The Best Headphones for Experiencing Spatial Audio
Learn about spatial sound headphones and what models are best in this article.
Spatial audio headphones make any media experience more immersive by completely enveloping you in surround sound.
Movies, games, and VR are all more realistic and convincing.
This article highlights the best spatial sound headphones on the market, as well as educates you on important spatial sound features and uses so you can make the best purchase for your unique needs.
Below you’ll find the best overall recommendations for different uses. Keep reading for more details about each model and important information about spatial sound headphones.
Best Spatial Audio Headphones (Quick Links)
What Is Spatial Sound for Headphones
Spatial sound is a 3D audio technique that creates a 360° immersive sound experience, fully enveloping the listener in sound.
Until recently, spatial sound has only been available via external speakers spaced around a listener in a more-or-less circular arrangement. This spatial sound technique is known as “surround sound”.
However, spatial sound is now available in headphones and earbuds, allowing the listener to experience spatial audio without all the equipment required with traditional surround sound (6 speakers, A/V receiver, cables).
Is Spatial Sound Only for Apple AirPods
Though “Spatial Audio” is a branding effort of Apple, spatial sound is available in other brands of headphones and earbuds as well.
How Spatial Audio in Headphones Works
Tritton AX Pro Dolby Headphones (hardware, left) vs Apple AirPods Max (sofware, right).
There are two ways to create a spatial sound experience with headphones:
Hardware - headphones with multiple speakers in each ear, spaced around the ear in a way that creates a 3D listening experience. Hardware spatial sound headphones are known as “true” surround headphones.
Software - multichannel audio is processed by complex algorithms that are able to create virtual speakers around each ear. Software spatial sound headphones are known as “virtual” surround headphones.
A feature unique to spatial sound headphones is head-tracking.
Head-tracking creates an immersive soundscape that actually rotates appropriately when you turn your head while using compatible headphones or earbuds.
Hardware vs. Software Spatial Audio Headphones
Due to the complexity engineering behind true surround headphones (hardware), they’re large, expensive, heavy, and do not support head-tracking.
Virtual surround headphones (software) are lighter, more compact, and support head-tracking. Additionally, with digital signal processors becoming more affordable and less power-hungry, virtual surround headphones have made hardware surround headphones almost obsolete.
Is Dolby Atmos the Same as Spatial Audio
Dolby Atmos is a spatial audio technique for creating surround sound, but it is one of many.
Other spatial audio techniques include:
DTS:X
Sony 360 Reality Audio
Dolby Digital Plus
DTS Neural: X
THX
So yes, Dolby Atmos is spatial audio, but not all spatial audio is Dolby Atmos.
However, when comparing Dolby Atmos to spatial audio with head-tracking enabled, spatial audio has the advantage.
While Dolby still provides an all-around enveloping soundscape, head-tracking enabled spatial audio keeps the sound centered and tracks your head (or device) movements, making it sound even more realistic.
Spatial Audio Headphone Uses
Spatial audio headphones are great for enjoying 3D immersive sound for:
Movies - an elevated surround sound experience with head-tracking without disturbing others.
Gaming - enhanced directional cues for precise location of footsteps and deeper immersion.
Virtual Reality - spatial sound headphones with head-tracking creates the ultimate VR experience.
Music - increasing numbers of musicians are offering surround sound mixes of their work.
Movies
Spatial audio headphones for movies gives you a cinematic experience within your own home and for your ears only.
Spatial audio headphones with head tracking provide an even more immersive surround sound experience than actually going to the movies. As you move your head, the sounds will move too, making you feel like you’re really witnessing the action, first-hand.
In comparison to traditional surround sound setups at home, spatial audio headphones saves you the cost and the trouble of having to purchase and set up several speakers, an AV receiver, and plugging everything in with wires.
Additionally, spatial audio headphones will keep your experience private, no need to worry about disturbing sleeping members of your family, or bothering the neighbors with thundering bass.
Gaming
Spatial audio headphones for gaming will give you an advantage over your opponents and immerse you more deeply within the game.
With 3D surround sound, you’ll be able to precisely locate your enemies by their footsteps and act accordingly.
The soundscapes of the environments will surround you and move with your character, making you feel like you’re really in the game.
Premier spatial audio headphones for gaming feature metal construction, wireless performance, long battery life, and noise cancelling microphones.
Virtual Reality
When using spatial audio headphones for exploring virtual reality, the experience is even more convincing.
The environments will take on a new degree of realism, as you’re surrounded by sounds that appear to emanate in front, behind, and to your sides.
Head tracking is not required, as the VR device will track your head and rotate the sound in your headphones accordingly.
Music
Surround sound formats are becoming popular for musicians.
Mixes in 5.1, 7.1, and Dolby Atmos are being released with increasing popularity.
