Are Surround Gaming Headphones BS?

[@LinusTechTips]

CORRECTION: It turns out that the ASUS Fusion 700 uses virtual surround based on Bongiovi Acoustics' Digital Power Station technology, not ASUS' proprietary solution. Sorry for the confusion!

[@bobmatthews2639]

Thanks!! Also FIRST

[@-____-2468]

I am sorry but why did you only test in OverWatch. This game was built on Dolby Atmos technology, no wonder Dolby won in most cases. You can even turn on and off this feature in settings. Apex, for example, sounds mindblowing with Sennheiser Gsx 1000, you can hear steps from a mile away. Could you test with different games too? P.S. Anyway this video was amazing

[@Blindknightful]

how did you guys not test the Astro Headsets?

[@stevethea5250]

@@-____-2468 please suggest me best gaming headset

[@Dataacid]

Please fix your audio, the sibilance in this one is killing my ears.

[@Thenoisyoneyes]

2:34 Whoever did this needs a raise

[@redstick775]

The editor?

[@TheExoticCerdos]

No doubt about it.

[@MoldMonkey93]

I was dying laughing as I heard it.

[@MarkusGlesnes]

That is depressing... How is that funny lol

[@absa1020]

OG Mudbone

[@Master_Therion]

On a scale of 1 to 10. I give surround sound headphones a 5.1

[@bukkitfan]

And I give them a 7.1

[@crazyminigamevidz5714]

6.999999999999999

[@randomfacts4353]

Smartt

[@wright96d]

I give them a 9.1.2

[@anselalldredge1205]

I give them a 5.2.4

[@stubbyshin6641]

Team: "yo linus we need you on B" Linus: "so this headset..."

[@recruit7416]

Yeah bro bot jeff was demoted in silver because of him

[@smuglife64gaming21]

Lmao

[@Taikamuna]

2:40 We need a 10 hour version of this

[@SureWhyNot777]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/m3rSloJundSgmq8

[@timi1710]

Ei tarvita 😂

[@computethisinfo]

Stop commenting on literally every KZbin channel!

[@timi1710]

Who

[@FlashlightGamingArmy]

@@computethisinfo And why do you care? Stop acting like a child

[@HunterTalksWeather]

you cant play cs without gaming socks ya know.

[@mijack8228]

Don't forget the rgb mouse pad.

[@blatantpotato1367]

@@mijack8228 and the $399 chair.

[@YeOleBaz]

I find playing naked makes you alot more careful

[@chrisgordon7346]

Gaming RGB sandals sponsored by Linus Tech Tips and memoryexpress (more details in the video description below)

[@carsidious6128]

Did you get them in RGB?

[@noaudiochannel3131]

He was afk I feel bad for his team

[@tapcha9582]

Yeah I bet this was BOT Jeff's rank up game too.

[@ESCosta]

@@tapcha9582 I remeber him. lol

[@matejcevnik7362]

They were bots...

[@spade7646]

Minecraft Chicken Nugget r/woooosh

[@gvnady8380]

Yeah man, I feel bad for BOT Yuri

[@xfxdedfade6387]

i watched this with 5$ headphones and everytime he says the letter S my eardrums die

[@rafaeltavares6928]

It´s because the S region is to high (thats a real thing)

[@adlan3653]

Hey I wanna ask is surround sound only work on speaker?????

[@SianaGearz]

I am listening with inexpensive Yoga CD-68 which have a pretty flat frequency response and don't have pronounced high frequency resonances and have decent extension, but they slightly suppress sibilant sounds due to a dip at 7.1 KHz. And even i found the sibilance in this video painful. My heart goes out to people listening to this in ATH-50x or Superlux headphones, because those have a murderous sibilant peak. Unless these people have a lot of hearing damage, they are genuinely dead now. It's actually a common problem in audio recording, the sibilant sounds coming off some microphones need to be suppressed in editing using a de-esser or EQ.

[@jsgv7935]

Wait until you start watching Mutahar

[@rpgfeatures793]

@Nuke well speakers that are directly behind you will sound more real than headphones that simulate sounds from behind.

[@KIPeR97eS]

2:43 i wonder whose idea it was to use THIS sound

[@Butterbean32]

Aprime, he's the meme specialist of the LTT team

[@everonn2]

@@suse621 loud nigra

[@caesura6321]

@@suse621 guy screaming very loud?????

[@PrinceDarkLothos]

@@suse621 world's loudest orgasm

[@usamisomesortoftouhoucon5764]

Fisher Zhao its not. I believed the niconico title is probably ‘Yajuu senpai (English dub)’ in Japanese.

[@SumsarTheThird]

00:49 When your editor needs a little laugh during the day. But forgets to delete it before its uploaded.

[@Plague_Doc22]

I usually find edits like those stupid..but because it was so unexpected in a setting like this it got me.

[@nutellasnowflake2834]

2:40 was the best part

[@pingu_ibis]

Had me in cramps 😂😂😂

[@mattuiop]

2:43 *loud nigra.mp3* I see linus is a man of culture...

[@Grishanof]

That's not nigra, that's Епифанцев

[@Grishanof]

@@Psygnificant А ты думал откуда семпл взяли

[@iscander_s]

Братишка орет похоже, но все же немного по другому.

[@NOTMuzzaFuzza]

@Kevin Crocker Nope. You got the black guy part right though. For the curious, a black guy, screamed like this during orgasm, while copulating with a white middle aged women. I'll leave it to the curious to go and find the clip.

[@hellboy6116]

This scared the shit out of me lol suddenly hearing somepne screaming into my ears

[@Littlebear57]

I've had hyper X cloud 2's for a fair few years and from my experience I find it was easier to hear directional in stereo rather than 7.1

[@Joze10]

Yea i just got rid of them to get the alphas and I can agree. Surround sound sounded all distorted and hollow.

[@yellowloon]

Ive used a Razer kraken x and a Logitech G430 with Dolby Atmos and surround sound actually enhances the sound, for me at least.

