| Type of Processing | Headphone Compatible | Stereo Speaker Compatible | Speaker Array Compatible (quad, home theater) | Dimensionality | Interactive User Controls | Perceptual Performance |
| Mono | yes | yes | N/A | 0-D | no (on/off) | single point source from speaker location |
| Stereo | yes | yes | N/A | 1-D (left/right) | left/right panning | sounds placed on line between speakers |
| "3D" Stereo Extender | some | most | N/A | 1-D (added spaciousness) | no (on/off) | sounds fill area around speakers |
| Surround Sound | no | no | yes | 2-D (left/right, front/back) | no (soundtracks are pre-encoded) | sounds placed on circle formed by speakers |
| Virtual Surround Sound (A3D Surround) | some | most | N/A | 2-D (left/right, front/back) | no (soundtracks are pre-encoded) | sounds placed on circle formed by virtual speakers |
| Interactive 3D Audio (A3D Interactive) | most | most | some | 3-D (left/right, front/back, up/down) | full 3D placement using XYZ coordinates | sounds placed at any distance and position from listener |
