Windows Sonic vs Dolby Atmos: Which Headphones Are Best for Xbox One? GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Smart & Connected Life > Headphones & Ear Buds 39 39 people found this article helpful

Windows Sonic vs Dolby Atmos: Which Headphones Are Best for Xbox One?

The differences between these two spatial surround technologies

By Jennifer Allen Jennifer Allen Writer Swansea University, Staffordshire University Jennifer Allen has been writing about technology since 2010. Her work has appeared in Mashable, TechRadar, and many more publications. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on January 11, 2022 Reviewed by Jessica Kormos Reviewed by Jessica Kormos Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College Jessica Kormos is a writer and editor with 15 years' experience writing articles, copy, and UX content for Tecca.com, Rosenfeld Media, and many others. lifewire's editorial guidelines Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email

In This Article

Expand Jump to a Section What Is Windows Sonic? What Is Dolby Atmos? Feature Comparison Which One Should You Choose? Xbox One owners have been given the choice between two spatial surround technologies: Windows Sonic or Dolby Atmos. Both aim to enhance sound quality and immersion when playing a game, but which is best for your situation? In the battle of Windows Sonic vs. Dolby Atmos, we compared features, pricing, sound quality, compatibility, and other key factors so you can decide what's best for you.

What Is Windows Sonic for Headphones

Xbox.com What We Like It's entirely free to use. Very simple setup. Some games sound better. What We Don't Like Slightly over the top sound. Some crackling sounds when on the Xbox dashboard. Windows Sonic for headphones is Microsoft's take on spatial sound. Introduced to Xbox One as well as Windows 10 devices, it's free to use with any up-to-date console. It's integrated with the system software for extra ease when using it, and you can use any Xbox One stereo headset in conjunction with it. It attempts to create a surround sound experience even if you have ordinary stereo headphones. By doing so, sound should appear to have extra depth and sound three-dimensional so you hear everything around you. To use it, you simply activate it through a setting on your Xbox One. Once enabled, any applications or games capable of rendering to 7.1 channel formats will begin to treat your headphones as if they were a virtual 7.1 device. Windows Sonic is generally regarded to over-exaggerate sounds a little compared to Dolby Atmos, but it still makes a significant difference when playing first-person shooters such as Overwatch. You're able to hear enemies coming and can locate them faster than through other audio devices.

What is Dolby Atmos

Dolby Atmos What We Like There's a free trial. Some games sound better and more immersive. Good excuse to buy dedicated headphones. App provides support for other surround sound systems. What We Don't Like It costs $14.99 to purchase a license. It involves more setup than Windows Sonic. Only minimal improvements for the price. Dolby Atmos is Dolby's spatial sound technology. The Xbox One supports Dolby Atmos technology when it comes to home theater setups and headphones. Unlike the integrated nature of Windows Sonic, Dolby Atmos requires you to purchase it from the Microsoft Store for $14.99. To use Dolby Atmos for Headphones, you need to download and install the app, which takes a little more time than Windows Sonic's setup. There's a 30-day free trial for the app, but you'll need to purchase it once the trial's over. Dolby Atmos focuses on placing sounds above, below, and around you like surround sound systems or Windows Sonic. Dolby Atmos delivers virtualized spatial sound like Windows Sonic, but there's also dedicated hardware and special Dolby Atmos headphones designed to work in conjunction with it to provide the best aural experience. Generally, Dolby Atmos is considered slightly superior to Windows Sonic. When playing games like Gears 5, or older titles like Grand Theft Auto V and Rise of the Tomb Raider, Dolby Atmos headphones tend to sound crisper, richer, and more like you're actually there. What Is Dolby Atmos Immersive Surround Sound?

Windows Sonic vs Dolby Atmos Feature Comparison

Windows Sonic and Dolby Atmos both have positive and negative qualities. While they both offer similar services, there are certain things about both that make them appealing to different people and different financial considerations. Here's a brief look at some of the most important features of Windows Sonic and Dolby Atmos: Windows Sonic vs Dolby Atmos comparison Windows Sonic Dolby Atmos Price Free $14.99 after a free trial Dedicated Hardware No need Optional Setup Minimal/built-in App download required Windows Sonic and Dolby Atmos are very similar products which is why we didn't include identical categories in our comparisons, such as the games that are compatible with them. Roughly, there's the same number of games out there that are at their best with either sound format.

Should You Go With Windows Sonic or Dolby Atmos

Windows Sonic and Dolby Atmos are both very similar forms of spatial sound technology. Dolby Atmos has the edge in terms of sound quality and making you feel like you're actually there when playing a game, but it comes at a price. Much of your decision-making process should stem from if you want to pay $15 for the Dolby Atmos app or if you're fine sticking with the plug and play style of Windows Sonic. For many users, the differences are relatively subtle, but it's definitely worth trying the Dolby Atmos 30-day trial to see if your ears are able to spot the nuances between the two technologies. If you're not on a budget, it makes sense to go with Dolby Atmos for the extra advantage when gaming. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire Are You Really Getting Dolby Atmos Sound? What Is Windows Sonic for Headphones How to Fix It When an Xbox One Controller Headphone Jack Isn't Working The Yamaha YSP-5600 Dolby Atmos Digital Sound Projector The 8 Best TVs for Gaming in 2022 Dolby Atmos Blu-ray Disc Releases What Is Spatial Audio and How to Use It on AirPods Pro and AirPods Max What Is Dolby Atmos Immersive Surround Sound? Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro Review: A Powerful 7.1 Channel Home Theater Surround Sound System The 8 Best USB Headsets of 2022 The 4 Best Under-$400 Home Theater Receivers, Tested by Experts The 4 Best Home Audio Systems of 2022 The 10 Best Gaming Headsets of 2022 Headphone Surround Sound: The Basics The 5 Best Surround Sound Speakers of 2022 The 8 Best Home Theater Starter Kits for Under $500 in 2022 Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies