Samsung and Google have teamed up to make a Dolby Atmos rival for spatial audio

Samsung 2023 line-up
(Image credit: Samsung)

There’s a new spatial audio standard in town to rival the likes of Dolby Atmos, and it’s been put together by Samsung and Google.

The project, which the two tech giants have been working on since 2020, has resulted in the launch of a 3D spatial audio offering known as IAMF or Immersive Audio Model and Formats.

Or as SungHee Hwang (of the Visual Technology Team at Samsung Research) envisions in an interview, this will eventually become a creation people will recognize as ‘Samsung Sound’ no less.

In simple terms, the IAMF standard is a way to facilitate device makers being able to use their speakers (TV, or separates) or soundbar to correctly replicate 3D sound and deliver it as intended by content creators.

And a key selling point is that this is an open source standard, so anyone can run with it.

Samsung Research’s WooHyun Nam observes: “In order to allow people to freely create content with 3D audio technology, related technology needs to be open to all. Providing a complete open source framework for 3D audio, from creation to delivery and playback, will allow for even more diverse audio content experiences in the future.”

Samsung further points out that it’s the first such open source audio codec to offer vertical sound positioning, meaning noises can be pitched above (or below) you, as well as around you.

IAMF also employs AI tech (okay, so what doesn’t these days) to intelligently adjust the audio during playback so that key elements are highlighted. In an action scene with a pumping soundtrack, that might be emphasized, whereas when characters are speaking, the dialogue will be brought up more front and center into the sound stage.

Indeed, the new audio standard will also offer customization options so you can tune the sound to your liking. Samsung gives an example of a sports match where the viewer will be able to choose between the atmosphere – ramping up the sounds in the stadium – or the commentary if they prefer to focus more on that.

The Alliance for Open Media (AOM) officially adopted IAMF in October, and it’s the first open source standard to be taken on board by the AOM.


Analysis: Keeping our fingers crossed for this one

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar

(Image credit: Future)

As you might imagine, this could be a pretty major development in making seriously immersive 3D spatial audio more broadly available, thanks to its open source nature.

And with AI on hand to be able to adjust the sound on-the-fly when you’re watching a movie, intelligently balancing the audio mix depending on what’s happening, maybe this could be the end of not being able to hear mumbling method actors, having to turn up the volume, and then getting the fright of your life when somebody suddenly throws a brick through a window in a quiet scene, or unexpectedly fires a gun.

We can but hope, but the vision for ‘Samsung Sound’ does indeed sound (ahem) promising – we’ll just have to wait and see how it pans out in reality.

You might also like

Darren is a freelancer writing news and features for TechRadar (and occasionally T3) across a broad range of computing topics including CPUs, GPUs, various other hardware, VPNs, antivirus and more. He has written about tech for the best part of three decades, and writes books in his spare time (his debut novel - 'I Know What You Did Last Supper' - was published by Hachette UK in 2013).

Read more
An array of Genelec speakers with. a Samsung soundbar in the middle at the Samsung Audio Lab
‘Atmos content costs too much money’: Samsung told me why Dolby Atmos isn't the future of surround sound, and why it launched Eclipsa Audio
Samsung HW-S800B soundbar on TV unit with TV behind
Samsung and Google have unveiled their Dolby Atmos rival: meet Eclipsa Audio, launching in this year's new TVs
TCL QM581G Google smart TV interface
Eclipsa Audio, the new Dolby Atmos competitor, is coming to Google TV sets and LG TVs – but we're still missing the most important news
Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro
The weirdest omission from the Samsung Galaxy S25 launch? Samsung and Google's new Dolby Atmos-busting sound tech
An Acer monitor displays a model head in a 3D outdoor landscape
I love Dolby Atmos, but there’s a new AI alternative for immersive audio that’s making waves
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro against a leafy background.
Samsung and Google's Dolby Atmos rival is coming to Android – but I need it in earbuds before I get excited
Latest in Soundbars
Sonos Arc Lowest Price deal image
You can now save $250 on one of the best Dolby Atmos soundbars from Sonos
The Sonos Arc Ultra in a living room, in front of plants and personal niknaks
Setting up the Sonos Arc Ultra soundbar was one of the worst tech experiences of my life, but damn it sounds incredible
Bose Solo Soundbar 2 and remote
Owning a soundbar has been a game-changer for me – here are 5 cheap options I’d recommend
Sony HT-S2000 lowest price deal image
Get Dolby Atmos on a budget: the Sony HT-S2000 soundbar is back to its lowest ever price
Bose Smart soundbar on TV stand with TV showing The Batman
I'm amazed by the Bose Smart Soundbar’s features for the money, and am also impressed with its Dolby Atmos sound
Bose Solo Soundbar 2 against pink background with plant
It’s no dud, but this cheap Bose soundbar I reviewed felt a little outdated for this one reason
Latest in News
Google Pixel 8a in aloe green showing
Google Pixel 9a benchmark link teases the performance of the upcoming mid-ranger
Quordle on a smartphone held in a hand
Quordle hints and answers for Monday, March 17 (game #1148)
NYT Strands homescreen on a mobile phone screen, on a light blue background
NYT Strands hints and answers for Monday, March 17 (game #379)
NYT Connections homescreen on a phone, on a purple background
NYT Connections hints and answers for Monday, March 17 (game #645)
Apple iPhone 16 Pro HANDS ON
Leaked iPhone 17 dummy units may have given us our best look yet at all four models
A super close up image of the Google Gemini app in the Play Store
It's official: Google Assistant will be retired for phones this year, with Gemini taking over