How to improve the sound by enabling stereophonic and spatial audio settings in Windows 10 and 11

This time, we will explain how to improve the sound by enabling 3D sound and spatial audio settings on Windows 10 and Windows 11.

3D sound allows you to enjoy sound that is more three-dimensional and immersive than when listening to sound through regular speakers. If you can hear sound from various angles using virtual surround (sound that makes you feel like you are surrounded by many speakers), it will enhance the immersion.

If you can make full use of this stereophonic sound when playing games or watching movies on your PC, wouldn't you be able to enjoy your hobbies even more meaningfully?

In addition to how to set up stereophonic sound, we also explain what to do if stereophonic sound is set in Windows but turns off.

How to enable stereophonic sound in Windows 10

Windows comes standard with a feature that allows you to set up virtual surround.

Some people may not be familiar with virtual surround, but it is three-dimensional sound.

Three-dimensional sound is a sound that feels like it's coming from various directions.

To actually achieve three-dimensional sound (surround), you need to prepare many speakers. This allows sounds to be heard from various directions.

With virtual surround, you can hear sound from various directions without actually placing speakers around you.

With "Windows Sonic for Headphones", which is explained below, you can enjoy virtual surround for free just by connecting your computer and headphones.

If you want to enable this stereophonic sound in Windows 10, please try the following method.

[How to enable stereophonic sound in Windows 10]

1. Select "Start (Windows mark)"
2. Select "Settings (gear mark)"
3. Select "System"
4. Select "Sound"
5. Select "Sound Control Panel"
6. Select the “Playback” tab in “Sound”
7. Right click on the appropriate speaker
8. Select "Properties"
9. Select the “Stereophonic” tab in “Speaker Properties”
10. Select “Windows Sonic for Headphones”
11. Select "OK"

How to enable stereophonic sound (spatial audio) in Windows 11

Here's how to enable stereophonic sound (spatial audio) to improve the sound in Windows 11.

How to enable [3D sound (spatial audio)] in Windows 11

1. Right-click the speaker icon (located at the bottom right of the screen)
2. Select "Sound Settings"
3. Select ">" to the right of the relevant sound
4. Select “Windows Sonic Headphones”

Virtual surround apps and software recommended for Windows 10 and 11 stereophonic and spatial audio

In this article, we will introduce recommended virtual surround applications suitable for stereophonic and spatial audio on Windows 10 and Windows 11.

• Windows Sonic for Headphones Dolby Atmos
• DTS:headphone X

Windows Sonic for Headphones Dolby Atmos

"Windows Sonic for Headphones Dolby Atmos" is a virtual surround technology developed by Dolby.

By installing Windows Sonic for Headphones Dolby Atmos, you can enjoy even better stereophonic sound.

Although it is a paid application, you can try it out for free as it is available for free.

If you want to get Dolby Atmos for Headphones, you need to enter Dolby Access from the Microsoft Store.

You can start it after obtaining Dolby Access and request a free trial of Dolby Atmos for Headphones.

DTS:headphone X

"DTS:headphone X" is DTS's virtual surround technology.

There are some differences from Dolby Atmos, and DTS:headphone X does not seem to have an equalizer function (a function that changes the sound quality by adjusting the sound balance).

However, it has a large number of channels and supports more virtual surround.

Recommended game and movie apps for Windows 10 and 11 stereophonic and spatial audio

After setting up 3D sound or spatial audio in Windows 10 or 11, please enjoy playing compatible games and movies.

Even if you set 3D sound, you will not receive the full benefit of the setting unless the game or application supports it.

To put it simply, if the content in question supports 5.1ch surround, you can take advantage of stereophonic sound settings.

This article introduces recommended game and movie apps that support 3D sound and spatial audio on Windows 10 and 11.

• overwatch
• iTunes
• Netflix

overwatch

Overwatch is an official Dolby Atmos supported game, so we recommend playing with stereophonic sound enabled.

This is a team-based action shooting game, so you can enjoy fighting action that takes full advantage of 3D sound.

In addition to Dolby Atmos, it also supports stereophonic sound with Windows Sonic for Headphones.

iTunes

iTunes is recommended for enjoying movies and music with stereophonic sound.

This also supports Dolby Atmos.

Therefore, once you make the settings, you can enjoy movies and music with 3D sound.

Netflix

Netflix also supports stereophonic sound.

Netflix is a famous video distribution service.

There are many video distribution services such as movies and dramas, but it seems that not many of them are compatible with 5.1ch.

Among them, Netflix's feature is that it supports stereophonic sound.

However, if you want to watch Dolby Atmos compatible works, it seems that you need to subscribe to a premium plan.

