DTS Sound Unbound vs Elgato Wave Link
DTS Sound Unbound
consumer.dts.comElgato Wave Link
elgato.comSide by side
| Figure | DTS Sound Unbound | Elgato Wave Link |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 3 | 2 |
| Spec score · Audio Enhancement Software | 8.9 (#1) | 7.8 (#11) |
| Purpose | DTS Sound Unbound is an app that provides access to DTS audio solutions including DTS Headphone:X. | Wave Link provides broadcast-level audio routing and effects for content creators. |
| Support | DTS directs Windows and Xbox Sound Unbound support requests to [email protected] and sends refund requests to Microsoft Store. | Elgato provides FAQ, contact, and download links for Wave Link support. |
Plans
DTS Sound Unbound
- DTS Sound Unbound appFree
- DTS Sound Unbound appFree
- DTS Headphone:X$19.99, paid once
In their own words
DTS Sound Unbound
DTS Sound Unbound is a Windows app that provides DTS audio solutions, including DTS Headphone:X and a DTS:X decoder. Headphone:X uses Microsoft Spatial Sound to place game audio cues around, above and below the listener. It works with any headphones and offers custom tuning for more than 500 headphones. The decoder plays DTS-encoded content stored locally or streamed to a device, and can be purchased separately or bundled with Headphone:X. The app is available through the Microsoft Store with a free plan priced at free, plus a free trial; audio technologies may require in-app purchases. It supports Windows 10 version 10.0.18362.380 or higher and can be installed on up to 10 devices. Xbox availability includes DTS:X for Home Theater, described as a free upgrade on listed Xbox consoles. Current content focus is headphones and multichannel speakers connected directly to a PC sound card.
Elgato Wave Link
Elgato Wave Link is a free audio routing and effects app for streamers, podcasters, professionals, and other content creators. It works with USB and XLR microphones, third-party interfaces, headsets, and capture cards recognized by the computer. A horizontal routing matrix lets users direct audio sources to outputs, with up to five independent mixes and separate routing and volume levels. Users can group multiple applications, such as Zoom, Teams, Discord, Spotify, or Chrome, into one channel. The app supports VST3 effects on Windows and Audio Unit effects on macOS, with unlimited effects per input. Mixes can feed OBS Studio, MS Teams, or any application that accepts audio input. Its Stream Deck plugin can change volume, mute channels, toggle effects, and switch mixes. The Wave Link 3.0 plan lists up to eight software or non-Wave inputs, four Wave-device inputs, and five virtual mixes. Windows requires Windows 11 and 8 GB RAM; macOS requires version 15.0 or newer and 8 GB RAM.