7.1 Surround Sound

@Dholmes1985 No virtual surround sound is... hmmm how to explain this.

Okay all headsets are just stereo, because they have 2 ‘outputs’, the left and right earcup with a sort of build in bass. This is a 2.1 setup like you would get for the old time speakers for your tv or pc.

But due to games, movies and other digital entertainment never being on a flat surface on just two sides virtual surround sound was presented for 4.1, 5.1. So these two setups are implemented in most headsets. They simulate 2 speakers in front of you on the left and right and two in the back at same position, with a bass (4.1) and 5.1 more uncommonly is supposed to simulate a speaker right in front of you as well.

Okay so now comes modern games which have elevated things that you want to hear. 4.1/5.1 can simulate elevated sounds but it’s dependent on the mixer being applied how it’ll be heard. Mostly it sounds faded. This is where 7.1 or 9.1 come in. 7.1 is basically 2 speakers above you to let aerial sound come through with greater clarity than a virtual 5.1 which would try to do the same. It’s not yet 360 degrees all around but it comes close.

To answer your question, 4.1 IS supposed to cover you 360 degrees on flat surface, but it all depends on your headset and the audio output (game, movie, show, tv whatever) how well this gets executed.

Apex does do (virtual surround) but likely not with 7.1.

Hope that answers your question