Netflix is leveraging Sennheiser’s AMBEO 2-Channel Spatial Audio technology to “massive[ly] improve” its audio for viewers with standard stereo equipment. The technology translates original mixes into 2-channel audio, improving audio experiences wherever stereo is delivered, including standard TV sets, stereo systems, headphones, tablets, and laptops.
Content treated with AMBEO 2-Channel Spatial Audio technology produces sound “far beyond what two-channel speaker systems can normally deliver” according to Sennheiser, and does so without affecting the mix or tonal balance of the audio.
Netflix is the first streaming service to deploy AMBEO 2-Channel Spatial Audio; viewers will be able to experience the enhanced sound quality on select titles such as season four of Stranger Things. The streamer has now made AMBEO 2-Channel Spatial Audio the default stream for any two-channel usage, with no user changes required.
Sennheiser said: “Surveys among viewers have shown that OTT customers often access content with standard stereo equipment – be it on a mobile while traveling, when casually watching via a tablet, or because the home listening space does not allow for a full surround sound set-up. While in the past these viewers were unable to benefit from the growing amount of music and films produced in Dolby Atmos® or MPEG-H Audio, the AMBEO 2-Channel Spatial Audio feature has now changed this.”
Scott Kramer, Manager for Sound Technology at Netflix, commented: “We feel AMBEO Spatial Audio offers a meaningful improvement for Netflix members. Re-recording mixers often tell me that it better translates their detailed immersive mix work to stereo. Crucially, this process preserves the original sound mix and respects creative intent with a remarkably clean sound.”
For an up-to-date list of content available in AMBEO Spatial Audio, users can enter “Spatial Audio” into the Netflix search field.
