New AirPods Pro Firmware Introduces Spatial Audio Support and Automatic Switching

[Unregistered 4U]

Just been playing around whilst on with Apple Support and strangely it now works and has been updated

It is mental

But have found that if you look away from the screen for a period of time it seems to reset the spatial stage to where you are looking

Noticed the same thing.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

apple TV+, iTunes and Disney+ all work with spatial audio.

Wonder if updates to their editing apps are forthcoming to create with spatial audio. Wouldn’t mind playing with that

 

[highdefjunkie]

Finally got the firmware update. Just tried testing spatial audio with Greyhound and it sounds great!!!

 

[badlydrawnboy]

My firmware got upgraded to 3A283, but I don't see the spatial audio option in Control Center. I just see the options for noise-canceling or transparency.

 

[Chacocliff]

How do y'all think the event will sound today, if played thru the TV app and the AirPods?. Any better, than usual?

 

[archer75]

My firmware got upgraded to 3A283, but I don't see the spatial audio option in Control Center. I just see the options for noise-canceling or transparency.

I found it under Bluetooth settings for the airpods. And you have to be on IOS14 if you aren't.

 

[badlydrawnboy]

I found it under Bluetooth settings for the airpods. And you have to be on IOS14 if you aren't.

Ah, that's the issue. I'm not on iOS14 yet. Thanks.

 

[EM2013]

Spatial audio should work with new tvOS (that’s still in beta) but automatic switching should not.

Good to know!

 

[steve gee]

Good to know!

Anyone try it yet? So far no real info. On Apple TV

 

[EM2013]

Anyone try it yet? So far no real info. On Apple TV

that’s why I was confused.

Macrumors page says yes. Other websites don’t even mention it.

 

[pratikindia]

Auto switching works with $100 Sony earphones also.

 

[drpellypo]

There is a major difference. Everyone's ears are different, so it might not be obvious to some ears.

Yes. This. The audio is vastly different. If I was a sound engineer and I’d spent all the time I did mixing, then I listened to what spatial audio did to my mix, I’d be devastated. It’s awful. Truly awful.

 

[dannys1]

I guess you’ve never been to a live concert.

I don't want a "live concert" emulated by taking the two track stereo that a mix engineer has mixed perfectly for stereo speakers and that started panning it and moving it around - stupid idea.

 

[dojoman]

I don't want a "live concert" emulated by taking the two track stereo that a mix engineer has mixed perfectly for stereo speakers and that started panning it and moving it around - stupid idea.

You don’t know what you’re talking about there are lots of concert recordings they are not in stereo.

 

[MPclk2006]

Does anyone know if spatial audio works/will work with MacBook Pro when new OS drops? I have a 2017 MacBook Pro, an iPad 10.5 (no spatial audio), and iPhone X (pretty sure once ios14 hits, it will have spatial audio)....My dilema is, I don’t use the MacBook that much so if it does not support spatial audio, that might be my decision point to sell it, sell 10.5 and get an 11 or 12.9 to replace both.

But, if MacBook supports spatial audio I’ll stick with the set up I have.

 

[rijc99]

I don’t understand what all the anger is about spatial audio. If you don’t like it don’t use it. No one is forcing you to use it.

 

[macsound1]

Auto switching works with $100 Sony earphones also.

Which ones?

 

[ErikGrim]

Then What ?

Still. A day later. 27D7. :/

 

[MadeTheSwitch]

Why is this the only product that you can't manually update???

Probably for the same reason that it’s the only product they seem to want to keep offering in only one color. Which drives me insane. I don’t get that. 🤷‍♂️

 

[pratikindia]

Which ones?

I use Sony MDR-XB50BS which is couple of years old now. I was surprised that it automatically switches between my iPP and iPhone which ever device starts playing audio/video/calls.

 

[ErikGrim]

Still. A day later. 27D7. :/

F I N A L L Y

 

[David11]

How do y'all think the event will sound today, if played thru the TV app and the AirPods?. Any better, than usual?

It was streaming in spatial audio on the TV app!!!!

 

[honglong1976]

My firmware got upgraded to 3A283, but I don't see the spatial audio option in Control Center. I just see the options for noise-canceling or transparency.

Your device may not support it. I don't get the option on an iPhone 6S.

 

[soanis]

No, spatial audio is exactly what you're describing. It's so its as if the audio source is coming from the actual device.

anyone tried it while holding their iPads and iPhones high above and behind their heads yet!?

 

[bumbo]

A list of apps/sources that utilise this would be useful. So far...

Disney+
Apple TV+

I'm on iPhone X.