Attention audiophiles, spatialized sound is coming to Netflix.
This new feature comes in addition to 4K, Dolby Atmos… Users wishing to be even more immersed in the stories they watch on the streaming platform can now experience spatial audio on certain content, even without an installation. complex, on all devices.
Netflix indeed explains that it “uses Sennheiser AMBEO technology to enhance stereo audio and deliver an immersive surround sound experience that’s compatible with all devices, all streaming plans, without the need for surround speakers or home theater equipment“. So if you don’t have surround speakers, the feature is automatically enabled on your TV or streaming device. But if you have this type of installation, Netflix obviously recommends watching series and movies in 5.1 surround sound or Dolby Atmos. Note that some televisions apply a 5.1 audio setting by default, disabling spatial audio. If it is recommended to set your device settings to stereo audio.
On its support page, Netflix also provides some details for Apple devices: you need streaming quality set to high or Auto and enable the spatial audio setting on your device, as well as a compatible device which Netflix provides the list :
- A compatible Apple device
- iPhone 7 or newer, running iOS 15.1 or higher
- iPad Air 3rd generation or newer, running iPadOS 15.1 or higher
- iPad mini 5th generation or newer, running iPadOS 15.1 or later
- iPad Pro 3rd generation or newer, running iPadOS 15.1 or higher
- Apple TV 4K or newer, running tvOS 15 or later
- Compatible Apple headsets
- 3rd generation airpods
- Airpods Pro
- Airpods Max
- Beats Fit Pro
“Spatial audio will be rolling out to our catalog starting today, and you can hear it for yourself by typing “spatial audio” into the search bar and selecting a show or movie that supports it. load in results”explains the American streaming giant.
