German sound recording and playback equipment maker Sennheiser announced yesterday (Thursday) a new development of its peripheral sound equipment division, Ambeo. This development is not a particularly sophisticated speaker, but a new technology called Ambeo Spatial Audio. According to the company, this technology is able to “translate” multi-channel sound files – such as 5, 7, 9, etc. – for stereo listening equipment with only two sound production components, so that the two components “restore” the three-dimensional structure of the sound. In other words: it allows a stereo speaker or headphones to function as a surround cave that produces surround sound.
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The company did not elaborate on exactly how 3D sound reproduction was done by a pair of speakers (or headphones), but Dr. Renato Pellegrini of the development team boasted that “Senheiser firmly believes in the peripheral future of sound. Artists around the world use our tools to create extraordinary peripheral works. “With stretching the boundaries of music and film production. With Ambeo Spatial Audio, we are now working on the next step – making this new sound reality accessible to everyone.” He noted that technology is trying to “translate the (sound technician) intention, not ‘take over’ it.”