Headset and Dolby support

kinger8938 · 4 Oct 2021 at 16:31

Hey guys, I'm in the deep end a bit

I bought a headset for PS5 but is also compatible on PC Switch etc. (Arctis 7P)

It's designed to work with Sony's 3D audio mostly, then 2.0 on pc.

However I keep hearing talk of a Dolby subscription that will then make this magically work in surround sound? I'm probably way off. Just want to check as I'm partially thinking of returning them as I'm not sure they are what I'm after.

Any advice given is appreciated

Ta

Timber · 4 Oct 2021 at 23:05

Dolby Atmos for Headphones is a 3D spatial audio software/codec (although it does use some Xbox hardware). It is a one-off license fee (£14.99) which allows the use of the aforementioned software permanently on both Xbox One & Series S|X and Windows 10 PC's. It used to come bundled with Plantronics headsets, and there's a 6-month demo included with the recent Microsoft Wireless Headset. It is also sometimes discounted in Xbox/Windows Store sales. It will work with any stereo headphones or headset plugged into Xbox or PC.

There is also Windows Sonic (free) and DTS Headphone:X (again £14.99). You can try out both Dolby and DTS for a short duration. Dolby and DTS have apps on Xbox and Windows 10 to setup and configure. There is a small library of 20-30 games which are supported by these. If you are on Windows 10 you can right click the volume icon on the system tray on the bottom right of the screen to see the options for 'Spatial Sound'.

Tempest 3D audio is Sony's own in-house, proprietary audio solution for PS5 which will again work with any stereo headphones/headset that will plug into the PS5 (there is an update coming to roll it out for HDMI). So both are very similar in the end result.

Your choice of headphones, or audio setup shouldn't really be influenced by the above - that should be about other factors. Currently your Arctis 7P headset will work with the above 3D audio on PC.

Hope that helps.

yashiro · 5 Oct 2021 at 05:50

Just right click the speaker icon in your tray and turn on Spatial Sound > Windows Sonic for Headphones. If you want to try Dolby's version get the Dolby Atmos for Headphones trial from the Windows Store and enable it the same way. (DTS probably has a trial too).

To some people these effects sound great to others they sound awful. You just have to try them out with your games/movies.

kinger8938 · 5 Oct 2021 at 10:14

Both really helpful posts. So yeah it's essentially a form of virtual surround.

I was wondering if it would just make all games 5.1 virtually but found a bit more specific than that.

I currently use my pc via the TV with a Sonos set up and an old usb soundcard that still supports Dolby before they started to remove it. So games work nicely 5.1 over that set up

This headset is mostly for ps5, I was just getting ahead of myself thinking it would be spot on across the board.

Sounds like it will work well enough, but it's focus is on the ps5 3d tech which is fair.

Timber · 5 Oct 2021 at 11:09

@kinger8938 It is more an evolution of virtual surround, in that 3D audio has the potential to generate sounds from anywhere in a 360 sphere around you, rather than on a horizontal plane (obviously ignoring the fact that both 'simulate' the sound in stereo headphones). That said the Windows/Xbox spatial audio will default to virtual surround in unsupported games.

Regarding the Steelseries Arctis 7P I think it's more licensing and working with PS5 specific features. For example the Arctis 7X will work wirelessly with Xbox One/Series X|S and PS5 (why some people like them if they are multi-platform owners). However the 7P has sidetone for PS5, where as 7X has chat mixing with game sounds that will only work on the Xbox. Technically the 7X and 7P are the same drivers and features (i.e. battery life).

kinger8938 · 5 Oct 2021 at 13:17

Timber said:
@kinger8938 It is more an evolution of virtual surround, in that 3D audio has the potential to generate sounds from anywhere in a 360 sphere around you, rather than on a horizontal plane (obviously ignoring the fact that both 'simulate' the sound in stereo headphones). That said the Windows/Xbox spatial audio will default to virtual surround in unsupported games.

Regarding the Steelseries Arctis 7P I think it's more licensing and working with PS5 specific features. For example the Arctis 7X will work wirelessly with Xbox One/Series X|S and PS5 (why some people like them if they are multi-platform owners). However the 7P has sidetone for PS5, where as 7X has chat mixing with game sounds that will only work on the Xbox. Technically the 7X and 7P are the same drivers and features (i.e. battery life).

Thanks.

Yep I've been getting a bit hung up on that too, the differences between the 7p/7X

I have no intention of owning an Xbox again really as I have the pc for their titles so went for the 7P as it just looked a bit nicer to me