Spatialize stereo - anybody actually using this?

[Telesmurfen]

With iOS 15, Apple introduced the ability to spatialize stereo tracks in Apple Music.
This creates a fake atmos/surround version of your stereo tracks.
But, my question is, does anybody actually use this function?
I thought it was fun to get a “different mix” of my old songs the first couple of days, but then the fake surround started to sound weird and too artificial and I returned to the original stereo format.
However, some songs don’t sound too bad with it enabled - especially with AirPods Pro… it’s as if the song sounds fuller, and you hear “new” instruments.
With my AirPods Max, however, it just sounds weird…
What’s your take on this function?

 

[johntw]

I don't use it for music but don't mind having it on for videos, i.e. YouTube.

 

[mfram]

I don't really understand the point for music. It doesn't seem natural for me that music should sound different just because you move your head. Sure, if you are watching a video your head should stay pretty still. But for music, I don't see the point.

 

[Julien]

I don't really understand the point for music. It doesn't seem natural for me that music should sound different just because you move your head. Sure, if you are watching a video your head should stay pretty still. But for music, I don't see the point.

Head Tracking is an additional feature that you can cut off.

 

[Taco1933]

Kinda neat but seems like not much more than a gimmick in the real world. Since a lot of us that are using headphones are on the move, it just can’t work the way a concert or home stereo would work. It doesn’t even work that well when I’m working. Look at one monitor that isn’t dead in front of you for ten seconds and the sound walks it’s way over. Now when you look straight again, it’s off center.

The video side is pretty great though. I was surprised how well it works.

 

[dieselm]

Spacialized audio works great on video like youtube. I prefer it.

It simulates the sound come out of a fixed iPad enough that I'm even occasionally tricked into checking to see if i have headphones on.

 

[dukebound85]

With iOS 15, Apple introduced the ability to spatialize stereo tracks in Apple Music.
This creates a fake atmos/surround version of your stereo tracks.
But, my question is, does anybody actually use this function?
I thought it was fun to get a “different mix” of my old songs the first couple of days, but then the fake surround started to sound weird and too artificial and I returned to the original stereo format.
However, some songs don’t sound too bad with it enabled - especially with AirPods Pro… it’s as if the song sounds fuller, and you hear “new” instruments.
With my AirPods Max, however, it just sounds weird…
What’s your take on this function?

wish it didn't require airpods

 

[dieselm]

It's interesting that Apple has invented ways to add customer value to headphones and compete in ways that have absolutely nothing to do with sound.

Portability. Spatialized sound that appears to come from the device. Atmos for audio. "Find My" lost item tracking.
Automatic device switching. "Hearing Aid" features like customized audiograms, conversation boost, etc.

The sound is sometimes worse than alternatives, but the headphones are arguably better.

 

[bigshot]

I have a 5.1 speaker system, so I know what spatial audio really sounds like. Apple's version doesn't impress me much. I'm hoping that they come up with a way to calibrate to your own HRTF and if they do that, it might actually work.

 

[JeffPerrin]

With iOS 15, Apple introduced the ability to spatialize stereo tracks in Apple Music.
This creates a fake atmos/surround version of your stereo tracks.
But, my question is, does anybody actually use this function?
I thought it was fun to get a “different mix” of my old songs the first couple of days, but then the fake surround started to sound weird and too artificial and I returned to the original stereo format.
However, some songs don’t sound too bad with it enabled - especially with AirPods Pro… it’s as if the song sounds fuller, and you hear “new” instruments.
With my AirPods Max, however, it just sounds weird…
What’s your take on this function?

Yeah, I wish Apple would remove the "spatialize stereo" feature. IMO, it distracts and even gives real spatial audio audio a bad rap.

 

[UKapple73]

I think it sounds better and much wider sound stage than regular stereo, so I use it for music on my Pros and Max sets
One thing I did do was switch Dolby Atmos to “automatic” in Music settings. Mine was on “always on” and my stereo music sounded weird in my Maxs, but not my Pros. Strange

 

[bigshot]

I think the Max is capable of a higher level of DSP. But with a lot of songs, the difference is more like the musicians are around the corner performing, particularly with the vocals. I turn it on and off a lot.

