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We've recently released our Test Bench 1.8 update for Headphones! Read the R&D Article to learn more about our new direction. As we ramp up and retest products, expect delays in testing new and updating preexisting reviews. Sorry for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience!
Virtual Soundstage
Updated Feb 05, 2020 at 09:28 am
What it is:
Whether the headphones have DSP-aided soundstage, and if so, what features they support.
When it matters:
When you want a soundstage that resembles the soundstage of speakers in a room. This is useful for mixing and mastering applications, as well as listening for pleasure. It could also be useful for gamers so that they can locate sound in a 360/3D environment. Some headphones even support head tracking, which would be very useful for first-person shooter games.
Score components:
- 29.0% Head Modeling
- 29.0% Speaker Modeling
- 29.0% Room Ambience
- 13.0% Head Tracking
Score distribution
[Coming Soon]
Our Tests
Head Modeling
What it is:
Head modeling is one of the key factors in creating an out-of-head soundstage. Ideally, you can optimize the binaural effects of the soundstage by entering your individual head measurements. If not, the average Head-Related Transfer Function (HRTF) for an adult human is used, which may not be optimized to your head.
When it matters:
When you want a seamless, realistic, and out-of-head soundstage. If the default HRTF of the virtual soundstage doesn't match yours, you will perceive a shift in tonality rather than an externalized soundstage.
[Coming Soon]
Speaker Modeling
What it is:
Speaker modeling is responsible for creating crosstalk and the perceived angle of the source.
When it matters:
When you want a speaker-like and out-of-head soundstage. If you tend to find the standard 30° angle of stereo speakers too narrow, being able to adjust the width and angle of the modeled speakers will allow you to adjust the width of the soundstage.
[Coming Soon]
Room Ambience
What it is:
Whether the headphones add room ambiance to the soundstage as part of creating a virtual soundstage.
When it matters:
Having room ambiance is important for creating a realistic and speaker-like soundstage since we always listen to speakers in a room. This is especially important if you use headphones for mixing and want to mixes to translate well on loudspeakers.
[Coming Soon]
Head Tracking
What it is:
Whether the position and orientation of the virtual soundstage follows your head movements and rotation.
When it matters:
This is especially important for VR gaming, so that the soundstage rotates based on where you're 'looking'. However, this can be distracting for other uses like listening to music while walking outside.
[Coming Soon]
Virtual Surround
What it is:
Whether the headphones support converting multi-channel content into 3D binaural audio.
When it matters:
This matters if your music or video games are in a multi-channel format. It's becoming less and less important since Dolby Atmos for headphones is gaining prominence in video games and is available for a low cost (or free) on most platforms.
[Coming Soon]