Malcolm Owen
Apple has created a new ad to promote the new Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos feature of Apple Music as being "Beyond Stereo" for its listeners.
Published to YouTube on Monday, the video titled "Introducing Spatial Audio on Apple Music - Beyond Stereo" offers a visual representation of the new 3D audio feature.
Using "Mystery Lady" by Masego and Don Toliver, the ad spot moves from a view of an iPhone showing the Apple Music app to the user being in a large room. They are surrounded by multiple copies of the singer, dressed as they were for the album artwork.
As the listener walks through the space, more versions of the artist appear around them, with some also hovering in the air. The ad then concludes with the text "Hear sound all around," a reminder that it uses Dolby Atmos, and ends with the Apple Music icon.
Apple launched Spatial Audio on Apple Music shortly after its WWDC 2021 keynote on June 7, with subscribers able to listen to thousands of tracks in the simulated 3D audio space. The feature is included as part of the Apple Music subscription at no extra cost.
Listeners require AirPods, AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, or Beats headphones using the H1 or W1 chip to use Spatial Audio.
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William Gallagher
Christine McKee
AppleInsider Staff
Chip Loder
5 Comments
Had forgotten about this, but when I listened to one of my playlists during a walk yesterday I was struck by the new “reality” of tunes I’d listened to a hundred times before. Then I remembered the spatial audio announcement. If that’s what it does, it’s great!
Is Spacial audio only available for iPhones 7 and above? I read that it’s only available on newer iPhones.
I get the “Dolby Atmos” logo in Apple Music on my iPhone 6s but most music sounds worse. A tiny selection sounds better though.
I don't think spatial audio requires AirPods, at least not for Apple Music.
I just have a regular pair of Bose QC35II's and I can hear the difference between regular audio and spatial when enabled with the always play atmos setting enabled.
Well here’s a pleasant surprise, I played music through my Denon amp with Dolby Atmos and it came through from my Apple TV 4K! No headphones needed. Bob Marley reimagined with instruments everywhere.