Should I turn off Spatial Audio?

Answered by Randy McIntyre

Should I turn off Spatial Audio?

The decision to turn off Spatial Audio ultimately comes down to personal preference. While Spatial Audio can provide an immersive and surround sound experience, it may not be everyone’s cup of tea. Let’s explore some factors that may influence your decision.

1. Headphone Compatibility: Spatial Audio is only available on compatible headphones, such as AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, and certain Beats models. If you don’t have one of these headphones, you won’t have the option to enable or disable Spatial Audio.

2. Audio Preferences: Some people prefer the traditional stereo audio experience and may find the simulated surround sound of Spatial Audio distracting or unnecessary. If you fall into this category, it may be worth turning off Spatial Audio to stick with stereo sound.

3. Content Consumption: The type of content you typically consume may also play a role in your decision. While Spatial Audio can enhance the experience of movies, TV shows, and certain games, it may not make a significant difference for other forms of content like podcasts or music. If you primarily use your headphones for these types of content, you may not see much benefit from Spatial Audio.

4. Battery Life: It’s worth noting that enabling Spatial Audio can consume more battery power on compatible headphones. If you’re concerned about maximizing your headphone’s battery life, you might consider disabling Spatial Audio when it’s not necessary.

How to turn off Spatial Audio:

If you’ve decided to turn off Spatial Audio, here’s how you can do it on your compatible headphones:

1. Connect your AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, or compatible Beats headphones to your iOS device.

2. Open the Settings app on your iOS device.

3. Scroll down and tap on “Bluetooth.”

4. Under the “MY DEVICES” section, locate your connected headphones and tap on the “i” icon next to it.

5. On the headphone settings page, you should find an option for “Spatial Audio.” Toggle this off to disable Spatial Audio on your headphones.

It’s important to note that the steps may vary slightly depending on your iOS version and the specific headphone model you’re using. However, the general process should be similar.

The decision to turn off Spatial Audio depends on your personal preferences, headphone compatibility, content consumption habits, and battery life concerns. Experiment with Spatial Audio enabled and disabled to see which experience you prefer.