This article may contain affiliate links. Learn more on our Partner Program page.
Apple's implementation of Dolby Atmos and Spatial Audio in Apple Music places audio around the listener in a 3D space with a few key differences. Below, you'll find everything you need to know about the two technologies.
Apple has announcedthat Dolby Atmos for music will be available on Apple Music starting in June. Users will be able to listen to Dolby Atmos tracks natively on Apple devices or with AirPods and other supported headphones. Spatial audio is a layer above Dolby Atmos that enables an even more immersive listening experience. Through Dolby Atmos, users not only get a variety of audio channels but they can also move around in that audio space. There are subtle differences between the two technologies and Apple does little to really describe them. Everyone will be able to listen to Dolby Atmos tracks on Apple Music except Android users at launch. But Spatial audio will be limited to certain devices.
What is Dolby Atmos?
Dolby Atmos is an audio format that film and music creators can use to place audio in a 3D space during the mixing process. Previously, musicians had to combine their music recordings from multiple tracks into two evenly balanced channels used for a stereo track. Similarly, filmmakers had to assign specific sounds to specific speakers in a dynamic speaker setup, such as a 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound system. Now, filmmakers are no longer limited by the number of speakers or their placement. Artists can specify where a sound is coming from and how far away it is, and the Dolby Atmos system determines which speaker it will play from. This creates a much more immersive space for audio and gives enthusiasts the ability to design more complex speaker systems.
The result – a simulated 3D audio space
When listening to Dolby Atmos, a listener can hear directional audio from up to 128 channels, which can be played on up to 34 separate speakers simultaneously. Headphones that support Dolby Atmos use different mixing techniques to achieve the same effect with fewer speakers. Ultimately, the result is the same, a simulated 3D audio space that includes depth and direction. Instead of playing all instruments from two channels, musicians can split them into several distinct channels. These instruments can also move around the listener as the song plays. The effect is said to completely change the way music is experienced. Movies and video games were the first formats to take advantage of Dolby Atmos. The move to Dolby Atmos for music began in February 2021, with several streaming services already supporting the format. Apple Music promises thousands of Dolby Atmos tracks when it launches the new experience in June.
Requirements for Dolby Atmos
The only requirement for Dolby Atmos is that devices support it directly. Users will not be able to hear Dolby Atmos audio on older surround sound systems, even if they have multiple channels. New sound systems, TVs and computers often support the format. The iPhone, iPad and Mac also offer support for Dolby Atmos. Specifically counts Apple has the following device generations:
Dolby Atmos works with iPhone 7 or later with the latest version of iOS, 12.9″ iPad Pro (3rd generation or later), 11″ iPad Pro, iPad (6th generation or later), iPad Air (3rd generation or later), and iPad mini (5th generation) with the latest version of iPadOS, and with MacBook Pro (2018 model or later).
However, if you connect speakers or headphones, they must also support the format. Dolby Atmos will play automatically on devices with the W1 or H1 chip. This means that the AirPods, AirPods Pro, AirPods Max and current Beats by Dre headphones will have support. Other headphones with Dolby Atmos will also work. However, the user must turn the feature on themselves in the iOS Settings -> Music -> Audio.
What is Spatial Audio?
Apple introduced Spatial Audio during WWDC 2020 and released the feature for the AirPods Pro and AirPods Max. Spatial Audio is a system that uses the gyroscopes and sensors in the hearing aid and headphones to simulate a 3D listening space that remains static as you move your head. Spatial Audio doesn't require Dolby Atmos audio to work. It can work with 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound, but works best with a well-mixed Dolby Atmos production. The feature was first introduced for watching media like series on Apple TV+, but will expand to music starting in June. Spatial Audio adds a degree of spatial awareness to the device you're listening to the audio on. Instead of having a soundstage that's fixed to the position of your head, it's fixed to the position of your device.
Available on music videos, movies and TV shows
Normally, when you're playing music or watching a movie, you hear the sound from everywhere. However, when you turn your head, the "front" of the sound is still where your head is facing. When you're watching a movie or concert with Spatial Audio, the "front" of the sound is always where the device is located. Essentially, you can turn your head toward a sound in 3D space and hear it as if it's in front of you. Spatial Audio works as described when listening to music videos, movies, and TV shows with supported audio. Until music tracks with Spatial Audio launch, there's no way to determine how much of the experience depends on device positioning or head tracking.
Apple will have to answer some questions
Apple may be applying the term "Spatial Audio" to Dolby Atmos music to establish a trademark for the existing media format. Spatial Audio would normally be reserved for devices with head-tracking capabilities. However, some reports suggest that the HomePod and HomePod mini will also support Spatial Audio with music. This claim could confuse Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos support, as the HomePods could easily simulate multi-channel audio. Apple will soon have to clarify what is supported where and what terms it will use to define these features. Until then, there's no way to know exactly how a device labeled "Spatial Audio" that plays music will interact with the user.
Requirements for Spatial Audio
Apple hasn't set any specific device requirements for Spatial Audio in Apple Music, but they appear to be the same as other media. Users will need AirPods Pro or AirPods Max and a modern iPhone or iPad to use the feature. Apple TV and Mac don't have gyroscopes or the sensors required to accurately play Spatial Audio, but will still output the audio in regular Dolby Atmos. This means Android users won't be able to take advantage of Spatial Audio. At launch, they won't be able to access Dolby Atmos music either.
iOS 14.6 and Co. are required
Apple announced several changes to the Apple Music service, although not all changes will be significant for every user. Dolby Atmos music will be the most widely available feature, as every Apple Music user will be able to take advantage of the new sound. Spatial Audio will remain exclusive to Apple's high-end AirPods. But that could change with future models. Apple Music Lossless with Dolby Atmos and Spatial Audio will launch in June. Users will need to update to iOS 14.6, iPadOS 14.6, tvOS 14.6, or macOS 11.4 to take advantage of the new features. (Photo by Unsplash / Gordon Cowie)
