Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S soon, owners will be able to enjoy a new update that lets you preview how your audio setup will behave while gaming.
Xbox Insiders in the Alpha, Alpha Skip Ahead, and Beta rings can now preview a new audio setup screen that allows users to scroll through and test out a variety of different options, including uncompressed regular stereo, uncompressed 5.1, and Dolby Atmos for home theater.
A sound pattern will play along with an animation to show which speaker in your setup is active, allowing you to make any necessary adjustments.
Hello Xbox Insiders! The Alpha, Alpha Skip Ahead and Beta rings now have a new audio setup screen that lets you preview how the different HDMI output modes will behave with your audio setup before selecting one. Here’s a short video tour of the feature, courtesy of @Adamkonig! pic.twitter.com/cmPqmPspTwFebruary 10, 2022
Whether you’re struggling to determine the difference between each audio setting or simply want to make sure your speakers are placed in the correct position, this is certainly a useful feature.
You’ll need a compatible receiver to take advantage of some of these options, of course, so don’t wait. DTS: X for the home theater to work if you don’t have a license or compatible setup that supports DTS:X.
Analysis: Microsoft is taking audio seriously
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 the TV’s speakers whenever you plug in a headphone and the company supports three types of spatial audio: Windows SonicDolby Atmos and DTS:X.
Microsoft has also added the ability to allow audio pass-through for players. This feature allows audio from media apps like Netflix to bypass your Xbox and go straight to your audio setup. If you’re lucky enough to own a high-end audio receiver, the benefit is that the device you choose will handle the audio processing instead of the Xbox, which can result in superior sound quality.
It’s great to see Microsoft continuing to improve the audio options for those who care about sound quality while gaming. Audio has often been overlooked in the video game industry in favor of flashy visuals and smoother frame rates, but it’s a crucial element of the experience that can increase your overall immersion and even help when playing competitively.
It’s not just Microsoft that is taking audio seriously. from Sony PS5 3D Audio is also delivering impressive results in games like Uncharted Collection: Legacy of Thieveswhich has a transformative effect on remastered titles.
If you’re interested in hearing the games the way the developers intended, we recommend picking up a pair of best Xbox Series X headphones or the best ps5 headphones. We’ve also put together a selection of best Dolby Atmos Xbox Series X games that really showcase spatial audio technology.
