Samsung announces second-generation Eclipsa Audio

Samsung has announced a second generation Eclipsa Audio format, the open immersive audio technology positioned as a royalty-free alternative to Dolby Atmos. The news was shared at a media briefing at Samsung’s Suwon headquarters, in South Korea, attended by Inside CI.

Eclipsa Audio, developed in partnership with Google, is based on Ambisonics technology, and can render sound in any direction - front, back, side, above or below - creating an immersive, enveloping soundstage.

The format’s multi-channel architecture supports both channel and object-based audio, allowing sound designers to position effects and instruments precisely within a scene.

Version 2.0 of Eclipsa introduces a number of technical advancements. These include expanded multi-channel and object-based capabilities that deliver greater spatial realism and flexibility for content creators. The update also raises the ceiling on the maximum number of supported channels, previously limited to 28, though the final channel count is yet to be confirmed.

With powerful support from Samsung, Harman and YouTube, the arrival of Eclipsa 2.0 strengthens the format’s position as a scalable, open-source alternative to Dolby Atmos for immersive sound delivery across consumer and professional environments.

Samsung says its ambition is to make immersive, high-quality audio more accessible across the industry, without the licensing barriers that have traditionally shaped spatial sound adoption.