Netflix’s Spatial Audio vs Dolby Atmos: What’s the Difference?
Netflix has always been at the forefront of new technology, and their latest announcement is no exception. On February 1, 2023, the streaming giant introduced Spatial Audio powered by Sennheiser’s AMBEO 2-channel technology.
This new feature promises to bring a more immersive audio experience to Netflix subscribers, even those without large home theater systems.
Spatial Audio is only available to those with a premium subscription plan, but Netflix has stated that it plans to make limited titles available with Spatial Audio even to those on their lower plans in the future.
With its initial rollout, there are 700 titles that now have the Spatial Audio badge on the description page, and more new original content will support the feature moving forward.
This is a big step for Netflix, as the majority of its subscribers are still watching content through their TV speakers, laptop speakers, or headphones. By teaming up with audio company Sennheiser, Netflix is bringing a more immersive audio experience to the masses.
Whether you’re watching through your smart TV apps, or listening through headphones on your smartphone or tablet, Spatial Audio has the potential to change the way we experience Netflix.
The Difference Between Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos
Since the majority of new Netflix originals are now presented in Dolby Atmos, it’s important to understand the difference between Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos. Dolby Atmos provides a fully immersive 3D audio soundstage for those with compatible devices and speaker configurations, starting with a baseline 5.1 system that includes five ear-level speakers, one subwoofer, and two high channels.
However, most Netflix subscribers are still watching content through their TV speakers, so the company decided to team up with Sennheiser to bring a more immersive audio experience to the masses.
Sennheiser’s AMBEO surround sound virtualization technology is used to bring Spatial Audio to those who are watching through their TV speakers, laptop speakers, or through headphones with their smartphone or tablet.
Spatial Audio is designed to be a more accessible version of immersive audio, while Dolby Atmos is a full 3D audio experience that requires a compatible device and speaker configuration. This means that Spatial Audio can be experienced even by those who don’t have a large home theater system, as long as they have a premium subscription plan.
| Feature | Dolby Atmos | Spatial Audio |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | A fully immersive 3D audio soundstage | A more accessible version of immersive audio |
| Devices Required | Compatible devices and speaker configurations | Can be experienced through TV speakers, laptop speakers, headphones, etc. |
| Accessibility | Available to those with compatible devices and speaker configurations | Available to those with a premium subscription plan |
| Rollout | Majority of new Netflix originals are presented in Dolby Atmos | Initially available on 700 titles with plans to expand in the future |
| Immersiveness | Full 3D audio experience | More accessible version of immersive audio |
It’s worth noting that the Spatial Audio feature is only available to those with a premium subscription plan, but Netflix has stated that it plans to make limited titles available with Spatial Audio even to those on their lower plans in the future.
This is great news for those who are looking for a more immersive audio experience but don’t have the budget for a large home theater system.
Spatial Audio: A Step in the Right Direction
Spatial Audio is a big step in the right direction for Netflix and for those who are looking for a more immersive audio experience. With its initial rollout of 700 titles and plans to have new original content support Spatial Audio in the future, Netflix is making it possible for everyone to experience the best in audio quality.
This new feature is not only a step in the right direction for Netflix, but it also has the potential to boost sales of modest speaker systems. With more and more people watching content through their laptops, this could mean a big increase in sales for power 2-channel desktop setups such as the Appirian Audio Allayer Bluetooth speakers, SBS’s Prime Wireless Pro speakers, and even the Klipsch THX Pro Media 2.1 system.
Spatial Audio is not just a step in the right direction for Netflix and its subscribers, but it could also have a positive impact on the audio industry as a whole.
By being at the forefront of new technology, Netflix is setting the standard for other streaming platforms to follow suit. Whether that be partnering up with Sennheiser or coming up with their own version, this could lead to a new era in immersive audio.
Summary
By bringing a more accessible version of immersive audio to the masses, even those without large home theater systems, Netflix is making it possible for everyone to experience the best in audio quality.
Spatial Audio is a step in the right direction for the audio industry, and has the potential to boost sales of modest speaker systems.
With its initial rollout of 700 titles and plans to make limited titles available with Spatial Audio even to those on lower plans in the future, Netflix is setting the standard for other streaming platforms to follow suit.