[@Guinnessdrnkr1234]

I still prefer using higher end music headphones, like my Bowers & Wilkins

[@AivanSN]

youll get used to it

[@goovindnarula6470]

Well I've heard that the cloud II have kinda bad virtual. The revolver S, G600 and 900 series seem to be doing pretty nice

[@kubuz37]

I appreciate you guys taking on such an overlooked topic. Audio goes mostly under randar but I believe it can greatly enhance gaming experience. I don't necessarily mean surround, just good quality audio

[@akoyich]

Under "randar" eh? Heh heh ;)

[@theecarking]

That's how I got into audiophile grade gear. I wanted something that would give me positional audio in games.

[@meta_username]

Some of my favorite kills are when I manage to frag an enemy I never saw because I was able to hear where they were

[@azzacASTRO_]

been using "gaming" headsets for years now and finnaly got a expensive studio headset, defintly worth it, just needed to buy a mic

[@vault_dweller_b0i801]

2:43 The true surround sound experience

[@ThBlueSalamander]

It's perfect

[@DemoTF2]

Bro he's leaving his team out to dry in CS:GO

[@jb-br8bf]

He's playing with bots, thankfully.

[@finchhawthorne1302]

Weren't those bots? I'm not huge into CSGO but usually dropping into a bot match if you want to test systems without screwing over actual people. That's how you do it.

[@DemoTF2]

shhhhhh

[@Ibrahim-fs5dj]

Nogga

[@gvnady8380]

Yeah man, feel bad for BOT Yuri

[@officialgagethepyro5391]

After working at Best Buy for years and having to sell customers on things like premium cables and 7.1 headsets it’s pretty cathartic to see Linus rip it all apart

[@user-vn7ce5ig1z]

"Ear /ir/ - n. growths on the side of your head" - Linus English Dictionary, 1st edition.

[@diehardAMD]

Definition request for earballs...

[@thisisalex7]

Thanks I'll stick to my Samsung smart fridge 😎😎😎😎

Can it run Crysis?

[@syahmiahmad2166]

nahh my panasonic toaster better

[@AmateurGT]

@@syahmiahmad2166 my soulja phone is way better.

[@Wyrmixx]

@@AmateurGT My LG air con beats everyone's here

[@jalalslava]

Wow this video really covers the topic from every angle

[@Arynemily]

Almost like they surrounded the topic

[@jalalslava]

@@Arynemily Yeah they really thought about it from every direction

[@kaws6231]

I agree, they ended up making a really sound argument.

[@MoongdalFN]

If I try to make a pun I'll sound dumb

[@ethangilbertmedia]

Vedant Sakhuja wow, nice pun

[@mlgpm_101]

"He's behind me but where"

[@jsgv7935]

Lmao

[@Lollikips]

i can't believe The World's Loudest Orgasm made it into a LTT video at 02:44

[@jlefebre6001]

I can believe it

[@burningsun6755]

i miss the "GAMING" way of saying "GAMING" you did some vid ago

[@adog3129]

^

[@azurisage]

It's for sh*t manufacturers say

[@0Shanna]

YES ME TOO

[@yilong_ma]

*advertises Corsair headphones on Corsair channel about how good they are.* criticises Corsair at start of this video.

[@rafiahmed006]

I think that was the point to show that it was just an advertisement.

[@hiabst]

Yeah right

[@Bakbak321]

Gotta respect that

[@Matthew-qv4vl]

I think that you've missed the point that he made about why it sucked. It's cause he could tell where they were. He was using a relatively cheap non surround headset from corsair. He never said the headphones sucked, just that it sucked that he couldn't tell where the enemies were. I don't think that it's really criticizing corsair if he says that it sucks that he can't tell where the enemies are on a stereo headset that was never advertised had having good positional audio. Corsair has other more expensive headphones that are meant for surround sound, maybe they should've included one of those to see how it stacked up.

[@stevethea5250]

@@Matthew-qv4vl yeah perhaps

[@bloomfieldplymouth8159]

This video was extremely educational. I was in Best Buy testing about 10 headsets and every experience ranged from “meh” to “ok”. I wasn’t really blown away by any of the brands. I also found out that the consumer can only get the full experience on PC with most headsets, due to the software not being able to be installed on Console. This is a bummer. The best sound experience I found was the Logitech G935 for PC. The microphone was mediocre and the headset is bulky. On Console the G935, Steelpro, Hyper X, Razor, Astro, Turtle Beach, Sennheiser and so many others was a medium experience. I was fortunate to speak with another customer that was very educated with tech and headsets. I found out the hard way that most headsets for console are “enhanced stereo” at best. I’m a little bummed because my expectations for Gaming Headsets on Console were very high. It is still good for me to buy a set for late night gaming.

[@Qsie]

2:39 Okay, I was NOT expecting to hear that audio clip. Editor loves Siivagunner/that genre of memes confirmed.

[@TheHammerGuy94]

Uhm, the lead editor is taran What are you expecting?

[@z33tanner]

Loud Ni

[@Kiddy7180]

gachiBASS

[@packergeek10]

That clip is from a porn video. It's some black guy busting the biggest load in the world. I swear to god. Even the girl was like jesus christ. So funny they took this clip.

[@PeterYangMN]

Gay fisting porn audio, not that I know anything.

[@Frizzy9000]

I have to admit Linus, you and your team are something special. The way you conduct videos honestly, try to admit your mistakes, and give us an enjoyable video everytime is something I truly enjoy. Lol I even watch videos I don't have much interest in because I enjoy watching the way you make videos. Keep up the good work!

[@TrollFaceTheMan]

As an owner of the Razor Man O' War I can say that it was garbage $130 headset that the head rest breaks on in 3 months... Don't take my word for it though, that's why it has terrible reviews from owners all over amazon and newegg... If not for that issue (And now driver support problems...) It would of been great...

[@VerminKing_]

My brother had the same problem with it and the Tiamat too. On the Tiamat being even worse since the headrest broke on 2 seperate items within only a few months. I myself will never buy any razer products ever again. Their Keyboards might be great, but everything else just breaks super fast and their headset's microphone quality is just embarrassing. Yet, that seems to apply for almost all gaming headsets.

[@haikovanderleeuw9945]

True, on the older model. they've updated the design though and the 2017 model doesn't have this weakness.

