Almost nothing in “spatial audio” is actually mastered for spatial audio. The fake surround filter absolutely destroys stereo mixes, it’s really despicable how this is being pushed.
Well it's mastered for 5.1. True there aren't usually Atmos objects, but sometimes there are, but also there don't usually need to be. Are you taking issue with "5.1" being called spatial?
I couldn't disagree more about the "fake surround filter" though -- I love surround sound on my AirPods Pro, even when "spatialized" from stereo. It simply makes music and movies/TV so much clearer to listen to. Everything becomes more distinct and intelligible.
I understand how people rail against the "purity" of the original stereo mix's "intentions", but the reality is that when you listen to music on speakers, the amount of reflection and absorption in any room is already destroying that "purity". Spatial audio filters aren't "destroying" the audio anymore than speakers in a room already do -- the difference is that they're increasing clarity rather than muddying it all up.
I can't ever imagine going back to listening to flat stereo again, where the sound on headphones feels stuck inside of my skull instead of coming from outside.
Headphone fatigue is a real thing, coming from the fact that our brains aren't meant to process audio without all of the associated spatial cues. (Sound isn't supposed to feel like it's emanating from inside our skulls.) Modern surround filters do an awfully good job at restoring those cues. No more headphone fatigue.
Not the parent, but find myself agreeing with both of you, in a way. No matter if it's 5.1 or "proper Atmos", those mixes sound fine - or maybe even good, depending on your preferences - on headphones. I also have a fake surround upmix on an audio interface that I occasionally use.
But I almost always detest how these mixes sound on my actual 5.1.2 setup. The surround channels mostly consist of a bit of reverb that adds nothing to the experience in my opinion. In a car where there are physically separate channels, I'm not optimistic for the result.
A properly mixed Binaural sound sounds so good even on Stereo channels, lookup virtual barber shop on youtube, it always gives me goosebumps.
Also afaik tracks are never mixed for stereo/mono. They start as multi channel, if ogg ever gains I think it has multi channel support. It must bring some spatial audio into masses, with smaller downloads and quality streaming.
Also its very good for cinematic audio in videos.
I must be the only person who seems to think Apple's DSP stuff falls into massive uncanny valley (it makes the music feel lifeless and flat and boring). Never mind I don't understand what the point of hearing music from some other point in the digitally manufactured "room" is, it's certainly not what the artist intended.
I couldn't disagree more about the "fake surround filter" though -- I love surround sound on my AirPods Pro, even when "spatialized" from stereo. It simply makes music and movies/TV so much clearer to listen to. Everything becomes more distinct and intelligible.
I understand how people rail against the "purity" of the original stereo mix's "intentions", but the reality is that when you listen to music on speakers, the amount of reflection and absorption in any room is already destroying that "purity". Spatial audio filters aren't "destroying" the audio anymore than speakers in a room already do -- the difference is that they're increasing clarity rather than muddying it all up.
I can't ever imagine going back to listening to flat stereo again, where the sound on headphones feels stuck inside of my skull instead of coming from outside.
Headphone fatigue is a real thing, coming from the fact that our brains aren't meant to process audio without all of the associated spatial cues. (Sound isn't supposed to feel like it's emanating from inside our skulls.) Modern surround filters do an awfully good job at restoring those cues. No more headphone fatigue.