Windows Sonic is a modern technology tool in Windows, a high-quality tool for creating virtual surround sound in headphones while playing games or watching movies. This article will help you activate this feature.
1. What is Spatial Sound?
Spatial sound is the format of virtual surround sound and available in Windows Sonic for headphones. It is Microsoft’s latest technology. You can learn it in detail from the Windows 10 feature website.
2. Dolby Atmos for Headphones
You can choose which virtual surround sound creation algorithm you want to use in Windows 10. Usually, there are only these two following sound creation tools available:
- Dolby Atmos – paid option. You have to pay $14.99 first to use.
- Windows Sonic for virtual surround sound is a free option, so you don’t have to pay anything before using it. Microsoft developed this technology.
The decision is totally upon you. We are not recommending but only advised that the free version of Windows Sonic by Microsoft is a good one. It produces usually good results, and you will not find significant differences between the Windows Sonic and Dolby Atmos.
Dolby Atmos for headphones is compatible with the Spatial Sound feature in Windows 10 creator update, says Windows Developer Center. If you want to activate this feature, install the Dolby Access application, which you can easily download from the Windows store. They will give you a 30-day trial first, and after this, you have to pay $14.99 to continue using. Audio and Video demos are free with the Dolby Access trial app. Watch them; they are very useful for learning purposes.
3. Headphones for Sonic Spatial Sound
For the better use of Windows Sonic, you should have a good-quality pair of headphones. We will recommend Audeze Mobius headset for you. You can also use the HyperX Cloud Alpha, or G231 Prodigy headset for this purpose. Both of these are best for using with Windows Sonic.
You are surely thinking about why we are focusing on good headphones. Well, it is simple; only good quality headphones can provide clear sound details and required level of voluminous sound. You can connect any kind of headphones with your computer, but the high-quality surround sound can only be obtained from good quality headphones.
4. Setting up Windows Sonic for headphones
Setting a sound interface of headphones for Windows Sonic is very simple. First, start with your Windows 10 version. You must have installed the global Creators Update. After this, connect your headphones to the computer. It is very necessary because without doing that, you cannot access the Sonic Spatial Sound function.
In the next step, right-click on the Speakers icon on the taskbar. Then select Spatial Sound (None) in the context menu.
After selecting Spatial Sound, you will see the Speaker Properties box with the spatial sound tab selected.
To go further, click the down arrow and select Windows Sonic for Headphones.
After doing all the above steps, you will see “Turn on 7.1 Virtual Surround Sound” checkbox is selected automatically. The virtual surround sound is activated now, which will provide you with the properly positioned and voluminous audio.
5. Experience Windows Sonic Surround Sound
After enabling Windows Sonic feature for your headphones, the next step is to check the working of virtual surround sound. You will monitor the performance of the virtual surround sound. There are some additional features and pieces of stuff that are needed for the proper working of the Windows Sonic.
If you want to experience the Windows Sonic working and Virtual surround sound during movie play, always make sure that the movie has a 5.1 or 7.1 audio track. For watching movies, make sure the movie has a regular stereo 2.0 track. Otherwise, you won’t get virtual surround in headphones, and the Windows Sonic will not work. The same principle applies to games. You games sound engine should produce outputting sound in 5.1 or 7.1 formats for the proper working of Windows Sonic function.
If you don’t have these kinds of stuff, the Windows Sonic is useless for you. But don’t bother, 90% of modern games sound engine produces 5.1 or 7.1 voice format.
You can quickly achieve virtual surround sound by using Windows Sonic. The only thing you need is a good-quality headphone and a good sound system for both games and movies. If you are strong financially, you can buy Dolby Atmos headphone access, but if you want to use this service freely, then Windows Sonic is best for you. So make all arrangements for Windows Sonic and put yourself in the spell of a virtual surrounded sound.