The Creators Update brought a host of new features to the Windows 10 operating organization. And every bit I have said before, while a lot of these new features are noteworthy, many others are less well known and unfortunately remain in the shadows. Such is the case with the new Windows Sonic For Headphones Spatial Audio format feature, which is essentially a environs sound emulator for headphones.

The new Spatial Sound format in the Creators Update is primarily intended to augment the HRTF (head related transfer function) sound capabilities built into Microsoft HoloLens. Still, it works great with a set of skilful quality headphones.

I recently began exploring this new characteristic on my laptop while watching some great Sci-Fi movies on Netflix. I plugged in my Creative Sound Blaster Tactic3D Rage Wireless Gaming Headset, enabled the Windows Sonic For Headphones Spatial Sound format, cranked upward the book, and was blown abroad past the dramatic sound of the special effects and music embedded in the movies I was watching. The Windows Sonic Spatial Sound format is really awesome for games too as movies. Information technology even works to some extent with your digital music. Permit'southward take a closer look.

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What is spatial audio?

At its virtually basic description, spatial sound is essentially a form of virtual environs sound, and Windows Sonic For Headphones is Microsoft'due south latest incarnation of the technology. Still, it's better. I found a detailed definition on the Windows Dev Heart. The clarification is aimed at developers, simply information technology provides a prissy caption of the technology.

Dolby Atmos for Headphones

The Windows Dev Center description explains that the Spatial Audio feature in the Creators Update too provides support for Dolby Atmos for Headphones. Nonetheless, this is a third-party app from Dolby that yous must download from the Windows Store. Y'all tin download it for a xxx-day gratuitous trial, but to keep using it you must purchase it for $14.99. The audio/video demos that come with the Dolby Admission trial app, shown in Effigy A, are awesome, and so I recommend that you try it out. Just I'chiliad non going to embrace it in any more detail in this article.

Figure A

The audio/video demos on the Dolby Access trial app audio way absurd.

Headphones

As I mentioned, y'all will need to have a pair of good quality headphones for the Spatial Sound feature to office. The main headphones I used were the Tactic3D Rage headset; notwithstanding, I besides used a Logitech USB Headset H390. In addition, I tried to use several pairs of earbuds plugged into audio jack and they did Non work.

See: Microsoft Universal Windows Platform Practiced Bundle (TechRepublic Academy)

Gear up Windows Sonic For Headphones

Setting up the Windows Sonic For Headphones Spatial Sound format is easy. Of course, y'all have to be running the Creators Update version of Windows x.

To begin, connect a set of quality headphones to your computer. If you don't connect the headphones commencement, you won't have access to Spatial Sound format.

Once you lot have your headphones connected, right-click on the Speakers icon on the system tray. From the context card, click Spatial Audio (None), as shown in Effigy B.

Figure B

You have to connect your headphones before the Spatial Audio feature will announced on the context carte.

When y'all select Spatial Sound, you'll see the Speakers Properties dialog with the Spatial Sound tab selected, as shown in Figure C.

Effigy C

The Speakers Properties dialog will have a tab titled Spatial Sound.

To proceed, click the dropdown pointer and select Windows Sonic For Headphones, as shown in Figure D.

Figure D

Select Windows Sonic For Headphones Spatial sound format.

When yous do, you'll run into that the Plough On 7.1 Virtual Surround Audio check box is automatically selected, as shown in Figure East. This setting allows the proper multi-channel processing such that the audio yous hear in your headset is perceived to be moving in a three-dimensional space.

Figure E

The Turn On 7.1 Virtual Surround Sound check box is selected automatically.

To complete the procedure, click OK.

Check out the enhanced sound

To run across the difference Windows Sonic Spatial Audio format makes, launch Windows 10's Movies & TV app, shown in Effigy F, and choose a couple of picture show trailers. Lookout man and listen with the Windows Sonic Spatial Sound format enable. Then, disable the feature and listen again. Y'all'll exist sure to notice a difference.

Figure F

Bank check out some movie trailers in the Movies & TV app.

Also read…

  • All-time Headphones of 2017 (CNET)
  • How to accept advantage of the Dynamic Lock characteristic in Windows 10 (TechRepublic)
  • Bluish Microphones Satellite review: Worthwhile wireless headphones with a few quirks (ZDNet)
  • How to utilise Robocopy to quickly back up all your data in Windows ten (TechRepublic)

What'due south your take?

Have you experimented with the Windows Sonic For Headphones Spatial Audio format? Could you tell a difference? What headphones worked best for y'all? Share your thoughts with fellow TechRepublic members.