THX Spatial Audio Vs. Stereo: Here's The Difference (Explained) -

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Stereo has become the standard in audio to such an extent that most people can’t imagine life before it. Over the years, audio equipment manufacturers have tried to introduce various new ways to improve stereo, with varied levels of success. One such attempt is THX Spatial Audio. But what makes THX Spatial Audio different from stereo, and is it worth the extra money?

Stereo is a general audio standard that transmits audio signals through two audio channels, allowing us to hear two-directional sound. THX Spatial Audio is a new standard that belongs to Razer. With supported headphones, gamers can enjoy full 360^osurround sound for greater game immersion.

Though THX Spatial Audio builds on the existing stereo standard, it is a significant improvement over it, turning it into an almost entirely new system. Let’s dive deeper into how stereo and THX Spatial Audio work and what they do to improve your sound experience.

Stereo Vs. THX Spatial Audio: What Is Stereo?

Let’s start by examining the older of the two technologies: stereo.

In its simplest form, stereo is a technology that uses two or more speakers to play audio through. The technology is directional, using a two-channel system, which means the listener can hear certain sounds from one direction and other sounds from the other side.

Stereo sound systems often have two audio outputs, labeled “L” and “R,” for “Left” and “Right.” This shows the separation of the sound into two clear directional channels.

Some stereo systems, especially high-end headphones, can create the illusion that there are more than just two channels, creating a virtual surround sound experience that can be pretty realistic. Much of this depends on how the audio was created, the quality of the device playing it, and the technical specifications of the speakers or headphones.

The History Of Stereo

Stereophonic sound was born in the 1930s when Alan Dower Blumstein filed several patents after being disappointed by the sound quality in a movie theater. The first stereo recordings were released in 1933 and 1934. It was groundbreaking technology, as we can clearly see by the fact that it’s still considered the standard nearly a century later.

How Stereo Works

For stereo to work, the audio must be recorded through separate channels and mixed as two audio streams. When the sound is played, the streams are split into separate electronic channels (literal wires) that transmit them to different speakers. So, you do not imagine hearing different sounds on different sides; the left and right channels are really playing different audio streams.

Advancements In Stereo

The most significant advancement in stereo involves surround sound. There are various types. For example, some standards simply built on the concept of stereo with its two-channel system and expanded it to include more channels. For example, 5.1-channel surround sound has five speakers surrounding the listener and a separate subwoofer for bass, each with its own dedicated channel.

The next step forward is spatial audio, which involves several sound drivers with no specific combination. You need speakers or headphone systems that support spatial audio, though. Otherwise, it won’t work, and a 5.1-channel system generally tends to give the best results. There are various standards, such as Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.

THX Spatial Audio Vs. Stereo: What Is THX Spatial Audio?

THX Spatial Audio is an audio technology that uses software to create 360^o surround sound. It was developed by THX, which belongs to the gaming brand Razer, so it was initially developed specifically for gaming, though it has since expanded into other arenas, such as music and video.

You can purchase headphones or speakers with THX Spatial Audio built-in or add Spatial Audio to any speakers or headphones (with varying degrees of success) through the THX Spatial Audio App.

The History Of THX Spatial Audio

THX released its spatial audio offering in 2018, but it goes further than that. THX was initially created as a sound standard by George Lucas’ film company, Lucasfilm, in 1983. Its purpose was to ensure that Star Wars: Episode III, The Return of the Jedi, would have the best possible sound in theaters. So, THX’s purpose has always been sound excellence.

With the introduction of THX Spatial Audio, this excellence entered its next stage.

How THX Spatial Audio Works

THX offers its Spatial Audio to any brand or model of headphones. This theoretically means that you can use any 3.5 mm, USB, or Bluetooth headphones or earphones to experience realistic 7.1-channel surround sound because it uses software algorithms to pinpoint the directional sound.

However, headphones and speaker systems have varying levels of success with THX Spatial Audio. Those that already support 7.1-channel surround sound will have a sizeable advantage over those that only support stereo, for example.

With this in mind, it’s also important to note that Razer offers its own gaming headsets that were explicitly designed with THX Spatial Audio in mind. The company also partners with various other manufacturers to offer devices such as laptops and smartphones that natively support the technology.

Since the THX Spatial Audio software comes with tailor-made profiles for these supported devices, it’s understandable that you will likely have the best results using one of them. Regardless, whatever sound setup you’re using, you can purchase the THX Spatial Audio app for Windows and start making use of it.

The THX Spatial Audio App

The app currently runs on Windows only, mainly because its primary purpose is gaming. Once the app is installed, you can switch between two audio profiles: TXH Environmental Mode and THX Competitive Mode.

THX Environmental Mode

The Environmental Mode profile is excellent for general use, such as listening to music or watching a movie. Its sound profile creates a virtual surround sound landscape which is quite immersive, especially with the proper sound hardware.

THX Competitive Mode

Competitive Mode is designed for gamers. It allows you to virtually pinpoint the exact location of enemy footsteps, for example, to give you a competitive edge while gaming. It also minimizes distant sounds, like explosions, so they don’t distract from your immediate environment.

It’s crucial to note that the game you’re playing also has to support THX Spatial Audio for best results. Thankfully, most of the current A-list competitive titles support it.

Final Thoughts

There’s a massive difference between stereo and THX Spatial Audio. While stereo is sufficient for many people, THX Spatial Audio is far superior since it offers a more realistic surround-sound environment. In some scenarios, it is also more helpful than stereo since it enhances immersion and increases realism in games or movies.

THX Spatial Audio can also heighten the experience for audiophiles who like to experience music “as if they are there.” So, even though stereo is sufficient for many people, THX Spatial Audio is worth the investment for anyone who wants a higher level of immersion.

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