Recommended Windows 10 and 11 3D sound settings and apps for Apex Legends

Apex Legends is a famous FPS game, but by making full use of stereophonic sound, you can further enhance the immersion of the game.

Not only Apex Legends, FPS games are a game genre where sound is so important that it is said that sound is life. If you can set up stereophonic sound and find the enemy from the direction of the sound, your chances of winning may increase.

• Recommended configuration method for Apex with Windows Sonic for Headphones

Recommended setting method for Apex with Windows Sonic for Headphones

If you want to try stereophonic sound with Apex, we recommend setting up Windows Sonic for Headphones, which comes standard with Windows.

Also, when enjoying Apex with Windows Sonic for Headphones, if the volume does not suit you, you may want to try adjusting settings such as "loudness equalization".

In some cases, it may be easier to hear if you turn off stereophonic sound, so please try changing the settings to suit your preferences.

[How to change Windows Sonic for Headphones settings]

1. Open sound settings
2. Right click on the relevant device
3. Select "Properties"
4. If you have not set up stereophonic sound, open the "Stereophonic Sound" tab.
5. Changed "Stereophonic method" to Windows Sonic for Headphones
6. Select the “Advanced” tab
7. Select “Loudness Equalization”
8. Select "OK"

In addition, it seems recommended to set the frequency to 24bit 48000hz.
Try out various settings and find what works best for you.

How to set up Windows sonic for headphones if it doesn't change even after enabling it

If the sound quality does not become stereophonic or does not change even after enabling Windows sonic for headphones, try the following settings.

[Setting method if there is no change even after enabling Windows sonic for headphones ①]

If enabling Windows sonic for headphones doesn't make a difference, first try turning off mono audio.

1. Right click on "Start (Windows mark)"
2. Select "Settings"
3. Select "Easy operation"
4. Select "Audio"
5. Turn off "Turn on mono audio"

[Setting method if there is no change even after enabling Windows sonic for headphones ②]

If enabling Windows sonic for headphones doesn't make a difference, changing the sample rate and bit depth may resolve the issue.

1. Right click on "Start (Windows mark)"
2. Select "System"
3. Select "Sound"
4. Select "Sound Control Panel"
5. Select the "Playback" tab
6. Right click on the relevant device
7. Select "Properties"
8. Select the "Details" tab
9. Changed "Select the sample rate and bit depth used in shared mode" to "2 channels, 16 bits, 48000Hz"
10. Check both checkboxes in "Exclusive mode"
11. Select "Apply"
12. Select "OK"

[Setting method ③ if there is no change even after enabling Windows sonic for headphones]

If enabling Windows sonic for headphones doesn't make a difference, unchecking Sound Clarity may resolve the issue.

1. Right click on "Start (Windows mark)"
2. Select "System"
3. Select "Sound"
4. Select "Control Panel"
5. Right click on the relevant device
6. Select "Properties"
7. Select the "Sound Clarification" (also "Enhancements") tab
8. uncheck all
9. Select "Apply"
10. Select "OK"

[Setting method if there is no change even after enabling Windows sonic for headphones ④]

If enabling Windows sonic for headphones doesn't make a difference, reinstalling the sound driver may resolve the issue.

1. Right click on "Start (Windows mark)"
2. Select "Device Manager"
3. Select "Sound, video, and game controllers"
4. Right click on the relevant device
5. Select "Uninstall device"
6. Select "Uninstall"
7. Close Device Manager when finished
8. Restart your computer
9. Sound driver is automatically reinstalled after reboot

How to resolve when stereo sound is turned off in Windows 10 and 11

If you have 3D sound turned on in Windows 10 or Windows 11 but it turns off, try the solutions above.

If you feel like it's turned off when you use an application, it's also possible that the application you're using is controlling stereo sound and turning it off.

If the problem is not controlled by the application, and you have tried the workaround but the stereophonic sound is still turned off, it may be due to system corruption or a problem with the drive.

There are cases where the problem was resolved by initializing the computer, so please refer to it.

Summary of how to improve sound by enabling stereophonic and spatial audio settings in Windows 10 and 11

This time, we explained how to improve the sound by enabling stereophonic and spatial audio settings on Windows 10 and Windows 11.

When listening to music or watching a movie, stereophonic sound adds even more depth to the experience. I think this will also help you understand where the sound is coming from when you want to play survival games.

Also, if the settings for stereophonic sound or spatial audio are turned off even though you have enabled them, you may have to try a few things, such as turning off mono audio or changing the sample rate and bit depth settings. You may want to try this workaround.

However, even if the settings are reflected correctly, there is a high possibility that you will not be able to enjoy stereophonic sound with content that does not support stereophonic sound, regardless of the settings, so please be careful about this point.