[@flaco9611]

I've owned a pair of Logitech G933s for the last 2 years and the only problem I had was leaning back in my chair and breaking them at the swivel on the ear piece when they fell off. Fixed it myself and haven't had an issue since. I highly recommend them. With some tweaks to the audio profile in the Logitech Gaming Software they sound amazing and pinpointing directional sounds has never been easier. I say that as someone playing a lot of BRs.

[@hammieli1875]

TrollFaceTheMan I’ve had it for a year and it still works great soooo

[@_KeepItG]

You just have a big ass head

[@GTexperience_Channel]

it's been a while since this video came out, but I noticed some interesting things comparing my 7.1 true and virtual headsets. I noticed that true surround makes vertical gameplay way easier than the virtual solutions.

[@Pabloesc571]

I can always guess where people are with pinpoint accuracy through a wall with my regular stereo headphones. This is bs. Regardless vertically and horizontally. Id even say headphones with great stereo field (I use dt 770 pro) would be way better at this than any surround sound set up on the market.

[@GTexperience_Channel]

@@Pabloesc571 well I noticed that it did impact it for me. I currently use the Epos Senheiser pc38x. And although the imaging is great, initial directions and vertical audio was never as good as my 7.1 true surround headset. I do prefer the epos, but each solution has their own pros and cons.

[@elmotlk]

They are total bs because they don't support Minecraft surround.

[@joshuamarkusmarkwood]

They support Roblox if that works for you

[@tommymack3210]

Rodolfo roblox gay

[@MoongdalFN]

@@joshuamarkusmarkwood Roblox gay, Minecraft all the way

[@himmelsrand7527]

Minecraft Surround Sound Mod

[@eloiamundertewater6614]

@@tommymack3210 before 2014 roblox was cool

[@sayto_00]

2:43 somebody's getting the "short" end of the stick.

[@berengerchristy6256]

no, no he isn't

[@JoseGonzalez-rt5fk]

@@berengerchristy6256 The "long" end then?

[@berengerchristy6256]

I didn't know it was possible to be this new

[@sayto_00]

It's not original I agree. It relies on double entendre and irony to work.

[@jacobm2625]

Nah, just bustin a fat one

[@evaristegalois6282]

If they were developed by Soulja Boy’s tech company, then they’re worth buying

[@albear972]

Shiiiiiiiiiiii! play 100's of old 16 bit vidi-games and bootleg ripoffs of them from 20 years ago on your solja game machine. 😂🤣🤣😂

[@jcross1215]

You never stop with the Soulja Tech jokes, huh? Fucking weeb. 1v1 me in osu.

[@iownalx23]

same with beats by dre before and after the apple purchase

[@jaden1808]

SUPER OLD MEME

[@yannickg6904]

Back in the day, I remember having been really impressed by Aureal's A3D in Half-Life, it definitely added something to the game. That was 20 years ago.

[@AvithOrtega]

is a shame that such technology and attention to directional audio was forgotten by game developers and just a bunch of them had it

[@electrified0]

Makes sense when you realize that channeled speakers are an imperfect solution to a completely different problem: filling a large space with directional audio in a situation where you cannot reasonably cover every direction. With headphones, you already have both ears fully surrounded so introducing additional audio drivers is going to create gaps in directional coverage. Any audio engineer has to know this, so the fact that this product was green-lit means that Razer is comfortable with releasing fundamentally flawed concepts at a premium price for the sole purpose of tricking consumers with buzz words.

[@Commander_ZiN]

Aureal 3D on my Sonic Impact S90 was the best I've ever experienced, I could accurate pinpoint footsteps perfectly in game and knew exactly where people were.

[@Bangie]

did you really just use a Efukt porno scream @ 2:44 hahahahahahahahhahahahah

[@XDMacintosh]

Thank Christ I wasn't the only one who noticed

[@TheReclaimerRx7]

haha efukt is a weird website

[@jamiegreenwood2627]

Haha, I had to go re watch the video but can confirm!

[@dieseldiesel9292]

WTF is a Efukt porno scream and why do so many people know?

[@BarfyMan_362]

I am 100% ashamed to acknowledge the fact that I used to frequent efukt as a teenager with friends

[@vanillatography1544]

This video is the perfect example why I love this channel.

[@evaristegalois6282]

Linus: **tests gaming headsets but none of them were developed by Apple** AirPod users: “I’m sorry, but is this some sort of peasant joke that I’m too rich to understand?”

[@Rathori]

Since when does Apple make gaming headsets? Or any gaming products whatsoever, for that matter.

[@r3g3]

@@Rathori r/whoooosh

[@GallopingWalrus]

@@Rathori The jokes about Apple users who scoff at literally any headphones that aren't Air Pods for whatever reason.

[@John-doe955]

I once saw some AirPod user dissing Beats by Dre and saying they were a worse company then apple.

[@jthoward]

John Doe you mean Beats by Apple?

[@carsonlight_lapse6394]

6:10 So Edzel is a 97% gamer while rest of them are less than a gamer? Alright I'll take it

[@carvenclabau2431]

99% *

[@carsonlight_lapse6394]

@@carvenclabau2431 at least*

[@ConeJellos]

@@carsonlight_lapse6394 *99%

[@adnxn1]

when you have 123 likes and I make it 124

[@MythicalPhoebe]

i don't know why, but linus's videos are always so calming. i love marathoning linus's videos on a chill day.

[@nocensorship8092]

funny, i find his voice and mimicking highly irritating

[@deardevildaregod6503]

most of games handle 3D sound placement in stereo with equalizing their characteristic when it comes from the front, it sound very clear, bright when it comes from the rear, it will slightly muffled, and added more bass thats why, even we using stereo speaker (not headphone), we can still determine the direction of enemy as a gamer, we already get used to it, so when we using 5.1 or 7.1 headphone, the game handle sound "realistically", and our ear need to adapt with it IMO, True 5.1/7.1 headphone is for the movie, have very wide soundstage, the downside is, their center speaker is always bad quality (small speaker)

[@phillipallen5564]

totally true someone beat super mario 64 blind and it was all by sound locations of enemys some games today dont even hold up to the audio of older games there poorly mixed and are very 2d sounding

[@edwardcullen3251]

6:19 is where the answer is

[@jestificated]

windows sonic not covered, the option everyone has for free on a windows 10 os.

