With the introduction of spatial audio to most modern music streaming services, popular headphone manufacturers have been working to make the best of its capabilities. Sony was the first to push the concept by implementing their 360 Reality Audio feature in their 1000 series headphones. Apple helped bring the concept into the mainstream by throwing Dolby Atmos support onto Apple Music seemingly out of nowhere. Now other brands and services are trying to catch up with the latest listening trends, and it can be hard to sort out exactly what headphones use this function. Here is a list of some of the best headphones that use spatial audio features, with some being obvious choices, and others being a little out of left field.
Sony WH-1000XM6
The Sony WH-1000XM6 offers the most expansive spatial-audio implementation yet in the 1000X series. Sony’s 360 Reality Audio is no longer limited to select services, allowing you to activate Cinema mode through the Sound Connect app with almost any content. This pushes the presentation forward and gives the sound a more holographic quality. Although Cinema mode slightly reduces the XM6’s natural width, it creates an immersive effect that works especially well with movies, games, and film scores. Combined with Sony’s powerful noise cancellation and improved sense of scale, the XM6 is one of the most versatile spatial-audio headphones available.
Apple AirPods Max
You can’t have this list without mentioning Apple’s flagship and only over-ear wireless headphones. With any Apple listening product, you should pretty much know the deal by now. If you’re an iPhone user, then the AirPods Max is the headphone that will best integrate its features seamlessly. This includes spatial audio capabilities, which you can easily activate while pressing down on the volume leveler on your home menu while the headphones are paired. In addition to the standard Dolby experience, you also have head tracking features with AirPods products, which is cool when used with live music and some gaming apps. Otherwise, the standard spatial audio experience is the way to go, and the AirPods Max can offer a unique effect, with sound elements appearing like they are floating in front of you.
Apple AirPods Pro 3
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 feature Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking, creating a more immersive experience with music, movies, and supported apps. Their standard stereo presentation is already surprisingly large for true wireless earbuds, offering considerable width, height, and an impressive overall sense of scale.
Activating Spatial Audio makes the soundstage feel even bigger, although it sacrifices some width and positional accuracy. Individual elements become less identifiable as everything settles into a compact bubble around the listener. Even with these limitations, Spatial Audio feels central to the AirPods Pro 3 experience, particularly for Apple users who want effortless integration across their devices.
Beyerdynamic AVENTHO 300
The Beyerdynamic AVENTHO 300 features Dolby Atmos and head tracking, giving listeners a more immersive alternative to standard stereo playback. Its spatial processing expands the soundstage and allows instruments and effects to appear around the listener with more noticeable movement and dimensionality. Even without Dolby Atmos, the AVENTHO 300 has one of the most impressive soundstages among wireless headphones in its price range. Instruments remain separated from the center, while layers can appear above, behind, and in front of one another. This natural spatial accuracy gives Dolby Atmos a strong foundation without making it the headphone’s only attraction.
Audeze Maxwell 2
The Audeze Maxwell 2 is a spatial-audio option designed primarily for gamers. Its large 90mm planar-magnetic drivers use Audeze’s SLAM technology to produce powerful bass, low distortion, and precise imaging. The soundstage extends beyond what you normally hear from closed-back gaming headsets, with convincing width and front-to-back depth.
These spatial qualities make environmental cues easier to locate while giving cinematic sequences a greater sense of scale. The Maxwell 2 provides the accuracy competitive gamers need while remaining immersive enough for open-world games, movies, and music. Its combination of audiophile-grade clarity and gaming-focused spatial performance helps it stand apart from conventional headsets.
Sennheiser Momentum 5 Wireless
The Sennheiser Momentum 5 Wireless adds Immersive Audio to an already spacious-sounding headphone. Its standard stereo presentation features clear separation, accurate positioning, and articulate layering. Instruments land naturally within the sound field, giving the Momentum 5 an enveloping presentation before additional processing is activated.
Turning on Immersive Audio through the Smart Control Plus app expands the presentation without taking too much away from its natural qualities. The effect complements Sennheiser’s strong stereo imaging instead of completely reshaping it. This makes the Momentum 5 a great choice for listeners who want spatial audio while retaining a clear and musical sound signature.
JVC WOOD Masterpiece
The JVC WOOD Masterpiece offers one of the widest natural soundstages available from a pair of true wireless earbuds. With spatial audio turned off, its left and right channels have excellent separation, layering, and depth. Drum kits can spread around the listener, with certain elements occasionally appearing as though they are positioned behind the head.
Activating spatial audio produces a more concentrated effect, but it also reduces some of the width and separation found in the standard presentation. The processing can still be useful for mobile games and movies, though the natural stereo soundstage may be preferable for music. Either way, the WOOD Masterpiece delivers an unusually immersive experience for true wireless earbuds.
