Occulus Rift & 5.1 Sound question

Nekrobob · Mar 17, 2017

When you use the Rift with a 5.1 Sound System,is the sound moving with your head movement? Thanks.

Kellan Fell · Mar 17, 2017

I would suggest getting the earbuds from Occulus rather than using external sound. I did, and the difference is amazing. They are a little tinnier than the built in headphones, but the immersion is almost complete as they eliminate all external noise.

ITZC0ATL · Mar 17, 2017

I would be very interested to know this as well. I have a 5.1 Surround system for my gaming rig, and high end over-ear headphones. Would either of these work OK with the Rift, or better to invest in some nice in-ear buds?

StiTch · Mar 17, 2017

Kellan Fell said:
I would suggest getting the earbuds from Occulus rather than using external sound. I did, and the difference is amazing. They are a little tinnier than the built in headphones, but the immersion is almost complete as they eliminate all external noise.

Wait, the aftermarket earbuds actually have a worse sound quality?

-VR- Max Factor · Mar 17, 2017

IN my experience the over ear headphones are better as you get more directional sound. In ear buds for me are just plain 2D.

Nekrobob · Mar 17, 2017

I have a really good 5.1 Teufel System,normaly i cannot play with Headphones because of the good directional Sound of my System.

777Driver · Mar 17, 2017

HAL- 9000 said:
I would be very interested to know this as well. I have a 5.1 Surround system for my gaming rig, and high end over-ear headphones. Would either of these work OK with the Rift, or better to invest in some nice in-ear buds?

Running a 5.1 system with an additional transducer for the seat (Also have headphones that work alongside with the speakers)

@Op - Disturbing avatar pic.. Haven't noticed the sound moving with the tracking, not sure I would actually want it to change with head movements, have tried with both speaker and headphone setting in the ED HMD sound setting config - Running with night mode for extra bass.

CATPAIN KIRK · Mar 18, 2017

Nekrobob said:
When you use the Rift with a 5.1 Sound System,is the sound moving with your head movement? Thanks.

Depends on the setting. HMD (headphones) moves the sound with your head movement, HMD (speakers) doesn't.

You don't want the sound to rotate when using speakers, that's only necessary when using headphones (when using speakers what's behind you will always be behind you regardless of your heads orientation).

Actually it's quite irritating if games don't have a speakers option stopping the sound from rotating with your head movement as the rotation completely messes up directional audio for obvious reasons.

If you have the option to turn up the volume, always use speakers - there's nothing like hitting boost and a 135 db subwoofer shaking your stomach. No matter which headphones you use, the experience will always be pitiful compared to that.