Review: Immerse HIVE is AI-Assisted Spatial Audio for Gamers
This summer, Embody released a new product in the Immerse Gaming library called HIVE. This is AI-assisted spatial audio for your PC. The team was kind enough to provide me with a key to review the software and I have to say, it’s really surprising. The software works with a wide range of headphones, so be sure to check if your headset is compatible, but if it is, I really like HIVE.
The biggest thing that sets HIVE apart from other spatial audio programs is that it tailors the experience to the individual. When you first set up the program, it will ask for a picture of your ears. Everyone’s ears are different and the shape of your ear affects how you hear. In general, the differences from one ear to another are more subtle, but HIVE does its best to really provide you with the best audio experience for your body.
After trying HIVE out for a few weeks, I’ll admit, I didn’t think it was really any better. However, then I turned it off and went back to using the software for my Logitech headset. There was a huge difference! But, that’s also the trick. It’s something where I didn’t notice a huge difference at the start. It was something that I noticed only after I had become used to it.
In addition to a personalized audio experience based on your ear, HIVE offers a few helpful tools. First, there’s an icon that you can toggle on your screen which will indicate to you where sounds are happening. This can be used as an aid in shooting games (feel free to debate whether this is cheating or not) or even in single-player experiences where something may be trying to sneak up on you. Also, HIVE features presets for different game genres. These are very handy, although the focus is very much on action-oriented and competitive genres. This means there’s no quick choice for a game like Life is Strange or Stardew Valley.
Overall, if you are a gamer looking to improve your audio experience on PC, I would recommend checking out HIVE. It costs $15 for a year or $40 for five. Plus, you can use the free trial to see if it’s a good fit for you.
