Glossary:Surround sound

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Sound

Sound

Sound card

Surround sound

For a list of games, see List of games that support surround sound.

Key points

Surround sound is used to give an increased perception of the space around the listener compared to normal sound setups.

Related articles

Sound

More information

PC Gaming Surround Sound Round-up @ Satsun.org

List of games that use DirectSound3D

List of games that use OpenAL or OpenAL Soft

List of games that use other methods for binaural audio

Speakers

Discrete surround sound

Most modern games are capable of delivering discrete 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound to the listener's receiver without the need for any post processing.

Use an HDMI cable and a surround receiver with HDMI input
Supports PCM raw audio up to 7.1, and (on newer receivers) Dolby Atmos.

Use an S-PDIF cable and a lossy compression mixer, such as Dolby Digital Live
Supports PCM 5.1 re-encoded by the PC to Dolby Digital.

On Windows, with motherboards with more than 1 AUX output port on the back, 2-4 pairs of stereo speakers can be used to enable and/or emulate surround.

Insert stereo speakers into the correct AUX ports. Normally, it's green (Line Out) for the frontspeakers, black (Rear) for the side/rear speakers, and orange (C/Sub) for center and subwoofer. The plug for 7.1 far-rear speakers tend to differ, as it rarely has its own dedicated port. Open Run and enter mmsys.cpl Right-click on Speakers and choose Configure Speakers. Choose the applicable speaker setup. When using 2 pairs, choose "5.1 surround", and not "Quadrophonic", since very few games or movies support the latter. In the following "Optional speakers" menu, deselect any missing speakers, e.g. subwoofer and center-speaker. (When using a non-subwoofer setup) In the following "Choose full-frequency speakers" menu, set all normal speakers to full-frequency. Supports up to 7.1 raw audio. Some versions of Realtek drivers, cause apps to disregard the settings for deselected speakers, and may try to force sound through the missing speakers, leading to missing sound effects. This can be tested by opening a mono audio file in an audio player. A fix is to uninstall the Realtek drivers and restart the PC, which will install Microsoft-approved Realtek drivers instead. In contrast, Realtek driver versions that include Realtek HD Sound Manager (Most commonly found on Gigabyte motherboards), show an input selection prompt whenever an AUX cable is inserted, which allows setting Line In and Mic ports as being for surround speakers, allowing surround on motherboards without Rear or C/Sub ports.

Surround-compatible stereo

Also referred to as Dolby Surround (not to be confused with Dolby Surround Upmixer), Dolby Pro Logic II-compatible, Dolby Stereo, or 4-channel surround sound (not to be confused with 4.0 quadraphonic sound). This was first used in theaters in the 1970s, and was introduced to the home alongside VHS and Betamax in 1982, predating discrete surround sound. It was used in many venues and mediums until discrete surround sound became viable. One notable benefit of surround-compatible stereo is that it can be played back on any stereo speakers and still sound normal.

Use a surround sound upmixer
Suggested upmixers include Dolby Pro Logic II and DTS Neo:6. If using an upmixer that also incorporates height speakers; such as DTS Neural:X, Dolby Surround Upmixer, or Dolby Pro Logic II Z; you may want to disable your height speakers to remain faithful to the original mix. Some newer all-in-one receivers do not include a surround upmixer.

Use headphones
Content mixed in surround-compatible stereo will have a surround effect when listened to over earphones or headphones.

Object-based surround sound

Since Windows 10 v1703, Microsoft exposed a new surround audio solution, called Microsoft Spatial Sound. To take advatage of it, games need to support it. Third party developers are allowed to publish their own implementations, with no additional game requirements.

Windows Sonic for Headphones

Default free pre-installed plugin for Microsoft Spatial Sound.

It works best on stereo headphones.

When games do not support Microsoft Spatial Sound output, it falls back on a virtual surround implementation, which might not be desired.

Dolby Atmos for Home Theater

Dolby Atmos adds overhead sound by utilizing 2 or more in-ceiling or upward-firing speakers.

Manual list of games that support Dolby Atmos

The Dolby Access app does not require any purchase to enable the use of Dolby Atmos for Home Theater.

This requires a Dolby TrueHD capable sound card, a Dolby Atmos capable receiver and speaker setup (with at least 2 in-ceiling or upward-firing speakers), as well as Windows v1703 or later and the Dolby Access app.

DTS:X

DTS:X adds overhead sound by utilizing 2 or more in-ceiling or upward-firing speakers.

The DTS Sound Unbound app requires a purchase to use DTS:X with a dedicated home theater receiver.

Headphones

Binaural sound: HRTF

HRTF (Head Related Transfer Functions) refers to the way that the curvature of one's ears are used to localize sound in 3D space. Algorithms exist that can simulate this action, allowing for full 3D surround sound with just a normal pair of earphones or headphones. The resulting audio is refered to as binaural. While some games, such as CS:GO and Quake Champions include built-in HRTF options, many other games do not; requires external wrappers to enable. As such, it is not recommended for online usage. Listed are methods for adding HRTF using various APIs.

