In the world of visual content, audio is as crucial as the image itself. It's the key ingredient for immersive experiences, transporting viewers into the heart of the scene. To elevate audio experiences to a new level, Samsung Electronics partnered with Google to develop Eclipsa Audio, a sophisticated 3D spatial audio technology officially unveiled last month at CES 2025 in Las Vegas, showcasing its capabilities through Samsung's latest television range.
Samsung's news division delved deep into the technology behind Eclipsa Audio and how it delivers truly realistic 3D sound.
Developing Immersive 3D Spatial Audio Technology
In 2023, the Alliance for Open Media (AOM) – a global consortium including Samsung, Google, Netflix, Meta, and other industry leaders – officially adopted Immersive Audio Models and Formats (IAMF) as an industry standard for 3D audio. This innovative 3D audio format, jointly developed by Samsung and Google, is now available to content creators under the name Eclipsa Audio.
Eclipsa Audio establishes a common protocol across various media content types and playback devices. The format delivers a highly immersive listening experience by optimizing and adapting sound localization, intensity, spatial reflections, and other audio elements for different output environments, including cinemas, home theater systems, video game consoles, and mobile devices.
Depending on the output device, the technology can render sound from multiple directions – including front, back, left, right, above, and below – to create a sense of spatial depth and presence within the viewed scene. For example, in a concert video, Eclipsa Audio renders the artist's performance with incredible detail while capturing the energy of the crowd, making viewers feel as though they are truly there.
Optimized 3D Sound Design for Everyday Life
Among the growing range of technologies enhancing 3D sound – including surround sound, immersive sound, and spatial audio – Eclipsa Audio is specifically designed to provide an optimized 3D audio experience for everyday listening.
Traditionally, 3D audio content is created assuming it will be played in environments equipped with multiple surround sound speakers. However, most home entertainment setups consist primarily of a TV and a soundbar – making it difficult to accurately reproduce the spatial audio effects intended by the content creator. Eclipsa Audio overcomes this limitation by automatically analyzing the audio elements within each scene of a film – from low-level dialogue to the roar of fighter jets in the background – and delivering a dynamically adjusted 3D audio effect precisely tailored to the viewer's home environment.
Building a 3D Audio Ecosystem with Open-Source Technology
The open-source framework of Eclipsa Audio distinguishes it from other 3D audio technologies by allowing anyone to create 3D audio content without royalty payments. Following its debut at CES 2025, the technology has garnered significant enthusiasm from content creators and gained momentum across various media platforms and online communities.
In this way, Eclipsa Audio acts as an open vessel where content creators can seamlessly integrate 3D audio elements from all directions without restrictions. By democratizing spatial audio, Eclipsa Audio empowers content creators and ensures consumers experience sound as intended – regardless of their audio setup.
Eclipsa Audio on Samsung TVs
Immersive Eclipsa 3D sound performs best when paired with high-specification devices. To achieve this exceptional performance, Samsung and Google have worked tirelessly to provide consumers with Eclipsa Audio-powered 3D audio content – soon to be available via the YouTube app on the latest Samsung TVs. Eclipsa Audio is scheduled for rollout across the company's entire 2025 TV lineup, from the Crystal UHD series to flagship Neo QLED 8K models.1
Most Samsung TVs are equipped with stereo speakers at the bottom of the screen, and for QLED 4K models and above, additional speakers are positioned at the top. However, flagship models boast extra features. In addition to surround speakers added to the rear of the sides, their upward-firing speakers are specifically designed for height perception. Eclipsa Audio reflects sound off the ceiling using these dedicated speakers, creating an effect that allows viewers to experience upward-directed sound – such as the sensation of an object flying overhead. Pairing the TV with a soundbar further enhances the experience, resulting in a richer and more expansive 3D spatial sound.
Eclipsa Audio has laid the foundation for a 3D audio content ecosystem by bringing industry leaders – from hardware manufacturers to content platforms – together under a unified standard. In an era where streaming services blur the lines between content creation and consumption, Eclipsa Audio unlocks new possibilities for immersive sound, which Samsung is committed to expanding further.
1 Launch schedule and service details may vary depending on the TV model.
Key Takeaways:
- 👉🏻 Samsung and Google collaborated to launch Eclipsa Audio, a revolutionary 3D spatial audio technology.
- 👉🏻 IAMF was adopted as the industry standard for 3D audio.
- 👉🏻 It delivers an enhanced immersive audio experience optimized for home environments.
- 👉🏻 The open-source framework empowers content creators.
- 👉🏻 Eclipsa Audio provides an optimized 3D audio experience on Samsung TVs.
In conclusion, Eclipsa Audio represents a significant leap forward in the world of audio, combining cutting-edge technology with open access to deliver an immersive sonic experience for everyone. The collaboration between Samsung and Google demonstrates a clear commitment to advancing audio technologies and providing enhanced viewing experiences for consumers. To learn more about Samsung's latest audio innovations, visit our Samsung Audio Technologies page.
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