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Boardiesboi

macrumors 601
Sep 3, 2013
4,613
10,691
Sydney Australia
How do we know if a video has spatial audio enabled on macOS 11.1? Can I check it in settings or?

In iOS 14.3 it shows up when you long press the volume slider and it shows “spatial audio on”
 

richard371

macrumors 68040
Feb 1, 2008
3,741
1,927
How do we know if a video has spatial audio enabled on macOS 11.1? Can I check it in settings or?

In iOS 14.3 it shows up when you long press the volume slider and it shows “spatial audio on”
Sadly I dont think Macs support spacial audio. Its a shame as I just got an M1 (awesome machine)
 

CWallace

macrumors G5
Aug 17, 2007
12,527
11,543
Seattle, WA
Sadly I dont think Macs support spacial audio. Its a shame as I just got an M1 (awesome machine)

Spatial Audio support was added with macOS 11.1.

So that just leaves AppleTV and a supply chain report dropped today that claims a new AppleTV is coming in 2021 so SA support should be part of that.
 

richard371

macrumors 68040
Feb 1, 2008
3,741
1,927
Spatial Audio support was added with macOS 11.1.

So that just leaves AppleTV and a supply chain report dropped today that claims a new AppleTV is coming in 2021 so SA support should be part of that.
Not seeing it on my m1 with my AirPods pros.
 

CWallace

macrumors G5
Aug 17, 2007
12,527
11,543
Seattle, WA
Per the Release Notes it is present, but it is under the AirPods Max section so it might be exclusive to AirPods Max?

  • Support for AirPods Max, new over-ear headphones
  • High fidelity audio for rich sound
  • Adaptive EQ adapts sound in real time to the personal fit of ear cushions
  • Active Noise Cancellation to block out environmental noise
  • Transparency mode to hear the environment around you
  • Spatial audio with dynamic head tracking for a theater-like listening experience
 

QCassidy352

macrumors G5
Mar 20, 2003
12,066
6,107
Bay Area
yeah, I have AirPods Pro and really don't care about spacial audio one way or the other. I have it turned on but don't get the big deal.
 

Ralfi

macrumors 601
Dec 22, 2016
4,373
3,101
Australia
yeah, I have AirPods Pro and really don't care about spacial audio one way or the other. I have it turned on but don't get the big deal.
Do you understand that the source media needs to support it? It doesn’t work with everything you hear.
 

adrianlondon

macrumors 603
Nov 28, 2013
5,536
8,360
Switzerland
People keep posting that it's available in Big Sur and then get confused when they find it doesn't work.

Here's the official support note stating what's required. It lists iPhones/iPads only.
 

matrix07

macrumors G3
Jun 24, 2010
8,226
4,895
I'm going to guess it is in Control Center. Do note it appears to only work with AirPods Max since I do not see any option to enable it with my AirPods Pro.
Wait, you now have spatial audio works on macOS 11.1? Could you post a screen cap to show us please?
 

CWallace

macrumors G5
Aug 17, 2007
12,527
11,543
Seattle, WA
Wait, you now have spatial audio works on macOS 11.1? Could you post a screen cap to show us please?

Apple's release notes for macOS 11.1 notes Spatial Audio is now enabled, but it appears to be only for AirPods Max.

I have AirPods Pro and I do not see any Spatial Audio options in macOS 11.1. So we need to wait until someone with AirPods Max and macOS 11.1 to confirm.
 

pdmpolishing

macrumors regular
Sep 18, 2007
158
119
Spatial Audio support was added with macOS 11.1.

So that just leaves AppleTV and a supply chain report dropped today that claims a new AppleTV is coming in 2021 so SA support should be part of that.
Not seeing Spatial Audio on my iMac with AirPods Max
 

CWallace

macrumors G5
Aug 17, 2007
12,527
11,543
Seattle, WA
Not seeing Spatial Audio on my iMac with AirPods Max

It's not in Control Center?

Apple does not appear to have updated their Spatial Audio support pages with macOS as of yet, so I don't know where it would be, though that seems the most-likely since that is where it is on iOS and iPadOS.
 

tivoboy

macrumors 601
May 15, 2005
4,052
853
For content that IS optimized for Spatial Audio, there is clearly a significant impact in the listening experience. and tying the audio much more immersively to the Video content. As others have noted, try Mandalorian on Disney+ or something on Apple TV / iTunes that can take advantage of it.. both with an iPad and with apple TV, it’s quite noticeable. It IS more immersive, so you better be ready to actually watch something and not just look at the pictures go by.
 
Last edited:

Julien

macrumors G4
Jun 30, 2007
11,859
5,445
Atlanta
Won't make a new tread but thinking about the AirPods Max. Want in LARGE part for surround sound movies. So does surround sound work with AppleTV 4K. Seems obtuse if it is only on the iPhone/iPad. I want it on the big screen and on the site it does say "...gives you a theater‑like experience for movies and shows, with sound that surrounds you...".

Then it has a note that says:
  1. Spatial audio works with movies, TV, and video in supported apps. Requires iPhone or iPad.
Why would this not work on ATV 4K??????

Screen Shot 2020-12-17 at 1.57.08 PM.png
 

CWallace

macrumors G5
Aug 17, 2007
12,527
11,543
Seattle, WA
Why would this not work on ATV 4K??????

I am hoping it can be enabled via firmware since it does work with the A10 in the iPad 6 and iPhone 7, but then one would think if the Apple TV's A10X had whatever it needs, it would also work with A10X iPad Pros, and it does not (only A12X/A12Z).

Regardless, I would fully expect that the new rumored Apple TV will work with it since it will have the A12X or A14X.
 

matrix07

macrumors G3
Jun 24, 2010
8,226
4,895
Apple's release notes for macOS 11.1 notes Spatial Audio is now enabled, but it appears to be only for AirPods Max.
If you meant release note on MacRumors I'm afraid it could be a poor copy and paste part of MR.
 

CWallace

macrumors G5
Aug 17, 2007
12,527
11,543
Seattle, WA
If you meant release note on MacRumors I'm afraid it could be a poor copy and paste part of MR.

I've seen the same set of macOS 11.1 Release Notes posted on a shedload of tech sites, so I am guessing it is accurate, though darned if I can find it on Apple's site. :p
 
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matrix07

macrumors G3
Jun 24, 2010
8,226
4,895
I've seen the same set of macOS 11.1 Release Notes posted on a shedload of tech sites, so I am guessing it is accurate, though darned if I can find it on Apple's site. :p
Exactly. I'm keeping an eye on AirPods discussions but haven't seen anyone talking about using the Max with his Mac. None at all. ?
 
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