Is 7.1 Surround Sound Good For Gaming?

To be honest, I am not into gaming much, although my boyfriend is. Not that I’d like to complain about it, but his being into gaming has helped me form a bond with gaming devices, accessories, and knowledge on topics such as “Is 7.1 Surround Sound Good For Gaming”.

All and all, it’s safe to say I’m familiar with almost everything that has the word “audio” in it. So now, let’s start off this article and see what surround sound is and whether it is for gaming or not.

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Is 7.1 Surround Sound Good For Gaming?

Yes, surround sound is good for gaming, but I should add that it won’t improve your gaming skills, unfortunately!

I know this was a very brief and straightforward answer, but knowing that you are reading this article to find out the answer, I didn’t want to complicate it. In the sections below, I will explain the surround sound in more detail since there are many aspects that you should consider. Also, I will discuss the pros and cons of the 7.1 Virtual surround sound , so it’s easier for you to decide whether it is worth it.

What is True Surround Sound

Now, it is time to discuss the surround in detail and see what it represents and offers to us. Virtual surround sound exists, and this is for a reason. Surround sound was firstly used in theatres. The primary purpose of using surround sound was to increase the depth of the sound so that the sound you are listening to immerses you more with the scene if you are watching a movie or with the music.

Basically, surround sound is a system involving three or more speakers, and those speakers surround the listener unlike stereo sound, so the listener can feel the sound to be more realistic, which is simply amazing. To explain it even better, imagine a sitting room, and in every corner, you put a speaker so that the sound will come from all the corners of the room, all tempered and organized to deliver optimum experience.

The capacity of listeners to point to the source of a sound in terms of distance is the most significant advantage of this sound method. By this method, the sound quality is improved, and the representation of the sound is at a different level. As you can see, there is nothing to complain about surround sound in general since we all want to hear a deeper sound with every effect possible.

What is 7.1 surround sound?

7.1 Virtual surround sound is generally used in home theatres, and as a difference from what I have mentioned above and the 5.1 surround sound, this sound system uses an eight-channel surround audio system. In the 5.1 surround system, we use six speakers, but in the 7.1 surround system, we use eight speakers, which improves the sound and gives the listener a different perspective of the sound.

The speaker’s positioning in the 7.1 surround sound system plays a significant role. The surround speakers are placed to the sides of the listeners, and the rear speakers are placed behind the listeners. This is how the speakers should be positioned if you want to feel the surround sound at its finest.

7.1 Virtual Surround Sound and Gaming

Let’s now see the relationship between the 7.1 surround sound system and gaming and whether this sound system affects gamers or not. The main purpose of surround sound in gaming is to provide an immersion sound so players can hear everything better. Many of you may know that you want to hear and feel when your enemy is approaching you, right?

The 7.1 surround system stereo headphones do a great job in this case since you feel like you are in the field and like everything is accurate, not only a game. So basically, in some circumstances, the sound is good for gaming, but I can’t say it is necessary. I should point out that 7.1 surround sound headphones won’t improve your gaming skills or make you a better player.

Pros of Surround Sound

As I mentioned, 7.1 surround sound headphones are not a lifesaver for gamers, and it is not necessary, but there are some advantages to it, of course. Using a 7.1 surround sound system while you are playing games will give you a fantastic sound quality, better said, an immersive experience.

7.1 surround sound headphones allow you to hear every single detail, and due to this, you can hear any footsteps or motion of your enemies. This is a significant advantage; if you don’t know how to play and are not a professional, this could not help you win the game and knock out your rivals.

Cons of Surround Sound

It all depends on what type of gamer you are. If you want to stay focused and not want to hear any noise and only focus on the game, then a 7.1 surround sound system may be a distractive element while gaming. So, if you are one of those gamers who want to play alone in a quiet environment, I will not recommend the 7.1 surround sound.

Final Words

It all depends on your game and what type of gamer you are. For some, surround sound truly enhances their gaming experience, but for some, it’s simply too much.

If you want to get that immersive sound and want to hear every detail and step of your enemies, the 7.1 virtual surround sound technology is a fantastic choice, but otherwise, I can’t say that you will need it. It’s up to you, to be honest.

I hope I did a good job explaining everything in detail, so you can better understand the concept of surround sound. Have fun!

Further Reading

Since I’ve been mentioning gaming several times in this article, you can check here if  Beyerdynamic stereo headphones are good for gaming.

You can also read about the best studio headphones under $200.

And if you happen to have Cowin headphones, find out how to pair them here.