality materials will give you better results.
Software-Based Audio Drivers
This concept is a bit non-intuitive for people who may not be very well versed in technology, but even the best physical audio driver in your super expensive headset is not going to give you the best audio performance without the right software-based audio drivers.
Yes, you got that right. Some seemingly unimportant driver software installed on your computer will impact how good your fancy multi-zone RGB gaming headsets sound to your ears.
Whenever you buy yourself a new pair of headsets, be sure to head over to the manufacturer’s website and get the latest version of the accompanying drivers for your device. These audio drivers are just as important as the physical ones, so this is a crucial step!
Surround Sound and its Drivers
Even if you are not an audiophile, you must have tried or at least heard of surround sound here or there. ‘Surround sound’ refers to an immersive audio experience in which you feel like you are ‘surrounded’ by audio sources.
So if you are watching a video in which a car zooms from left to right behind your back, this is exactly the kind of sound you will get in your surround sound-enabled headset. Such an experience of having audio come to life and move around you is frankly amazing.
Rise of Audio Drivers in Surround Sound
There was a time when you needed extravagantly expensive audio equipment to be able to replicate lively sounds and enjoy surround sound. In fact, you literally had to buy more speakers and place them around you to actually employ surround sound in your audio setup.
Such usage of multiple speakers is what is known as ‘True Surround Sound’. You could also go ahead and buy a headset that offered this feature but the headset itself would be priced like pure gold. These headsets are also bulky and heavy since they need to contain multiple hardware drivers.
However, software drivers have become incredibly powerful and overcome these physical limitations. ‘Virtual Surround Sound’ is all the rage now, and the exclusive world of true surround sound is now a niche only explored by sound quality freaks.
Virtual surround sound makes use of sophisticated, software-based audio drivers that let you venture into the magical world of immersive audio without overly specialised equipment and hardware.
Surround Sound for Gaming Headsets
Most of the gaming headsets you can find for sale today offer virtual surround sound. Since this is a software-based imitation of true surround sound, these headsets won’t cost you an arm and a leg either. But why should you consider getting a gaming headset with surround sound?
First off, it will obviously be a refreshing upgrade to have realistic 360-degree sound reproduction in your games. Imagine getting transported to Paris at the height of the French Revolution just by booting up AC Unity! Hearing French all around you might get a bit annoying but you get the point.
If you are more of a multiplayer gaming fanatic, surround sound is absolutely vital for you, especially in competitive shooters like Counter-Strike and Valorant. You will easily be able to ascertain where the enemies are coming from when you can sense the direction of their footsteps.
Is Surround Sound On Gaming Headsets Even Worth It?
Surround sound on gaming headsets is definitely worth it if you play games that take advantage of auditory positioning. For instance, titles like CS:GO and PUBG require you to keep your eyes sharp. In those situations, having surround sound can help you pinpoint exactly where an enemy’s footsteps are.
Compare this to a game like League or Rocket League, and you won’t really be benefiting from surround sound. However, if you have the decision between choosing a surround sound headset and one that doesn’t support it, we’d definitely opt for the latter as you will eventually be able to take advantage of it.
Do note though, the implementation of surround sound is game specific. Some titles will provide you with a better experience regardless of their genre due to their implementation of surround sound. For example, Valorant does not even support 7.1 sound support while Warzone lets you take advantage of your headphone’s capabilities.
So, if you are planning to pick a gaming headset up that supports surround sound for a specific game, we recommend checking out whether the game you are going to be playing even supports it in the first place.
Conclusion
Getting yourself the right audio drivers will let you ascend into the world of high-quality sounds. You can then take a step further and pick up a pair of headsets that come with surround sound to truly make your life a whole lot better. Seriously.
Plus, with the advancements in software based audio drivers and the resultant influx of virtual surround sound headsets, you can now benefit from the advantages of surround sound without having to worry about going broke!
Surround Sound for Gaming FAQs
Should I keep 7.1 surround sound for gaming?
Yes, keeping 7.1 surround sound for gaming can significantly enhance your gaming experience by providing immersive and accurate positional audio. This can help you identify the direction of in-game sounds, such as footsteps or gunfire, giving you a competitive edge in gameplay.
Which is better for gaming, stereo or surround?
A: Surround sound is generally better for gaming, as it provides a more immersive experience and allows you to pinpoint in-game sounds more accurately. However, a high-quality stereo setup can still offer excellent audio quality for casual gaming.
Is 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound better for gaming?
7.1 surround sound is better for gaming, as it provides a more immersive and accurate audio experience with additional channels. However, 5.1 surround sound can still deliver an enjoyable gaming experience with improved directional audio compared to stereo.
What are the disadvantages of 7.1 surround sound?
Disadvantages of 7.1 surround sound include higher cost, increased complexity in setup and calibration, the need for more space, and potential compatibility issues with some games or devices that may not support 7.1 audio.
Are surround sound systems worth it?
Yes, surround sound systems can be worth the investment, especially for gamers who prioritize immersive audio and accurate positional sound in their gaming experience. However, the value of a surround sound system depends on your budget, available space, and gaming preferences.
Is surround sound better for FPS?
Yes, surround sound can be particularly beneficial for first-person shooter (FPS) games, as it allows you to more accurately determine the direction of gunfire, footsteps, and other in-game sounds, giving you a competitive advantage.
What is the disadvantage of surround sound?
Some disadvantages of surround sound include higher cost, increased complexity in setup and calibration, the need for more space, potential compatibility issues with certain games or devices, and the potential for less accurate audio reproduction if not set up correctly.
Do pro players use surround sound?
Some pro players use surround sound systems, while others prefer high-quality stereo headphones or headsets. The choice often depends on the player’s preferences, the game they are playing, and the specific requirements of their competitive environment.
