Netflix has announced that it has added spatial audio to a variety of movies and shows on its streaming video service. The audio format is available to all subscribers, regardless of their subscription level or country. To find spatial audio-enabled content, type “spatial audio” in the netflix search bar. Any of the titles displayed in the results will support the feature, depending on the blog post of the company.
Spatial audio refers to any audio that goes beyond the traditional stereo or 5.1 surround sound experience. Until now, the only way you could hear spatial audio on Netflix content was through Dolby Atmos, which is a spatial audio format that requires content that has been recorded in Dolby Atmos. It must also be played on a device that specifically supports Dolby Atmos. On top of that, Netflix only makes Dolby Atmos versions of its movies and shows available to its highest subscription levels, further limiting who can access it.
But with this new announcement, Netflix has effectively democratized immersive audio through a technology partnership with Sennheiser. Sennheiser’s Ambeo platform is capable of taking spatial audio content, such as Dolby Atmos, and rendering it through a standard set of stereo speakers using a technique known as binaural recording. Binaural can simulate what it is like to have multiple speakers in multiple positions through just two speakers.
Dolby Atmos can do this too, but again, you’d need access to Dolby Atmos content and use a Dolby Atmos-enabled device to listen to it. With the launch of Netflix’s spatial audio, any TV, computer, or tablet with stereo speakers will be able to deliver a more immersive version of a soundtrack. It is likely to work best when using a set of stereo headphones or wireless headphones.
Netflix says that if you’re using stereo speakers, you’ll automatically get the spatial sound version of a soundtrack when it’s available. If you’re using a 5.1 or better system, the company still recommends sticking with its 5.1 or Dolby Atmos versions if they come as options.
As is usual with Netflix and most other streaming services, the company didn’t give us an answer when Digital Trends asked how many titles are available in spatial audio. Instead, a company spokesperson told us, “the plan is to increase our spatial audio support across our catalog.”
Curious what spatial audio sounds like on Netflix? Citing the importance of immersive sound design, the company abandoned its runaway success, Stranger Things 4asking (spoiler alert), “does the epic guitar scene by Eddie Munson would bring to life the ǝpᴉsdn uʍop in the same way?”
Speaking of the Eddie Munson guitar scene, it seems fans of the show have caused a huge spike in interest in Munson’s guitar, a BC Rich Warlock-inspired design that epitomizes the ’80s metal sound. of used music equipment, reverbsclaims that searches for “stranger things” are up 202% since July 1, the date Netflix released season 4, volume 2 of the show.
Publisher Recommendations
es.digitaltrends.com