Hear spatial audio for the first time
Put on headphones, open the free demo and hear sound move around your head.
You will need
- Any headphones or earbuds
- A quiet moment
Steps
Step 1 of 6: Put on your headphones
What to do: Put on any headphones or earbuds. Set your volume low to start with.
What you should see: Nothing changes on screen yet. That is expected.
Why this matters: Spatial audio uses small timing differences between your two ears. Headphones keep each ear separate, so the effect is much clearer.
Need help? Speakers work too, but the effect is smaller. If you only have one earbud, the effect will not work, so try to use both.
Step 2 of 6: Open the demo
What to do: Open the Spatial9 demo using the button below. It opens in this window.
What you should see: A page with a player. No sound plays until you press play.
Why this matters: The demo is free and needs no account. It is the quickest way to hear the difference.
Need help? If the page is slow to load, wait a few seconds. You can come back to this guide with your browser Back button.
Step 3 of 6: Press play when you are ready
What to do: Press the play button in the demo.
What you should see: Music starts. Instruments may seem to come from around you, not only from inside your head.
Why this matters: You control when sound starts. Nothing on Spatial9 Learn Your Way plays by itself.
Need help? If the sound is too loud, use your device volume or press "Stop sound" at the top of the page.
Step 4 of 6: Listen for where sounds are
What to do: Close your eyes for a moment and notice where each instrument seems to be. Left, right, in front, above?
What you should see: Sounds seem to sit in different places around you.
Why this matters: This sense of place is what "spatial" or "immersive" audio means. Stereo can only place sounds between left and right.
Need help? Not everyone hears the effect the same way, and that is normal. Try a different pair of headphones or a quieter room.
Step 5 of 6: Move a sound
What to do: In the demo, pick one sound and change its position using the position controls next to it.
What you should see: That sound seems to travel to its new place while the others stay where they are.
Why this matters: In Spatial9, every part of a song can be placed on its own. This is how an immersive mix is built.
Need help? If you cannot find the position controls, ask Niner "Where do I move a sound in the demo?"
Step 6 of 6: Stop and take a break
What to do: Press pause in the demo, or press "Stop sound" at the top of this page.
What you should see: All sound stops.
Why this matters: Short listening sessions are better for your ears and your attention.
Need help? Ready for more? The next guide shows how to turn your own song into an immersive mix.
You know what spatial audio sounds like and how it differs from normal stereo.