How to Test If HeSuVi Is Working
Not sure the surround is actually on? Four concrete tests that prove HeSuVi is processing your audio — in under two minutes.
Test 1: The Built-in 7.1 Channel Sweep
HeSuVi has a 7.1 Test button in the Speaker Position Adjustment area. Click it: you should hear a tone rotating around your head through all eight channels (front-left, center, front-right, side, rear, sub). If you only hear plain left/right, your Windows device is not set to 7.1 — re-run the Configure wizard on your playback device.
Test 2: The Master Volume Slider
Drag HeSuVi’s master volume slider while audio plays. If loudness changes, the APO chain is live. If nothing happens, Equalizer APO is not attached to your device — re-run the Configurator (see troubleshooting). This is the fastest single check.
Test 3: Profile Switching A/B
Play a 7.1 surround test video (YouTube has several) and switch between two very different HRIR profiles — e.g. a dry GSX and a spacious Atmos capture. The soundstage should obviously change. If all profiles sound identical, virtualization is not engaged.
Test 4: The Mute-Compare
In HeSuVi, toggle the virtualization on/off while a game runs. On: positioned, spacious. Off: flat stereo. The difference should be unmistakable on multi-channel content. Note: pure stereo music will barely change — that is normal, not a malfunction (see HeSuVi for music).
What ‘Working’ Does NOT Mean
- Stereo YouTube videos will not suddenly become surround — enable stereo upmix in the Additional tab if you want that (see advanced tuning).
- HeSuVi only processes at 44.1 or 48 kHz — exotic sample rates bypass it.
- Only one spatializer at a time: disable Windows Sonic/Dolby when testing.
The Bottom Line
Volume slider moves → APO is live. 7.1 sweep rotates → surround works. Profiles sound different → virtualization engaged. Run these three and you will know in 90 seconds. If any fail, our troubleshooting hub has the fix.
New to HeSuVi? Download it here and follow the setup guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know HeSuVi is working?
Drag the master volume slider (should change loudness), run the 7.1 test sweep (should rotate around your head), and switch profiles (should sound different).
Why does HeSuVi do nothing on YouTube?
YouTube is stereo. HeSuVi virtualizes multi-channel audio; enable stereo upmix in the Additional tab for stereo content.
The 7.1 test only plays stereo — why?
Your Windows playback device is set to stereo. Open Sound settings → Configure on the device and select 7.1 Surround.