3D audio

From AudioLexic

The term 3D audio identify a bunch of technologies that try to create the illusion of sound sources placed anywhere in 3 dimensional space, including behind, above or below the listener.

There are several types of 3D audio:

   * Those that only widen the stereo image by modifying phase information (2D).
   * Those that can place sounds outside the stereo basis (2D or 3D).
   * Those that include a complete 3D simulation.

The technologies most used and recognized by the world sound designer community are (in alphabetic order):

- 3D-EST - Ambisonics - Wave field synthesis

Swiss audio technology company, sonic emotion, will demonstrate their 3D sound home entertainment technologies at IFA Berlin, 4 - 9 September. Set to pave the way to the next generation of 3D listening, the 3D audio home entertainment products will also be launched, allowing consumers to hear audio recordings in 3D.

With sonic emotion 3D sound technologies a natural environment, characterized by unbelievably real sound illusions, can be recreated with a single loudspeaker. The use of wave field synthesis means sonic emotion 3D sound solutions are capable of reproducing all-enveloping sonic waves, ensuring listeners hear balanced, natural sounds no matter where they are.

Unlike conventional surround setups, listeners are placed in a virtual soundfield, amidst the excitement and emotions of their favorite movies, music, and games, WITHOUT speaker setups, messy cables or the need for calibration.