Windows 10: Enable Spatial Sound for Headphones in Windows 10

How to: Enable Spatial Sound for Headphones in Windows 10

How to Enable or Disable Spatial Sound for Headphones in Windows 10


Starting with Windows 10 Creators Update build 15063, Windows Sonic: Microsofts next-gen spatial audio platform provides a powerful, immersive sound experience with support for Dolby Atmos.

Windows Sonic is Microsofts audio platform for more immersive audio. It includes integrated spatial sound on Xbox and Windows, with support for both surround and elevation (above or below the listener) audio cues. Spatial sound can be leveraged by Windows desktop (Win32) apps as well as Universal Windows Platform (UWP) apps on both Windows and Xbox One. The spatial sound APIs allows developers to create audio objects that emit audio from positions in 3D space. Dynamic audio objects allow you to emit audio from an arbitrary position in space, which can change over time. You can also specify that audio objects emit sound from one of 17 pre-defined static channels (8.1.4.4) that can represent real or virtualized speakers. The actual output format is selected by the user, and can be abstracted from Windows Sonic implementations; audio will be presented to speakers, headphones, and home theater receivers without needing any code or content changes. For V1., the platform fully supports real-time Dolby Atmos encoding for both HDMI and stereo headphone output, as well as Windows Sonic for Headphones encoding for stereo headphones. Finally, Windows Sonic apps abide by system mixing policy, and their audio can also be mixed with non-spatially aware apps. Windows Sonic support is also integrated into Media Foundation; apps that use media foundation can successfully play Dolby Atmos content with no additional implementation.

Spatial sound with Windows Sonic supports TVs, home theaters, and sound bars that support Dolby Atmos. Spatial sound can also be used with any pair of headphones via Windows Sonic for Headphones or Dolby Atmos for Headphones.

Starting with Windows 10 build 17704, Microsoft added DTS:X to the list of spatial audio technologies you can use.

This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable spatial sound for headphones in Windows 10.


CONTENTS:

• Option One: To Enable Spatial Sound using Windows Sonic for Headphones
• Option Two: To Enable Spatial Sound using Dolby Atmos for Headphones
• Option Three: To Disable Spatial Sound (Default)

OPTION ONE [/i] To Enable Spatial Sound using Windows Sonic for Headphones

*note Starting with Windows 10 build 16226, Windows Sonic is now even easier to enable. Plug in a pair of headphones, right-click the sound icon in the notification area, and select Spatial sound to choose your preferred format. You can also configure your 5.1, 7.1, or Dolby Atmos for home theater from this menu if its your currently selected default endpoint.

1. Right click or press and hold on the notification area, and click/tap on either Spatial sound or Playback devices. (see screenshots below)





2. Double click/tap on a playback device (ex: "connected headphones") you want to enable spatial sound for. (see screenshot below)



3. Click/tap on the Spatial sound tab, and select the Windows Sonic for Headphones format in the drop down. (see screenshot below)



4. Check or uncheck the Turn on 7.1 virtual surround sound box for what you want, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)








OPTION TWO [/i] To Enable Spatial Sound using Dolby Atmos for Headphones

*note Dolby Atmos for Headphones enables your Windows 10 PC to deliver a premium, immersive headphone experience if your headphones support Dolby Atmos.

This option will involve installing the free Dolby Access app from the Windows Store.

You will also be required to install the Dolby Atmos for Headphones add-on for the Dolby Access app.

• The Dolby Atmos for Headphones add-on is not free, but this option will involve installing a 30 day free trial of the Dolby Atmos for Headphones add-on for you to be able try it out.
• It will cost $14.99 to buy (if wanted) the Dolby Atmos for Headphones add-on after the free trial period is over.

1. Right click or press and hold on the notification area, and click/tap on either Spatial sound or Playback devices. (see screenshots below)





2. Double click/tap on a playback device (ex: "connected headphones") you want to enable spatial sound for. (see screenshot below)



3. Click/tap on the Spatial sound tab, and select the Dolby Atmos for headphones format in the drop down. (see screenshot below)



4. If you haven't already installed and setup the Dolby Access app for your account on the PC, the Store will now open for you to sign in to and click/tap on Get or Install to install the free Dolby Access app now. (see screenshot below)

*note If you have already installed and setup the Dolby Access app, then go to step 5 below instead.




A) When the Dolby Access app has finished installing, click/tap on Launch to open the Dolby Access app. (see screenshot below)



B) Click/tap on With my headphone in the Dolby Access app. (see screenshot below)



C) Click/tap on Try it for free to install the 30 day trial of the Dolby Atmos for Headphones add-on for the Dolby Access app. (see screenshot below)



D) Click/tap on Get to confirm. (see screenshot below)



E) Click/tap on Okay to download and install the add-on now. (see screenshot below)



F) When the add-on has finished installing, click/tap on Configure PC settings in the Dolby Access app. (see screenshot below)



G) Select the Dolby Atmos for headphones format in the drop down in Spatial sound properties, check or uncheck the Turn on 7.1 virtual surround sound box for what you want, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshots below)





H) Select your connected headphones on the right side in the Dolby Access app, and click/tap on Continue. (see screenshot below)



I) Click/tap on Continue in the Dolby Access app. (see screenshot below)



J) You can now close the Dolby Access app, and go to step 6 below.
5. Check or uncheck the Turn on 7.1 virtual surround sound box for what you want, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)



6. You have now enabled Dolby Atmos for Headphones.





OPTION THREE [/i] To Disable Spatial Sound

*note This is the default setting.

1. Right click or press and hold on the notification area, and click/tap on either Spatial sound or Playback devices. (see screenshots below)





2. Double click/tap on a playback device (ex: "connected headphones") you want to disable spatial sound for. (see screenshot below)



3. Click/tap on the Spatial sound tab, select None, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)




That's it,
Shawn


Related Tutorials

• How to Turn On or Off Mono Audio in Windows 10

:)

 

Spatial Sound

Hi,

The Spatial Sound feature is available in Windows 10 but by default, it has been disabled. To enable it, follow the steps below:

• In the notification area, right-click on the sound icon.
• In the context menu, click on Playback devices.
• Select your playback device and then click on Properties.
• Click on the Spatial sound tab.
• Select the Spatial sound format you want to apply.

Get back to us if there is anything else. We'll be glad to help.

 

spatial sound is unavailable for this device

Hi,

The Spatial Sound feature in Windows 10 is disabled by default. To enable it, follow the steps below:

• In the notification area, right-click on the sound icon.
• In the context menu, click on Playback devices.
• Select your playback device and then click on Properties.
• Click on the Spatial sound tab.
• Select the Spatial sound format you want to apply.

Let us know if there's anything else we can help you with.

 

Spatial sound is not available on this device

Hello,

The Spatial Sound feature in Windows 10 is disabled by default. To enable it, follow these steps:

• In the notification area, right-click on the sound icon.
• In the context menu, click on Playback devices.
• Select your playback device and then click on Properties.
• Click on the Spatial sound tab.
• Select the Spatial sound format you want to apply.

If you have any questions or things you'd like to clarify, feel free to ask.



Regards.

 

Spatial Sound

I followed the instructions but when I got to #4 spatial sound said off and there was no other info or any way to turn it on. I hit return to default but that did nothing. Please help. my earphones are off .

 

Spatial Sound

Hey Jennifer,

Thanks for revert.

Things go good till step 3.

But then i get stuck. Attaching the screenshot.





How do i do the 5th Step?