[@phunfone]

@Koro it's actually great and arguably better than Dolby Atmos. Don't trash on something you've never heard of before.

[@ComdrStew]

Yeah you want to make sure you turn it on for Windows Mixed Reality headsets to get spatial sound.

[@battyflaps5410]

You need it on for forza horizon 4 and well my impression was at first crap audio and some bugs where my volume NOB would show it changing volume but actual sound was still the same audio.. I have no idea if they have fixed it since but i had nothing but problems with it.. I deleted forza also that games shite too

[@vandorpemichael]

Dolby Atmos is way better than Windows Sonic. I've done extensive testing now. It's not free but I'm really blown away by the quality. Maybe you need really good headphones to truly appreciate? Mine are the WH-1000XM3.

[@jelleposthuma8786]

@@vandorpemichael are those any good for gaming?

[@AG.Floats]

I can completely tell where sound comes from with Sennheiser HD600 stereo headphones.. Don't have an issue with my 2.1 computer speakers either.

[@AG.Floats]

Every surround sound headphone I've ever tried were junk.

[@theIpatix]

I can confirm that, but I'd say that this is mostly a thing because the default stereo sound is usually just panned clear audio (which sounds quite unnatural on headphones). I find that this unnatural inbalance makes it really obvious where things come from. However, I'd still prefer a decent software based surround solution if it actually sounds natural. I find Overwatch's Atmos to be quite "muffled" and attenuating the mids too much.

[@z33tanner]

Yup CSGO stereo master race. 7.1 is muddy

[@certaindeath7776]

i have stereo akg studio headspeakers, and perfectly fine, i can tell position of every enemy, even make good guess on enemies distance, and hear steps even if there is other noise (rain, gunfire explosions etc)... if you have vitual sourround you may have problems in identifying steps when there is extra noise like rain, that lies in the nature how the virtual sourround is created, it basically adds aditional noise for extra information to the ears.

[@CaveyMoth]

@@certaindeath7776 Did you say headspeakers? Are you talking about the K1000? Because if you are, holy crap, I salute you! My favorite band has a pair of K1000s. X3 2.1 is really the way to go, at least for me. Screw center speakers, because they kill audio positioning. If a sound is coming from the center of the sound field, then the stereo mix will play it back as such. One more point... We're in a time when even the crappiest of crappy audio gear actually renders adequate audio positioning (case in point earpods/airpods). At this point, "surround headphones" have no purpose and cannot even hope to pretend to be feasible compared to stereo headphones.

[@shadow66395]

I wish he included Windows Sonic and Razer Surround in this comparison.

[@lowskillcamper]

Yep. And other games too. This is one of only several dozens of games which actually support DTS and Dolby Atmos. For other 99% of games we need virtual 7.1 devices, like Razer Surround provides.

[@AshTheNimbat]

Windows Sonic is good enough hoenstly. Also on my Razer Phone 2, has Dolby Atmos and man, the sound as 5.1 is pretty good. Should be great when playing games on Project Xcloud ^^

[@dertythegrower]

2nd this.. reup and vote up. This video needs to be updated

[@benitollan]

I don't understand the difference between aiming accuracy and pointing accuracy, and I've rewatched (the relevant parts) twice. *PLEASE* explain :/ PS: Why didn't you test Windows Sonic?

[@MrRuinf20]

so the aiming accuracy is pointing the mouse directly where you think the sound is coming from, so trying to get them in front of you. and pointing is in one position point where you think you hear them without moving the mouse.

[@ajdinnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn]

In aim u get mouse and u try to kill some thing or get nearly it with crosshair on screen while pointing is u get random location and sound around you you point with your finger from where it comes

[@Elepole]

With aiming, you can "move" around where the sound is. While for pointing, the sound doesn't move. With pointing, you can test if the audio recreate accurately where as sound is, with aiming you can test if it recreate accurately the movement of a sound. It is possible to be accurate with the position, but not with the movement, and vice versa.

[@benitollan]

@@Elepole aaaah now I understand

[@ragilmalik]

There is no such thing as that. In audio realm, there is "imaging". Imaging is the ability of driver to reproduce the location of instruments/sound as recorded.

[@IdAefixBE]

Couldn't make a more appropriate hint than this Beyerdynamic DT appearance when you say "you just get good audio" :p

[@salanos]

I have an actual 5.1 (multidriver) headset and I find it much better for positional audio -immersion- than the virtual ones. Like, maybe the positionality or pinpointing the direction of a sound isn't really that much different on either, when it comes to situations where there really just are more sounds coming from EVERYWHERE at once, you get a much more immersive field of, well, sound coming from everywhere around you. The easiest way to experience this is to use Crysis. Just pick a suit mode and feel that voice envelop your entire world instead of being ... just there on a virtualized stereo headset.

[@prismsage3957]

2:44 out of all sounds xD

[@irunasoft]

Ohhhh i know xdd

[@ainsgreen8723]

I switched from gaming headsets to entry level audiophile headphones last year (DT 990 Pro) and the difference is incredible. For £30 more than my previous set, the audio quality is far better in both gaming and non gaming. Build quality is top notch too, although that's already not much of a problem once you get past the mega cheap gaming headsets

[@tempest_0722]

I really wished you'd test Windows Sonic...

[@nabawi7]

Right? I like it way better than Dolby Atmos for Headphones. Dolby Atmos feels too "bassy" and muffled compared to Windows Sonic making the latter have a superior sound stage.

[@felixbelanger2659]

I definitely feel the same way about Dolby Atmos, but I've just tried Windows Sonic and it sounds a lot worse (on my Senns HD598 at least)... maybe it's better with closed back, but with open back it sounds like it's coming out of a tin can

[@inevitabledeath]

I have a video where I tested Windows Sonic against Dolby Atmos. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pme1k2WIgKuVe6s Sorry for the shameless plug. :P

[@RCmaniac667]

And razer surround app

[@HoloScope]

@@inevitabledeath thanks you the man

[@darkvoidboy3940]

I'd really like you to also address the issues when you turn on positional audio software when the game is _already doing_ positional audio processing. (Example, let's say they download and enable DTS when Atmos is also enabled in Overwatch). I keep seeing people with "cool" 7.1 software and/or headsets that can't figure out where they are getting shot from, and it's just sad. There should be PSAs on what to turn on, and when, for each game. Until then, my rule of thumb has been, "start by making everything match." For example, if the game is outputting 7.1 source, then Windows should be set to 7.1 speakers, and you should actually have 7.1 speakers. If the game is configured for "stereo headphones" then start by matching that everywhere first, and test it. Then only change one thing at a time. Mismatches can kill your experience worse than cheap hardware.

