Why spatial audio is the sound of the future

Spatial audio is a way of providing a richer, more realistic audio experience. It's sometimes referred to as virtual surround sound or 3D audio.

Although it's used in video games, films, music and live sports, spatial audio can also be used to improve the experience in work settings, including VR (virtual reality) and MR (mixed reality) meetings, conferences and events.

Learn more: What's the difference between AR, VR and MR?

Understanding spatial audio

The simple definition of spatial audio technology is that noises appear to come from different places, as they do in a natural setting. Spatial audio replicates the experience of different sounds meeting your ears at different times and volumes – and your brain processes the sounds as it was designed to. The most relatable example is the experience of being at a cinema where you are enveloped in sound.

Using clever technology, Meta offers spatial audio in live environments, such as Microsoft Mesh and Meta Horizon Workrooms calls. Participants are more likely to feel like they're attending in-person events thanks to a more immersive and engaging experience.

Benefits of spatial audio

Audio quality is becoming increasingly more important to consumers, organisations and employees.

Some of the benefits of spatial audio include:

1. Higher-quality sound

With spatial audio, you get a higher fidelity experience, which is much richer than 2-dimensional sound. Where traditional stereo audio uses two channels, spatial audio on Meta Quest uses eight channels or passageways for sound to come or go towards your headset. This means meeting participants can benefit from a truly immersive experience, with fewer distractions.

2. A more realistic experience

Spatial audio replicates how our brains actually process sound. In real life, we process how far away from a sound we are and whether a sound is coming from above or below us. Real-life sound also alters depending on which direction our ears are facing. Meta spatial audio replicates this effect using dynamic head tracking for a more lifelike experience.

Head-tracking technology inside headphones means as you turn your head, the sound changes. The ear that is closest to the sound hears the sound first. This method of improving localisation is also referred to as head-related transfer function (HRTF). The effect can be further improved by pairing spatial audio technology with noise-cancelling headphones.

3. Improved experience on video calls

Video calls can be one dimensional with noises and sounds seeming to come from the same place. This is at odds with how we experience sound in real life.

Spatial audio makes conversations more natural as you feel like you're in the same room together. It can reduce fatigue and stress associated with high quantities of virtual meetings. There's evidence that it can decrease cognitive load too, so the brain doesn't have to work so hard. Spatial sound can also increase engagement and overall enjoyment of video call conversations, which helps to keep employee morale high.

Spatial audio for work

Spatial audio can be an incredible tool in a work setting, particularly for meetings in VR. Town hall-style meetings, for example, are especially suited to spatial audio as avatars can break off into smaller conversations in the virtual room. Small talk is not easy on conventional video conferencing platforms as they often don't lend themselves to natural conversation.

These more 'natural' moments provided by spatial audio can facilitate teamwork and collaboration, as well as provide networking opportunities between junior and senior members of staff. Giving employees 'water cooler moments' is something that has proved challenging to replicate in virtual meetings.

Spatial sound can also be useful in simulated training scenarios where the direction of sound plays an important role, for example, when training army personnel, or people working in the emergency services.

Product design and testing is another area where spatial sound can augment the experience and improve outcomes. For example, for live consumer product tasting, spatial audio can be used to replicate the sound of a snack packet being opened at the typical distance from the taster's ears. This immersive, rich experience helps businesses such as Mondelēz International make development sessions more insightful.

Experience spatial audio at work across the entire Meta Quest range.