Latest news with #spatialaudio
GSM Arena
2 days ago
- GSM Arena
Spotify's lossless HiFi update might be coming very soon
It seems Spotify HiFi might be dropping sometime in the near future, if the latest leaks are to be believed. Spicetify, which is a command-line interface tool for the desktop Spotify client, has posted multiple images on its social media account that have mentions of this upcoming feature within the latest v1.2.66 update. Spotify 1.2.66 mentions lossless in more parts of UI 👇#NewSpotify #SpotifyLossless #SpotifyLossless (pigeon) is mentioned in "Connect to the device" sidebar & under the artist in NPB (Now Playing Bar)Lossless will be available up to 24-bit/44.1KHz (FLAC + Widevine). Lossless… — spicetify (@spicetifyapp) June 19, 2025 For starters, the most obvious giveaway is the presence of a new option within the Audio quality setting dropdown, which includes a Lossless setting that can provide up to 24-bit/44.1kHz audio in FLAC. The onboarding for the app also includes mentions of lossless audio for Premium subscribers. Aside from lossless, it seems Spotify also has some new audio features up its sleeve, which, when paired with a compatible pair of headphones, claims to offer "cleaner, more natural sound". Digging further into the code also revealed mentions of spatial audio without further elaboration. What's not visible in these screenshots is what technology is being used for spatial audio, as there is no mention of specific codecs such as Dolby Atmos. It's possible the aforementioned cleaner, natural sound feature could be using Spotify's proprietary spatial audio tech that only works with select headphones. Moreover, there is also no mention of high resolution audio, as sampling rates seem to top out at a decidedly CD-quality 44.1kHz. Spatial Audio is mentioned in the code, however, I don't think it's Dolby Atmos. I don't see any UI or feature regarding Spatial Audio either, just that it exists in code interacting with the player so, don't expect it anytime soon — spicetify (@spicetifyapp) June 19, 2025 Of course, this was all dug out with the help of the override product state feature in the Spicetify tool and none of it is accessible in the current app. Even with the tool, you can only see mentions of the new features and not actually use them. Spotify announced its lossless HiFi feature all the way back in early 2021. While the company didn't provide a date, it was clear that the feature was imminent and most likely coming at a higher pricing tier than regular Premium. Then, Apple decided to rain on Spotify's parade and launched its own lossless audio feature, complete with high resolution audio and Dolby Atmos, for no additional cost. This likely took the wind out of Spotify's sails as the company immediately dropped all talks of the HiFi feature and adopted radio silence. It seems it was completely caught off guard and since then has been trying to formulate a viable plan to finally launch the service. It's possible the company might still end up charging more for the HiFi plan but we have heard over the years that there will be additional content included to justify it and the company has been building quite the content library outside of just music. As for now, we still don't have an exact date, so this feature could either drop tomorrow, two months later, or never. Source
WIRED
4 days ago
- WIRED
Finally, an OLED Monitor Under $1,000 That Isn't Only for Gamers
Speaking of that bottom bezel, you'll notice the camera dead center below the screen—normally a very odd place for a webcam. But that's because this camera isn't for Zoom calls. Instead, it's for tracking your head in 3D space to create the monitor's claims of 'spatial audio.' Using beamforming technology, the speakers can create virtual surround sound in compatible games and movies. It's not perfect, but it can add an extra immersive element. (It only works with one person at a time.) While the extra camera and speakers make for a thick bottom bezel, almost resembling a modern iMac, the five-speaker sound system produces some decent standard audio too. It gets loud enough to fill a room, which is important since this monitor is meant for entertainment. The audio isn't as rich and full as Apple's Studio Display, but these speakers are better than almost every other monitor I've tested. The OLED Difference Photograph: Luke Larsen The 32 Plus has a sharp screen, with its 3840 x 2160-pixel resolution stretched across a 32-inch panel for a pixel density of 138 pixels per inch. It also comes with a 120-Hz refresh rate that's useful for gaming, as is the lower input delay intrinsic with OLED. But it's the image quality