DirectSound3D

Refer to DirectSound hardware path for more information.

OpenAL

OpenAL Soft is a free, open-source replacement for OpenAL.

Better use of OpenAL to its full extent by allowing more configuration.

Includes the ability to use EAX and HRTF on any sound card.

Per-game instructions (Windows)

Download the latest portable release of OpenAL Soft Copy the files into <path-to-game> for 64-bit games, the files located in Win64 should be used. for 32-bit games, the files located in Win32 should be used. Launch the game to confirm it works, making any essential changes required for your game in the alsoft.ini. Notes Most games require specific configuration of OpenAL Soft for proper spatialization and audio quality. Refer to this database for games that support OAL Soft and what configurations should be made for the most optimal experience. The default HRTF may not provide everyone with accurate positioning, so check out the HRTF database to listen to samples to find one that matches your ears and download your preferred HRTF in MHR format.

X3DAudio

A DLL that provides support for HRTF on games using X3DAudio.

Uses OpenAL Soft HRTF tables.

Can work for some XAudio2 games.

Use X3DAudio HRTF

Download X3DAudio HRTF (mirror) Place the appropriate .dll (32-bit or 64-bit) and hrtf folder in <path-to-game> (usually Win32/ or Win64/ folder). Run the game. Creating custom HRTF tables/profiles Must use the makehrtf.exe version included with OpenAL Soft 1.18.2 or earlier. If using custom HRTF tables, make sure to create .mhr files for 24000, 32000, 44100, 48000, and 96000 hertz. Precompiled HRTF tables can be found here To create the .mhr files manually, use the following steps here as a basis. Notes Latest Unreal Engine 4.24 audio driver seems to have broken compatibility. Always uses x3daudio1_7.dll from System32. (tested in System Shock [2020] and Trepang2 2019 demo) Some games crash on startup even if ProcessExplorer reports x3daudio1_7.dll being used. (tested in The Maw, and Wrack) Will cause a crash on startup if the HRTF folder containing *.mhr files can't be located by the DLL, relocating the folder to the game's root folder might allow it to start working.

Rapture3D

Use Rapture3D
Custom quality wrapper for OpenAL games. Among various 3D techniques, provides also its own HRTF tables. Free Game Edition bundled with DiRT 3 can be used with other games following these instructions or using extracted libraries near game exe (enabling OpenAL in game options may be required). Not compatible with DSOAL.[citation needed]

Virtual surround

Some games do not support true binaural audio mixing (in simpler terms, stereo output with directional information). For these games, it may be beneficial to use a virtual surround sound solution (on stereo audio devices).

Windows Sonic for Headphones

Default plugin for Microsoft Spatial Sound.

Works with any XAudio2-compatible game on any HD sound card and stereo speakers (but is designed for stereo headphones). When applications use the 5.1 and 7.1 virtual channel capabilities it exposes (not all do), it produces a stereo stream with the directional information from the multiple virtual channels.

Free and built in Windows 10 v1703 and newer.

It might engage on applications that play stereo audio sources and try to make the sound more "full", which might be undesired.

It might engage on games that have native binaural/spatial audio on 5.1/7.1, potentially making the audio quality worse due to an additional downmix.

Dolby Atmos for Headphones

Successor to Dolby Headphone.

Commercial plugin for Microsoft Spatial Sound. Uses the Dolby Access app for Windows 10.

Works on Windows 10 v1703 or newer.

Requires a purchase after the trial period has expired.

DTS Headphone:X

Successor to DTS Connect.

Built into some headphones.

Commercial plugin for Microsoft Spatial Sound. Uses the DTS Sound Unbound app for Windows 10.

Works on Windows 10 v1703 or newer.

Requires a purchase after the trial period has expired.

Razer THX Spatial Audio

New surround sound Razer solution.

Uses a virtual audio output device exposing 7.1 virtual speakers, allowing games which auto-detect the speaker setup of the system to work with Razer Surround as well.

Works with any stereo headset/headphone; not limited to Razer peripherals.

Requires a purchase after the trial period has expired.

Razer Surround

Not to be confused for the newer locked-down virtual surround solution Razer 7.1 Surround Sound.

Free. A Pro version was previously available for purchase that unlocked additional features, but the ability to purchase this version was removed following the product becoming end-of-life.

Uses a virtual audio output device exposing 7.1 virtual speakers, allowing games which auto-detect the speaker setup of the system to work with Razer Surround as well.

Works with any stereo headset/headphone; not limited to Razer peripherals.

No longer officially supported.

Official support page

Razer 7.1 Surround Sound

Not to be confused for the now obsolete generic virtual surround solution Razer Surround.

