The Xbox Series X|S are the first consoles to offer native compatibility with Dolby Atmos, an immersive audio format designed to project sound in a three-dimensional space. Coupled with Dolby Vision for visuals, this duo transforms the gaming experience into true audiovisual immersion. Whether you’re using a home theater system, a soundbar, or headphones, Dolby Atmos significantly enhances spatialization by adding verticality to sound effects. On Xbox, integrating this format is straightforward but requires some configuration depending on your equipment.
How to enjoy Dolby Atmos on Xbox Series X|S
With a Dolby Atmos Soundbar
To make the most of Dolby Atmos through a soundbar, the starting point is the free Dolby Access app, available from the Microsoft Store. Once installed, it guides the user through the console’s audio setup. The key step is enabling “Dolby Atmos for home theater” in the Xbox settings. Good news: you don’t need to buy an additional license for this. Of course, this is assuming your soundbar is Dolby Atmos compatible and properly connected via an HDMI ARC or eARC port.
The placement of the soundbar also plays an important role. For Dolby Atmos models, vertical effects are usually rendered through reflection. The speakers direct certain sounds towards the ceiling, which then reflects them back to the listener. Therefore, it’s important that the bar is positioned in a clear area and that the ceiling is not too high or too absorbent. Most models allow you to experience Dolby Atmos without complex installation, delivering an impressive sound performance even in smaller spaces.
With gaming headphones
Using Dolby Atmos with gaming headphones requires a slightly different approach. Here, the Dolby Access app offers the “Dolby Atmos for Headphones” option, which simulates 3D spatialization from a simple stereo signal. You have to pay for this feature (a one-time payment of around €15) unless your headphones’ manufacturer has already integrated the license. Once activated, the spatialization adds depth and height to the sound field, which can be particularly useful in competitive or narrative games.
All headphones can theoretically benefit from Dolby Atmos, but certain models, such as the official Xbox headset, offer Dolby certification. This ensures a more accurate experience, with clear differentiation of sounds coming from behind or above the player. For the best results, it is advisable to properly calibrate the audio in the app and disable any software sound enhancements that might interfere with the Atmos processing.
Dolby Atmos compatible games on Xbox Series X|S
This list features a selection of games compatible with Dolby Atmos. It is not exhaustive and will evolve with updates and new releases. Some developers also use their own proprietary technologies based on binaural audio, which works with most gaming headphones.
| A Plague Tale: Requiem | Aragami 2 |
| Assassin’s Creed Origins (base game only) | Back 4 Blood |
| Battlefield 1 | Battlefield 2042 |
| Borderlands 3 | Cyberpunk 2077 |
| Call of Duty Black Ops Cold War | Call of Duty Vanguard |
| Call of Duty Modern Warfare | Call of Duty Modern Warfare II |
| Call of Duty Warzone | Call of Duty Warzone II |
| Crackdown 3 | Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition |
| Diablo II: Resurrected | DiRT 5 |
| Far Cry 6 | F1 2020 |
| F1 2021 | F1 22 |
| Final Fantasy XV | For Honor |
| Forza Horizon 4 | Forza Horizon 5 |
| Fury of Dracula: Digital Edition | Gears of War 4 |
| Gears 5 | GRID |
| GRID Legends | Grounded |
| Halo Infinite | Immortals Fenyx Rising |
| Inertial Drift | Jade Dynasty: New Fantasy |
| Metro Exodus | Microsoft Flight Simulator |
| NARAKA: BLADEPOINT | Need for Speed Heat |
| No Man’s Sky | Ori and the Will of the Wisps |
| Overwatch | Psychonauts 2 |
| Resident Evil 2 (2019) | Resident Evil 3 (2020) |
| Resident Evil 7 | Resident Evil Village |
| Rocket League | RiMS Racing |
| Rise of the Tomb Raider | Sea of Thieves |
| Shadow of the Tomb Raider | Star Wars Jedi Fallen Order |
| Super Lucky’s Tale | Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands |
| Tom Clancy’s The Division 2 | Tower of Fantasy |
| Train Station Simulator | The Elder Scrolls Online |
| Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection (PC) | Watch Dogs: Legion |
| Werewolf: The Apocalypse – Earthblood | WRC 10 |
| Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner |
The integration of Dolby Atmos on Xbox Series X|S represents a real leap forward for audio in gaming. Easy to activate, widely compatible with numerous devices, and greatly enhancing immersion, it caters to both home theater enthusiasts and headset gamers alike. Whether you’re playing a narrative RPG or a fast-paced FPS, sound becomes a true strategic and sensory tool. And with an ever-growing library of compatible games, Atmos proves to be a concrete asset to get the most out of the Xbox consoles’ audio capabilities.
