What is Audio-XR?
True spatial audio. Not stereo tricks.
The Spatial Audio Lie
You've probably heard "spatial audio" on Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube. Here's the uncomfortable truth: you're not actually hearing spatial audio.
What you're hearing is stereo—just two channels (left and right)—with some clever processing that makes it feel wider. It's like looking at a 3D movie on a 2D screen with red-blue glasses. It's an illusion, not true three-dimensional sound.
⚠️ Why Most "Spatial Audio" Isn't Spatial
- Streaming limitations: Spotify, YouTube, and most platforms deliver stereo files (2 channels max)
- Codec restrictions: Dolby Atmos and Sony 360RA require proprietary hardware and locked ecosystems
- Headphone dependence: "Spatial audio" features often just apply head-tracking to stereo files
- Fixed mixes: Even true Atmos tracks are pre-rendered—you can't change where instruments are positioned
What True Spatial Audio Actually Means
Real spatial audio means sound sources have actual positions in 3D space around you:
Azimuth (Left/Right)
0° = front, 90° = left, 180° = back, 270° = right
Elevation (Up/Down)
+90° = directly overhead, 0° = ear level, -90° = below
Distance (Near/Far)
Measured in meters from your listening position
Your brain uses timing differences, volume differences, and frequency filtering to locate sounds in 3D space. This is called binaural audio or HRTF (Head-Related Transfer Function). With proper spatial audio, drums can be behind you, vocals in front, guitars to your left—and your brain perceives them as truly positioned in space, not just "panned left or right."
Can Your Headphones Play Spatial Audio?
Good news: any stereo headphones can play true spatial audio. You don't need special hardware.
✅ What Works
- Any stereo headphones: Over-ear, on-ear, earbuds, IEMs—if it has left/right channels, it works
- Regular wired/wireless: AirPods, Sony, Sennheiser, cheap earbuds—all work the same
- The magic is in the math: Spatial audio is rendered using binaural processing (HRTF), not special drivers
❌ What Doesn't Work
- Speakers (usually): Room acoustics interfere; spatial audio is designed for headphones
- Mono headphones: You need left and right channels for binaural positioning
- Built-in laptop speakers: Same issue—needs isolated left/right channels to your ears
Technical note: Some high-end systems can do spatial audio with speakers using beamforming (like Dolby Atmos home theaters), but that requires precise speaker placement, room calibration, and hardware most people don't have. Headphones give you perfect spatial audio anywhere.
What Makes Audio-XR Different
True 3D Positioning
Every stem (vocal, drum, guitar) has real spherical coordinates. Not stereo panning—actual spatial placement.
Real-Time Editing
Move instruments while the song plays. Drag vocals from front to back, lift guitars overhead—hear changes instantly.
Open & Free
No proprietary codecs, no locked ecosystems. Uses Web Audio API—works in any modern browser with any headphones.
Accessibility First
Create comfortable listening experiences. Adjust intensity, control sensory input—concerts at home, your way.
For Musicians & Fans
Artists can release spatial versions of their songs. Fans can explore and remix spatial mixes.
Built on Web Standards
Uses PannerNode (Web Audio API) with HRTF spatialisation. No plugins, no apps—just open web tech.
Experience It Yourself
The only way to understand spatial audio is to hear it. Put on any stereo headphones and explore our spatial mixes—you'll instantly hear the difference between true 3D positioning and stereo tricks.
Common Questions
Do I need expensive headphones?
No! Any stereo headphones work—$20 earbuds or $500 studio monitors. The spatial effect comes from binaural processing (math), not special drivers. Better headphones will sound clearer, but the 3D positioning works the same.
Why can't Spotify do this?
Spotify streams stereo files (2 channels). True spatial audio needs each instrument as a separate stem positioned individually in 3D space. That requires either multi-channel formats (like stems) or real-time processing—neither of which Spotify's infrastructure supports for regular streaming.
What about Dolby Atmos Music?
Dolby Atmos Music is spatial audio, but it's a closed, proprietary system. You need Atmos-compatible hardware, the mix is fixed (you can't reposition instruments), and it's locked to specific ecosystems (Apple Music, Tidal). Audio-XR is open, editable, and works everywhere.
Can I use this with speakers?
Spatial audio is designed for headphones because it needs isolated left/right channels directly at your ears. With speakers, room acoustics and crosstalk interfere. Some advanced systems (like Atmos home theaters) can do spatial audio with speakers, but that requires precise calibration and 7+ speakers. Headphones are simpler and work perfectly.
Is this VR audio?
Audio-XR uses the same spatial audio technology as VR, but you don't need a headset. It's "XR" (extended reality) because it creates immersive 3D audio experiences—just without the visual component.