Sennheiser has released its AMBEO Smart headset for consumers that it claims is the world’s first binaural headset allowing you to record 3D spatial sound with a sense of depth, detail and realism.
Sennheiser’s AMBEO is a 3D immersive audio concept with the goal to create as much out-of-the-head localisation as possible (the sound should be perceived as coming from outside your head).
The technology ranges from capturing, mixing, processing to listening. Its aim to place the listener inside the soundscape and play back the direction of sounds and natural spatial characteristics of a location. It will be a boon to VR and gaming to just listening to music and movies as if you were there. Another commercial application, venue modelling, will be a milestone in virtual room acoustics replication.
Dr Andreas Sennheiser. “We have been active in this area for some time with 9.1 mixing and recording and the audio design for high-profile exhibitions. We are now increasing our efforts considerably to introduce this amazing sound quality into new products and applications, enabling users to experience and shape the future of audio.”
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The AMEBO Smart Headsets achieve incredibly detailed and realistic recording via two omnidirectional microphones integrated into the earpieces that work alongside a premium A/D converter, mic preamp and SoftLimit from Apogee.
The two microphones capture the subtle differences in timing, volume and timbre that occur as sounds from different directions reach each ear. When played back on headphones, the result is a truly stunning lifelike audio experience. It places the listener in the exact, original sound field, so whether you capture a rainforest or a buzzing city, listening to the binaural recording will make you feel like you are there.
The new recording headset works only with iOS lightning socket devices (iPad/iPhone) at present. It is intended to be used in conjunction with the devices standard video camera app to supplement the recording experience. Once a recording is made any stereo headphones can be used for playback.
Betty Bennett, Apogee co-founder and CEO said, “The first time you put on headphones and hear a recording made with the AMBEO SMART HEADSET you will be amazed. It adds an entirely new dimension to watching videos and memories captured on your iPhone.”
Price and availability TBA but expected in the second half of 2017.
If you require further details contact Sennheiser Australia on +61 2 9910 6700 or via its email contact centre.