Does Spotify Have Spatial Audio? What You Need to Know
When Apple Music introduced Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos in June 2021, it transformed the music streaming landscape, offering its subscribers immersive three-dimensional listening experiences that transport them right into the heart of their favorite songs. Since then, many dedicated Spotify users have been asking: "Does Spotify have Spatial Audio?" In this guide, we'll explore Spotify's capabilities regarding Spatial Audio, guide you through the possibilities of enabling this feature, and recommend the best devices to fully enjoy Spatial Audio on Spotify. Let's dive in!
Does Spotify Support Spatial Audio?
When it comes to whether Spotify uses Spatial Audio, you might find yourself at a crossroads. Inherently, Spotify itself does not support Spatial Audio as a feature within its platform. This revelation comes straight from the horse's mouth, with Spotify customer service affirming that Spatial Audio isn't officially baked into the app's offerings.
You might have encountered a number of user-curated playlists that are labeled as "Spatial Audio," and some tracks might even mirror those in Apple Music's "Made for Spatial Audio" lineup. But that's just a trick that some users do to gain popularity. Spotify does not verify these "Spatial Audio" playlists, and therefore, lacks native support for tracks with Spatial Audio capabilities.
However, all is not lost for audiophiles like you looking to be enveloped in the layers of your favorite tracks. You can still unlock an alternative Spatial Audio experience when streaming music on Spotify. This workaround hinges on leveraging the Spatial Audio functionalities that are already integrated into many modern devices, including Apple and certain Android playback devices equipped with Dolby Atmos capabilities, coupled with headphones or speakers with built-in Spatial Audio capabilities. These technologies allow you to simulate Spatial Audio conditions for music played on Spotify.
How to Enable Spatial Audio on Spotify?
Given Spotify's lack of official support for Spatial Audio, enabling an immersive listening experience on Spotify requires the utilization of built-in Spatial Audio capabilities in both the playback and output devices. Here's how you can use Spatial Audio on Spotify:
1. Ensure Your Playback Device Support Spatial Audio
To kickstart your journey into Spatial Audio on Spotify, first verify that the device you are using the Spotify app on are compatible with Spatial Audio technologies.
- For Apple users, most recent Apple devices come with built-in support for Spatial Audio. This includes the iPhone 7 and newer models, iPad Pro (both 12.9-inch starting from the 3rd generation and 11-inch models), iPad Air from the 3rd generation onwards, the 6th generation iPad, the 5th generation iPad mini, and all Mac models powered by Apple silicon.
- On the Android side, the story is equally promising. Many leading Android smartphones, including select models from Samsung, Motorola, and OPPO boast Dolby Atmos support. This technology is a key player in delivering Spatial Audio, offering an enriched, three-dimensional sound experience.
2. For Apple Users:
Apple's compatible Spatial Audio headphones enable you to enhance two-channel tracks on Spotify with their 'Spatialize Stereo' feature. This includes the AirPods Pro (both 1st and 2nd generations), AirPods (3rd generation), AirPods Max, Beats Fit Pro, and Beats Studio Pro.
The 'Spatialize Stereo' feature enhances standard stereo tracks by simulating a Spatial Audio environment, offering a more immersive listening experience even for content not specifically mixed for Spatial Audio. Here's how to use Spatial Audio on Spotify for Apple users:
Enabling Spatialize Stereo on iOS Devices:
- Pair your Spatial Audio-compatible headphones, such as AirPods Max, with your iPhone or iPad.
- While streaming music on Spotify, swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen to open the Control Center.
- Press and hold the volume slider until additional options appear, then tap "Spatialize Stereo" to enable it for the current two-channel tracks you're listening to.
Using Spatialize Stereo on Mac:
- Ensure your AirPods Pro or AirPods Max are connected to your Mac via Bluetooth.
- While playing music from Spotify, click on the AirPods icon in the menu bar at the top of your screen.
- From the dropdown menu, select "Spatialize Stereo" to engage a more immersive audio experience.
If you're using headphones or speakers from other manufacturers that support Spatial Audio, you'll need to consult the specific instructions provided by the manufacturer. These devices may require activation through their own app or settings menu to enable spatial audio features.
3. For Android Users
If you are an Android user seeking to enhance your Spotify listening experience with Spatial Audio, you can achieve this by pairing your Dolby Atmos-enabled Android devices with specialized spatial audio earbuds or speakers. Here's how to do:
- Connect your Spatial Audio headphones or speakers to your Android device via Bluetooth or a wired connection, depending on the capabilities of your audio equipment.
