In October 1, 2019 – Sony Corporation has announced recently that 360 Reality Audio content, which offers an immersive music experience for listeners, will be made available on the new Amazon Echo Studio with Amazon Music HD to customers in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and Japan later this year.
First announced at CES 2019 in January, 360 Reality Audio is a music experience that utilizes Sony’s object-based spatial audio technology. This technology makes it possible for artists and music creators to create a music experience by mapping sound sources such as vocals, chorus and instruments with positional information to suit their creative and artistic purpose. When listeners hear the content, they can enjoy a music experience that immerses them in sound and makes them feel as if they were right in front of their favorite artist. Sony is expanding its supported audio devices such as headphones and speaker systems, including the all-new Echo Studio.
Sony has stated that it is working with major music labels, distribution services and industry leaders to create a new musical ecosystem around 360 Reality Audio, which will include the creation, distribution and playing of music content.
“It’s been incredible to see the response from customers with the launch of Amazon Music HD,” said Steve Boom, VP of Amazon Music. “We’re continuing to pioneer a new listening experience, and now by supporting Sony’s 360 Reality Audio with the launch of Echo Studio, we’re combining the convenience of streaming music at its highest quality, with voice. We’re thrilled to make streaming music at its highest quality sound more accessible to customers than ever before.”
Miriam Daniel, VP of Alexa and Echo Devices at Amazon, added: “With Echo Studio, which supports Sony’s 360 Reality Audio, we have engineered a completely new listening experience for customers. Through one simple device they will be able to immerse themselves in music like never before, hearing each song the way its creators intended it to be heard.”
Yoshinori Matsumoto, Director and Deputy President, Sony Home Entertainment and Sound Products Inc., commented: “We are proud to offer this new and immersive music experience through Amazon Music HD and the all-new Echo Studio. We hope to further energize the market by expanding available options for listeners to enjoy their music.” Matsumoto added, “Moving forward, Sony intends to expand the number of compatible streaming services and devices to build an ecosystem that reaches as many listeners as possible.”
Image credit: Sony
About the author
Sam Sprigg
Sam is the Founder and Managing Editor of Auganix. With a background in research and report writing, he has been covering XR industry news for the past seven years.
