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Netflix today announced that it is partnering with Sennheiser for a new spatial audio experience that will be available for the Netflix content catalog.

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Using Sennheiser AMBEO technology, stereo audio will be enhanced with an immersive surround sound experience that is compatible with all devices, all streaming plans, and that does not require surround sound speakers or home theater equipment.

This feature will enable spatial audio on devices (including Apple devices) that do not normally support it. It is separate technology from the spatial audio support that has been available on spatial audio-compatible Apple hardware since August 2021, and it is designed for those who do not have devices that already support the spatial audio feature.

Netflix says that subscribers who do not have surround sound speakers or devices that work with the traditional spatial audio feature will see spatial audio enabled automatically when watching a compatible TV show or movie.

For those unfamiliar, spatial audio is designed to provide theater-like sound from a movie, video, or TV show that you're watching, offering a sound experience that sounds like it's coming from all around you.

According to Netflix, spatial audio is in the process of rolling out across the Netflix content catalog starting today, and users can find shows and movies that support spatial audio by typing "spatial audio" into the search bar.

To be clear, for those who have spatial audio-compatible Apple devices, nothing will be changing as spatial audio support has already been available. Compatible Apple headphones include the third-generation AirPods, AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, and Beats Fit Pro.

Compatible Apple devices include the iPhone 7 or later, iPad Air third-generation and later, iPad mini fifth-generation and later, iPad Pro third-generation or later, and Apple TV 4K. The iPhones and iPads must be running iOS 15.1 or above and the Apple TV 4K must be running tvOS 15 or above.

Article Link: Netflix Rolling Out Spatial Audio for All Devices in Partnership With Sennheiser
 
I wish there were wireless speakers that could take advantage of spatial audio. Possibly paired to an Apple TV 4K or some Mac. Its nice to have some recent Mac have support built in, such as 24" iMac, 14"/16" MBPs, also the Studio Display, but there needs to be more products that supports spatial audio.

Per 9-5Mac this is a list of supported devices to use:

Compatible Apple devices:
  • iPhone 7 and later using iOS 15.1 or above
  • iPad Air 3rd generation and later using iPadOS 15.1 or above
  • iPad mini 5th generation and later using iPadOS 15.1 or above
  • iPad Pro 3rd generation and later using iPadOS 15.1 or above
  • Apple TV 4K and later using tvOS 15 or above
Compatible Apple headphones
  • AirPods 3rd generation
  • AirPods Pro
  • AirPods Max
  • Beats Fit Pro
 
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Having trouble finding where AMBEO will support discreet playback of surround channels on an AVR. Seems geared more towards headphone playback (and their own sound bar).

The spatial audio format wars... they have begun!
 
Ever notice saying "Spatial Audio" sounds like a southern accent saying "Special Audio"?

Spatial is nice, but Dolby Atmos is where the real change/improvement happens.
 
never really understood apple's spatial audio. What's so good about sound sounding as if it's coming from the device itself while wearing headphones. Can just unplug it, let the speakers do the work and voila! (if not in public) lol
 
Damn. A Netflix announcement that doesn't include a price hike.

Will wonders never cease....
 
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never really understood apple's spatial audio. What's so good about sound sounding as if it's coming from the device itself while wearing headphones. Can just unplug it, let the speakers do the work and voila! (if not in public) lol
You’re confusing Head Tracking with Spatial Audio. SA creates a virtual 360 simulation for Dolby Atmos tracks as if you have overhead speakers. That’s the cool part.
 
didn’t we all disable Dolby Pro Logic years ago when we realized fake surround wasn’t universally enjoyable!?

Let the sound designer make it how they want it to sound.
Spatial audio is the new dynamic contrast or Super S Color Framerate Magic Plus.
Just another feature you have to remember do disable.
 
Not a fan of spatial? Even on "standard" lossless tracks, Apple Music sounds better for most songs. When combined with Atmos (re-mastering), sounds really good to me.
Apple may have done a good job remastering from original masters, and adding simulated atmos might sound good on some music, but what does simulated spatial audio of Seinfeld sound like?

Music kind of benefits from generic reverb and “space” where tv shows are a much harder audio mix to just apply “spatial audio” to as a big blanket.
 
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