Limited to only Razer Kraken and Razer Kraken X headsets.

Official support page

HeSuVi

Virtual surround application that mimics the effects of most popular (and obscure) virtual surround and HRTF implementations.

Requires 7.1 output in sound options on supported sound cards, otherwise a virtual audio device, such as VB-Cable, needed for virtualization.

Setup video tutorial

CMSS-3D

Exclusively for Creative X-Fi sound cards.

Some manufacturers provide their users with Creative X-Fi MB software to use it without X-Fi sound cards.

SBX Surround Sound

Available in SBX Pro Studio Panel.

Exclusively for Creative sound cards having SB-Axx1 chipset as their main chipsets, such as Soundblaster ZxR, Soundblaster X7, etc.

Some manufacturers provide various Creative softwares for their users to use this surround sound.

Pure Virtual 7.1/5.1 sound over driver with Windows for some cards

Work on Windows Vista and newer.

Configurable via the native Windows sound panel without dubious programs.

Works on Asus Xonar series and Creative Sound BlasterX series, etc.

It works only with the above cards and which have this support.

Pipewire Virtual Surround Sink

Works on Linux

Extremely low latency

Requires a Hesuvi HRTF file

Move and rename a Hesuvi HRTF file to ~/hrir_hesuvi/hrir.wav and add this script to ~/.config/pipewire/pipewire.conf.d/hrir.conf and then restart your computer

Issues fixed

Sounds not playing on rear speakers when listening to 5.1 content on a 7.1 or higher system

The standard 5.1 setup does not have rear speakers. The "surround" speakers are actually placed close to where the side speakers on a 7.1 setup go.

Use a surround sound upmixer that supports 6.1 or 7.1
Suggested upmixers include Dolby Pro Logic II X and DTS Neo:6. If using an upmixer that also incorporates height speakers; such as DTS Neural:X, Dolby Surround Upmixer, or Dolby Pro Logic II Z; you may want to disable your height speakers to remain faithful to the original mix.

Disable side speakers[citation needed]
Use the receiver's speaker layout configuration settings to disable the side speakers. Note that this is different from simply muting said speakers.

Missing the initial sound when using encoded formats

When using encoded sound formats such as Dolby Atmos or DTS:X for home theaters, depending on the audio setup and drivers the initial audio being played might be dropped/lost as a result of the encoding and playback of the audio stream taking a couple of seconds to initialize. This issue is most commonly experienced with drivers/setup where the encoded audio stream is dropped once audio playback stops.

Use Sound Keeper to prevent the HDMI/SPDIF digital audio playback devices from sleeping.

Windows only detects stereo sound, regardless of the audio setup when the device is connected to the audio setup via HDMI

Use Custom Resolution Utility (EDID Method Override) to Enable LPCM 7.1 or 5.1 Audio Support Connected via HDMI Output

Install Custom Resolution Utility Open CRU.exe. In the top left corner, choose the name of the device in use, which should be the device ID. For example: “HP (Active)”. Select the item located under Extension Blocks. In Data Blocks, select Audio formats. Click on the Add option. Choose the LPCM format and in Max channels, select the number of devices available. “6” is “5.1” and “8” is “7.1“. Choose the Sample rates and Bit depths according to the device’s capabilities. if there are any doubts, use the device manual. Click OK. Click Add again, but this time in the interface located in Data Blocks. Select Speaker setup. Select the sound channels to be used. If a 5.1 or 7.1 setup is available, click on the corresponding options. Click OK until the program finishes. Run restart64.exe (for 64-bit Windows) or restart.exe (for 32-bit Windows) to apply the changes. Choose the Exit option. Search for and open Control Panel.exe on Windows Click on Hardware and Sound. Click on Manage audio devices. Click on the device to which the sound settings were changed, for example: “AMD High Definition Audio Device”. Select Configure and choose the option configured earlier, either 5.1 Surround or 7.1 Surround, and follow the procedure that appears. Done. It doesn't work with the Nvidia driver when using DSC. It requires disabling DSC for it to function properly. It doesn't work with DisplayLink.

Unable to choose Dolby Atmos for home theater in spatial audio on Windows 10/11

It is recommended not to update Dolby Access.

Roll back Dolby Access to 3.14.67

Disconnect eARC/ARC HDMI from TV, connect PC HDMI to AVR and roll back Dolby Access to 3.14.67
Disconnect the HDMI cable from the PC to the TV if using eARC or ARC. Connect the HDMI cable from the PC to the AVR. Uninstall the current version and install Dolby Access.exe version 3.14.67. Set up Dolby Access through the app as usual. Done. Once the PC is connected to the AVR and corrected to use Dolby Atmos for home theater, reconnect the HDMI cable from the PC to the TV and use eARC or ARC.

Older games not using surround sound on Windows Vista or newer

See DirectSound 3D restoration software.