Apple's spatial audio is an evolution of surround sound, that creates an interactive and dynamic soundscape to bring music to life, television and movies. From iOS 15, Apple Music makes this feature even more engaging with head tracking on compatible headphones.
Then, How is it used and can it live up to expectations?
What is spatial audio?
Spatial audio is a new way to experience audio that uses a combination of sensors and gyroscopes in your headphones along with a surround sound audio source to build a virtual 3D space..
If you move your head while listening to standard stereo audio, the sound moves with you. With spatial audio, channels stay where they are as if you were standing in a surround sound booth with speakers all around you. In TV shows and movies, spatial audio can be used to ensure that the “spatial audio can be used to ensure that the” (In other words, your TV or iPad) stay in the same position, even if you turn your head.
Technology works with standard surround sound mixes 5.1 and 7.1, but it sounds better when combined with newer formats like Dolby Atmos (specifically for music). Where a standard surround mix could use five or seven main channels and a stereo recording would use two, Dolby Atmos uses 128 channels to give producers and sound directors much more room to play.
to be clear, Dolby Atmos and Apple's spatial audio are two separate technologies. Atmos is surround sound format that can be used convincingly with spatial audio features like head tracking. Dolby's new format has all kinds of benefits outside of spatialized audio, as in soundbars and home theater setups that don't rely on headphones.
What devices and headphones support spatial audio?
Currently, An iphone 7 or later and iPad Pro 12,9 inches (third generation or later), iPad Pro de 11 inches, iPad Air (third generation or later), iPad (sixth generation or later) and iPad mini (fifth generation) support function. IOS is required 14 for spatial audio to work, but head tracking for Apple Music is limited to iOS 15 and later versions.
At the same time from a compatible device and sound source, you will also need headphones that can take advantage of head tracking. Currently, only AirPods Pro and AirPods Max are supported. Although other headphones are compatible with Dolby Atmos (including original AirPods), not all have the gyroscopes and sensors necessary for head tracking.
You can use head-tracking headphones that are compatible with an Apple TV running tvOS 15 to take advantage of the feature in video content. Just pair your AirPods Pro or AirPods Max and watch movies or TV shows from a compatible source like Disney + o Apple TV.
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What services support spatial audio?
Although many services are adding support for Dolby Atmos (as the high resolution streaming service DE MAREA), only Apple Music has made progress in implementing spatial audio with head tracking at this time. Apple Music has already made available a few hundred recordings in Dolby Atmos, e iOS 15 add spatial audio head tracking to take advantage of those extra channels.
There are dedicated playlists for music with native spatial audio support, spatial audio can be used to ensure that the “spatial audio can be used to ensure that the” spatial audio can be used to ensure that the. There is a nice mix of old tracks that have been remastered on Atmos and new music that has been produced from scratch in the format..
The function is also useful for watching movies and TV shows, with services like Disney +, HBO Max, Hulu, Discovery +, Paramount +, Apple TV and Vudu offering spatial audio in surround sound broadcasts.
How it sounds?
spatial audio can be used to ensure that the “spatial audio can be used to ensure that the” standard, and it won't always be to everyone's liking. In general terms, mixes feel wider, with more breathing room compared to stereo. This can make the listening experience less tiring., but it can also reduce the impact of some mixes.
Depending on the music you are listening to, the effect can be subtle or pronounced. On older tracks that have been remastered for the format, como “Bohemian Rhapsody” de Queen o “I Want You Back” de Jackson 5, lead voices truly stand out. By shaking your head, can clearly hear voices coming from a particular direction, and the same is often the case with lead guitar and melodies.
In this aspect, it's a bit like watching a live show where the higher tones feel more directional but the bass rhythm sections reverberate around you. Live music can be one of the best uses of technology, since it captures the essence of being surrounded by a crowd.
Modern pop and hip hop tend to take things even further, with directional audio applied to a range of sounds and frequencies. spatial audio can be used to ensure that the “spatial audio can be used to ensure that the” spatial audio can be used to ensure that the, which creates a shocking juxtaposition when the track is triggered correctly.
Unfortunately, does not work well everywhere and will not appeal to purists. Some clues, spatial audio can be used to ensure that the “spatial audio can be used to ensure that the, ” lack punch compared to flat stereo mix. You might want a track like this to sound like you have your face pressed against the PA at a stadium show., but in Atmos it sounds more like a bad car stereo. This is not necessarily a gender issue, since “Santeria” by Sublime sounds great, like you're sitting in a dirty Long Beach practice space around 1992.
Head tracking creates a more dynamic soundscape and possibly more engaging listening environment. But this can change the way music sounds. Not everyone will see this as a good thing.. Some tracks that sound almost claustrophobic in stereo are easier to hear in Atmos and also sound less “overproduced”..
Classical music could be the genre where the results are most predictable. It's the closest thing to being in the orchestra without having to see an orchestra, and the results are almost always better than a stereo mix (compared, bored).
How does head movement and tracking work?
Head tracking is arguably best enjoyed when sitting still. If you are watching a TV show or movie, your device (as an example, an iPad) will remain the central channel, regardless of where you look. With the music, things are a little different.
If you are walking outside while listening to spatial audio with head tracking, the music will react to your movement. The good news is that the transmission will correct itself when you've looked in the same direction for a few seconds..
If you turn 90º to go around a corner, the audio will gradually adjust a few seconds later so that the direction you are looking in becomes the new “center” position. It takes some getting used to and you can turn it off if you want.
Can you turn it off?
On an iPhone or iPad, you can disable spatial audio via Control Center. Swipe down from the top right corner of the screen (or swipe up on older devices), then touch and hold the Volume slider.
The option to enable or disable Spatial Audio can be found in the lower right corner. spatial audio can be used to ensure that the “i” spatial audio can be used to ensure that the.
What does “Spatialize Stereo”?
Your iPhone and iPad will offer to convert normal stereo audio to spatial audio using the Spatialize Stereo option in the Control Center.. You will find this option in the same place that you usually use to enable or disable Spatial Audio.
This feature is a mixed bag. It is essentially a virtual listening booth with a basic stereo recording built in.. Although it can make some tracks sound a bit more dynamic and interesting, not a great representation of the original track either. Even a track that has been remastered for Dolby Atmos maintains part of the producer's intention..
You should turn it on and listen to it to choose for yourself, but the “bad car stereo” analogy we alluded to previously could also be applied here.
Curious? Try a free trial of Apple Music
If you have the necessary headphones and an iPhone with iOS 15 the later, you can jump in and experience head-tracking spatial audio for yourself via Apple Music. The service has a free trial of 30 days and includes access to lossless audio streams for all subscribers (just make sure you can take advantage of lossless audio first).
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