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DTS Headphone X 2.0: Everyone with an Xbox or PC should try this out
- Thread starter Kickfister
- Start date
I eventually settled on Dolby Atmos for my tastes between the two.
Does anyone have a recommend sound profile for it though? I'm using Arctis 9X and tend to prefer my single player games where I'm looking for a more cinematic audio experience. Currently on the Movies - Balanced tab but don't trust my ears well enough if that's the most immersive and can't find a single explanation online about what the different profiles change in terms of audio or EQ!
Does anyone have a recommend sound profile for it though? I'm using Arctis 9X and tend to prefer my single player games where I'm looking for a more cinematic audio experience. Currently on the Movies - Balanced tab but don't trust my ears well enough if that's the most immersive and can't find a single explanation online about what the different profiles change in terms of audio or EQ!
Been testing both the Atmos app and the DTS-X app on PC for a while now and my thoughts really haven't changed over time: they're both great for games with official spacial sound support like MW2019, and I think for me DTS-X sounds better and wider, perhaps due to having a profile already for my headphones.
However they are both way worse at virtualizing surround from all the other games that don't have official atmos/spacial sound support, which is like 99% of them. And I believe this is due to them still requiring Windows sound settings to be set to headphones and not 5.1 or 7.1 surround, so all they get to virtualize to begin with is a stereo track from the game.
It's an annoying conclusion but in the end I just have to keep switching back and forth to Atmos/DTS-X for newer games with support, and SBX Surround (or CMSS-3d or any something similar) for everything else.
However they are both way worse at virtualizing surround from all the other games that don't have official atmos/spacial sound support, which is like 99% of them. And I believe this is due to them still requiring Windows sound settings to be set to headphones and not 5.1 or 7.1 surround, so all they get to virtualize to begin with is a stereo track from the game.
It's an annoying conclusion but in the end I just have to keep switching back and forth to Atmos/DTS-X for newer games with support, and SBX Surround (or CMSS-3d or any something similar) for everything else.
They don't do stereo virtualization/upmixing; only downmixing.
I do, however, agree that Creative's downmixing sounds better than Atmos/DTS:X for games - though I prefer CMSS to SBX.
Yeah, that's what I mean. It's just getting stereo so there's not really much it can do to it except what the game already does. Though I did find this response from dolby saying that the sound is 'upscaled' whatever that means.
CMSS is great. What is your setup then, are you switching back and forth or just don't play any Atmos games (since there are so few anyway)
Yeah - I switch sound device depending on the game.
The X-Fi's 5.1 device outputs the CMSS virtual surround over an optical connection to my DAC, or I can select the stereo optical output device directly for Atmos/DTS (where it is already enabled).
I've been using speakers a lot more than headphones recently though, after finding some which I really like the sound of, that image very well (got a good deal on a pair of Genelec 8010A for my desk).
Of course speakers are more restrictive in some ways, but after hearing how good these sound—especially for the size—I'm wanting to see if I can make a 5.1 or 7.1 setup work in this space.
Ahh that's really smart and way more convenient than what I'm doing! Thanks for the tip
I bought both DTS:X and Dolby Atmos. Both were on sale for Black Friday and this is the very beginning of the generation so why not? Plus it translates over to everything Microsoft and I now have those licenses tied to my PC, Laptop, and of course, both my Xbox consoles.
Deleted member 1963
Guest
Does Black Ops Cold War not have an official mix?
Where can I find an up to date list of supported games?
Where can I find an up to date list of supported games?
Deleted member 1963
Guest
Had to disable it on PC because I get audio crackling with it on in. Cyberpunk.
OP
OP
I threw together a quick and dirty stereo vs DTS Headphone X demo in Cyberpunk. If you haven't tried it yet, listen with stereo headphones without any additional processing.
OP
OP
You should be able to download the DTS Sound Unbound app and as long as you have the headphones hooked up it should work in there. AFAIK, the steelseries engine option is only going to be 5.1/7.1 virtualization, not spatial audio.
I haven't noticed any crackling with spatial audio in Cyberpunk.
Just found out about this myself. Download the DTS Sound Unbound app from the Microsoft store and then open your Steelseries engine and toggle the DTS on/off and then restart the DTS Sound Unbound app. After restarting the app it showed I had a license for owning an Arctis 7. From there I was able to enable Spacial Sound: DTS Headphone X.
im still confused? It says the decoder is included with my headset but do i still need the license since it says it will run out soon? Also if i turn this on, should i turn the 7.1 thing off in the steeleries app? And how does the app work? Do i need it open in the background? It doesnt go to the tray, there is no option to open on windows statup that i can find.
OP
OP
There are instructions in the OP for the app specifically. But yes, you will disable it in the steelseries app and use it instead through windows.
im still confused? It says the decoder is included with my headset but do i still need the license since it says it will run out soon? Also if i turn this on, should i turn the 7.1 thing off in the steeleries app? And how does the app work? Do i need it open in the background? It doesnt go to the tray, there is no option to open on windows statup that i can find.
I have a Soundblaster sound card I plug my headphones in to, and THX TruStudio Pro is enabled (with Crystalizer and Bass effects set to default, and Surround is off). Should I disable this processing when using spatial audio?
OP I ended up buying this for my PC. I did the trial and found that the clarity and 3D sound space were a clear step above the Atmos experience IMO. Thanks for the recommendation!
Gonna give both a try for the gears expansion.
DTS sounds great. Think it had a profile for the steel series 7 in the app.
Any recommended settings for Dolby Atmos?
Edit - used both and they... sound quite awful.
Playing the new gears sounds so much worse than Demon Souls on the PS5 with the same set up.
DTS sounds great. Think it had a profile for the steel series 7 in the app.