 

[abowlby]

I have Spatial Audio turned on and it’s something that I definitely notice, but ends up blending in to the listening experience for me. On the other hand I listened to Microsoft’s Surface event with my APP and it was an excellent advertisement for Apple’s headphones. I was like “what in the heck…why is Panos everywhere?” Finally I realized what was going on and had an a-ha moment.

 

[Phuz01]

I disabled head tracking for music almost immediately. However, I find that spacializing stereo sound for my music on the iPhone 13PM tends to bring out some nuances in tracks I've been listening to for decades. May not keep it on after the novelty has worn off, but I'm enjoying a slightly different take on the familiar.

Spatial Audio with Apple TV is crazy. I have a 5.1 system in my apartment, and I actually forgot I was wearing my APP.

 

[UKapple73]

I wasn’t blown away at all by spatial audio from Apple TV and AirPods max. Maybe my ears don’t take to it as well as others, apparently it depends on your shape of ears etc and that’s why Sony do an app to adapt it to your personal profile, wish Apple would do the same

 

[Htsi]

I have turned it off after the initial euphoria of spinning head left and right.
may try it again without head tracking.
real multi channel/spatial is brilliant tho

 

[Heruhur]

I turned it off, for video it's o.k. but with music, especially when walking it's annoying and feels unnatural.
When you go around a corner it takes a while for the audio to "correct" itself for the new travelling direction.

 

[Phuz01]

I turned it off, for video it's o.k. but with music, especially when walking it's annoying and feels unnatural.
When you go around a corner it takes a while for the audio to "correct" itself for the new travelling direction.

Yeah, I can't imagine anybody wanting head tracking on with music. What seems so natural for video is just disorienting with music. Didn't have it enabled long enough to be listening outside, but what you describe sounds awful.

 

[swandy]

I have it turned on (AirPods Pros) and think it is kind of cool. Unless walking - then the "movement" to look at something not directly in front of me (assuming my iPhone is in my pocket) is very slow recovering. That is sort of annoying, but not enough to turn it off completely.

 

[livingonvideo13]

I really dislike it. I was trying to watch something on Apple TV and something seemed “off” - I finally figured out what was going on and turned it off. I try listening to some of Apple Music with songs made specifically for spatial audio And it was fun to turn your head around for maybe one or two minutes but I hate how it sounds. I’m not sure why anybody would listen to music like this.

 

[trix1701]

For me I turn 'spatialize stereo' off for music, but on 'on' for videos/podcasts.

But I use the proper spacial audio everywhere if available,

Don't like the head tracking, so I turn this off as well,

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[perezr10]

I have a 5.1 speaker system, so I know what spatial audio really sounds like. Apple's version doesn't impress me much. I'm hoping that they come up with a way to calibrate to your own HRTF and if they do that, it might actually work.

I didn’t think that spatial audio was synonymous with 5.1 surround sound. In a real 5.1 sound system, sounds have a linear path. Like a car driving by east to west or a bullet flying past your head front to back.

Spatial audio is supposed to be less about a linear path and more about separating the instruments. There is no “path” but the vocals are supposed to sound close while the drums sound farther away. Or how ever the sound engineer wants it to be. Whether it is successful or or not is up for debate.

I’m guessing the head-tracking in relation to music is supposed to simulate a concert experience.

I don’t dislike spatial audio, but I’m also not recommending it to any of my friends.

 

[AllergyDoc]

I turned it off as it did nothing for me.

 

[jakeenzo]

For me personally I now can’t listen to music without Spatial Stereo enabled. Just makes the music so much more immersive and sounds a million times better. I know some people disagree but for me it’s a massive upgrade.

Yeah, I wish Apple would remove the "spatialize stereo" feature. IMO, it distracts and even gives real spatial audio audio a bad rap.s

This is such a dumb comment. If you don’t like it then fine, but don’t try and sandbag and get it removed for the rest of us who do like it. Luckily Apple isn’t usually the company to pander.

 

[achappy]

For me personally I now can’t listen to music without Spatial Stereo enabled. Just makes the music so much more immersive and sounds a million times better. I know some people disagree but for me it’s a massive upgrade.

I agree. I just got some AirPod 3s and turned it on and was immediately blown away. I turned off the tracking but it sounds so much better. I'm loving these AirPods as they stay in my ear and sound so much better than 2nd Gen and Pros to me.