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submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) by n3cr0@lemmy.world to c/linux_gaming@lemmy.world

One of the challenges when it comes to switching gaming setups from the Windows world to Linux, is fully-featured hardware support.

The Xbox Wireless Headset + official dongle does a decent job with a lot of bang for the buck. However, It's not (yet) supported by XONE or any other driver. I can connect it via bluetooth, but then it just sounds dull - no surprise!

That's why I'm now looking for a new headset which is approved by the community. It must offer decent (surround-)sound in games.

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[-] Chais@sh.itjust.works 9 points 1 year ago

A few of things I'd look out for:

  • Bluetooth protocol. Many Bluetooth headsets switch to a low-bandwidth but full-duplex mode when used as a headset. As a result you can hear and be heard at the same time, but at abysmal quality. Think old phone. You want a headset that supports at least AptX, which supports full-duplex communication at reasonable bandwidth and thus quality.
  • Spatial audio. Don't bother! It's a non-issue that you can replicate in software, with the help of pipewire. I wouldn't spend money on it.
  • I'd stay away from proprietary 2.4GHz connectors and stick with plain Bluetooth, as that doesn't require a specialised driver that possibly requires support from the vendor.
[-] bgtlover@linuxrocks.online 2 points 1 year ago

@Chais @n3cr0 how do you replicate that with pipewire anyway? Sure, you can rig up the nodes and all, but are games actually outputting surround nowadays, or how do you benefit from all that work?

[-] n3cr0@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago

Since pipewire is the default in Nobara (I recently started with it), I hope I don't need to care too much about it (fingers crossed!). What I want to achieve is a realistic feeling of the room accoustics in games. I recently noticed that in Cyberpunk 2077 (windows, with the xbox headset): I could close my eyes and still tell where I am in the game.

[-] bgtlover@linuxrocks.online 3 points 1 year ago

@n3cr0 ahh, I guess that's more or less normal hrtf, which any respectable audiogame can replicate

[-] Chais@sh.itjust.works 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Exactly. You set up the virtual sink for 5.1 output and make pipewire convolute the signal with a suitable impulse response to turn it into a stereo signal that sounds like it's coming from the correct direction. And yes, most games will output surround sound, given the option.

[-] bgtlover@linuxrocks.online 0 points 1 year ago

@Chais do games actually output 5.1 nowadays? Most of those I know use libraries like steamaudio, which simulates it using in-app hrtf, mixing the signal on its own

[-] ono@lemmy.ca 1 points 1 year ago

It depends on the game. I have 5.1 speakers on my computer and can hear things behind me in some games, but not others.

[-] Chais@sh.itjust.works 1 points 1 year ago

At least I can play games and get directional audio. Beyond that I care little how they achieve it.

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this post was submitted on 20 Nov 2023
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