5.1 surround sound on windows

smoothnobody · Nov 2, 2023

i went to control panel and setup for 5.1. i can hear the test sounds coming from all my speakers. but no sound comes through my rear speakers when playing a gaming watching a movie listening to music etc. i found the spatial sound setting, but apparently it's only for headphones.

Dru2 · Nov 2, 2023

Your speakers and soundcard have to support it... along with the software (drivers) supporting the soundcard.

smoothnobody · Nov 2, 2023

my board and speakers do support it.

Dru2 · Nov 2, 2023

smoothnobody said:
my board and speakers do support it.

So, I'm not quite sure what you issue is? If everything is setup properly you should hear sound coming from each speaker.

In a 5.1 setup, that means 6 speakers to include the sub - Front Left, Front Right, Center, Rear Left, Rear Right, sub. Each speaker plugged into the appropriate connection on the soundcard or from the main speaker per the owner's manual. You might also consult the manual for the soundcard. And yes, make sure Windows sound settings are set to 5.1

Edit, if talking simulated 5.1 through headphones, I'd think that option would run through the soundcard. The "spatial" thing is something different. And one I don't use. Nor do I have a 5.1 setup, so can't say much there other than how it should be setup.

smoothnobody · Nov 2, 2023

i don't know what the issue is either. this is why i am asking. as previously stated, test sounds come from all my speakers. but when doing anything that produces audio, sound doesn't come from the rear speakers. i did some reading, and there seems to be alot of confusion about 5.1 on windows. some people say windows only supports stereo. some say you can only upmix from stereo to 5 channel through other means not through windows directly. others say 5.1 on windows isn't supported because microsoft won't pay dolby for a license. i understand license stuff when watching a bluray. but needing a dolby license to play a mp3 doesn't make any sense.

Dru2 · Nov 2, 2023

smoothnobody said:
i don't know what the issue is either. this is why i am asking. as previously stated, test sounds come from all my speakers. but when doing anything that produces audio, sound doesn't come from the rear speakers.

Is the audio source 5.1 compatible? I would suggest you try a true 5.1 source such as a movie; of if you have the equipment, an SACD.

smoothnobody said:
i did some reading, and there seems to be alot of confusion about 5.1 on windows. some people say windows only supports stereo. some say you can only upmix from stereo to 5 channel through other means not through windows directly. others say 5.1 on windows isn't supported because microsoft won't pay dolby for a license. i understand license stuff when watching a bluray. but needing a dolby license to play a mp3 doesn't make any sense.

This is where I said, you need to make sure your "soundcard software" supports 5.1 output.

All that said, I've never run a 5.1 setup as I don't have such a setup, but I know (have heard) 5.1 works on Windows when properly supported and configured... [Tutorial] How to Set up 5.1 Surround Sound on PC Windows 10 - MiniTool Partition Wizard (definitely applicable to 11)

You would also need a true 5.1 audio source to properly hear 5.1 working on all channels, and why I say use a movie.

smoothnobody · Nov 2, 2023

i've done everything mentioned in the link you provided.

whether the audio source is 5.1 is difficult to answer as most of what i read online is from other people who are also confused. some people say 5.1 is only supported with a dolby codec. others say that's not true you only need the dolby codec for movies through an optical cable. it's over my head. even if the audio source is not officially 5 channel, there are methods to "upmix" stereo to 5 channel. this is part of what i'm asking. is it possible to upmix through windows.

Dru2 · Nov 2, 2023

OK. That's all I have then. Perhaps someone else has other ideas.

Good luck.

antspants · Nov 2, 2023

Have you tried any online tests stup up for 5.1, other than the Windows test?

Steve C · Nov 2, 2023

Run Control Panel / Sound / Speakers / Configure / Test then you can test the sound output from each speaker.

Dru2 · Nov 2, 2023

Steve C said:
Run Control Panel / Sound / Speakers / Configure / Test then you can test the sound output from each speaker.

The OP....

smoothnobody said:
i went to control panel and setup for 5.1. i can hear the test sounds coming from all my speakers. but no sound comes through my rear speakers when playing a gaming watching a movie listening to music etc. i found the spatial sound setting, but apparently it's only for headphones.

smoothnobody said:
i don't know what the issue is either. this is why i am asking. as previously stated, test sounds come from all my speakers. but when doing anything that produces audio, sound doesn't come from the rear speakers.

Scott · Nov 2, 2023

antspants said:
Have you tried any online tests stup up for 5.1, other than the Windows test?

Here's another. These all sound amazing on my headphones (Razer Tiamat 7.1 v2) and my old-school 7.1 soundblaster.

antspants · Nov 2, 2023

Scott said:
Here's another. These all sound amazing on my headphones (Razer Tiamat 7.1 v2) and my old-school 7.1 soundblaster.

True, even on my old G35 Logitech 7.1 gaming headset they sound very cool.

stevehaz_uk · Nov 2, 2023

Youve probably already tried this but....try settings/system/sound ... then near the bottom select "more sound settings"
Right click on your output device (my case logitech z906) and properties... select the levels tab on the window that just opened
and move the sliders etc and see if that does anything .... looking at the other tabs as well might provide a clue.
The only other thing I found with all my problems is to ensure you get the correct driver from the manufacturer of your device.. especially if its an onboard realtek... you need a driver from the board manufacturer not realtek or on a forum.

5.1 surround sound on windows

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