that really makes this stand out. Because each pixel is individually backlit, each can be individually shut off, creating the incredible contrast that typical IPS displays can't compete with. That contrast helps deliver a stunning HDR effect once you turn it on (which isn't on by default, as is the case on many OLED monitors). Games and videos do look fantastic, bringing out those deep blacks and highlights. Dell claims it can hit up to 1,000 nits of peak brightness, and I measured a high of 946 nits in a 4 percent window. That's nowhere near as bright as high-end OLED TVs in HDR, but it's enough to create a noticeable HDR effect. The colors are extremely vibrant and crisp, too, which I verified with my Spyder colorimeter. That makes it a great display for video editors and graphic designers, especially if you're willing to calibrate your screen. That said, SDR brightness is the one issue I have with the panel quality. I measured it at just 227 nits, which could be a problem if your desk is positioned next to a window. Unlike TVs, the majority of what you do on a PC monitor isn't in HDR, so I would have liked to see it hit at least 300 nits in SDR, but that's a common problem with this generation of OLED monitors. Short on Ports Until this point, OLED monitors designed for creators and video editors were thousands of dollars, like the Asus ProArt OLED PA32DC. If you're wondering how Dell managed to squeeze in all this tech for under $1,000, there's at least one compromise: ports. This is the smallest array of ports I've seen on a high-end monitor in a long time. At the back, you've got the bare minimum—HDMI for your desktop or USB-C for your laptop. There's no DisplayPort to be found. The USB-C port can do video and power up to 90 watts over one cable. You'll find one other USB-C port in the back for other accessories. Well, almost. There's one secret port up this monitor's sleeve—a hidden forward-facing USB-C port on the left side of the display that can be popped down. This has been on other Dell monitors, and it's one of my favorite features. Reaching behind your monitor to access the ports is hugely inconvenient, especially if you need to charge your phone or insert an SD card. Still, this isn't a monitor that's designed to function as a USB hub for all your peripherals.
Gizmodo
15-06-2025
- Business
- Gizmodo
With 50 Hours of Battery Life, These Beats Headphones Are at a New Record Low on Amazon
Right now, all of those looking to purchase a pair of decent and style-conscious wireless headphones should have the Beats Solo 4 on their radar, especially given that they're also priced at their all-time low on Amazon. Beats, as part of Apple, is renowned for producing stable sound products that work perfectly with both Apple and Android devices. With the price reduced to only $99, from $200 (50% off), the offer is equivalent to the type of discounts normally experienced on Black Friday. See at Amazon Great Reviews The Beats Solo 4 has received a fantastic 4.6 out of 5 stars based on more than 12,000 reviews and proves widespread satisfaction among customers. This type of endorsement speaks volumes about the quality and reliability of the product and not to mention the extremely high standards of both Beats and Apple. Although these headphones do not possess active noise cancellation per se, they instead offer personalized spatial audio with dynamic head tracking which is actually a superior feature and a whole new level to your listening. The unique acoustic design and new drivers generate well-balanced sound characteristic of the Beats brand. The ultralight, ergonomic design is comfortable all day, thanks to a flex-grip headband and ergonomically angled and adjustable ear cups that create a solid fit. The UltraPlush cushions are contoured for comfort and endurance so they can be worn for hours on end without irritation. Perhaps one of the strongest advantages of the Beats Solo 4 is its amazing battery life: With up to 50 hours of playback per single charge, you can listen to these headphones for days without needing to plug them in. Even when you do exhaust the battery, Fast Fuel technology offers just 10 minutes of charging gives you up to 5 hours of playback time. Audiophiles will like the choice of listening in high-resolution lossless audio—delivered over USB-C or a 3.5 mm audio cable—so you're always listening at the best possible level. These headphones are completely compatible with both iOS and Android and offer one-touch pairing for easy and hassle-free setup. High-quality call clarity is provided by the onboard microphone and also allows easy communication with voice assistants and keeps you connected and productive on the move. The current price point of $99 is a rare commodity, and it matches the lowest price points during massive shopping sales like Black Friday. Make sure you get it before it runs out of stok. See at Amazon
