Engadget tested whether Dolby Atmos for Headphones, a $14.99 feature in Microsoft's Dolby Access app, can convincingly fake spatial audio on ordinary stereo headphones for PC and Xbox gamers. The app uses binaural rendering to simulate a 3D soundscape from a standard stereo signal, offering an affordable alternative to buying dedicated Dolby Atmos-enabled headphones, though the reviewer's verdict was that it falls well short of the real thing.

Testing half a dozen Dolby Atmos-supported PC games with a budget pair of stereo headphones, the reviewer found only a subtle improvement in directional sound when the feature was switched on, not enough to justify the asking price, though a seven-day free trial is available before payment is required. By contrast, headphones with native Dolby Atmos support, such as the AirPods Max, delivered a far more convincing and immersive surround-sound experience in titles including Alan Wake 2, Cyberpunk 2077 and Forza Horizon 5, leading the reviewer to recommend buying native Atmos headphones over relying on the software workaround.