Just to kick things off for those that don't want to spend money, the full license after the 14 day trial for DTS is $20. Windows Sonic is free, and Dolby Atmos is $15.
DTS Headphone X 2.0 is a spatial audio solution similar to Dolby Atmos for headphones or Windows Sonic, and like those other solutions, it works with any pair of headphones and with all games that support Windows Spatial Sound (proper 3D audio) or have 5.1/7.1 surround sound (applies that HRTF to a normal surround mix). If you've tried spatial audio before and weren't a fan, why use this newer one over those other options? Well, it doesn't make games sound overly "tinny" (windows sonic) or like the bass is blown out or just otherwise funky (dolby atmos for headphones). Seriously, it's near stereo clarity/quality, but with outstanding positional benefits. It's solid enough that I'm really thinking about spending $20 on the license when my trial runs out (lasts 14 days), which I absolutely did not expect.
These are the supported games for Windows Spatial Sound (This is a PC list, though there's a lot of crossover with Xbox, and for the life of me I can't find a well maintained list so there may be more games):
If anybody has tested all 3 of these options already or is going to do so now, I'd love to hear about your experience with it. DTS's option made this feel less like a gimmick and more like the future for me, personally.
Below is a test video. Put on your best over-ear headphones and listen in stereo mode (this is important).
And here's a quick and dirty Stereo vs DTS comparison I recorded in Cyberpunk 2077. Again, listen with over-ear headphones and plain stereo.
Great instructions kindly provided by Pargon
So to be clear, checking this box will make it so that ONLY games that use the spatial audio api (games in the list above for example) will work. If you keep the box unchecked, it will also work for 5.1/7.1 surround sources.
DTS Headphone X 2.0 is a spatial audio solution similar to Dolby Atmos for headphones or Windows Sonic, and like those other solutions, it works with any pair of headphones and with all games that support Windows Spatial Sound (proper 3D audio) or have 5.1/7.1 surround sound (applies that HRTF to a normal surround mix). If you've tried spatial audio before and weren't a fan, why use this newer one over those other options? Well, it doesn't make games sound overly "tinny" (windows sonic) or like the bass is blown out or just otherwise funky (dolby atmos for headphones). Seriously, it's near stereo clarity/quality, but with outstanding positional benefits. It's solid enough that I'm really thinking about spending $20 on the license when my trial runs out (lasts 14 days), which I absolutely did not expect.
These are the supported games for Windows Spatial Sound (This is a PC list, though there's a lot of crossover with Xbox, and for the life of me I can't find a well maintained list so there may be more games):
- Gears 5
- Borderlands 3
- Call of Duty Modern Warfare
- Call of Duty Black Ops Cold War
- Forza Horizon 4
- Shadow of the Tomb Raider
- Assassin's Creed Origins
- For Honor
- Final Fantasy XV
- Resident Evil 2
- Metro Exodus
- The Division 2
- Ori and the Will of the Wisps
- Super Lucky's Tale
- Cyberpunk 2077
If anybody has tested all 3 of these options already or is going to do so now, I'd love to hear about your experience with it. DTS's option made this feel less like a gimmick and more like the future for me, personally.
Below is a test video. Put on your best over-ear headphones and listen in stereo mode (this is important).
And here's a quick and dirty Stereo vs DTS comparison I recorded in Cyberpunk 2077. Again, listen with over-ear headphones and plain stereo.
Great instructions kindly provided by Pargon
So I figured out how to turn on or off the 5.1/7.1 virtual surround aspect of spatial audio. It's controlled by the "disable all enhancements" checkbox in the properties for your audio device. Using AC Odyssey as a test, checking that box makes the game output plain stereo to my headphones, and unchecking the box gives me the 7.1 surround mix. True spatial audio works with either setting.1. Install the app:2. Enable Spatial Sound for your device. Quickest way is to right-click the speaker icon on the taskbar:This can also be set via the old sound control panel's device properties.3. If you want to configure the settings, open the app.DTS:Dolby:4. Play a game.Select the Spatial Sound/Dolby Atmos if it's supported, or home theater/surround sound/7.1 audio if that's an option.Many games configure this automatically.5. To check if Spatial Sound is in use, click the speaker icon on the taskbar while the game is running:
So to be clear, checking this box will make it so that ONLY games that use the spatial audio api (games in the list above for example) will work. If you keep the box unchecked, it will also work for 5.1/7.1 surround sources.
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