Is there a minimum Windows version requirement?
Yes. It is recommended that your PC is updated to Windows 10 version 10.0.18362.380 or later. You can confirm and/or update your current Windows 10 version by opening Settings and selecting Update & Security, or by typing System Information into the taskbar.
What is Microsoft Spatial Sound?
Microsoft Spatial sound is Microsoft’s platform-level solution for spatial sound support on Xbox and Windows, enabling both surround and elevation (above or below the listener) audio cues.
Spatial sound can be leveraged by Windows desktop (Win32) apps as well as Universal Windows Platform (UWP) apps on both Windows and Xbox One.
The spatial sound APIs allow developers to create audio objects that emit audio from positions in 3D space.
What is DTS Sound Unbound?
DTS Sound Unbound is an application and one-stop shop for essential audio solutions from DTS like DTS Headphone:X.
DTS Headphone:X leverages Microsoft Spatial sound, enabling the most believable, 3D audio experience for games. Immersion through DTS Headphone:X means in the sonic landscape, stationary and moving sounds can be heard from above, below or around the listener. Sounds pass around the listener with amazing externalization and accurate localization. PC users can download the DTS Sound Unbound app via the Windows App Store.
DTS audio solutions are available for a free trial period and in-app purchase.
What technologies are available for purchase via the DTS Sound Unbound application?
DTS Headphone:X is a spatial audio renderer built to support the rigorous needs of gamers. A multi-platform solution designed for PC and XBOX, DTS Headphone:X works on PC, Xbox Console, to bring your gaming experience to the next level that only highly accurate 3D audio can do. Environments are richer and more immersive, and enemies of all kinds are easier to locate. DTS Headphone:X works with any pair of headphones and comes bundled with DTS:X. Visit our website for more information: https://dts.com/headphonex
DTS:X is the latest and best audio decoder from DTS, connecting the listener to a world of content and enabling a fully immersive, object-based audio experience for DTS-encoded content stored locally or streamed to a device. Can be purchased separately or bundled as part of the DTS Headphone:X in-app purchase. Visit our website for more information: https://dts.com/dtsx
Please note that at this time our focus for DTS encoded content is for headphones and multi-channel speakers that are directly connected to the sound card on the PC. HDMI and home theater uses are on our roadmap where we are actively working with Microsoft to bring this feature to our DTS community.
List of games that support Microsoft Spatial sound
Gears 5
Borderlands 3
Call of Duty Modern Warfare
Forza Horizon 4
Shadow of the Tomb Raider
Assassin’s Creed Origins
For Honor
Final Fantasy XV
Resident Evil 2
Metro Exodus
The Division 2
FAQ | DTS:X FOR HOME THEATER ON XBOX
What is DTS:X for Home Theater?
DTS:X is a next-generation, immersive audio format from DTS that brings three-dimensional, cinema-quality sound to your home theater system. Select DTS:X for Home Theater on your Xbox One S, Xbox One X, Xbox Series S, or Xbox Series X and download the free DTS Sound Unbound application to get started. Connect your Xbox to a DTS:X sound bar, or upgrade to a multi-channel DTS:X home theater receiver with speakers all around you, and rediscover what it means to be immersed in your entertainment.
How do I get DTS:X for Home Theater on my Xbox?
DTS:X for Home Theater is a free upgrade on Xbox One S, Xbox One X, Xbox Series S, and Xbox Series X. First, connect your Xbox to your DTS:X sound bar or multi-channel home theater receiver. Then, install the DTS Sound Unbound application from the Microsoft Store on your Xbox to get started. Once installed, select DTS:X for Home Theater as your bitstream format in Xbox system audio settings. You’re ready to go!
Do I need to pay for DTS:X for Home Theater?
No. DTS:X for Home Theater is a free upgrade on Xbox One S, Xbox One X, Xbox Series S, and Xbox Series X. Simply install the DTS Sound Unbound application from the Microsoft Store on your Xbox to get started. Once installed, DTS Sound Unbound unlocks the DTS:X for Home Theater setting in your Xbox system audio bitstream settings.
How do I turn on DTS:X for Home Theater?
On your Xbox, navigate to [Settings > General > Volume & audio output] and select [Bitstream out] as your [HDMI audio] preference. Then, under [Bitstream format], select [DTS:X for Home Theater]. If selecting DTS:X for Home Theater for the first time, you will be prompted to download and install the free DTS Sound Unbound application. Once installed, DTS:X for Home Theater is ready to go! Don’t forget to verify that your sound bar or home theater receiver also supports DTS:X. Contact your sound bar or home theater receiver manufacturer for details.
