Visit us at the Games Week in Zurich
On November 11, we will show our prototype gaming setup with a new approach to audio reproduction for gaming.
The Games Week takes place between November 4 and 13. For details, see here: https://www.gamesweekzurich.org
On November 11, we will present our gaming setup during the “The Conference” part of the event. Our motivation to do a gaming-oriented audio system goes as follows:
Many modern games use a 7.1 audio format. In most gaming setups, these channels are rendered to binaural playback for headphones for a low-cost audio setup.
At the other end of the price scale, there is a full-blown 7.1 speaker setup. We think that there isn’t any audio system on the market that sits between those extremes. If we could have a better reproduction than via headphones at a moderate price increase, we are certain that there would be a market for it.
Proposed system
Our system consists of a pair of speakers positioned to the left and right of the computer monitor. With our prototype system, we use the iLoud Micro Monitor speakers. In addition, the player wears a pair of open headphones, which do not alter the sound coming from the speakers too much. E.g., the Audeze LCD-GX model is suited for the task.
Both the speakers and headphones signals are processed by a DSP located in a separate unit. That unit accepts 7.1 (or other formats) audio from the player’s computer via USB. The processing is such that the 7.1 channels are rendered to the four channels in a meaningful way.
Having speakers and headphones working simultaneously allows for interesting audio renderings:
- The speakers can generate large atmospheric sceneries, a more “close to real” live listening experience, and reproduction with a high level of depth and immersion.
- The headphones support the reproduction of the surround channels, allow for realistic near-field audio and also enhance the bass reproduction considerably. The combination of speakers/headphones allows to generation of low bass frequencies at high levels.
Such a system is small and easy to install and thus has its advantages over a 7.1 speaker system.