XMOS powers Synido’s Gaming A7 sound card for AI-powered immersive 7.1 surround sound, accurate audio positioning and comfortable listening

In first-person shooter (FPS) games, aim is a core skill, but hearing can provide the hidden advantage that ultimately decides a game. Sound is also central to an immersive, enjoyable gaming experience, which is why many experienced players add a gaming sound card to their setup. In this globally popular market, a good sound card must do more than deliver 7.1-channel audio: it must create a natural, comfortable soundstage in real time. On-device AI for audio applications is helping meet this demand, supported by real-time parallel processors such as XMOS’S XCORE®.

Sound has become a core element of game design. Players rely on the timing and direction of footsteps, gunfire and reloads to locate opponents, track their movements and anticipate their next move. Traditional software-based virtual 7.1 solutions rely on the host CPU, consuming processing resources and potentially causing frame-rate fluctuations. High latency, imprecise positioning and poor separation between sounds can also make it difficult to meet the split-second demands of esports.

This has created demand for gaming sound cards and headsets that deliver both clarity and comfort. Developing them, however, involves more than generating 7.1-channel effects and reproducing sound. Many designs based on an MCU and DSP still leave players with a narrow soundstage, difficulty identifying sound direction and the unnatural sensation that audio is coming from inside their head. Balancing gaming performance with music quality can also be a challenge.

Synido recently introduced the Gaming A7 sound card, combining edge AI with a real-time parallel processing architecture. Promising 50% less listening pressure, 100% detail reproduction and Hi-Fi sound for gaming, it aims to transform the listening experience. The Gaming A7 uses the XCORE processor and audio technology, proven in markets worldwide. And its on-device AI-powered virtual 7.1 surround sound is designed to help players pinpoint sounds, react sooner and listen comfortably.

Five key features and listening benefits

To meet players’ needs for competitive performance and listening comfort, Synido combined the XCORE.AI processor with its own application experience and expertise in system design and algorithms. The Gaming A7 goes beyond producing 7.1 effects: it provides real-time processing on the device, with adjustable controls for spatial positioning, listening comfort and latency.

• Hardware-processed 7.1 spatial audio. Hyper HRTF™ technology combines ERTF and NRTF to deliver 5.3× higher spatial resolution and precise positioning in eight directions across a 360-degree soundstage. Players can identify an opponent’s direction from their footsteps before they come into view.
• More natural, comfortable listening. The perceived sound image is positioned four times further from the listener’s head, creating the impression of sound coming naturally from the surrounding space and processing optimised for sharp gunfire reduces pressure at the eardrum by more than 50%. Research at the University of Texas at Dallas has validated a 15% reduction in cognitive load with NRTF technology, helping reduce fatigue during extended gaming sessions.
• Ultra-low latency of 3.8 ms. The multicore architecture handles all spatial audio calculations on the chip, achieving latency of just 3.8 ms to keep sound and visuals synchronised and help players react quickly.
• AI-powered sound enhancement. Built-in AI footstep enhancement and gunshot suppression automatically bring important details forward and reduce distracting sounds, making it easier to follow the action in FPS games.
• Broad compatibility and plug-and-play operation. The driver-free design supports computers, phones and tablets. FPS-specific EQ presets and custom settings let players tailor the sound, with real-time microphone monitoring, AI noise reduction for calls and one-touch switching to Hi-Fi music mode.

The XCORE architecture addresses three gaming audio challenges

XCORE is a software-defined SoC architecture designed for audio and real-time signal processing, combining parallel multicore operation with deterministic low latency. Drawing on more than 20 years of XMOS USB audio expertise, XCORE.AI integrates DSP audio processing, AI algorithms and control logic on a single chip. It supports native 5.1/7.1 multichannel input and driver-free, plug-and-play operation for stable performance and broad compatibility. These capabilities help the Gaming A7 address three limitations of conventional designs.

Challenge 1: Host CPU load and frame-rate drops

The XCORE chip handles audio processing independently on the device, freeing the host CPU from these calculations and helping preserve gaming performance.

Challenge 2: High latency and sound out of sync with visuals

Parallel multicore processing and predictable task scheduling enable chip-level latency of just 3.8 ms. All spatial calculations take place on the chip to keep audio and visuals synchronised.

Challenge 3: Imprecise positioning and a narrow soundstage

XCORE’s real-time processing supports demanding algorithms, including Hyper HRTF™ spatial audio and AI noise reduction, to deliver an immersive virtual 7.1 surround soundstage.

Combining hardware and software to accelerate gaming peripheral development

From the competitive advantage of locating opponents by sound to immersive Hi-Fi music, the Gaming A7 supports gaming and music listening through a single chip. XMOS provides XCORE processors alongside audio algorithms, reference designs and technical support. This helps manufacturers bring professional-quality surround audio products to market faster, with greater control over development costs and shorter development cycles.

• Shorter development cycles. A complete audio signal chain and proven reference algorithms reduce the need to develop everything from scratch.
• Simpler development. Integrating DSP, AI and control logic on one chip simplifies hardware design.
• Reliable performance. Two decades of USB audio expertise support stability and compatibility.
• Flexible customisation. The programmable architecture lets manufacturers develop distinctive features for their target markets.

XCORE processors and AI audio algorithms are helping bring AI capabilities to gaming sound cards, headsets and other audio products. The technology allows a common audio processing platform to support a wide range of applications. Synido’s Gaming A7 demonstrates how on-device AI-powered virtual 7.1 audio can support the continued development of gaming peripherals towards more precise positioning, lower latency and greater listening comfort. Advanced audio processing platforms such as XCORE are set to play a growing role in these products.