Tips to improve the soundstage of your headphones result in an exquisite level of immersion in your sound experience. Soundstage determines the perceived size and location of the sound. With a good soundstage experience, you can perceive whether the sound is coming from inside, in front of, or the distance between instruments and the width of the stage.
How do you enhance the soundstage of a headphone? In this post, we discuss four ways to improve the soundstage in your headphones.
How to Improve The Soundstage of Your Headphones
1. Get a Headphone Amplifier
A headphone amplifier is one of the gadgets to buy next once you invest in some good headphones. A headphone amp is added between your playback music player and headphones to improve the overall audio sound signature. Every aspect from clarity, detail level, and dynamics, improves.
Headphone amplifiers do not affect the soundstage of a headphone. However, with better clarity, details retrieval, and dynamics, you should expect an improvement in the soundstage and imaging of headphones.
If a headphone amplifier does not cut it, check the quality of your audio files or playback device. Every sound reproduction has several stages: transmission, decoding, analog conversion, amplification, and signal filtering. Each stage affects the sound, so an improvement at any point is welcome. If interested to learn more about headphone amplifiers? Check out the headphones amplifier explained.
2. Angle Headphone Drivers
Angling the headphone drivers can improve the soundstage for DIY enthusiasts who want to experiment with headphones. Some manufacturers angle the drivers of a headphone to expand them. Besides angling the headphone drivers, getting angled pads can have the same effect.
Some headphones with angled drivers include the Audio Technica A and AD lines, Fidelio X2HR, MDR-Z1000, and the B&O H9i. The HiFiMAN HE 4XX ships with angled pads.
According to RTINGS.com, angled headphone drivers with large and deep enclosures have the best PRTF (Pinna-related transfer function) responses. This means the soundstage in these headphones is perceived to be more natural. The soundstage is also perceived to be larger, so over-ear headphones perform better in the soundstage.
3. Make your Headphones more Open.
One area where open-back headphones win big over closed-back headphones is the soundstage. Closed-back headphones have an intimate soundstage and are described as ‘in your head.’ Open-back headphones have an open, natural, and airy soundstage experience. See our best soundstage headphones.
The main reason for the difference in soundstage is the design of the earcups. Open-back headphones have a vented or perforated design that lets in ambient noise, which makes the audio feel like it’s not coming directly from the headphone you are wearing. The more open the headphone is, the more spacious the soundstage will feel.
If you own extra headphones, you can make the design more open. Changing the earpads to get some that do not isolate properly is one of the ways to let in ambient noise and leak out the sound. For DIY enthusiasts, you can try making your headphone more open by creating vents or perforations on the earcup. Try this on an extra pair of inexpensive headphones to avoid a huge loss.
4. Use App Support or Software Presets
Some headphones, especially closed-back headphones, attempt to recreate a spacious soundstage electronically by using software presets or installing apps. The soundstage is recreated through stereo systems as well as headphones. Home audio, employ the use of a popular technology used to simulate soundstage, the Virtual speaker from Dolby, At the same time 3D Sonic Emotion and DTS Surround Sensation are popular standards for headphones.
For gamers, virtual surround sound comes built into some gaming consoles. For Xbox, you can add Windows Sonic, Dolby Atmos, and DTS Headphones: X. PS5 does not support other virtual technologies but comes built-in with its 3D audio technology. If none of these virtual surround sound technologies work, you can get the MIXAMP PRO TR by AstroGaming. It allows you to customize your audio settings. Also features Dolby audio, which recreates a cinematic and lifelike audio experience. Depending on your gaming platform, you can get one for Xbox, Playstation, and PC/Mac.
When Soundstage Matters
The importance of soundstage depends on the preferences of an individual listener. An enhanced soundstage adds a 3D dimension of listening that helps improve the overall audio quality and level of immersion.
Listening to Music
Good headphones with just the good spaciousness to sound are much welcome if you’re listening to music at home or in your office away from ambient noise. This helps you become more immersed in your music for an enjoyable listening session.
Gaming
A spacious soundstage and good imaging can make a massive difference for gaming. A good level of soundstage and imaging can help identify where enemies are coming from, shooting from, and the range. This can be the difference between losing and winning a game for a competitive gamer. Apart from giving you an edge in competitions, a spacious soundstage can also help with better immersion and gaming experience.
Watching Movies
A spacious soundstage when listening to movies heightens the sense of realism and actions beyond the screen. This makes the headphones disappear from your head. Explosions and gunshots sound deeper and more real for a realistic and lively movie session. If you prefer headphones for watching movies, check out our best headphones for movies.
Conclusion
In summary, there are several effective ways to enhance the soundstage of your headphones and elevate your audio experience. Investing in a headphone amplifier can improve clarity and dynamics while angling the drivers or using angled pads expands the soundstage. Open-back headphones provide a natural and spacious audio experience. Utilizing app support or software presets, like virtual surround sound technologies, further enhances the perception of the soundstage.
Optimizing your source equipment, experimenting with ear pads, adjusting the positioning, and creating an ideal listening environment contribute to a broader and more immersive soundstage. Combining these techniques can bring your audio content to life with greater depth and immersion.
However, it is imperative to note that the soundstage experience can be subjective, and what works for one person may not work for another. Experiment with these tips and find the settings and techniques that provide the most enjoyable soundstage for your preferences.
