What do I need to know to ensure that whatever headphones I buy will work with VR headsets?
I'm considering buying new headphones. I own a Windows 10 PC and an Xbox One S, and when I'm using my headphones (Sony MDR-AS800AP headphones with Comply tips) with either of them, I use Dolby Atmos for Headphones (Windows Sonic for Headphones is also an option). I wonder if anyone here has any information about what headphones to buy to get the most accurate virtual positional audio, or if there's something that I can add to these headphones that will work with both PC and Xbox One and that will improve the localization of the sounds, because with both Windows Sonic for Headphones and Dolby Atmos for Headphones, together with my Sony MDR-AS800AP headphones, sound that should sound like it is in front of me does not sound like it is in front of me. It sounds like it is off to my right side and left side. Sound that is supposed to come from behind me DOES sound like it is coming from behind me. I've read that everyone has their own HRTF (Head-Related Transfer Function), so maybe my HRTF is to blame, but in case it is my headphones that are the problem, I want to know anything that I need to know to choose a headphones that will give me the best virtual spatial audio experience with my Xbox and my PC, and if there's anything that I can add to my PC and to my Xbox, then I'd like to know about that as well.
I don't own a VR/AR/mixed-reality headset and don't plan on buying one right now, so perhaps I'm over-thinking this, but I'm considering buying new headphones right now and in case I DO decide to get a VR/AR/mixed-reality headset in the future, I want to make sure that it'll work with my headphones.
I said "VR/AR/mixed-reality" because I want to be inclusive of all VR/AR/mixed-reality headsets, not just VR headsets, even if all consumer headsets are VR headsets right now.
Are there any comfort-related issues I should beware of before I buy new headphones when it comes to using them with a VR/AR/mixed-reality headset?
I WILL be using my headphones to watch TV shows and movies (without a VR/AR/mixed-reality headset), so I'm interested in virtualized spatial audio. I own a Windows 10 PC and an Xbox One S, and when I'm using my headphones (Sony MDR-AS800AP) with either of them I use Dolby Atmos for Headphones (Windows Sonic for Headphones is also an option). My Sony MDR-AS800APs were built to be used while exercising (they're sweatproof and waterproof) and I use them when I go to the gym and when I run outside. Note that the Comply foam tips that I use them with when I'm exercising--the Sport Pro tips with waxguard--are probably not waterproof, but they are designed to accommodate sweat. When I use the cardiovascular workout machines--such as one of the elliptical machines--I prop my Surface Pro up on the machine's control panel, plug my headphones into it, and stream a TV show or YouTube video, so virtualized spatial audio is important when I use my headphones with my Surface, wherever I am (at home or at the gym). When I'm at home and want to watch something on my TV without disturbing anyone, I plug my headphones into my Xbox One S controller's headphone jack and I replace the Sport Pro tips with Comfort Pro tips.
For games, I might get headphones that have a microphone that sticks out in front of my face, because with my MDR-AS800APs, which have an inline mic (not one that sticks out in front of my face), other people whom I'm playing with can probably barely hear me speak.
Note: I'm used to referring to headphones as 'headsets' when they include a microphone, and I guess that that might become confusing when we're also talking about VR, AR, and mixed-reality *headsets*. I'll try to use the word 'headphones' in this discussion when I'm talking about headphones.
What do I need to know to ensure that whatever headphones I buy will work with VR headsets?
Originally Posted by
Drew Neilson Thanks @
pkcable. I just added new information to my post. If you sent the people that you reached out to copies of text from my original post, would you mind sending them my updated post? Hopefully they will read my updated post before they respond.
@
metllicamilitia I just added new information to my post. As for Dolby Atmos for Headphones and Windows Sonic for Headphones, the virtualization is done in software on Windows 10 and on Xbox One, so in theory, I'm supposed to be able to use any pair of headphones, not just special ones that have decoding functionality built-in. With that said, I explained pretty much my current experience with my current setup, and that I'd like to make it better.
I did some more reading into Dolby Atmos for Headphones, and found that it just creates virtual speakers essentially. So in that case, it seems it would be budget dependent for recommendations. I would say you want the widest soundstage you can get for your budget. That varies based on in-ear, buds, and headphones. At the lower end you’ll always have a more present bass, and if bass isn’t an issue for you, Sennheiser is always a good choice. Jays makes some good budget options as well. I really my A-Jays for the price. With sound being such a personal experience it’s hard to make a definitive recommendation.
EDIT: I will continue doing some research to see if I can find more definitive suggestions.