How do I know if my home theater system supports DTS:X?
To verify whether or not your home theater system supports DTS:X, check the product packaging or included product manuals for the DTS:X logo. If you’re still not sure, contact the manufacturer of your sound bar or home theater receiver and ask if your particular model supports DTS:X. Finally, be sure to install the latest available firmware on your sound bar or home theater receiver for the most up-to-date features and compatibility.
Why don’t I hear sound from my Xbox when DTS:X for Home Theater is selected?
First, confirm that you’ve selected the HDMI input on your home theater system into which your Xbox is connected. Next, play a game and turn up the volume on your home theater system. If you’re still not hearing any audio, a firmware update may be required. Please contact your sound bar or home theater receiver manufacturer for assistance. Alternatively, many sound bars and home theater receivers can connect wirelessly to the internet and receive firmware updates.
I’ve connected the Xbox directly to my TV with HDMI. Can I still use DTS:X for Home Theater?
DTS:X is a lossless audio bitstream technology that requires a high-bandwidth connection between your television and home theater system. With that in mind, only televisions supporting eARC (enhanced Audio Return Channel) over HDMI are compatible with DTS:X. Additionally, your sound bar or home theater receiver must also support eARC over HDMI. Using a high-bandwidth HDMI cable, connect your home theater system to your television ensuring that both ends are connected to the HDMI input labeled eARC. Once connected, ensure that your television is set to output audio over eARC. If additional assistance is required, please contact your television manufacturer.
Why isn’t sound coming from all of my speakers?
DTS:X for Home Theater delivers audio in its original channel configuration from the Xbox to your sound bar or multi-channel home theater system. If the source material, such as a movie, was encoded without audio in the height speakers, your height speakers will remain silent during playback.
Why isn’t my DTS Gaming Headphone unlocking DTS Headphone:X?
Gaming headphones that integrate DTS Headphone:X v2.0 or PC products that integrate DTS:X Ultra will automatically license these DTS Headphone:X and DTS:X products that support Microsoft Spatial sound.
Gaming headphones and PC products that integrate DTS Headphone:X (not ‘v2.0’) will require the additional in-app purchase to unlock DTS audio for Microsoft Spatial sound.
What countries or regions have access to DTS Sound Unbound?
DTS Sound Unbound is available in all countries and regions where the Microsoft Store is available.
How do I install DTS Sound Unbound?
There are two ways to install DTS Sound Unbound:
1. Click on the following link to go directly to the DTS Sound Unbound product page in the Microsoft store: https://www.microsoft.com/store/apps/9PJ0NKL8MCSJ
2. Select DTS Sound Unbound from the Spatial sound settings from the taskbar. This will bring you directly to the Microsoft Store page.
• Right-click on the speaker icon in the taskbar
• Select “Spatial Sound”
• Select “DTS Sound Unbound”
How do I know DTS:X and DTS Headphone:X are working?
First you need to check if the technologies are licensed. From the DTS Sound Unbound homepage, check the left side logos for DTS Headphone:X and DTS:X. The text “✓ Licensed” should appear underneath the logo if that technology is licensed.
From the DTS Sound Unbound homepage, click on either of the top right or left logos for the two technologies. You will access the in-app technology page which contains a short description, and a video that will demo the technology.
You can also click on the “Settings” link part of the DTS Headphone:X section on the DTS Sound Unbound homepage, then select “Explore Spatial Sound”. By dragging the dot you will experience live the technology’ capabilities.
On how many devices can DTS Sound Unbound be installed?
Up to 10 devices.
Is DTS Sound Unbound available on PC?
DTS Sound Unbound is available on any Windows 10 PC running version 10.0.18362.380 or higher.
On the taskbar, search for “system information” to discover the Windows OS version number running on the device.
Is DTS Sound Unbound available on the Xbox?
DTS Sound Unbound will be available as an update to Xbox in first half of 2020.
Will DTS Sound Unbound work on Windows 7?
This application requires a Windows 10 build 10.0.18362.380 or higher.
Does DTS Sound Unbound come pre-installed on Microsoft Windows?
DTS Sound Unbound does not come pre-installed on Windows 10. The Sound Unbound application is downloaded from the Microsoft Store.
