Spatial audio: iOS 15 will bring head-tracking audio to non-Dolby Atmos content

In the iOS 15 beta, a new way was discovered for AirPods Pro and AirPods Max users to experience Spatial Audio, without the need for Dolby Atmos content.

Called “Spatialize Stereo,” the new feature will also work with macOS Monterey. According to 9to5Mac, this means devices running those operating systems will be able to simulate spatial audio for non-Dolby content, detecting the movement of your head when you’re wearing AirPods to change the direction of the sound.

This means you should be able to play any song from Spotify, for example, and experience it in Spatial Audio, even if the streaming service doesn't support the format.

The same goes for non-Dolby Atmos movie soundtracks, meaning you'll only need a pair of AirPods Pro/AirPods Max and a compatible device to create an immersive home theater setup.

While you may not get a true Dolby Atmos 3D audio experience, Spatialize Stereo should at least make sound seem like it's coming at you from different angles, making your movies, shows, and music more engaging.

Previously, Spatial Audio support was limited to Dolby Atmos movies. So while you could use it with some titles on Apple TV Plus, Disney Plus, HBO Max, etc., many were incompatible.

You’ll need the iOS 15 or iPadOS 15 beta to try Spatialize Stereo, which is currently available to developers, with a public beta launching in July.

If you have a supported device running these operating systems, you can plug in your AirPods Pro or Max and start playing any content. Next, head to Control Center and press and hold the volume slider — according to 9to5Mac, this will bring up the option to enable Spatialize Stereo.

Analysis: where was the ad?

Apple's Spatial Audio takes 5.1, 7.1, and Dolby Atmos content and applies directional audio filters, placing sound in a 3D sphere.

What's unique about Spatial Audio is that it uses the accelerometers and gyroscopes built into Apple headphones and earbuds to track the position of your head, as well as the position of your iPhone or iPad.

Why Spatialize Stereo wasn't announced at WWDC 2021 is a mystery—after all, it's a feature that could bring Apple's immersive audio technology to a wider audience.

It's not like Apple didn't introduce Spatial Audio at its annual developer conference, announcing that it will expand Spatial Audio support to tvOS and macOS for AirPods Max and AirPods Pro owners.

Previously, Apple announced that it would bring spatial and lossless audio to Apple Music subscribers at no additional cost, which has shaken up the music streaming industry as most of the competition offers Hi-Res Audio and 3D audio formats at a premium price.

The feature may never be made public; it's not uncommon for Apple to strip aspects of developer beta versions of its operating systems before they're officially released.

We hope not, as Spatialize Stereo could be a game-changer for both cinephiles and audiophiles.