Samsung and Google have unveiled a new spatial audio technology named “Eclipsa Audio,” poised to challenge the established dominance of Dolby Atmos. This innovative format is set to introduce 3D audio experiences to YouTube videos later this year and will be integrated into Samsung’s entire 2025 lineup of TVs and soundbars.

Over the years, Samsung has been known for not adopting Dolby Vision HDR, opting instead for its own HDR10 Plus standard. This strategic choice aligns with their new venture into 3D audio, aiming to promote Eclipsa Audio as an open-source alternative to the costly, proprietary Dolby Atmos. The implications here are significant: Eclipsa Audio could democratize high-quality audio experiences by eliminating licensing fees that manufacturers typically pay to Dolby.

Eclipsa Audio isn’t just a direct competitor; it’s designed to offer similar capabilities to Dolby Atmos. According to Samsung, this format allows for the manipulation of sound elements like location, intensity, and spatial reflections, crafting a three-dimensional auditory experience. This means that when you’re watching a movie or listening to music, sounds can appear to move around you, enhancing immersion without the need for additional hardware beyond compatible Samsung devices.

The roots of Eclipsa Audio can be traced back to 2023 when Samsung and Google initially collaborated under the project name Immersive Audio Model and Formats (IAMF). WooHyun Nam, then head of spatial audio at Samsung, highlighted that IAMF would offer a comprehensive open-source framework for 3D audio, covering everything from creation to playback. This approach aims to make it easier for creators and consumers alike to access and enjoy high-quality spatial audio.

The IAMF specification has been embraced by the Alliance for Open Media (AOM), an organization dedicated to advancing royalty-free technology standards. Members like Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, and Netflix joining forces with Samsung and Google to support Eclipsa Audio could significantly accelerate its adoption. However, as seen with AOM’s AV1 video codec, gaining widespread acceptance can be a slow process, even with strong backing.

To ensure quality and consistency in how Eclipsa Audio is implemented, Samsung and Google are collaborating with the Telecommunications Technology Association to establish a certification program. This move is reminiscent of how Dolby and THX maintain quality standards, ensuring that only devices meeting certain criteria can claim to support these formats. This could be crucial for Eclipsa Audio to gain trust and credibility among consumers and manufacturers.

Looking forward to CES 2025

With CES 2025 on the horizon, we’re likely to see more details and possibly live demonstrations of Eclipsa Audio. This event could serve as a launchpad, showcasing how this technology performs in real-world scenarios, potentially swaying industry insiders and consumers alike.

The broader impact of Eclipsa Audio will hinge on content availability. If creators start producing and uploading content in this format, especially on platforms like YouTube, it could quickly gain traction. However, for this to happen, there needs to be a clear advantage or unique feature that sets Eclipsa Audio apart from existing standards.