Why Spatial Audio Matters

The ultimate goal of high-end stereo setups is simple yet deep: recreating what many refer to as the perfect stereo “sweet spot”.

This involves having two sensibly placed speakers and a specially designated chair for listening. It is in the space defined by the two speakers where the alchemy literally takes place and transports the listener into a full-bodied stereo experience.

That particular era is not yet over; however, a significant revolution is currently taking place.

A transformation driven by a profound and fundamental shift in the way music is both created and streamed to audiences. The most thrilling trend within the Australian high-fidelity audio scene does not revolve around the introduction of a brand-new device or box; rather, it centres on the emergence of a completely new type of experience for listeners. This innovative approach is referred to as ‘immersive’ or ‘spatial audio’, which frequently utilises Dolby Atmos technology, and it is fundamentally altering the entire landscape of how we engage with music.

If you consider it merely a gimmick surround effect for movies, then you are missing the bigger picture (literally). The experience is more than this; it is at a primal level of submerging yourself in the audio of the music.

 

What Is Spatial Audio, Precisely?

Look beyond the technical terms and the formal language. We’ll break it down and give you the confidence to know what you’re shopping for.

Stereo (The Old Way): The audio emanates from two distinct points in front of you. The musicians are playing, and you are seated in the audience.

Spatial Audio (The New Way): The sound envelops you from every direction, not just from the front but all around and even above your head. In this completely immersive experience that involves all of your senses, you are removed from the traditional position of being simply a member of the audience; rather, you are an active participant who is on the stage itself, surrounded by the phenomenal band playing live for you.

While you listen to the music, you can clearly hear the strong beat of the drummer who is right directly behind you, as well as clearly hear, off to your left, the sweet, melodic backup vocals, and as you are enveloped in the full, resonant space of the guitar, you hear it ringing out throughout your entire space, rebounding wonderfully against the ceiling above you, shaping a memorable atmosphere. The very music played is also specifically mixed for this entire 3D sound experience, so as the audience, you get to enjoy the depth and tonal richness of the music. Thanks to multi-channel speaker systems capable of having dedicated height channels, this extraordinary sound experience becomes a reality. The very music played is also specifically mixed for this entire 3D sound experience, so you get to enjoy the depth and tonal richness.

 

This is Now Such a Huge Game-Changer for Aussie Audiophiles

This is certainly not a fringe experiment that exists on the outskirts of popular acceptance. In fact, three incredibly powerful and influential forces have converged and come together to elevate this phenomenon into a mainstream high-end trend:

• The Content is Here: Both Apple Music and Amazon Music currently provide an impressive collection of thousands of tracks that have been enhanced with Spatial Audio technology (Spotify hasn’t made the leap yet, but there are workarounds). We are not only referring to the latest music releases; iconic classic albums from legendary bands such as The Beatles, Pink Floyd, and Fleetwood Mac have been carefully and skilfully remixed by the original producers themselves. This remarkable effort offers a thrilling revelation and new listening experience for those devoted fans who are intimately familiar with every single note of these timeless works.

 

• The Technology is Ready: To address the rising need for high-end audio technologies, top hi-fi brands have gone a long way in upgrading their products. For example, processors from Marantz and amplifiers by Anthem are specifically designed for decoding these new audio formats and yielding astounding clarity and astounding power capable of intensifying the listening experience.  Likewise, speaker makers like Sonos and Denon carefully design their speakers for pinpoint sound placement, a must for complete submersion in this remarkable sonic experience.

 

• The Home in Australia is Changing: As people and households spend more and more time perfecting the perfect home retreats. Centred around self-rejuvenation and relaxation, the desire for an experience capable of matching that of a commercial theatre has seen unprecedented growth. It is the ultimate upgrade for any room.

 

The Immersive Experience: This Is Something You Will Not Be Able To Truly Understand With Just a Soundbar.

This is the critical point. Streaming Spatial Audio on headphones is a test. A basic soundbar with “Dolby Atmos” tries its best but fails to create the precise, room-filling bubble of sound that defines the true experience.

To hear the music rightly and not merely for the effect, you require a sound system planned by a person who is sensitive about accuracy and not merely about creating a grand effect.

That involves the following:

 

• A Proper Multi-Channel Configuration: A set of floor-standing or bookshelf speakers along with a dedicated centre channel speaker and surround speakers, plus at least two height channels (in-ceiling or upwards-firing).
• A Processor With Decoding Capability: A high-quality and high-end AV Receiver, or rather a separate and dedicated AV Processor capable of unwrapping and deciphering the intricate spatial data in an effective way.
• Expert Calibration: This is the one important area in which a good percentage of DIY installations are bound to falter and face real challenges. The room’s acoustics play a primary and indispensable role in the total sound experience. High-end systems like Anthem’s ARC Genesis do not simply tweak audio levels; instead, they make precise measurements of the individual sound signature of your room and make appropriate adjustments for it. The end result is having the audio bubble precisely and carefully placed for the best possible listening pleasure.

 

Here Is Where Your Journey Begins

This might seem complicated at first glance, and the reason for this is that it is complicated in nature. This is not a product you can easily purchase online in the comfort of your own living room; rather, it is an experience that you have the opportunity to carefully design and create for yourself. This is the kind of discourse upon which we daily indulge at Sight and Sound Galleria.

 

Your Next Action is Not to Buy But to Listen.

 

A Once-in-A-Lifetime and Unmatched Event That You Simply Should Not Miss

You really have to hear it to quite convincingly believe the difference. We have gone to great lengths to specifically set up our flagship home theatre demonstration space so it is optimised for the purpose of presenting and emphasising the real high-fidelity advantage of Spatial Audio over a typical stereo mix.

Arrange a one-on-one demonstration at no cost at all.

Enjoy your favourite song in Dolby Atmos through a system powered by Denon, Marantz and MadVR products. Let us show you the difference a system properly designed and set up can make.

 

The Ultimate Guide Written by Experts

If you’re not quite prepared to dive into a complete demonstration just yet, consider beginning your journey with knowledge instead. To assist you in this endeavour, we have developed a comprehensive and definitive guide that meticulously breaks down the intricacies of technology, outlines the essential hardware required, and details the specific steps you need to take in order to successfully achieve your goals.

Extract the essentials and discover the astounding advantages a system integrated seamlessly can bring to your home.

 

The Curated Solution

Part of our passion is integration. It includes the careful integration of the right elements, which are then properly installed and carefully calibrated for maximum performance. It is here in this field of specialisation that we specifically excel and stand out.

Discover our thoughtfully designed systems, based around Spatial Audio, ranging from entry-point immersive installations to uncompromising high-performance rooms. You now have the music-listening revolution in front of you.

Reach out to us or visit our store to hear the difference at Sight & Sound Galleria.