Dolby Atmos is a form of spatial audio. Sony 360 is another spatial audio technology.
Apple just uses the umbrella term, rather than Atmos presumably to avoid being locked to one provider.
In case anyone is curious about spatial audio in general (there are different techniques used for different formats and technologies), i found this one interesting:
Incorrect. They are two different things:
Spatial Audio is a layer on top of Dolby Atmos that enables an even more immersive listening experience. Not only do you get a multitude of audio channels via Dolby Atmos, but you also get to move around inside this audio space.
Apple's Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos explained | AppleInsider
At first I was excited by this but has anyone figured out how theyâll be able to get bit perfect audio to their dac remotely? It seem AirPlay converts everything to 24/48, so even standard audio wonât be bit perfect. Seems youâll need to hook computer up directly or iPhone with camera connection. A lot of streamers have AirPlay or AirPlay 2, but at this point doesnât offer hires.
I also disappointed the new 14.6 public beta didnât have lossless feature to test out.
Itâs not lossless or bitperfect. The only way to get lossless (and/or high res.) with Music is to connect a third party DAC up.
â Sony 360 Reality Audio is an audio format that uses Sonyâs object- based spatial audio technologyâ
â Dolby Atmos is probably the best-known of all the spatial audio formatsâ
Appleâs spatial audio is something separate from Dolby Atmos.
Spatial audio is simply support for spatial audio technology, of which, Atmos is one (the only one apple is supporting at the moment).
Apple doesnât have their own format / technology, they are using Dolby at the moment.
Just started my Apple Music subscription. They served the new Mank movie score to me. I immediately went to Qobuz to listen to it in a superior format. It is missing. No Mank soundtrack. Sigh!
Again, in the context of Apple, this is incorrect.
Appleâs spatial audio is their own thing and different than Dolby Atmos. You need to read the article link I posted above.
Apple is supporting both Dolby Atmos and their own spatial audio together.
So thatâs roonâs big advantage at this point is allows you to stream hires remotely.
I actually would be ok with just bit perfect cd quality. Iâm hoping thatâs what Spotify hifi thru Spotify connect will offer.
Iâm happy with my current setup with roon and Qobuz except for the limited library. So it makes it tough when all the streaming services will be offering lossless but can remotely stream them.
The feature Iâm assuming you are referring to is the ability to move in 3D space and maintain the audios position. That is for TV only and isnât going to be a feature of the Apple Music implementation.
Their TV implementation does have its own layer, that is true I just donât think itâs relevant as you wonât be putting your phone down and having audio sound like itâs coming from there, again thatâs just a TV feature.
Incorrect itâs for Music as well. Again, see: Apple's Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos explained | AppleInsider
That sounds horrendous. I would quit using the app if it worked that way for me.
Iâm going to assume you havenât actually used the option yet. If I had to look at my phone to get the audio in the right position, I would not use that service.
If you are saying spatial audio will be in Apple Music, as I said, yes it will be through Dolby Atmos tracks. The 3D move your head and the sound stays put found in the TV implementation wonât be.
Both Apple spatial audio and Dolby Atmos will be in Music.
None of the tracks will be Apple Spatial Audio. The partnership they announced with Dolby Atmos is that all Spatial Audio tracks will be Atmos tracks.
Apple has their own spatial audio tech (referenced in the article you linked multiple times) but that wonât be what the tracks actually use at launch.
Apple undoubtedly will introduce their own format to their music tracks at some point, just not yet as they have signed a partnership to bring Atmos tracks.
Just for clarity:
Spatial Audio = Technology
Dolby Atmos Tracks = An implementation of spatial audio.
â Apple AAPL recently announced that it will be offering two new features to its Apple Music subscribers, lossless audio and Dolby Atmos tracks. â
Apples own implementation of Spatial Audio for tracks specifically wonât be coming to Apple Music at launch and wonât be the same as the technology they use in their TV/Movie implementation.
You will not have to look at your phone or a screen. Itâs so you can rotate your head around the stereo soundstage while listening to a live performance for example and get the total concert experience. It only works on Airpods Pro and Airpods Max however and probably limited tracks.
Which would be cool in that context, they just havenât announced doing that for tracks is all Iâm saying. I added a link and clarification above.
Apples current own spatial implementation that they use for TV/Movies is specially for video files, not audio tracks specifically. They have also clearly signed a deal with Atmos to only bring Atmos tracks to Apple Music as of right now.
Side note: VR live performances with that would be awesome.
No, they are doing their own spatial audio as well.
Spatial Audio gives artists the opportunity to create immersive audio experiences for their fans with true multidimensional sound and clarity.
At launch, subscribers can enjoy thousands of songs in Spatial Audio from some of the worldâs biggest artists and music across all genres, including hip-hop, country, Latin, pop, and classical. Apple Music is working with artists and labels to add new releases and the best catalog tracks, as more artists begin to create music specifically for the Spatial Audio experience.
This is different from Dolby Atmos:
By default, Apple Music will automatically play Dolby Atmos tracks on all AirPods and Beats headphones with an H1 or W1 chip, as well as the built-in speakers in the latest versions of iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Apple Music will be adding new Dolby Atmos tracks constantly and will be curating a special set of Dolby Atmos playlists to help listeners find the music they love. In addition, albums that are available in Dolby Atmos will have a badge on the detail page for easy discovery.
from: Apple Music announces Spatial Audio and Lossless Audio - Apple
I think we will have to agree to disagree on this one 