'ZDNET Recommends': What exactly does it mean?
ZDNET's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing.
When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. Neither ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers.
ZDNET's editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form.
What is spatial audio? Here's everything you need to know
If you've purchased headphones, earbuds, soundbars, or Bluetooth speakers in recent years, it's likely that you've heard of spatial audio. It's all the rage in consumer audio products these days, but what exactly is spatial audio?
Also: The best headphones: Expert tested and reviewed
Let's examine spatial audio, how it works, which devices have it, and how it can elevate your audio experience.
What is spatial audio?
Spatial audio, sometimes called virtual surround sound, is the technology that produces a digitally created three-dimensional audio experience. It places the sounds you're listening to around you instead of simply in front of you to create an immersive listening experience.
High-quality spatial audio should make you feel like you're in the movie you're watching or in the studio with the artist singing the songs you're listening to.
Also: The best Samsung TVs: Expert tested and reviewed
Many companies have created their own proprietary spatial audio technologies, but they're all based on the original: Dolby Atmos. Dolby Atmos is a form of surround sound, and its biggest competitor is DTS:X. These surround sound formats are popular in commercial movie theaters and are found in home theater equipment.
Many portable audio devices and singular home theater audio products, like headphones, earbuds, and soundbars, use Dolby Digital or DTS:X Virtual to achieve spatial audio.
Which devices support spatial audio?
Many of your audio devices support spatial audio, whether a variant of Dolby's digital spatial audio technology or an in-house-made spatial audio technology.
TVs
Many newer TVs, like the Hisense U6K and the TCL QM8, have built-in speakers compatible with Dolby Atmos and Dolby Digital. Some TVs also have speakers compatible with DTS:X and DTS Virtual: X. If you're lucky, some TVs support both.
Soundbars
If you don't have a TV with spatial audio-supported built-in speakers, you can buy a soundbar that supports spatial audio, like the LG S95TR. If your TV is a few years old but still working fine, a soundbar can help enhance your audio experience.
Also: The best soundbars you can buy, tested and reviewed
Even if your TV's built-in speakers support spatial audio, they are probably quite small and could use the extra boost to turn your living room TV into an entertainment hub.
Bluetooth speakers, headphones, and earbuds
Many portable Bluetooth speakers, headphones, and earbuds offer spatial audio. That said, to listen to music in Dolby Atmos specifically, you usually must have a compatible listening device and music streaming service. You'll need two compatible devices because tracks with Dolby Atmos are mixed by sound engineers.
Some manufacturers, like Apple and Bose, implement their immersive sound technology into headphones like the AirPods Max and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra, which allow you to listen to anything in spatial audio.
Additionally, head-tracking technology in over-ear headphones like the Sonos Ace and earbuds like the AirPods Pro 2 use sensors to track your head movements and simulate audio from any direction you turn your head.
Is spatial audio surround sound?
True surround sound requires multiple speakers and subwoofers arranged around the room. These speakers each belong to an audio channel that outputs a specific layer of sound.
Spatial audio can be thought of as a digital version of surround sound. Spatial audio is less rigid regarding the physical placement of speakers, as you can achieve an immersive spatial audio experience with one soundbar or a pair of headphones.
Is it better to listen with spatial audio?
Listening to spatial audio is a personal preference. Spatial audio can add depth, dimension, and space to whatever you're listening to, but not all spatial audio is created equal. For example, Bose's proprietary spatial audio technology can be a hit or a miss, making some songs airy and immersive while others sound flat and unenjoyable.
Also: The best sound systems you can buy
It's easier to hear spatial audio effects when listening with earbuds and headphones than with soundbars and TV speakers. The space between your headphones' speaker and your ears is much smaller than in your living room or home theater. If, however, you have a surround sound system and enable spatial audio, you can better appreciate the technology.