Explore ‘Eclipsa Audio’: Samsung and Google Reinvent 3D Sound
Samsung and Google have just introduced a groundbreaking audio technology called 'Eclipsa Audio,' poised to transform the sound industry and challenge Dolby Atmos.
Eclipsa Audio: The New Standard in Audio Technology
Ever wondered what makes the sound from your TV or soundbar so captivating? It’s likely thanks to Dolby Atmos, a 3D audio format that’s become a key selling point for many devices. However, Samsung and Google are now challenging its dominance with a new standard, Eclipsa Audio, set to debut in Samsung’s 2025 TVs and also on YouTube.
While there’s no official word yet on Eclipsa Audio’s integration into smartphones, the collaboration between Samsung and Google suggests potential future expansions to other devices, including smartphones.
Heavyweight Partnerships for a New Standard
This week, Samsung announced in a press release that Eclipsa Audio will be featured across all its future soundbars and TV models, from budget to high-end. Demonstrations are expected at the upcoming CES 2025. Additionally, Samsung and Google are working with the Telecommunication Technology Association to develop a certification program ensuring devices equipped with Eclipsa Audio meet established quality standards.
A Revolutionary 3D Audio Experience
Like Atmos, this audio format adjusts “audio data such as sound location and intensity, as well as spatial reflections” to create a 3D experience, Samsung stated. This new standard could serve as a free alternative to Dolby Atmos, offering a suite of tools for crafting immersive 3D audio experiences, such as adjusting the intensity and location of specific sounds.
The innovation has been anticipated. The two companies announced their partnership to create an Atmos competitor in 2023, initially under the less catchy name of Immersive Audio Model and Formats (IAMF). At that time, Samsung’s head of spatial audio, WooHyun Nam, mentioned that the format would provide a “complete open-source framework for 3D audio, from creation to delivery and playback”, moving away from Dolby’s royalty model.
An Innovation Accessible to YouTube Creators
Starting next year, Samsung stated that YouTube creators will be able to upload videos with Eclipsa audio tracks on Google’s platform. This new option, though currently limited to YouTube, could significantly influence the audio landscape. It remains to be seen whether Samsung and Google can persuade other streaming companies to adopt Eclipsa Audio, testing their ability to challenge Dolby’s supremacy.
It’s exciting to see spatial audio diversifying further, extending beyond expensive TVs and soundbars. We expect to hear more about Eclipsa Audio in the coming days as CES 2025 approaches.