Apple spatial audio takes 5.1, 7.1 and Dolby Atmos signals and applies directional audio filters, adjusting the frequencies that each ear hears so that sounds can be placed virtually anywhere in 3D space. Sounds will appear to be coming from in front of you, from the sides, the rear and even above.

Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos and Lossless Audio has arrived for Apple Music subscribers. First there was mono, then stereo, and now there's Spatial Audio. Spatial is an immersive experience with sound moving around you in different directions. We have only had that kind of experience before in cinema.

Mystery Lady Popular on Variety Cut to 2021, and Masego's current single “Mystery Lady” is featured as the soundtrack for a new Apple Music campaign showcasing the streaming service's new spatial audio technology, powered by Dolby Atmos.

Such intrusion aside, this is a musical experience I highly recommend. Atmos music delivered this way increases both the power and the physical presence of music, making it truly immersive. Yet Apple's promotion of its Spatial 'Atmos' does not focus on those of us blessed with proper surround-sound systems.

Spatial audio is much more immersive, as it offers up a 360-degree, virtual sphere of sound that feels as though it's coming from all around you. While listening to music, this delivers an experience more similar to a live music performance.

Put simply, spatial audio is an immersive, three-dimensional listening experience. Using multiple channels projecting outwards from each speaker, it can place individual sounds (or "objects") with greater precision and variety than traditional stereo sound.

Spatial audio with dynamic head tracking brings theater-like sound from the movie or video you're watching, so that sound seems like it's coming from all around you.

Is Spatial Audio Worth the Hype? It depends. Music that was mixed for Dolby Atmos can sound amazing on surround speakers, and at least intriguing on speakers with multiple channels, like soundbars and the latest HomePod. But, on headphones, it's a mixed bag - the regular stereo mix of some tracks might just sound better.

Dolby Atmos takes Dolby's traditional 5.1 and 7.1 surround sound setups a step further by adding a third, overhead dimension. You're no longer constrained to a stereo system or standard six- or seven-channel arrangement.

Dolby Atmos is sound reimagined While Dolby Atmos at a cinema is still the best way to fully experience this multidimensional soundscape - it's not the only way. You can now experience sound that fills your space at home, and on the go, thanks to the range of devices enabled with Dolby Atmos.

In a nutshell, Dolby Atmos creates the effect of watching a movie at a cinema or listening to music at a live concert - the sound comes from all around you (center, left, right, above and behind) - and Spatial Audio adds another layer that makes you feel like you're in movie or moving around at the concert.

Spatial audio makes listening more fun - whether you're enjoying a movie, a game or music. Being surrounded by sound is more engaging and helps you get deeper into the experience. You can get started with headphones or single speakers, but the more speakers you have, the better the effect.