What is HRTF in Valorant? Should I use it?

HRTF has the potential to significantly improve your perception of Valorant. Today's article will help you find out if it's right for you and how to use this feature properly.

What is HRTF in Valorant?

HRTF stands for Head-Related Transfer Function, and it transforms incoming sound into how it will hit your head depending on where it comes from. HRTF is an audio processing setting in Valorant released in patch 2.06.

Because of the shape of our heads and ears, things from different directions will sound different. HRTF simulates this sound change through mathematics, so it's not just a 'surround' filter that makes everything sound hollow like those annoying 7.1 surround features on gaming headsets .

HRTF transforms sounds based on the shape of the model's head and ears. While your head may not match the Valorant HRTF model exactly, in most cases getting the head close enough will give you detail in that direction.

How does HRTF help players?

The headset has 2 drivers left and right. Does that make sense since we only have two ears? Absolutely not! Even though we only have two ears, our entire head performs the function of hearing and can perceive sounds horizontally, vertically, and everywhere in between.

Traditional stereo headphones can only communicate left, right and combine those two channels - a two-way audio image. You'll know enemy footsteps are coming from the left, right, or somewhere in between, but that's just one plane. Stereo sound without HRTF is like watching TV; The image on the screen may provide good information but it is still only on a 2D screen.

HRTF is like VR for your ears. Your brain still receives 2D input, but it simulates the way your senses receive information in 3D. Listen to Vandal at the end of the short HRTF demo below. With the HRTF off, it sounds like the Vandal is right next to you - with the HRTF on, you can clearly hear that it's slightly above you.

HRTF tricks your brain into thinking the sound is coming from a certain direction by emitting the sound the same way your ears would hear it if the sound actually came from that direction in real life.

How to activate HRTF in Valorant and use it properly

To enable HRTF in Valorant, go to Settings > Audio and click the empty box on Enable HRTF .

Once enabled, try it in Deathmatch or in a private match with friends. Try checking if the directionality is correct for you, so you can know if it's worth activating or not.

If you decide to use HRTF and it doesn't work, you may think that the HRTF model is not right for you. It is a possible situation, but the article recommends that you try quick fixes to ensure the feature works normally.

HRTF may sound inaccurate and even terrible if other HRTF audio processing software such as Windows Sonic, DTS Headphone:X or Dolby Atmos is enabled. You should also avoid enabling those virtual 7.1 surround sound features on your gaming headset, which don't even come close to the accuracy of HRTF.

If you really want the best directionality, you might also want to try some gaming headset alternatives, such as open-back headphones, which are great for 3D audio. . Open-back headphones like the Sennheiser HD 599 SE have the potential to improve the HRTF quality you're experiencing as they often have excellent sound imaging.

HRTF is an underrated audio technology that can really benefit players. Sound is said to provide more information than sight, as you can often hear enemies before you even see them, allowing you to defeat your opponents.

HRTF isn't limited to Valorant's in-game settings either. In case Valorant's HRTF isn't right for you, there's also Dolby Atmos or DTS Headphone:X which have been proven to deliver excellent HRTF performance.

Jessica Tanner

Update 14 November 2023