Apple's iOS 15, macOS Monterey simulates Spatial Audio for stereo content

AppleInsider

Apple's new iOS 15 and macOS Monterey updates contain a feature that allows users to simulate Spatial Audio for non-Dolby content.

Credit: Apple

Spatial Audio is a new Apple Music feature that allows users to hear music recorded with Dolby technology in simulated 3D space. However, for content that wasn't recorded with Dolby Atmos, there appears to be an alternative.

As spotted by a Redditor on Monday, there's a new "Spatialize Stereo" toggle in the volume controls in Control Center. The feature doesn't deliver true three-dimensional sound, but it will simulate the experience of having audio coming from different directions.

The "Spatialize Stereo" feature requires iOS 15, iPadOS 15 or macOS Monterey and a pair of AirPods Pro or AirPods Max. It works with a range of content, including videos in Photos or songs on Spotify. However, some apps -- like YouTube -- won't work.

Apple's iOS 15 update is currently in beta, and should release to the public sometime in the fall.

Follow all of WWDC 2021 with comprehensive AppleInsider coverage of the week-long event from June 7 through June 11, including details on iOS 15, iPadOS 15, watchOS 8, macOS Monterey and more.

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beats

Something funny happened today.

I was listening to the Zane Lowe Spacial Audio introduction and I could hear a nice difference!!

Later I read you need iOS 14.6 to actually enable Dolby Atmos. 🤦‍♂️ 

As an audio engineer I understand there WILL BE a noticeable difference because of how tracks are mixed but it isn’t real Atmos. Can’t wait to upgrade and hear the real thing!

bestkeptsecret

I found a playlist that kept getting updated with songs that supported Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos, but on checking the actual songs locally, they just had the "Apple Digital Master" logo. 
I wonder if this is region-specific.

sflagel

What is the difference between Spatial Audio and Atmos? I thought Spatial Audio was virtualising sound coming from the front or from the device; and Atmos was the virtualisation of “3D” sound. So would it be possible to have Spatial Audio without Atmos when listening to Music? When watching movies on an iPhone I get Spatial Audio (sound coming from the front) but not Atmos (when will we get that)?

And on a related note: does the Apple TV already have Spatial Audio for AirPods Pro? Will it get Atmos for AirPods Pro? 

nelperin

Where is this feature on MacOS Monterey?

aderutter

Correct. Atmos is sound objects in 3d space, sound above to the right, behind to the left etc.

My understanding is that Spacial Audio is sound coming from a certain direction/device, so if you wear APP and turn your head the sound still comes from the correct direction and place. 

Think of Spacial Audio meaning earbuds and headphones can replicate what normal speakers would do. Turn your head the audio source position doesnt change. Spacial Audio probably does a bit more than this but that is the thing that enhances Atmos when you wear APP & APM.

If you sit facing the TV all the time then Atmos is more important I think. 

sflagel

Thanks you. But I think the marketing materials and the implementation are unclear. The toggle is Spatial Audio on/of, but it actually turns on Atmos (sounds come from everywhere). I wish I could just select Spatial Audio without Atmos …. Would have preferred a three-way toggle, like we have for noise cancellation: Off - Spatial Audio - Atmos. Listening to the Atmos gimmicks is really distracting. 

edited June 2021

macpro

It really is spectacular. It makes sound far clearer to the hearing impaired.

Question: A few versions of TVOS ago, I was able to use my Airpod Pros with Apple TV 4k at the same time others could listen over the paired Home Pods.  This was very good for me as I have slight hearing loss and it avoided others having to suffer the Home Pods being too loud, and they can be very loud!  Now it's either Airpod Pros OR Home Pods, no way can I get both on at the same time.  What am I missing?

gatorguy

Since I have multiple music services I thought I'd do a quick comparison between the new Apple Misic Atmos implementation and one of the others, using the Weekend's Blinding Lights on both. 

I might have heard a minor difference but it certainly was not a "changing music forever" experience. The current improvements might be more appreciated on higher-end speakers so I'll try again with my Sonos setup later, but over very good headphones earlier today there was not much noticeable.