this post was submitted on 26 Dec 2025
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Hello and happy holidays!

I've recently made the switch to Linux and I'm looking for a headset with 7.1 surround sound that'll also work with my PS5. I'm ok to switch to any distro as some won't work as well as others with the sound drivers. I'm currently using PopOS.

I did some research and even asked at a computer store but I found it difficult to get a reliable answer on a good set. I'd also like wireless and I'm ok with a usb over Bluetooth connection.

Can anyone point me in the direction of a great headset that'll work with what I'm looking for? Hunting for Linux things is certainly harder than that crappy os I switched from, but I know it's worth it.

Thank you!

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[–] Hond@piefed.social 2 points 12 hours ago* (last edited 12 hours ago)

I played around with the "fake" surround stuff a few weeks back. I must say it didnt win me over for gaming. Tried it out with my 70$ Chi-Fi stereo IEMs. Might work better with open headphones with a "wider sound stage". I spent several hours on an afternoon switching around. IMHO the localization of sound in a 3d space wasnt any better compared to simple but good stereo output. My main comparison would be the spatial sound of my VR Headset where sometimes sound really seem to come from behind me and other mind boggling trickery. This didnt happen once with all the virtual surround solutions i tried.

Anyway i followed the instructions in this post:
https://piefed.social/post/219030

But i also tried this approach:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dc4lSt_-_uw
https://gitlab.freedesktop.org/pipewire/pipewire/-/blob/master/src/daemon/filter-chain/sink-virtual-surround-7.1-hesuvi.conf
https://airtable.com/appayGNkn3nSuXkaz/shruimhjdSakUPg2m/tbloLjoZKWJDnLtTc

Maybe it works for you. Try it out. Its free.

Edit: Oh yeah and the famous binaural barbershop works really well with the IEMs. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsJn0R-Ff_E

So idk if i just messed up or this whole virtual surround stuff is just yet another software audio voodoo bullshit.