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If you’re familiar Apple’s ecosystem, then you likely know the company likes to offer its own implementation of popular technology. That’s true for spatial audio, as well. But what sets Apple spatial audio apart, and how does it work? We’ll break down the differences between Apple spatial audio and other implementations so you can see if it’s right for you. What is spatial audio on AirPods for?Zak Khan / Android Authority Spatial audio, also known as “virtual surround” among other names, is how the AirPods can create a surround sound-like experience with just two earbuds. Without getting too complicated here, it basically tricks your ears into thinking sound originates from various directions. As a result, compatible content will sound as if it’s coming from all around. Compatible content is key here. Not everything is recorded with spatial audio support. Inside the ecosystem, Apple Music offers spatial audio content if you enable it. The benefit of using AirPods for this is the ability to automatically detect if a track is spatial audio compatible. Using certain models of AirPods with compatible hardware also means you get head tracking, which we’ll explain the benefit of shortly. How does spatial audio work?Chris Thomas / Android Authority All spatial audio standards, whether from Apple, Dolby Atmos, Windows Sonic, DTS Headphones:X, or other standards use the same basic idea. By using either software or hardware signal processors, compatible content can mimic the way sounds arrive at your ears from various directions and sources. The result seems as if you’re in the middle of a surround sound system. If you have ever listened to a binaural audio YouTube video, you’ve experienced a type of surround sound using just headphones. Taking this idea and applying it to music, movies, and games is what sets spatial audio apart. What makes Apple’s particular implementation notable is its uses of head tracking. Head tracking lets you move around freely without breaking the immersion of spatial audio. In a standard surround sound system, moving your head changes the way audio arrives at your ears. Something similar has to happen with spatial audio. Otherwise, sounds won’t seem to originate from their proper places around you and the illusion will break. Apple only includes head tracking support on the AirPods Pro, AirPods (3rd generation), and AirPods Max when using a Mac with Apple Silicon, an iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV 4K. How do you use spatial audio on AirPods?Sam Smart / Android Authority Apple’s implementation of spatial audio requires a compatible model of AirPods, and a device with iOS or iPadOS 15.1 or greater, or an Apple Silicon Mac. Use spatial audio with AirPods on a mobile deviceKaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority To use spatial audio with AirPods on a device with iOS or iPadOS 15.1 or higher, first ensure you have all updates installed. After that, insert your AirPods and then:
The setting you select gets saved and will automatically enable itself the next time you use that app. For instance, using Head Tracked with Apple Music will mean that will happen automatically the next time you use the Apple Music app to play a song recorded with spatial audio support. If you want to disable head tracking across all apps, open Settings > Accessibility > AirPods > tap your AirPods > turn off Follow [device]. Use spatial audio with AirPods on a MacTo use spatial audio on a Mac, you’ll need a Mac with Apple Silicon and macOS Monterey 12.3 or later, along with a compatible AirPods model. First, put on your AirPods, then:
Not all content you play using your Mac will work with spatial audio. You’ll need to play content recorded with spatial audio support to experience it. Use spatial audio with AirPods on an Apple TV 4KEric Zeman / Android Authority To use spatial audio with an Apple TV 4K, you’ll need tvOS 15.1 or later installed. First, wear your AirPods, then:
The settings you choose will be saved per app and apply automatically next time you use that app with AirPods. If you want to disable head tracking for everything, double-lick the Monitor icon on the Siri remote, then navigate to Settings > Accessibility > AirPods and turn off “Center Audio on TV.” What is the point of head tracking on AirPods?When you watch a supported show or movie, make a FaceTime call, or listen to supported music on your device, AirPods (3rd generation), AirPods Pro (all generations), and AirPods Max use Spatial Audio and head tracking to create an immersive theater-like environment with sound that surrounds you.
How does AirPods dynamic head tracking work?Dynamic head tracking is a new feature that works on top of Spatial Audio, and makes it so that the music changes as you turn your head. For example, if you turn your head left, the music that previously felt like it was coming straight at you will now sound more prominent in your right ear.
How does tracking on AirPods Pro work?On iPhone or iPad, open the Find My app, tap Devices, then tap the name of your AirPods Pro. You can see the location of your AirPods Pro and the charging case on the map. Choose one of your AirPods Pro, or the charging case, then tap Play Sound.
Can AirPods be used for tracking?AirTag and devices that are part of the Find My network accessory program, and some AirPod models—AirPods (3rd generation), AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max—use the Find My network to help you keep track of and find your belongings.* After you set up a compatible item, it shows up in the Devices or Items tab in the Find My ...
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