Both iOS 15 and macOS Monterey are said to come with a new feature called Spatialize Stereo, which simulates a 3D soundscape for non-Dolby Atmos audio, changing the way you hear audio.
macOS Monterey: Key New Features
Recently discovered by reddit user hzfan, the new Spatialize Stereo option toggle in iOS 15, iPadOS 15, and macOS Monterey will create virtual spatial audio for stereo audio mixes. This means that sounds will appear to come from different locations and distances around the listener.
This is similar to Apple Music’s Spatial Audio feature, which simulates a 3D soundscape for audio recorded with Dolby Atmos. What sets Spatialize Stereo apart is that it can create this simulated 3D audio specifically for non-Dolby music and video.
As reported by appleinsider, the Spatialize Stereo option can be found in Control Center under the volume controls. It also requires iOS 15, iPadOS 15, or macOS Monterey, and a pair of AirPods Pro or AirPods Max. Spatialize Stereo is confirmed to work with Spotify, videos in the Photos Library, and similar audio content, but apps with their own players, such as YouTube, are not currently compatible.