Gizmodo
13-06-2025
- Business
- Gizmodo
Beats Solo 4 Headphones Are 50% Off, Cheaper Than Last Prime Day While Stock Lasts on Amazon
Modern life can be incredibly hectic, and sometimes it's nice to just zone out properly and enjoy some music, a podcast, or an audio book. It can be really hard to do that when you're out and about though, which is why having some really good headphones is so important. Of the options out there, and there really are a lot, one of the most reliable brands around is Beats. See at Amazon You can currently get your hands on Beats Solo 4 headphones for just $100, which is a massive 50% off the normal price. Better yet, if you're quick, you can even get these in time for Father's Day, which is amazing if you're looking to treat your Dad to better music. We'd recommend acting quickly though, because it's not likely the deal will last for long. Turn It Up Beats Solo 4 headphones are some of the best in their already impressive line-up of options. They feature incredible audio because of not just the drivers in them, but because of the way they're built, allowing them to deliver excellent audio in a unique way. They also track how you move, which means they can create personalized spatial audio which will have your ears singing with joy. Well, it would if they could sing with joy, and if they can, it's probably worth monetizing that talent as quickly as you can. Along with the lovely sound quality, these headphones also have one of the most impressive battery lives around. If you fully charge them, they can last up to 50 hours before needing any more juice, which should let you go more or less all week without charging them unless you're constantly attached to them. If you are always using them though, you'll be glad that they have UltraPlush ear cushions that'll gently cradle your ears in a really comfortable way, but also last a long time. It just means you get to be comfortable, listen to amazing music and podcast, and do it for absolutely ages. They even charge quickly too, with just ten minutes adding five hours of playback with no issues. These are easily some of the best headphones money can buy right now, and with a massive 50% discount bringing them down to just $100, they're also some of the best value. If you're an audiophile, or if you're looking to buy these for someone who is, then now's a very good time to buy these amazing headphones. See at Amazon
The Verge
10-06-2025
- The Verge
Sonos is finally updating its Ace headphones with a long-delayed feature
Sonos has released a major software update for its Ace wireless headphones bringing performance improvements and a feature that was supposed to originally be available late last year. TrueCinema mode, which adapts the headphone's spatial audio to your space and makes the virtual surround sound effect more convincing, is finally available, as spotted by What Hi-Fi? The feature is similar to Sonos' TruePlay that optimizes the sound of the company's speakers by measuring the acoustics in a room using a smartphone that listens to how sounds reflect off walls and surfaces. With TrueCinema, a Sonos sound bar measures a room's acoustics while the mics on the Ace headphones determine your exact listening location and adapt the 3D spatial audio so it sounds like there's speakers all around you. The new software update is also expanding the headphones' TV Audio Swap feature which lets you send the audio from a supported Sonos soundbar to the Ace for private listening. The feature was originally limited to the Sonos Arc soundbar and needed to be activated with an iPhone or iPad. Last August, Sonos expanded the TV Audio Swap's compatibility to include its more affordable Beam and Ray soundbars, and Android devices. Sonos' update further expands TV Audio Swap's capabilities so that it now works with two sets of Ace headphones simultaneously, allowing two people to watch TV together without disturbing others. Sonos says the Ace will also benefit from enhanced active noise cancellation that adapts to how the headphones fit on your head. The ANC will now compensate in real-time for sound leakage caused by hair, glasses, or hats preventing the Ace from making a tight acoustic seal around your ears. The headphones will now also use high resolution audio during phone calls and a new feature called SideTone will add a bit of your voice to the audio when ANC is turned on so calls sound more natural.