[@ForTheOmnissiah]

I used a cheap $40 Razer Blackshark v2 X headset with the Razer surround 7.1 software in overwatch as they did, and wouldn't you know it it works very, very well. I was blown away. I closed my eyes and span my camera around like mad, then attempted aiming at the firing robot and I got it every single time dead on. That's some seriously impressive software being done with audio these days. That's just 2 speakers, too.

[@unclekonrad]

2:40 omg i cant stp laughing

[@brawler8811]

Lisen it with headphone its even better

[@irunasoft]

I do not understand

[@TheSelfAwareIndianEmpath]

@@irunasoft don't worry, you will understand when you realize that surround sound scream was coming from one of the employees being spanked by Linus

[@-_Nuke_-]

I have tested the Razer Tiamat 7.1 and its MINDBLOWING, you won't believe the sound that you will be hearing if you are using them correctly and with the correct games. Razer Tiamat + Arma 3 for example, its like you are in the world of the game, a complete game changer. I don't know if they are going to make you a better shooter, but they will definitely completely change and increase your immersion in the game.

[@UnordinaryCarl]

2:44 I lost it

[@artimiti]

Same xD

[@PewPewDave]

Way back around the year 1999/2000 there was something called Aureal 3D. That shit was LEGIT. It rocked in Counter Strike. I knew exactly where everyone was using a regular pair of stereo headphones.

[@BikingWIthPanda]

I was JUST wondering this yesterday. GET OUT OF MY HEAD, LINUS!!!

[@90percenthuman39]

You can try wearing a aluminium hat to block any though waves escaping to linus

[@Steamrick]

Given that the video would've taken weeks to do, I recommend asking Linus about his precognitive abilities^^

[@jakobpcoder]

some games have hrtf based sound mixes integrated (cs:go, batllefield V, skyrim with a mod and many more). they of cause work with any headphones. there is no point in converting positional sound sources into 5.1 (or 7.1) and than take that signal and convert it to stereo hrtf. much of the detail in position of sound is lost through this. if developers would care they would just straight up output hrtf sound by default like the games mentioned above.

[@ynthrepic]

It would be fantastic if they actually told you this in the settings menu of ANY game. When they say "Surround" my assumption is Multi-Channel for surround sound set ups, so that when I have a 7.1 system (or headset) it can take the channel data and send it to the right position. If I knew it had HRTF then I would disable 7.1 on my headset. As it stands now though, I have no idea.

[@stevethea5250]

@Rudy AW SHUCKS MY

[@blahorgaslisk7763]

@@ynthrepic Some games have a headphones setting. Don't ask me which because I can't remember where I saw it, but I remember you got to choose between Stereo, Home Cinema and Headphones. My best guess is that Stereo is just what I says, Home Cinema is 5.1 or 7.1 and that Headphones are using a unspecified HRTF applied in software. Things like this sucks, as it leaves you wondering exactly what is going on in the background. In my experience the different HRTF solutions available vary wildly. Some doesn't work at all for me, while others work to varying degrees. It might even depend on the headphones used but I don't have any data on this. I'm currently using a pair of Plantronics GC 788. These are a few years old by now and was amongst the first that used the Dolby HRTF and they just happens to be one of two surround headphones I've used that actually work for me. To me the advantage of using these over any software HRTF is that I know they work well for me. I can't promise that they would work for anyone else though. A software solution is however very much hit or miss, mostly miss in my experience. However as almost all game engines produce surround sound as separate sound channels for sound coming from the front, front left and right, rear left and right and a bass channel before sending it to the HRTF I would prefer to have those channels piped to my headphones to be mixed down using the HRTF that happens to work for me.

[@IDrinkLava]

@Jakob P Coder The reason developers don't "straight up output hrtf sound by default" is because Microsoft killed off DirectSound3D in Vista. Ever since then, gaming audio has been fractured into various 3rd-party middlewares like FMOD and Wwise that are closed-source and proprietary. Microsoft is trying to amend this with something called the "Windows Spatial Audio API", but it's still not a universal solution like DS3D was in the late 90s and early 2000s. If you can find a game that uses OpenAL (usually smaller indie titles or source ports for 90s FPS games), then you need to try out OpenAL Soft's HRTF. It makes Dolby Atmos sound like a complete joke.

[@stevethea5250]

Beware that doing a Cert 3 or 4 at Tafe will lock you out of being able to do a Traineeship/Apprenticeship in Telecoms. Since "technically" you are already qualified, yet fail to have any practical experience or knowledge. So you don't qualify for a government subsidised traineeship, meaning no employer will touch you. A lot of kids fall into this trap with trades like electrical when they can't snag an apprenticeship straight out of school, so do what they think is the right thing and go study the course anyway at TAFE, not knowing what they are doing is cutting their own throat for employment. If you really want a traineeship in Telecoms, look at someone like Skilled/Programmed who do Telstra traineeships. If you can snag a Telstra traineeship you will be riding high on the gravy train in the telco industry of this country. Do not do a traineeship that turns you into a Contractor with your own ABN/Vehicle/Tools/Tax/Insurance ect ie. IGSM. You will be burnt. @@ynthrepic

[@jorno1994]

♂ Are ♂ Surround ♂ Gaming ♂ Headphones ♂ BS? ♂ (Right Version) 2:45

[@KucykZaglady]

♂ gachiBASS ♂

[@leon30517]

gachiBASS

[@corvus4379]

♂FUCK♂YOU♂

[@jorno1994]

@@corvus4379 ♂ YES ♂ SIR ♂

[@Emeraudus]

♂ HandsUp ♂

[@devturtle1615]

Linus: "There's only one way to find out." Me: oh no here comes the sponsor spot Awkwardly edited Linus: "By comparing them all!"

