How to use Windows Sonic in Windows 10 Creators Update

The Creators Update for Windows 10 brought a whole host of new features, big and small. One of the smaller changes is the addition of Windows Sonic, a surround sound emulator for your headphones.

Enabling the feature gives you spatial sound, supposedly making everything sound way more full and immersive, even if you're using budget headphones. Here's how to enable Windows Sonic in the Windows 10 Creators Update, as well as what you can expect to hear with it enabled.

How to enable Windows Sonic

To start, you need to enable spatial audio on your Windows 10 PC. Remember, you must have the Creators Update for this to work.

  1. Right-click the Speakers button in your system tray.

  2. Click Spatial sound.

    Right-click the Speakers button. Click Spatial sound.

  3. Click the dropdown arrow below Select the Spatial sound format you want to apply.

  4. Click Windows Sonic for Headphones.

    Click the dropdown arrow. Click Windows Sonic for Headphones.

  5. Click Apply.

  6. Click OK.

    Click Apply. Click OK.

This enables Windows Sonic for your current audio output. You can also enable and disable Windows Sonic for other audio options that aren't currently in use.

  1. Right-click the Start button.

  2. Click Search.

    Right-click the Start button. Click Search.

  3. Type Control Panel and hit Enter on your keyboard.

  4. Click Sound.

    Type Control Panel and hit Enter. Click Sound.

  5. Double-click a playback option.

  6. Click Spatial sound.

    Double-click and playback option. Click Spatial sound.

  7. Click the dropdown arrow below Select the Spatial sound format you want to apply.

  8. Click Windows Sonic for Headphones.

    Click the dropdown arrow. Click Windows Sonic for Headphones.

  9. Click Apply.

  10. Click OK.

    Click Apply. Click OK.

Testing Windows Sonic sound

Testing with the Movies and TV app.

To see if Windows Sonic actually makes a difference, we watched a few movie trailers in the Movies & TV app, both without spatial audio enabled and with Windows Sonic turned on. Using a pair of B&O PLAY H9 headphones, there was a noticeable difference in the sound when spatial audio was enabled. All tracks seemed more present, and everything had more of a spacey feel. Even when using a cheap gaming headset, the difference in sound was quite noticeable.

Audiophiles no doubt have their own opinions on whether or not this is really an improvement, but the fact remains that there is a difference. Why not give it a try and see what you think?

More Creators Update greatness

Are there any other small features added in the Creators Update that you're really enjoying? For more details on what the Creators Update brings to the table, check out our Senior Editor Zac Bowden's in-depth review.

See the definitive Windows 10 Creators Update review

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