Key Highlights
- Netflix adds spatial audio support for selected shows
- Netflix worked with Sennheiser for this project
- The new feature will work seamlessly with all audio products
Netflix has announced that it will start rolling out the spatial audio feature to its original shows and movies starting from today (July 8, 2022). The feature’s aim is to improve the listening experience for all of its original titles.
Netflix now offers this immersive audio experience, joining Apple TV+ and other streaming services that already offer it. According to a blog post, the video streaming service has teamed up with the German audio company Sennheiser to make the function available to all Netflix users, regardless of their streaming plan or device. As long as you’re watching supported content, the feature will therefore function properly with any device that supports Netflix.
For the unversed, spatial audio is created to offer theater-like sound from a TV show or movie. There will be sounds that appear from all around you whatever it is you are watching at home. Netflix says that Spatial Audio Technology helps to adapt the cinematic experience of immersive audio to any stereo.
Netflix’s spatial audio function is most noticeable with audio output devices that are closer to the ears such as headphones and earbuds. So, watching a movie or episode on your laptop speakers won’t make much of a difference.
In order to view videos that are compatible with spatial audio on an iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV, Netflix advises setting the streaming quality to “High” or “Auto.”
Additionally, it should be noted that for users who already own spatial audio-compatible Apple devices like the third-generation AirPods, AirPods Max, AirPods Pro, and Beats Fit Pro, nothing will change as this new feature has already been available.
Currently, the content that supports spatial audio includes the fourth season of ‘Stranger Things’, ‘Red Notice’, The Adam Project’, ‘Locke & Key’, and ‘The Witcher’ among others. Users can type ‘Spatial Audio’ into Netflix’s search bar to find all the series and shows that currently support this feature. This feature joins Netflix Calibrated Mode, Dolby Atmos, 4K, and HDR.