[@jwaffled4143]

*_HOW DARE HE GO AFK IN THE MIDDLE OF A GAME_*

[@nucular9075]

Jwaffled it is always a Game with only bots

[@stormdrainstormdrain]

@@nucular9075 thank you, this comment cured my anxiety

[@tuckerallen7961]

At this point the editors are just shit posting as much as they can without being fired

[@basti329]

Lmao yes

[@SHADOW543121]

also its getting boring watching linus be linus

[@Epixel14]

I disagree. I actually really liked this video.

[@OsuOverlord]

Im using a Hyper X Cloud Stinger together with Dolby Atmos for Headphones, Ultra comfy and superb sound

[@HadHadHad-A]

And how's the spacial awareness in games? I'm planning to get a pair of HyperX cloud stingers as well.

[@OsuOverlord]

@@HadHadHad-A I have to say, the Sound Quality is really good, you have a clear surround sound of your environment! The Microphone of my Pair is dead now, but the sound is so good that Im using a extra microphone paired with this headset. In short, it is so good, I would use it again if it would break down on me and Im playing high fps games and games where sound is everything.

[@thebaconbaba]

I own a cloud stinger as well. As much as I hate to admit it, these are more comfortable than my bose qc35 ii (which are 10x more expensive) Sound is pretty damn good too, with a good mic to boot. Using it for gaming as well as for my office work (skype, webex, etc)

[@neonclouds9295]

I have the revolver S

[@millz1999]

[Osu]Overlord Official my sound is shit

[@timmyfosho]

Woulda been cool to see the same blind tests done with a real 7.1 surround sound setup

[@craftymulligar]

Surposively dolby atmos would be better than the 7.1 system I had. Dolby atmos has height also truely a all direction 3d effect. Headphones couldn't beat my 12 inch sub woofer however. You could really feel the action from real steel and jurassic park.

[@birukamengistu235]

3:19 *firing directly into your EARBALLS?*

[@MarkoHR]

Wait... that's illegal

[@berengerchristy6256]

ear vaults. time to stop listening on your phone

[@birukamengistu235]

@@berengerchristy6256 listened to it 3 times u still can't hear ear vaults. What's that anyway

[@birukamengistu235]

@@MarkoHR lollll memezzz

[@azarilh2355]

@@berengerchristy6256 it clearly says B.

[@wowholadaw429]

3:20 we need to talk linus......

[@neonshit1902]

"ear balls"

[@vorbo01]

@@neonshit1902 lmao its an Archer reference.

[@iforgotmyname2306]

Are Surround Gaming Headphones BS? Yes. 9 minutes of life saved.

[@woshee_real]

But do i really care? Not at all.

[@MarioDarnadi]

no they are not

[@jonahlongoria]

Quality Audio > "Surround Sound"

[@hwstar9416]

@@MarioDarnadi they are indeed

[@advancedlamb]

Maybe try watching the video with evidence in it instead of just regurgitating your preconceived opinion?

[@sbsnate2011]

I have a Sennheiser GSX 1000 and a pair of Sennheiser PC38X and just wow, i can not only tell the azimuth of a sound, but the angle and distance. It is just perfect.

[@DeathBringer769]

You could already tell perfectly where people are through walls by sound with normal stereo high quality headphones all the way back when CS mod first came out, just need a lot of practice, so no, you do not need surround sound headphones, and this is coming from someone who did briefly try a Razer 7.1 virtual surround headset for a month or two awhile back. Don't need more than clear, normal, stereo headphones and lots of practice hearing where people are ;)

[@XenoSpyro]

Back when the first CS mod came out, Half Life and soundcards during that period supported EAX and A3D. That doesn't exist anymore.

[@necrisro]

Depends on the game engine, Overwatch does it perfectly with Atmos but w/o it enabled it's worse than CS:GO. Recently i played Apex Legends and it the sound is extremely good compared to EA's own shitshow of Battlefield 5 where some sound effects like screams and explosions sometimes have 0 position and sound like they are just centered in your head even if they are to your far left from example.

[@tuunaes]

Good accurate (not fashion sound) stereo headphones are indeed all what's needed. They just need signal which contains necessary binaural cues for brain to position sounds. And unfortunately with game sounds still being 20 years in the past very few games include necessary HRTF algorithm.

[@jasonchan3641]

Dolby Atmos uses a fundamentally different technology called Ambisonics. It works best if recorded in a multi-microphone setup.

[@IamJohnnyFan]

Good audio = good headphones. Thank you for this.

[@vandorpemichael]

Wow thanks for this video!!! I recently started using headphones and was very annoyed and desoriented by the plain stereo sound. (I'm used to nothing less than 5.1 for the last 20 years.) I couldn't believe it and after trying, I still can't believe how amazing Dolby Atmos is!!

[@nuns199312]

In my experience, the tiamat v2 are a little worse then the v1 counter part. Not only that, but both the v1 and v2 headsets need to be adjusted so that sound channels (side , back etc) do not sound like they over lap. This lead me to changing the sound levels of each channel on the volume dongle on the headphones. After I did that it fixed the problem of being confused of where the sound was. Not only that, but the high ohm Impedance (144 total load) for both the v1 and v2, some motherboards sound solutions may not cover this load.

[@Kirinketsu_]

Yep I spent maybe 5 hours tuning my Tiamat both mixer and my soundcard settings to get them were I waned them, I have yet to find a headset or headphone I like better I have returned well over 40 different ones to bestbuy and amazon even high-end ones with amps, best part with the Tiamat is the fact you can mute audio channels on the fly so I can drop front audio while boosting rear allowing me to hear people sneaking up on me while still have some audio and visual of what is in frony of me

[@OGBeefStew]

Yeah that first clip wasn't acting.

[@carltonleboss]

Don't you just want to hear Bookworm Adventures Deluxe in full surround sound?

[@chickeyy1792]

Pls eat rice again

[@1_dud_c641]

*corsair left the chat*

[@haykguy4946]

Drivable i was waiting for someone to say this

[@AG.Floats]

Uh Corsair had great scores. Razer scored horribly many times in this video.

