Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S owners will soon be able to take advantage of a new update that lets them preview how their audio settings behave while gaming.
Xbox Insiders in the Alpha, Alpha Skip Ahead, and Beta rings can now preview a new audio settings screen that allows users to scroll through and try out a variety of different options, including standard uncompressed stereo, 5.1 uncompressed and Dolby Atmos for home theater.
A sound pattern with an animation will play to show which speaker in your setup is active, allowing you to make any necessary adjustments.
Hello Xbox Experts! The Alpha, Alpha Skip Ahead, and Beta Rings now have a new Audio Settings screen that will allow you to preview how the different HDMI output modes behave with your audio settings before selecting one. Here's a little video tour of the feature, courtesy of @Adamkonig! pic.twitter.com/cmPqmPspTwFebruary 10, 2022
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If you're having trouble determining the difference between each audio setting, or just want to make sure your speakers are placed in the correct position, this is definitely a useful feature.
You'll need a compatible receiver to take advantage of some of these options, of course, so don't expect DTS:X for Home Theater to work if you don't have a compatible license or DTS:X-compatible setup.
Analysis: Microsoft is serious about audio
This isn't the first audio update for the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S that we've seen. Microsoft recently released a feature that automatically mutes your TV speakers whenever you plug in headphones, and the company supports three types of spatial audio: Windows Sonic, Dolby Atmos, and DTS:X.
Microsoft also added the ability to allow audio pass-through for gamers. This feature allows audio from media apps like Netflix to bypass your Xbox and go directly to your audio settings. If you're lucky enough to own a high-end audio receiver, the advantage is that your chosen device will handle the audio processing instead of the Xbox, which can result in superior sound quality.
It's great to see Microsoft continue to improve the audio options for those who care about sound quality when gaming. Audio has often been overlooked in the gaming industry in favor of punchy visuals and smoother frame rates, but it's a crucial part of the experience that can increase your overall immersion and even help you when playing competitively.
However, it's not just Microsoft that takes audio seriously. Sony's PS3 5D audio also delivers impressive results in games like Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection, which has a transformative effect on remastered titles.
If you want to hear games the way the developers intended, we recommend picking up a pair of the best Xbox Series X headsets or the best PS5 headsets. We've also rounded up a selection of the best Dolby Atmos Xbox Series X games that really show off spatial audio technology.
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