If bundled as part of DTS:X Ultra for PC, it can be pre-installed as part of the build, depending on the manufacturer. Check the manufacturer website for additional information.
Is HDMI supported for DTS content?
At this time our focus for DTS encoded content is for headphones and multi-channel speakers that are directly connected to the sound card on the PC. HDMI and home theater uses are on our roadmap where we are actively working with Microsoft to bring this feature to our DTS community.
How do I enable DTS Headphone:X?
If you downloaded DTS Sound Unbound as part of a gaming headphone or a PC purchase, DTS Headphone:X will be automatically enabled once you install and run the DTS Sound Unbound application.
If you have installed the DTS Sound Unbound application as an add-on, DTS Headphone:X is enabled by selecting “Try/Buy DTS Headphone:X” from within the application.
You can confirm DTS Headphone:X is enabled by right-clicking on the speaker icon in the taskbar, select Spatial sound, and selecting DTS Headphone:X.
How do I enable the DTS:X decoder?
DTS:X is enabled by selecting “Try/Buy DTS:X” within the Sound Unbound application. Once purchased, or trial started, there are no additional steps to enable the DTS:X decoder. It is up to the media playback application to take advantage of Windows decoders; such as Microsoft Movies & TV application.
What is the difference between the DTS Headphone:X and DTS:X Ultra spatial sound settings?
DTS Headphone:X and DTS:X Ultra share the same core spatial audio engine. DTS Headphone:X audio processing is applied once a headphone is connected. This allows the users to select value-added features like alternative headphone-specific tunings from the extensive DTS library of headphones.
DTS:X Ultra is applied to the device’ loudspeakers (not headphones) and includes dedicated speaker tuning to optimize the sound.
How do I change my Microsoft Spatial Sound Settings to select DTS spatial audio rendering?
To change the spatial sound settings to DTS Headphone:X (or DTS:X Ultra):
1. Right-click on the speaker icon in the taskbar
2. Click on Spatial Sound
3. Select DTS Headphone:X (or DTS:X Ultra, for playback over internal loudspeakers)
Does DTS Headphone:X work with all headphones?
DTS Headphone:X enables immersive audio playback over any pair of headphones.
DTS maintains a database of 500+ headphones with custom tunings to optimize the listening experience, preserving accurate sound externalization and precise localization of audio objects.
I have a gaming headset that already has DTS Headphone:X included. Will DTS Sound Unbound work with my existing gaming headphone?
Gaming headphones like the Logitech® G-Series line and the SteelSeries® Arctis line that ship with DTS Headphone:X v2.0 technology onboard will work seamlessly.
When plugging in a supported gaming headset, DTS Headphone:X will be selected automatically for Microsoft Spatial sound. Continue to use the manufacturer’s preferences panel to customize the listening experience as desired.
What content can I playback with the DTS:X decoder?
The DTS:X decoder available via Sound Unbound is the DTS immersive audio decoder, designed to playback any DTS-encoded content, whether stored locally or streamed to a PC or Xbox Console.
Due to compatibility issues, not all MKV files with DTS encoded audio will playback properly in Windows movies and TV applications.
What languages are currently supported?
At launch, English, Chinese, Spanish, and German are supported. Additional languages will be added over time.
How much does the DTS:X decoder cost?
The DTS:X decoder can be purchased directly within the DTS Sound Unbound application. The current pricing can be found on the product page: https://www.microsoft.com/store/apps/9PJ0NKL8MCSJ, or within the application’s main homepage.
How much does DTS Headphone:X Cost?
DTS Headphone:X can be purchased directly within the DTS Sound Unbound application. The current pricing can be found on the product page: https://www.microsoft.com/store/apps/9PJ0NKL8MCSJ, or within the application’s main homepage.
Purchasing DTS Headphone:X includes the DTS:X decoder.
Is Windows Spatial Sound on all the time?
Spatial sound can be enabled or disabled from the taskbar by right-clicking on the speaker icon.
I need more help.
If you need additional support for DTS Sound Unbound or available in-app purchases, please send an email to sound-unbound@xperi.com. Please provide as much information as possible regarding your system, connected audio devices, and software/games you are using. Please know that XPERI personnel cannot process refunds, and any requests must be done through the Microsoft store. XPERI personnel do not have access to your Microsoft account, purchase history, or method of payment(s).