Simple Explanation

A 3D sound format that places sounds around and above you to make movies and music more immersive.

Concise Technical Definition

DTS:X is an object-based audio format that allows sound designers to place individual audio elements in a 3D sound field, including height, independent of specific speaker layouts.

Layman-Friendly Analogy

Like sound in a video game—you hear footsteps behind you, voices above you, or explosions all around, just as if you're inside the action.

Industry Usage Summary

DTS:X is widely supported on Blu-ray discs, streaming platforms, and AV receivers. Unlike Dolby Atmos, DTS:X does not require specific speaker configurations and adapts to the number and placement of available speakers. It competes directly with Dolby Atmos and Auro-3D in the immersive audio space.

Engineering Shortcut

Adaptive object-based 3D audio format from DTS; no fixed speaker layout.

Full Technical Explanation

DTS:X is an immersive audio format developed by DTS (a subsidiary of Xperi) that uses object-based mixing to position sound elements in 3D space. Unlike traditional channel-based audio (e.g., 5.1 or 7.1), DTS:X allows mixers to define where each sound should be placed—above, behind, or beside the listener—rather than locking it to a specific channel. It supports a scalable number of speakers and does not require height speakers to function, though it can utilize them for greater immersion. DTS:X is included on Ultra HD Blu-rays and supported by many modern AVRs and soundbars.