[@MegaRockzer]

Hs50 is cheaper than all others and it had very decent scores

[@DanielRichards644]

f

[@avadavis4768]

@@DanielRichards644 go to z reviews for me please... he has some real stuff

[@N1ckAE]

3:51 the cut there got me😂

[@Kellethorn]

I watched 2:42 on a Galaxy S9 in my bedroom. I actually was shocked that the sound was so... directional even just off of a phone. The future is here.

[@GermanViking]

Since I use Dolby Atmos there is no way back, is just beyond expectations! BTW 7:09 Those Beyerdynamic are Real Headphones! 👍And I agree, there is no such thing as "gaming headphones" Usually that is just a waste of money.

[@dylanokeeffe3431]

Agreed

[@nickb9472]

Which headphones do you use? I have the corsair void and its non compatible with atmos 😒

[@bof0079]

do you have a software link i keep finding wrong things

[@dylanokeeffe3431]

Can download Dolby atmos from Windows 10 store

[@GermanViking]

@@nickb9472 Plantronics RIG 800 HD Wich included a free Dolby Atmos windows licence.

[@aortaplatinum]

The unexpected Loud Nigra used to demonstrate directional audio through your actual sound channels nearly made me piss myself laughing

[@DamnGoodReviews]

This is very helpful -- and will be helpful when I review a new pair of gaming headphones that feature 7.1 virtual -- Thanks as always!

[@new_gal3399]

Who else really wanted to see the "test subjects" point out the training bots?

[@KirbaZ]

thanks so much for this video! Ive been telling my mates that all along...

[@clay2889]

2:44 gachiBASS Yes Sir!

[@zion2235]

gachiHYPER Clap

[@RolandTschiah]

THANK YOU SIR HandsUp

[@blaket81]

Just bought the Audeze Mobius and was having some buyer's remorse. Thanks to this video that is now gone. All of the reviews of the Mobius basically say the actual sound quality of them is better than basically every other gaming headset. At the same time though they were saying the (virtual) surround on them is bad, which is 2nd most important after sound quality to me. The headset also has a "3D audio" feature that some people like and some don't. The gimmicks of the headset aside though it has drivers that are usually found in much more expensive headphones. Anyway this video clears up all the confusion by setting straight that all a gaming headphone needs is high quality stereo sound and software can do the rest.

[@kartikkaushik9811]

6:10 Edzel be killing that shit

[@emresagr4735]

2:40 GachiBass Clap

[@ererehyl]

HandsUp YES SIR

[@autobotguy]

I've always thought surround sound headsets were a gimmick. The more gadgetry in a headset, the cheaper drivers they have to use to keep within a budget which usually means they are sacrificing audio quality, for marketing BS junk. We don't need RGB LEDs, detachable mics and rumble packs. I've tried A LOT of "surround sound" headsets and while some do seem to broaden the sound field, I never felt like I could pin-point action on the screen based on sound alone. Nowadays I run a set of Sennheizer HD598SE cans off of a Behringer Q802USB mixer and I can hear eeeeverything in games. For a mic, I run an MXL 990 through XLR on an articulating boom arm attached to a shelf so I don't get desk sounds and key presses broadcast through the audio.

[@NinjaKurosai]

Sennheisers are the best. I also love grados though. Just get a new pair of pads to make them more comfortable. Guess it depends if you prefer open ear or closed ear.

[@KayWal_JDM]

Nice setup bro, I got the same mixer but i'm using the Sennheizer HD 280 pros. I almost went with the Audio Technica ATH-M40x. I still would like to try them out sometime i hear they are good to

[@ducciboi]

I think monitoring headphones are best for gaming. I'm using Fostex T50RPs which have great imaging.

[@durdy911]

This video is highly under rated. Thanks so much for this !

[@BatmanRebirth13]

Probably a dumb question; What about Windows Sonic for Headphones? :B

[@KenSheppa]

I'm curious about this too. In my opinion Windows Sonic seems pretty close to Dolby Atmos, so I would think that the results should be similar

[@wsl107]

Me and a friend did some testing pretty much in the same way as in the video since we wanted to know if Dolby atmos was worth purchasing. We both where completly accurate with atmos (just like in the video). But Windows sonic wasn't as accurate for eighter of us. We could point in a direction but not exactly where the target was. And we did test with two games (overwatch and Rainbow Six Siege). So from what I can tell dolby atmos does actually work a bit better.

[@alandunaway3000]

Windows Trash, that thing is just stereo sound.

[@choder9956]

6:13 is what you're here for

[@DeepishMoog]

For Edzel, it hardly made a difference which headset he used. 97-100% across the board. Interesting. Why was he so good? If we conclude Atmos gives the best spacial awareness, pinpointing sound. Now what? Atmos (software) may be cannibalizing the 'gaming headset industry', making gaming headsets with virtual processing hardware mostly irrelevant. And their sound isnt better than audiophile grade headphones. Then what offers the best sound? NOT 'gaming headsets' largely, but audiophile headsets, which probably most Console gamers have yet to consider. The Only 'problem' with that is: totally wireless headsets, if a gamer wants that he has to choose proprietary 'gaming headsets' that have paid for the licensing from Microsoft of Sony to access totally wireless audio and chat particularly. So if you want the best sound, buy the best headphones you can, but although theres usually a work around to get most audiophile headsets to work on consoles, and add a mic (which nearly always has to be plugged in to the controller), your wiring Will likely be a hot mess. Do whats most important to console gamers, Best sound, or totally wireless? No totally wireless 'gaming' headphones will give you the best sound than an audiophile grade headphone, but maybe that's a satisfying tradeoff for some, a bit (or much) less quality for wireless convenience. For me, I play console laying on my bed in my room with a 65" lcd. But for PC gamers theyre probably playing at a desk with a monitor. Two totally different environments. I suppose if I was a PC gamer, wires are just a given, those gamers are comfortable with, besides paying oodles to keep their hardware up to date, shell out a lot more money for headphones that console players typically do.

