Is 'Virtual Surround Sound' Really Surround Sound? The Truth Surprising Many People

If you've ever used headphones or a soundbar, you've probably come across something called 'virtual surround' . As the name suggests, you can experience surround sound with just two stereo speakers or a compact soundbar. But can 'virtual' replace 'real'? The answer is: not really .

 

What is virtual surround sound?

In theory, the technology promises to deliver the same experience as a 5.1 or 7.1 speaker system, but with just one pair of speakers or a soundbar. Sounds appealing, right? Because real speakers are expensive, bulky, and a pain to set up.

But if virtual technology really is a replacement, why are people still investing in traditional surround sound systems?

Virtual surround sound is based on psychoacoustics – that is, 'tricking' your brain into thinking sound is coming from multiple directions.

Sound engineers adjust the timing, phase, and frequency balance to make it seem like the sound is coming from behind or above your head. Since humans only have two ears, the brain has to process the small differences between the two to deduce the sound's location. Virtual surround takes advantage of this mechanism to simulate a 'multi-dimensional' experience.

 

Why can't it be the real system?

The biggest problem: lack of physical speakers . Virtual technology only uses 2 speakers to simulate the work of 5–7 speakers, which means there are no separate sound channels , making it impossible to reproduce many details accurately.

Sound from behind is the hardest to fake, because the human ear is very sensitive to front-to-back directions. Sound from above, like a helicopter flying by in a Dolby Atmos movie, is almost impossible without ceiling speakers.

Room conditions also come into play. Real surround systems allow for room-specific speaker placement, while virtual surrounds are more limited.

When does virtual surround sound come in handy?

It can't replace a real surround system, but it's still useful. It helps expand the sound field , creating a more 'immersive' feeling than regular stereo.

1. Headphones are the ideal environment, as they are unaffected by room acoustics. For example, Spatial Audio on AirPods makes for a very immersive movie-watching experience.
2. Soundbars or computer speakers close to your ears can also be quite effective, as long as you sit in the right 'sweet spot'.

However, this is not a good solution for watching movies with a large group of people, because the effect will be significantly reduced if the position is off.

Real alternatives

If you want true surround sound , there's no substitute for a real 5.1 or 7.1 speaker system, even the basic version.

Modern soundbars with separate drivers and clever designs that reflect sound off walls are also a compromise. Hybrid systems with wireless rear satellite speakers also provide a more compact 'surround' experience.

Virtual surround sound isn't a gimmick , but the name and marketing can be misleading. It's no replacement for real surround sound, but it has its merits—it can take your audiovisual experience to the next level without requiring a lot of equipment.