Using a pair of spatial audio headphones is one of the best ways to experience these new musical offerings.
Not only can you get audiophile quality audio, but you’ll be fully immersed in the music, with instruments and sounds all around you.
Best Spatial Sound Headphones
Apple AirPods Max Headphones
The Apple AirPods Max are the best overall spatial audio headphones.
Apple’s Spatial Audio and head-tracking technology brings a whole new level to sound immersion for movies, shows, and games.
They excel when a screen is your main focus and will make the sound appear to come from the screen, no matter what direction you turn your head.
Build quality is very solid, featuring an almost entirely metal construction, and the ear cushions are comfortable for long periods.
Features:
Apple-designed dynamic driver provides high-fidelity audio
Active Noise Cancellation blocks outside noise, so you can immerse yourself in music
Transparency mode for hearing and interacting with the world around you
Spatial audio with dynamic head tracking provides theater-like sound that surrounds you
Computational audio combines custom acoustic design with the Apple H1 chip and software for breakthrough listening experiences
Designed with a knit-mesh canopy and memory foam ear cushions for an exceptional fit
Magical experience with effortless setup, on-head detection, and seamless switching between devices
Best Custom Spatial Sound Headphones
Sony WH1000XM4 Headphones
The Sony WH1000XM4 headphones are software spatial sound headphones using Sony’s patented 360 Reality Audio technology to create a virtual immersive soundscape.
Although they do not offer head tracking like the Apple AirPods Max, they feature an algorithm that customizes their sound to your own ears!
To use this feature, take a photo of your left and right ears, then upload the photos to the Sony app. The photos are scanned and optimizes the headphones to deliver the best possible sound for your ears’ shape.
Features:
Industry-leading noise cancelling with Dual Noise Sensor technology
Next-level music with Edge-AI, co-developed with Sony Music Studios Tokyo
Up to 30-hour battery life with quick charging (10 min charge for 5 hours of playback)
Touch Sensor controls to pause play skip tracks, control volume, activate your voice assistant, and answer phone calls
Speak-to-chat technology automatically reduces volume during conversations
Superior call quality with precise voice pickup. Frequency Response (Active Operation)-4Hz-40,000Hz. Frequency Response(Bluetooth Communication)- 20Hz - 20,000Hz (44.1kHz Sampling) / 20Hz - 40,000Hz (LDAC 96kHz Sampling, 990kbps)
Wearing detection pauses playback when headphones are removed
Adaptive Sound Control provides a personalized listening experience
Best Spatial Audio Headphones for Gaming
HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless Spatial Audio Gaming Headset
The HyperX Cloud Alpha gaming headset has all the features you’d expect from top-end gaming headphones, plus support for 7.1 surround sound, creating an immersive 3D soundscape all around you…perfect for picking up audio cues like footsteps and approaching enemies.
With wireless performance for up to 300 hours on a single charge, a detachable mic with built-in noise cancelling, and an aluminum frame, these gaming headphones will last you for years to come.
Features:
Up to 300 hours of wireless gaming: Play knowing you’ll get weeks of gaming out of a single charge. The fast 2.4GHz connection provides wireless freedom without sacrificing audio quality.
DTS Headphone:X Spatial Audio: DTS Spatial Audio will help amp up your audio advantage and immersion with its precise sound localization and virtual 3D sound stage.
HyperX Dual Chamber Drivers: The groundbreaking dual chamber driver system in the Cloud Alpha Wireless tunes the mids and highs separately from the bass-heavy lows to deliver incredibly clear audio.
Signature HyperX comfort: With plush signature HyperX memory foam, breathable leatherette, this lightweight, comfortable headset will help you stay focused during marathon gaming sessions.
Durable aluminum frame: The tough aluminum frame helps ensure that your headset can go the distance; game after game, week after week, year after year.
Best Budget Spatial Audio Headphones for Gaming
Razer Kraken Ultimate RGB USB Gaming Headset
The Razer Kraken Ultimate gaming headset is very similar to the HyperX Cloud Alphas but considerably cheaper.
Similarities include: surround sound, noise cancelling mic, and metal frame.
Different from the HyperX Cloud Alpha, the Razer Kraken Ultimate is wired, features customizable RGB earcups, and has a retractable mic (instead of detachable).
Features:
Customizable RGB earcup underglow; supports 16.8 million colors
THX 7.1 Surround Sound Capable: Provides industry-leading audio realism for in-game immersion by providing accurate spatial audio information beyond standard 7.1 surround sound directional cues
All-Day Comfort: Oval, cooling gel-infused cushions that prevent overheating and pressure build-up
Retractable, Active Noise Cancelling Microphone: An improved mic with ANC reduces background and ambient noises for crystal-clear communication
On-Earcup Audio Controls: Includes volume up and down and THX Spatial on or off toggle
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