Set up 7.1 Surround Sound with stereo headset

[Thorimus]

Hello,

I used to have a Hyperx Cloud Revolver S set up via a 3.5mm stereo jack (due to intense whine when using USB), running 7.1 surround using Realtek’s Audio Console. 

I ran into issues with the headset not outputting any sound and uninstalled it using device manager, which seemed to fix the issue. Now, the Realtek software wont start, giving a “can’t connect to RPC service” error and the headset is stuck in standard non-directional sound mode.

 

I’ve tried the troubleshooting options provided on Microsoft’s page and performed a full reinstall of RAC but nothing has worked, and others seem to have similar issues.

 

Is there another way to set up surround sound via a 3.5mm jack, perhaps using other software?

[Tigerleon]

Why not try to use your headset without surround? Games nowadays got good enough audio you don't need virtual surround sound.

[Thorimus]

56 minutes ago, Tigerleon said:

Why not try to use your headset without surround? Games nowadays got good enough audio you don't need virtual surround sound.

I can’t even tell if something is in front of me or behind me when I hear a sound at the moment. Directional sound was pretty nice.

[JabroniBaloney]

47 minutes ago, Thorimus said:

I can’t even tell if something is in front of me or behind me when I hear a sound at the moment. Directional sound was pretty nice.

That's more likely due to your headset, not a lack of post processing.

[Shammikit]

in speaker properties do u not have this option for ur headphone?

[Tigerleon]

As Jabroni said it is due to your headset lacking imaging and just how good the drivers are. If you have a pretty good pair of headphone like sennheiser, beyerdynamics or whatever. The difference is huge compared to closed back gaming headsets.

[Thorimus]

I was troubleshooting a different issue and wiped all AMD software and reinstalled my graphics drivers, and now suddenly the Audio Console works again and I can select surround sound. Computers are weird.

 

I’ll have to do some blind tests comparing surround to stereo. Maybe I’ve just convinced myself one is somehow better at conveying direction when it’s actually the same.