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Audeze Penrose X - Optimized Settings
🕑 Added 2022-03-18 11:08:58 +0000 UTC
I've tried/had/tested all the most recommended/praised gaming wireless headsets over the years:
- B&O Beoplay Portal;
- SteelSeries Arctis 9X and 7P;
- LucidSound LS50X and LS35X;
- Astro A50 & A40;
- Corsair HS75 XB;
- Razer Thresher Ultimate and Nari;
- Turtle Beach Elite 800X;
- Xbox Wireless Headset.
Then I got/tested the Audeze Penrose X and ...well.
These are the only ones that felt like an actual "next-generation" jump audio wise in the last 5 years.
Probably the fact that Audeze is known and praised in the audiophile space before the "gamerz" space combined to the 100mm Planar Magnetic drivers instead of classic/dynamic 50mm/40mm drivers of all the others sets but the difference in the audio fidelity was insane, to the point of lefting me speechless for a very long time.
The first thing to do is updating them to latest firmware 0.1.12 (dated December 13th 2021) or newer by using the AudezeHQ app (you can download here) .
Second apply the following tweaks to its default EQ through the app:
(this will provide an even more "signature" or pure/balanced Stereo sound to the headset)
These tweaks are so good for everything that you can also apply them for all 5 Presets (in case you switch between some of them by mistake).
Now you're ready to couple Dolby Atmos for Headphone to them for best results (if you want to know why, read here )
Use the following Dolby Access "Custom" preset for Dolby Atmos for Headphones:
I read some complaints about clamshell force on the head and mic quality, but after a couple of months of usage they became very comfortable and mic quality after latest firmware is very good (it also has in-built noise gate and cancellation), without even trying it without the update.
The Wireless signal is also Lossless and very robust so far, with no disconnections or crackling at all.
If you're still on the fence looking for a top-tier Wireless Headset for Xbox (but also for PC and everything else considering the "X" version actually works for PS5 and Switch too) without worrying about spending a bit more money for it (around 300$/€ as we speak), go for it and thank me later.
This thing is unbelievably good once setup properly.
Comments
P40L0
Yes that setup is correct. The best scenario is when the game supports native Atmos/3D tracks for Speakers (not for Headphones) which will be "picked" and processed by Tempest or even better Atmos for Headphones on system level and converted to a final Stereo mix for the Headphones. Usually USB and Xbox Wireless protocol are higher quality solution compared to optical as the signal data will just be transferred as is and not compressed for the analog/optical cable.
Chad Brown
Thanks for the thorough response. I think I follow. As an example, If I were to use the Astro A50s on PS5 via USB, I would do the following -enable the 3D/tempest audio in the PS5 system settings -set the Astros to stereo/star icon -enable 5.1/7.1 in game (or 3D if available) Is that correct? Also, is there typically a quality difference between optical cable and USB when it comes to audio? I had been using the Astros via optical, but I can only utilize the PS5 3D if I run it through the USB.
P40L0
No, the correct way to use all the new Spatial/3D Audio techniques for Headphones is to still setup both console and in-game settings for Surround audio (the higher the channels the better, so from 5.1 up to 7.1 and native Atmos tracks) then enable the technique from the console/PC (e.g Dolby Atmos for Headphones, which is the best one of the bunch) which will process the multichannel signal for a final/spatial 3D Stereo mix. Considering the final track will be Stereo, you should then make sure the Headphones you're using are setup as signature/balanced Stereo too (so you can disable Dolby Surround from the Astros and set them back to Stereo). I haven't tried the Inzone yet but the same recommendation for the Pulse will apply. Also have a look to this post about the differences between all the Spatial techniques for Headphones and best settings too: https://www.patreon.com/posts/63951702
Chad Brown
When using these or the Sony Pulse 3D, should the audio on the PS5 be set to Linear PCM? I have the Astro A50s set up using the Dolby option, but not a fan of the compatibility issues and routing the optical cable through my TV. I may pick up these audeze on your recommendation. Side note, have you had a chance to try the new Sony INZONE H9?
