If you’re a fan of audio, then you’re probably familiar with stereo sound. But what about spatial audio? This is a new technology that is just starting to gain traction, and Qualcomm is leading the charge by bringing it to more devices in 2023.
In this Article
What is Spatial Audio?
Spatial audio is a type of audio that creates a more immersive experience by positioning sound sources in three-dimensional space. This means that you can hear sounds coming from different directions, just as you would in real life.
It’s important to note that spatial audio is not the same as surround sound. Surround sound is a type of audio that uses multiple speakers to create the illusion of sound coming from different directions. Spatial audio, on the other hand, uses a single speaker to create the illusion of sound coming from different directions.
Qualcomm is bringing spatial audio to more devices in 2023. Here’s everything you need to know about this technology, including how it works and which devices will support it.
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How Spatial Audio Works
So how does spatial audio work? The key is in the way that sound waves interact with your ears.
When a sound wave hits your ear, it causes your eardrum to vibrate. This vibration is then transmitted to your cochlea, which is a spiral-shaped organ in your inner ear. The cochlea is filled with fluid, and as the sound waves travel through the fluid, they cause the hair cells in the cochlea to vibrate.
These vibrations are then converted into electrical signals and sent to your brain. Your brain interprets these signals as sound.
When you hear a sound coming from the left, it’s because the sound waves hit your left ear before they hit your right ear. This is because sound waves travel at a speed of approximately 340 meters per second. So, if you’re standing 10 meters away from a sound source, it will take approximately 30 milliseconds for the sound waves to reach your ears.
Your brain uses this time difference to determine the direction of the sound. This is why you can hear a sound coming from the left or the right, but you can’t hear a sound coming from behind you.
Determining the Exact Use of Spatial Audio
Now that you know how spatial audio works, you might be wondering what it’s used for.
There are a few different applications for spatial audio. One is in virtual reality (VR). When you put on a VR headset, you’re immersed in a computer-generated world. Spatial audio can make this world even more immersive by making it feel like you’re actually there.
Another application for spatial audio is in gaming. Games are becoming more and more realistic, and spatial audio can make them even more immersive.
Finally, spatial audio can be used in movies and music. This is because it can create a more realistic and immersive experience.
Audio Devices Supporting Spatial Audio
There are a few different audio devices that support spatial audio.
One is the Oculus Rift S, which is a VR headset. The Rift S uses spatial audio to create a more immersive VR experience.
Another audio device that supports spatial audio is the Sony PlayStation 5. The PS5 uses spatial audio to create a more realistic gaming experience.
Finally, the Apple AirPods Pro support spatial audio. This is because the AirPods Pro use a type of audio called Dolby Atmos. Dolby Atmos is a type of spatial audio that creates a more immersive experience.
Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Technology
Qualcomm is a company that makes chipsets for smartphones.
One of Qualcomm’s chipsets is the Snapdragon 888. The 888 is a high-end chipset that is used in flagship smartphones.
The 888 supports a type of audio called Dolby Atmos. Dolby Atmos is a type of spatial audio that creates a more immersive experience.
The 888 is not the only Qualcomm chipset that supports spatial audio. The company’s mid-range Snapdragon 765G also supports Dolby Atmos.
The Release Date of Qualcomm’s Spatial Audio
Qualcomm has announced that its spatial audio technology will be available on more devices in 2023.
This means that we can expect to see more smartphones, VR headsets, and gaming consoles with spatial audio support in the near future.
Conclusion
While a multi-speaker system is more expensive than a traditional audio setup, it can provide a more immersive and realistic sound experience. Spatial audio technology is still relatively new, but it is rapidly evolving. Currently, there are a number of audio devices and platforms that support spatial audio, including Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 5G and S3 sound platforms.
As the technology continues to develop, we can expect to see even more devices and platforms supporting spatial audio. This will provide even more opportunities for people to enjoy this immersive sound experience.