360 ​​audio and Microsoft Spatial Sound Application Programming Interface

In PC, it is possible to take advantage of the delay of audio signal, which is available in sound processor. DirectSound is part of the DirectX package, which provides Windows with quick access to the sound processor and supports effects such as Echo, and the term spatial sound appears in relation to Dolby Atmos. Solutions for 3D sound are also offered under the name 360 ​​audio by Facebook, Apple and Sony.
Andy Madden on May 24, 2024 wrote in Whats Hi-Fi, among others: Sony 360 Reality Audio is an audio format that uses Sony’s object-based spatial audio technology to deliver a full 360-degree audio experience. Its launch was one of Sony's key CES 2019 highlights, but the service has come a long way since then, with more streaming partners and compatible products announced.

In this magasine, on January 3, 2024, Luke Edwards published also a comparison: Apple Spatial Audio is similar in that it aims to create the experience of audio coming from different directions in space, though it has been designed to work with movies as well as music.
In the global network, information about Facebook 360 Audio solutions has also appeared much earlier, but their sharing is now too burdensome attempt to patience, which in this case is less important. Facebook and Apple are in the Alliance for Open Media management, which in 2023 adopted the Immersive Audio Model and Format (IAMF).

This one now has the name of Eclips Audio. More about it is in A historic launch for Eclipsa Audio in Las Vegas will change a lot. John Archer in the What Hi-Fi published on March 21, 2025 also the text "Eclipsa Audio: everything you need to know about Samsung’s new Dolby Atmos rival". The author wanted to enchant readers with his own knowledge and that is why he wrote at the beginning: "Oh, great, another format war! That’s just what we want!" said no AV fan ever". RTV manufacturers have not yet talked about the new standard, which is to be an alternative to Dolby Atmos, but it is only a matter of time.
Sony has had exceptional technological potential with audiovisual equipment for years. Their flagship soundbar Bravia Theater Bar 9 has as many as 13 electroacoustic converters to play sound in the 7.0.2 sound format. Whats hi-fi was written in May 2025: A five-star Dolby Atmos soundbar at a fraction of the price is a deal we're certainly happy to recommend. Hurry though, it's selling out fast. After the update, they will be equally good with Eclips Audio

Perhaps soon this manufacturer will also offer some interesting digital solutions with 4 speakers for Eclips Audio. The active speakers Sony SRS 50 with APM (Accurate Pistonic Motion) electroacoustic transducers were offered in the late 1980s to present the potential of a portable CD player. 

In the 1980s there were also APM-007AV specially adapted to work near the screen. Later, Sony also offered laptops and mobile phones, so they may want to go back to the game in this industry. The own concept with Sony 360 reality audio indicates that they have motivations in this area. The offer with 4 active APM speakers for Eclipsa Audio gives them a special chance.

Sony  offered also passive APM speakers for advanced hi-fi sets. However, they were not a coaxial type, although they have exceptional predispositions for this, and this additionally in connection with DSP and digital crossovers can be very attractive. This solution can be supplemented with power amplifiers that work with Vertical Field Effect Transistors (2SK82 and 2SJ28).

The foobar2000 plugin, which is only described:  an alternative output component that uses the Microsoft Spatial Sound API  allows to play music with this program with a more practical setting of 4 speakers: left, centre and right at the front and one back for sourround. This setting of the speakers for is more practical at home. However, PC has more computing power than embedded system in traditional audio equipment.

The concept of 2 channel recordings with spatial sound visible in the illustration above is the basis of the Dolby Pro Logic format. Creating a decoder that does not need a Dolby license is not a problem for Sony. Already in the 70s of the last century they offered a quadrophonic sound with analog technologies and the construction of the SQ decoder is on a similar principle. Dolby B NR  is archaism and can be omitted in a digital solution for 3D sound. However, Sony did not build his own facilities with PC development and will focus on embedded system. Nevertheless, independent software for PC can be created with an open Eclipse Audio structure to optimally use the Sony offer. Plugins for foobar are one of the possibilities.

 drawing by Per Oscar Dahlberg

Benjamin's psychoacoustic lab  is constantly testing and implementing possibilities for optimal music playback using new technical solutions with the computing potential of computers and open structures.PC4uMusicis the main project. 

 
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