Spatial audio aims to make sound seem to come from around you, rather than from inside your head. Done well, it can make films and some games feel more immersive. It is less useful for some music and for calls. Here is how it works, what you need, and when it is worth switching on.
How spatial audio works
With normal stereo on earbuds, sound tends to seem as if it sits inside your head, between your ears. Spatial audio uses processing based on how sound reaches your ears from different directions to place sounds around you: in front, to the sides and sometimes above.
It works with two kinds of source:
- Multichannel or object-based content, such as soundtracks mixed in Dolby Atmos. These carry information about where sounds should be, and usually give the most convincing results.
- Regular stereo, which some systems can "spatialise" to sound wider. Results vary, and some people prefer plain stereo for music.
Head tracking
Some earbuds include motion sensors that track how you turn your head. With head tracking on, sound stays anchored to your screen: if you turn left, the dialogue still seems to come from the phone or laptop in front of you. It needs support in the earbuds and, depending on the system, in the phone or app.
Some systems also personalise the effect to your ears. Apple's Personalized Spatial Audio, for instance, can use an iPhone's front camera to capture the shape of your ears.
Types of spatial audio
| Type | What it needs | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Multichannel content, such as Dolby Atmos | Supported content, app, phone and earbuds | Films, series and some music |
| Spatialised stereo | An earbud or phone setting | Widening regular audio; results vary |
| Head tracking | Motion sensors in the earbuds plus device support | Watching video on a phone, tablet or laptop |
| Plain stereo | Nothing extra | Most music, podcasts and calls |
When it helps, and when it does not
- Helps: films and series with Atmos or surround soundtracks, music specifically mixed for spatial playback, and some games that support it.
- May not help: regular stereo music, where spatialising can sound echoey or thin, as well as podcasts and calls.
- Battery: head tracking and extra processing may shorten battery life on some models.
Examples from the catalogue
- The boAt Nirvana Ivy lists boAt 360° Spatial Audio with Dynamic Head Tracking, along with 50dB hybrid ANC.
- The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) list Personalized Spatial Audio.
- The boAt Nirvana Crystl lists boAt 360° Spatial Audio, ANC up to 32dB and a companion app for customising audio features.
How to try it
- Turn spatial audio on in the earbuds' app or your phone's sound settings; where it sits varies by brand.
- Play content labelled Dolby Atmos or spatial audio in a supported app.
- Switch it on and off to compare, with and without head tracking.
- Keep whichever setting you enjoy for each kind of content.
Quick answers
Is spatial audio the same as Dolby Atmos?
Not exactly. Dolby Atmos is a format for mixing sound with position and height. Spatial audio on earbuds is the processing that makes such content, or stereo, sound as if it is around you. Brands use their own names for it.
Do I need special content?
For the best effect, yes: multichannel or Atmos content. Spatialised stereo works with anything, but results vary.
Does spatial audio work with any phone?
Effects processed in the earbuds often work with most phones, but Atmos playback and some head-tracking features need a supported phone and app. Check the product page and the brand's app.
Should I use it for music?
Try it. Music mixed for spatial audio can sound impressive, while regular stereo tracks often sound more natural with it off.
Explore earbuds in our spatial audio collection, or browse all wireless earbuds.
