Quick Answer
The main function of the Razer Surround is to provide surround sound experience for any pair of headphones you are using, whether it is a Razer headphone or another. The Razer Surround is pretty much a good software that works well and comes with a lot of features to offer other things such as an enhanced bass and voice clarity while also giving the surround experience. However, it is not as good as you will get with True surround.
When you want to get the surround experience with your headset, there are two ways to do that; the first is to use the True 7.1 and the second is to go with Virtual 7.1. With the True 7.1, you will need to have a headset that is engineered to provide the surround experience while with the Virtual 7.1, you make use of a software that allows you to use any stereo headset and get the surround experience. The software mimics the surround experience and reproduces it through the headphones. An example of the software that does this is the Razer Surround.
A step backward, when you listen to music either through the speaker or your headphones, it is easy for you to tell from where it is coming. But then, when you are using a surround engineered speaker or headphones, you will not be able to tell from where the sound is coming because it will seem to be coming from everywhere around you.
With that said, the problem is always that surround headphones do not come cheap, hence Virtual surround has come to the rescue of many people who want to still get the experience without having to sell their souls in the process. The other side of the coin is that it is not all the programs that promise this that are really good.
With the Razer Surround, Razer claims it offers the best virtual 7.1 channel surround sound experience there is. There is no denying the fact that the program has actually stood the test of demanding ears, but there is still the question of whether it works as good as the True 7.1.
Is Razer Surround Good?
As far as the virtual surround experience is concerned, Razer Surround does a very good job with making you think that the sound is actually coming from everywhere. The good news is that just as it is promised, it works perfectly with all stereo headphones that you use whether you are playing games or simply listening to music.
The advantage that it has over most other 7.1 virtual surround programs that play it safe is that it allows you to configure it based on what you need. You can calibrate to your preference, boost the bass, achieve voice clarity, and adjust voice level, among other features.
However, you will not get the same experience that comes with the True surround. It is important to know that there is no virtual surround that will offer you anything better or even as good as the true surround.
Razer Surround Pro Version Download
The program comes with a free version which you can download and use. However, to get additional features including some more customization options, you will need to have the pro version. Once you have already downloaded the program, you can upgrade it to the pro version without needing to download another one.
Integrated within the Razer Synapse 2.0 program, when you download the Razer Surround, it comes with the Synapse 2.0 unless you have already had that installed on your system. The Synapse serves to manage other components such as the mouse and keyboard.
Here are the steps to upgrade to the Pro:
- After you must have downloaded and installed the free version, click on the “Upgrade” button which you will find at the Surround tab.
- You will be provided a field to put in your activation code.
- If you do not have the activation code, you will need to purchase the Razer Surround Pro, which you can do through this link.
Note: Before you can make use of the program, you will have to register even if it is the free version that you are using.
How To Fix Razer Surround If It Is Not Working
There are times when you may have a problem with starting the program or when the program may fail to work. The good news, if you are having such a problem, is that fixing it is quite very easy. Here are the different methods of fixing the problem:
Method One: Restart Razer Surround from the services
The first thing you want to do is to change your Speakers choice at the Playback to Razer Surround Audio. To do this:
- Right click on the audio icon at the lower right side of your computer
- Select Sounds and then select the Playback tab in the Sound dialogue box.
- Right click on the Razer speakers and then enable it.
With that done, you will need to go on to change restart the program at the services of your computer:
- Open the Run Command using Windows + R keys.
- In the field provided, type in services.msc. and then hit on the Enter key or click OK.
- In the services page that opens, look for RzSurroundVADStreamingService.
- Right-click on the program and then select Restart. Once that is done, your program should be able to work.
Restart the service through a desktop shortcut
- Create a Text file on the desktop and save as Restart Razer Surround Sound.
- Copy and paste this code in the file: net stop RzSurroundVADStreamingService & net start RzSurroundVADStreamingService
- Save the file as razersvcrestart.bat
- The next thing to do is to right-click on the program and then run it as admin.
See Also: How Much Data Does Music Streaming Use? (iHeartRadio vs Pandora vs Spotify)
Method Two: Uninstall and reinstall the Program
If after trying the step above fails to work, what you may want to do is to uninstall the program entirely and then reinstall. This will work if it is a bug which Razer has worked on. This seems to be one of the most effective methods for a lot of people. Here are the steps
- Simply go to your start menu and then search for Feature.
- On the list that appears, click on Apps & features.
- Look for Razer Synapse on the list and then click on it. Next, select Uninstall.
- After it is uninstalled, go to Razer’s website and download the program again.
Review
At the end of the day, the Razer Surround is a very useful program for anyone who wants to get a surround experience with any stereo headset without wanting to pay the massive amount that a True surround headset is asking.
The strength of the program apart from the fact that it does a very good job with the surround it delivers is that it comes with features that are advanced and good. The extra settings and customization options that it features are also good.
There will be no reason for anyone to skip a True surround for a virtual one if you have the option because it beats the latter to the ground. Now, that is the drawback of all Virtual 7.1, and not necessarily that of Razer surround alone.
Other Questions
What does Razer Surround Pro do?
Razer Surround Pro is a premium Virtual 7.1 surround program that gives you the surround sound experience without minding the stereo headset that you are making use of.
How do I turn on my Razer surround?
To turn on the program, you will need to open the Razer Surround tab on your Synapse 2.0 and then under the Razer Surround label, put it at ON.
How do I uninstall Razer surround?
When it comes to uninstalling the program, the process is the same as any other program that you want to uninstall. Simply go to your start menu and then type “Feature.” Select “Apps & Features” and scroll to the program. Click on it and select “Uninstall”. You may need to restart your computer after uninstalling to reset your headphone use.
