Spatial audio lets you experience surround sound through a pair of headphones. It’s a very exciting experience, but how do you enable it on a PC or Mac? We’ve created an easy-to-follow guide to get you started.
Both operating systems have built-in spatial audio applications, but if you want to use another standard, you may have to download separate applications. Be sure to check what your content supports beforehand.
quick answer
On Windows, open Settings > System > Sound > Related Settings > Audio Control Panel > Right-click on the headphones > Select Properties > Spatial sound > Enable Windows Sonic for headphones.
on a Mac, Open the Music app > Select Music from the menu bar > Click on Preferences > Select the Play tab > Choose either Automatic or Always On.
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How to play spatial audio on PC
Windows PCs offer a built-in spatial audio option called Windows Sonic for Headphones. It is very easy to enable:
- Open the Start menu and go to Settings > system > It seems > Related settings > audio control panel.
- Select your playback device (headphones in this case), then tap Properties.
- In the window that opens, click spatial sound.
- under spatial sound FormulaDetermine Windows Sonic for Headphonesthen press Progressing.
Note that this is Microsoft’s implementation of spatial audio. If you have content that supports other apps, such as Dolby Atmos or DTS Headphone: X, you’ll need to download separate paid apps from the Microsoft Store. Dolby Access provides Atmos support and requires a one-time payment of $14.99 following a seven-day free trial. DTS Surround Unbound includes DTS Headphone: X and will cost you $19.99 following a two-week free trial.
How to Play Spatial Audio on Mac
On macOS, you can enable spatial audio through the Apple Music app using Dolby Atmos. First, make sure you have the latest version of macOS installed, then:
- Open the Apple Music app.
- In the menu bar, go to Music > preferences.
- select file employment tab.
- choose either always available or automatic.
Note that automatic The mode requires some basic requirements, the first of which is content recorded with Dolby Atmos support. Next, you’ll need AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, AirPods (3rd generation), AirPods (1st or 2nd generation), BeatsX, Beats Solo3 Wireless, Beats Studio3, Powerbeats3 Wireless, Beats Flex, Powerbeats Pro, Beats Solo Pro, and Beats Studio Buds or Beats Fit Pro and make sure that spatial audio is enabled on them. If you do not have any of these headphone models or earbuds, select always available.
Read more: Best bluetooth headphones
questions and answers
Yes and no. As long as your operating system is processing the signals and you have mixed content with spatial audio in mind, any pair of headphones should work. Windows Sonic technically works with any pair of headphones, for example, but support varies across streaming and content services. However, the Apple app requires specific models if you want spatial audio to play automatically. If you do not have these templates, you need to use a file always available situation with your headphone.
Enabling Windows Sonic can give games compatible with this standard support for spatial sound (check the details of your games to see if they work with them). You can also install Dolby Access or DTS Surround Unbound apps on Windows to work with these compatible games. On macOS, Dolby Atmos and games compatible with this standard should work.