- Navigate to your Android device's settings to enable Dolby Atmos. This can typically be found under "Sounds and Vibration" or a similar sound settings menu.
- Look for the Dolby Atmos option. On some devices, this may be under "Advanced Sound Settings" or "Sound Quality and Effects." Turn on Dolby Atmos.
- Open the Spotify app and go to Settings by tapping on your profile icon, then the gear icon.
- Scroll down to "Music Quality" and select the highest available quality for streaming and downloads. Higher quality settings can enhance the Spatial Audio effect.
With Dolby Atmos enabled and your device connected to your Spatial Audio-capable output device, start streaming on Spotify. You can now enjoy a more immersive listening experience with enhanced depth and space in the music.
Device Recommendations for Enjoying Spatial Audio on Spotify
To elevate your Spotify listening experience with Spatial Audio, soundcore has developed a range of products designed to immerse you in your music like never before, including both spatial audio speakers and earbuds. Here's how our latest offerings can transform how you listen to Spotify:
soundcore Liberty 4
The soundcore Liberty 4 earbuds boast ACAA™️ 3.0 Coaxial Acoustic System, delivering crisp, clear sound that brings every note to life. With 360° immersive Spatial Audio, you can stream your favorite tracks on Spotify in a whole new dimension. The CloudComfort™️ ear tips ensure long-lasting comfort during extended listening sessions, while the all-new heart rate sensor integrates health into your daily routine seamlessly through the soundcore app. With HearID personalized active noise cancelling, you can immerse yourself in sound, tailored to your hearing profile. Plus, with up to 28 hours of playtime, your day is filled with your favorite tunes without interruption.
soundcore AeroFit Pro
Experience air-like comfort with the soundcore AeroFit Pro's open-ear design, crafted from ultra-soft materials for a gentle finish that feels good as it sounds. The flexible ear hooks and detachable neckband provide a snug, secure fit, ensuring your earbuds stay in place during even the most vigorous activities. The robust bass is powered by 16.2mm oversized drivers, complemented by true Spatial Audio and LDAC technology for a deeply immersive listening experience. IPX5 water resistance with SweatGuard™️ makes them perfect for workouts or any outdoor adventures.
soundcore Motion X500
The soundcore Motion X500 portable speaker is the perfect companion during any outdoor activities such as barbecues or partying at the pool. It features three drivers that deliver an excellent Spatial Audio experience that can perfectly mimic the live concert of your favorite artists. Certified for Wireless Hi-Res sound, the Motion X500 lets you hear your music with 3X more detail, offering an unparalleled listening experience. Available in three fresh finishes—Black Deluxe, Pink Punch, and Glitzy Blue—it's designed to match any style. Thanks to its easy-to-grip handle, you can easily move this four-pound speaker anywhere. It's ready to move with you, rain or shine, thanks to full IPX7 waterproof protection.
soundcore Motion X600
If you're willing to invest extra for enhanced performance in spatial audio speakers, consider opting for the soundcore Motion X600. This audio device features five drivers and five amplifiers that deliver the spatial sound experience that will capture even the nod of audiophiles. The 50W output fills any space with rich, life-like audio, making it ideal for parties or personal enjoyment. Lightweight and portable, it's easy to bring immersive music anywhere. With 12 hours of playtime and IPX7 waterproofing, the Motion X600 is as durable as it is dynamic.
FAQ
Does Spatial Audio work with Spotify?
While Spotify does not officially support Spatial Audio on its platform, there are a few workarounds you could try. You can experience a form of Spatial Audio on Spotify by leveraging the Spatial Audio features built into compatible devices and headphones. For example, Apple users can utilize the Spatialize Stereo feature on compatible AirPods or Beats headphones to simulate spatial audio with Spotify tracks.
What is the highest quality audio on Spotify?
The highest quality audio available on Spotify is offered through its "Very High" quality setting, which streams music at 320 kbps (kilobits per second). This setting is available to Spotify Premium subscribers and provides a significantly better listening experience by delivering more detail and clarity in the music compared to lower quality settings.
Conclusion
As we've explored, the answer to the question "Does Spotify have Spatial Audio?" is not straightforward. While Spotify doesn't fully support Spatial Audio officially, there are workarounds to enhance the experience on compatible devices. You can access Spatial Audio on Spotify through various compatible headphones or speakers on both Apple and Android devices. With the right setup, you can significantly enhance your listening experience on Spotify, though it may not match the quality of Spatial Audio on Apple Music.
