Whether you’re gaming, listening to music or even just watching a movie, having an immersive surround sound experience is important.
Unfortunately, purchasing a surround sound setup can be quite pricey. There are many pieces, and they can all start to add up. However, it’s no longer necessary to spend an arm and a leg if you want an immersive audio experience for your computer.
That’s largely thanks to the existence of virtual surround sound software. There are many options out there. This article will guide you through some of the best that are certainly worth trying out.
1. Boom 3D
From customizing audio to automatic calibration, Boom 3D has it all. It’s an audio-enhancement software meant to play any audio on any headset with stunning 3D and virtual surround sound effects.
You can easily adjust the intensity, fix up the bass, boost the overall volume, and use several tools to precisely tune audio as you need.
In addition to listening on headphones, this software allows you to select your output device, ranging from your system speakers to external ones.
There are several audio effects that you can take advantage of, such as pitch and ambiance, and you can join Boom to access thousands of different radio stations.
2. Equalizer APO
If you want a free, open-source software, Equalizer APO deserves a closer look. As this works all the way at the system level, it can convert any sound from any different player into crisp, virtual surround sound.
Not only that, but the software gives you a near-unparalleled experience when it comes to tweaking your audio. Whether you want to completely overhaul how something sounds or make the tiniest change to a single detail, this software lets you do just that.
It also enables you to perform audio analysis, which can help you fine-tune your experience even more. There are tons of filters and other tools. As an added bonus, Equalizer APO uses hardly any CPU in the background while it’s running.
3. Razer Surround
If you’re a gamer and looking for the ultimate audio experience, consider Razer Surround.
It’s a 7.1 virtual surround sound software specifically designed to make you feel like you’re in the game and know exactly where every sound is coming from. That can give you a distinct advantage no matter what you’re playing.
Some other solutions will only use algorithms to decide how to present their sounds, but Razer Surround goes deeper than that. It allows you to fully customize your audio experience for the best possible results and provides you with many different settings.
While you might think this virtual surround sound software is limited to only Razer headsets, that’s not the case. It’s compatible with a wide range of stereo headsets, so there’s no need to go out and purchase a new one. That can save you some money in the long run.
4. Dolby Atmos
Dolby is a leader in the audio industry, so it should come as no surprise that they offer one of the best virtual surround sound software options on the market — Dolby Atmos.
While many will use Dolby Atmos with a surround sound system, it can also be used in a variety of different headphones, as well as right on your computer, TV, or handheld device.
This program is fantastic for gaming, watching movies, or listening to music. It uses audio object metadata in order to perfectly position the audio where it makes the most sense. That then creates excellent quality all the way through.
Your sound can come from a range of different directions (above, around, or below) in a way that creates a truly immersive experience. The software adapts very well, too. As a result, it works well no matter what setting you find yourself in and no matter what content you’re enjoying.
Final Words
Virtual surround sound is a great way to experience high-quality and immersive sound on a budget without having to go out and get a ton of additional equipment.
No matter which of the previous pieces of software you choose, you’ll be amazed at how much it can help to improve your user experience.
Is there another piece of virtual surround sound software that you feel we missed? If there is, don’t hesitate to let us know about it in the comment section below.