Any recommended settings for Dolby Atmos?
Edit - used both and they... sound quite awful.
Playing the new gears sounds so much worse than Demon Souls on the PS5 with the same set up.
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OP
OP
Both DTS and Atmos sounded bad? Huh. Maybe give Windows Sonic a shot, maybe it'll work better for you.
We clearly have very different ears though, the ps5 solution is the worst 3D audio I've ever heard.
Played around with the settings a while.
Couldn't get Dolby Atmos to sound great, unfortunately.
DTS:X however I found that changing the settings from balance to spatial made a WORLD of difference. The Gears expansion now sounds fantastic. With the balanced setting I just felt that the audio was on too narrow a soundstage.
Is there DTS:X support in Cyberpunk? I've tried it for a few hours, but did not notice any difference.
I've also tried DLC for Gears 5 and it sounded almost like a normal stereo.
I did use iems that are not supported (2000j). I've used Fidelio X2 on XsX before and the sound was really good in Gears 5.
I've also tried DLC for Gears 5 and it sounded almost like a normal stereo.
I did use iems that are not supported (2000j). I've used Fidelio X2 on XsX before and the sound was really good in Gears 5.
That means you haven't bought or installed the app for Atmos or DTS.
I was being a fool, I thought these were all natively in Windows. Doh.
They both have 2 week trials, I prefer the sound Quailty of DTS.X personally.
Recently bought this on sale.
So glad I did. I bought ATMOS too but didn't notice much with ATMOS.
But with dtsx it's the first time I've actually noticed 3D audio.
So glad I did. I bought ATMOS too but didn't notice much with ATMOS.
But with dtsx it's the first time I've actually noticed 3D audio.
it works ridiculously well on some games.
I replayed through Half life 2, the episodes and Black Mesa after just having purchased DTS.X and the positional audio blew me away. When I closed my eyes and slowly rotated the camera I could tell where everything was.
I'd love to know this too.
Can anyone recommend which one would be better for Sony MX3s?
I think first post says if the game support atmos or spatial sound its either automatically on or you turn it on yourself. Everything else is surround. NOT stereo ever.
Anyone in know if there's a single game out there with native dts:x support?
I've been playing Fallen Order with the Headphone option selected. I will change to surround tonight and see if there is a difference
Yes, dtsx is suppose to convert surround sound work on headphones, even if your headset support virtual surround, you would turn it off and set your windows sound setting to dtsx for headphones or atmos for headphone. And it will take care of all kind of surround sound for you.
OP
OP
Will depend on the game. Best answer is to experiment. In my own experience, Headphones presets will still usually give you a surround mix (virtual surround headphones aren't new). You can confirm whether it's switched to a stereo mix or surround mix based on the status indicator when you click the speaker in your task bar (not sure if there's something you can check on xbox).
But yeah, the main difference would be how they utilize the channels I'd guess (perhaps the headphones preset will funnel less vocals through the center channel and instead make them directional more often, that type of thing). All this said, I have basically 0 evidence for this, it's purely a hunch.
I've played CP 2077 yesterday with DTS X on Fidelio X2 and really liked the sound.
Anyone compared it with Atmos, which implementation is better?
Btw, I thought that there is a bug when Johnny is talking. His voice is always coming from the center no matter where he is standing.
And then I figured out that it is a story related thing :D.
Anyone compared it with Atmos, which implementation is better?
Btw, I thought that there is a bug when Johnny is talking. His voice is always coming from the center no matter where he is standing.
And then I figured out that it is a story related thing :D.
Sorry for being a noob be here goes.
I have the Arctis 7X for my Xbox Series X and enabled the free trial of Dolby Atmos today. But it seems most of you prefer DTS? Is there any special setup I should do for any of these through their dedicated app, or is it just switching which one I want to use in Xbox settings? Like, is there a magic option in any of the apps that dramatically change things? Also, what sound option should I use in games, those that have the option? I'm playing Assassin's Creed Valhalla right now and I can't see any option in-game to change audio settings.
I have the Arctis 7X for my Xbox Series X and enabled the free trial of Dolby Atmos today. But it seems most of you prefer DTS? Is there any special setup I should do for any of these through their dedicated app, or is it just switching which one I want to use in Xbox settings? Like, is there a magic option in any of the apps that dramatically change things? Also, what sound option should I use in games, those that have the option? I'm playing Assassin's Creed Valhalla right now and I can't see any option in-game to change audio settings.
I don't know much about this, but my work laptop is a Lenovo legion and came with a DTS license. Should I just it leave it on all the time even though I'm not gaming or does it not do anything outside gaming and movies?
OP
OP
You can try the balanced or spacious options for DTS. I think most people prefer the balanced option (the default). You also might want to select the preset specific to your headphones. It applies an EQ which makes just about any pair of supported headphones sound more neutrally tuned. Up to you if you prefer it or not.
Most games will automatically detect spatial audio and use it (and in the games that don't support spatial audio, they'll see that you're using a 7.1 device and it'll apply the HRTF to that. If you get an option that doesn't let you select spatial audio of any kind, just try Headphones and Surround options to see which you prefer.
You would only want to leave it on all the time if you're using headphones all the time. If it stays on when you use built in speakers, you'd want to manually disable it as the processing would make that sound worse.
So I've been messing around with both programs for a bit and think I prefer Dolby on my Sennheiser HD700 on the Movie setting. Though Dolby sounds pretty similar to DTS to me when I have it set to Gaming Performance mode. There's a slight difference but it's rather close. Think I'll go with Dolby since it gives me more settings to play with. It's also on sale right now for $12 while DTS is $14.
I do wonder if I'd feel different if DTS had a profile for my cans
I do wonder if I'd feel different if DTS had a profile for my cans