[@srpavu2798]

@@DeepishMoog Thanks for getting me out of the marketing zombie trance I was in... Seriously

[@roysrevengefgcstreamdumps1891]

@2:43 LMBOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO why did you use that clip linus??? LMBO😂😂😂😂😭😭😭😭

[@your_average_cultured_dude]

Lmao*

[@Iightningmcqueen]

lmbo

[@clashwithbat2283]

@@your_average_cultured_dude lmbo

[@PsyDei]

I was about to buy some 7.1 headphones and was doing my research on individual reviews of the different headsets and stumbled across this video that I didn't watched at the time, even when I'm subscribed. Anyways, you Linus did it again, saved me some money and put it in the Dolby software paired with my Audio Technica M50x. Thanks.

[@markilleen4027]

this video is a load of shit. i have a set of tritton 5.1 pro plus and i have tried multiple headset as i am looking for a replacement because the trittons are like 10 years old. true surround when set up properly with the right game and right headset cant be beaten

[@ThatGuy-ep7xq]

​@@markilleen4027 😂😂😂 you are such a sucker.

[@Sundara229]

"Are Surround Gaming Headphones BS?" Search "3D Matchbox" on Yt, put on your usual non gaming non surround headphones.

[@TheKingOfSexyness]

This sound video gave me spine chills! Point made. Thanks for sharing!

[@hugh19882]

Awesome, turns out my stereo headphones are also surround sound. Nice.

[@themagician8749]

@@hugh19882 you're right, a good stereo headset will do the work just as fine

[@IN-pr3lw]

@@TheKingOfSexyness that's called asmr

[@SuperDraupnir]

Best comment of all time.

[@Koniakki]

3:56 Oh I see what you did there, Mr. "Linus Walken"! 😎

[@UlyssesM]

Yes they are. Get yourself some open back studio headphones with a large soundstage and you're set. If you use mic you can use Antlions Mod Mic 5 or their new wireless one and they sound better than any other gaming mic.

[@NightSyndicate]

Facts 💯

[@k4in5037]

preach brother, I use the akg k702 + modmic + external USB dac/amp combo, I couldn't be happier, it sounds way WAY better than any "gaming headset" I've tried, better surround using HRTF or Atmos, better mic quality, and is a non-proprietary setup that will last for years to come.

[@nickchamberlin]

Yeah I'm really confused why they didn't try some good open back headphones, Sennheiser has several.

[@brandonmarcum]

Why do they have to be open back?

[@nickchamberlin]

@@brandonmarcum open back headphones give you a better awareness of situational sounds. So rainbow six, overwatch etc.

[@silverwatchdog]

I have the Arctis 5 and it uses Dolby Atmos. It sounds really good and it is quite easy to hear where the sounds are coming from. When I disable it, it sounds like going from a room with speakers to just normal headphones.

[@roastedalmonds6635]

i find i get the best surround sound when i just disable it xD

[@ZEYDYTUBE]

Best surround is stereo headphones and surround sound speakers

[@HenryTheBoilermaker3rdYear]

Not really. Sennheiser gsx is the best at positioning.

[@Trainboy1EJR]

I use a pair of Sony 7506 for everything, I really need to try out some of my classic PS3 games now that I upgraded my monitor to one with a decent audio jack on it... when I get the time... eventually...

[@tobiobogaming742]

Stereo by Beyerdynamic my friends! (MMX 300)

[@Inacurate]

When using an analog solution like the 7.1 Tiamat's which have a separate 3.5mm jack for each channel, you need a sound card capable of delivering each channel separately. If you did not have that in this test, then your test results for such devices is flawed when it comes to their surround capabilities when it comes to HARDWARE and 'true' surround. Also depending on how they were configured, the VIRTUAL solutions may have also not been optimized, giving very poor results also. The results could have been valid, but without knowing the setup, it's hard to make that statement either way. For reference, I have an HT Omega Fenix which is a 7.1 add-in sound card and a pair of 7.1 Tiamat v1's and positional audio is absolutely amazing when available in games, or the game audio isn't astrocious - like Fortnite. I've been debating moving to virtual solutions with DT 990s and a GSX1000 or BlasterX G6, and that's what led me to this video, so I wanted to offer clarification on the off chance someone happens to be reading this. :)

[@crossltg8329]

how did you manage to connect them both?

[@Inacurate]

@@crossltg8329 Connect both what? The Tiamat's use standard 3.5mm jacks, they have one each for front, center, side and rear.

[@crossltg8329]

@Inacurate then what was the point of having HT Omega Fenix?

[@Inacurate]

@@crossltg8329 The Fenix is a true 7.1 surround capable card and has analogue output, aka four 3.5mm jacks that the Tiamat uses.

[@franciscosoares2815]

Omg finally someone that knows

[@brendenbanks9293]

I would really like to know what settings they used. I've been using Tiamat 7.1 for years after using Sennheiser gaming headphones with a DAC and I would never go back. The accuracy of true surround sound is far superior to anything virtual. BUT, you need to know how to set them up. Windows and the game both have to be set to 5.1 or 7.1. Then you need to click the crossover option in windows as well (bass management) to ensure that the 40mm bass driver only receives the low frequencies. If set up right they are unbeatable. The results in general show that the testing itself is the issue not the headphones. Results varied wildly.

[@aiqalosky9449]

Can we use tiamat 7.1 with dac soundblaster x3?

[@brendenbanks9293]

@@aiqalosky9449 yes it has dedicated ports for 7.1 audio. However, the Tiamat 7.1 do not need a driver they just need a usb connection for power. They have their own built-in DAC like most gaming headsets. you really just need a 7.1 sound card. the X3 device is overkill but provides other functionality for other devices you might use so if that's what you want... go for it...

[@aiqalosky9449]

@@brendenbanks9293 alright I'll try use tiamat with x3 to see how it goes. Hope it will much better. Thank you so much.

[@Psyrecx]

The thing it's, Linus disproved his own results, but ignored the fact of that. He admitted that players used to playing a certain way, played better that way. Who would have guessed? This was an extremely unscientific approach, as per usual.

[@greggles1970]

I swear by my old roccat Kave true 5.1s, this video bursts that delusional bubble I didn't know I had, thankyou for your input I'm in the process of buying a headset but couldn't decide what to get or if to go dts or dolby or thx or creative this episode helps a lot