In the framework of the isospin-dependent Boltzmann-Uehling-Uhlenbeck transport model, effects of the symmetry energy on the evolutions of free n/p ratio and charged pion ratio in the semi-central collision of $^{197}$Au+$^{197}$Au at an incident bea
m energy of 400 MeV/nucleon are studied. At the beginning of the reaction (before 11 fm/c) they are both affected by the low-density behavior of the symmetry energy but soon after are affected by the high-density behavior of the symmetry energy after nuclei are compressed (after 11 fm/c) and the effects of the symmetry energy are generally smaller compared with the central collision case. Interestingly, their dependences on the symmetry energy are shown to arise with increase of cone-azimuthal angle of the emitted particles. In the direction perpendicular to the reaction plane, the $pi^{-}/pi ^{+}$ ratio or free n/p ratio especially at high kinetic energies exhibits significant sensitivity to the symmetry energy.
