Message: SoundGuys is reader supported. When you buy through links on our site we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn More. Everything you need to know about surround sound in headphones From Walt Disney to dummy heads and virtual reality. It's all here. Apple’s spatial audio simulates surround sound. You may have seen terms like spatial audio, 7 3D sound in marketing materials when shopping for headphones—and not just for gaming headsets—but how does surround sound in headphones work exactly? Let’s dig into the history of surround sound, learn a little about the tech that makes headphone surround work, and take a look at the competing standards.