Overview
Sony dropped 360 Reality Audio back in 2019, and it’s basically their way of saying, “Let’s make sound feel like you’re inside it.” Forget regular stereo with its boring left-right channels or even 5.1 surround that needs a room full of speakers. This tech uses object-based audio to toss sounds all around you in a full 360-degree bubble. It’s like the music’s hugging you from every angle, with every instrument or vocal sitting exactly where the artist wanted it.
We messed around with it using Sony’s WH-1000XM5 and ULT Wear headphones, hooked up to the Sony Headphones Connect app and some tracks from Amazon Music Unlimited. Spoiler: it’s a whole vibe. In this post, we’re gonna break down what makes this tech tick, what you need to try it, and whether it’s worth jumping in.
Why is Techowant Trustworthy? At Technowant, we scientifically test headphones in our dedicated headphone testing studio to ensure accurate and reliable evaluations. For more details, you can read about our headphones Testing Method.
What is Reality Audio 360?
360 Reality Audio runs on Sony’s MPEG-H 3D Audio codec, which is a fancy way of saying it can handle a ton of sound channels—up to 64, to be exact. Instead of jamming all the sounds into fixed tracks like stereo does, this tech lets sound engineers treat every piece of the music—like the vocals, bass, or even crowd noise—as its own “object.” They can then stick those objects anywhere in a 3D space.
Here’s the quick rundown:
Object-Based Audio: Think of it like a virtual stage. The singer could be front and center, the drums a bit behind, and the crowd cheering from all around. It’s way more dynamic than regular audio mixes.
Ear Personalization: The Sony Headphones Connect app has you snap pics of your ears (don’t worry, it’s quick) to figure out their shape. This tweaks the sound to match how you hear, making the 3D effect super accurate.
Real-Time Magic: When you hit play on a 360 Reality Audio track, the tech figures out how to make it work with your headphones or speakers, no matter what you’re using.
We gave it a go with “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana on Amazon Music Unlimited. Kurt Cobain’s voice was floating right in front of us, the guitars were shredding off to the side, and the drums felt like they were coming from behind. It was like sneaking into their studio session back in ’91.
How to activate and test it?
you don’t need a gazillion-dollar setup to try 360 Reality Audio. But there’s a catch or two. Here’s what you’ll need:
Headphones: Pretty much any headphones will do, but Sony’s own—like the WH-1000XM5, WH-XB910N, or ULT Wear—work best with the Sony Headphones Connect app. That ear-scanning trick we mentioned? It’s a game-changer.
Devices: Your phone, tablet, or even an Amazon Fire TV will work. If you’re into speakers, Sony’s SRS-RA5000 or RA3000 are built for this tech.
Streaming Services: Only a few platforms play nice with 360 Reality Audio, like Amazon Music Unlimited, Tidal, Deezer, and nugs.net. You’ll probably need a premium subscription, and the song selection’s still kinda slim.
Tracks: Not every song’s available in this format. Artists or labels have to remix or master tracks specifically for 360 Reality Audio, so don’t expect your entire playlist to light up.
Quick Tip
Got a Sony headphone? Fire up the Sony Headphones Connect app, head to the 360 Reality Audio section, and snap those ear pics. It’s a one-minute setup that makes the sound pop.
How does Reality Audio 360 sound?
o really get what 360 Reality Audio’s about, we cranked up some tunes and tested it across different genres. Here’s what went down.
Pop – “Bad Guy” by Billie Eilish
This track was made for 360 Reality Audio. Billie’s whispery vocals felt like they were creeping up right behind us, while the bass thumped deep and low in front. The synths and sound effects were darting around our head like fireflies. It was spooky and awesome, like being in a haunted club.Rock – “Hotel California” by Eagles
The opening guitar riff came in from the right, like Don Felder was strumming next to us. The vocals floated above, and the drums were spread out behind like a live stage. It wasn’t as in-your-face as the pop track, but it still felt like we were chilling at a ’70s concert.Live Show – “Shape of You” by Ed Sheeran (360 Reality Audio Live)
Sony’s 360 Reality Audio Live lets you stream concerts with this tech, and Ed Sheeran’s performance was nuts. The crowd was roaring all around us, his guitar was plucking from the front, and his voice was crystal-clear above. It was like we snagged front-row tickets without leaving the studio.
Frequency Response
We usually geek out over frequency response charts compared to our Technowant preference curve, but 360 Reality Audio’s more about where the sound’s coming from, not how the headphones color it. That said, we noticed bass-heavy cans like the Sony ULT Wear made hip-hop or EDM tracks feel extra immersive, with low-end that hits you in the chest. For a cleaner, more balanced vibe, the WH-1000XM5 kept everything crisp across the board.
If you’re playing with the equalizer in the Sony Headphones Connect app, don’t mess with the mids (1kHz–5kHz) to keep vocals clear. Maybe nudge the highs (8kHz–16kHz) up a smidge—like 1 or 2 dB—for a bit more sparkle in those spatial tracks.
More Than Just Music
360 Reality Audio isn’t just for jamming out. It’s got some other cool tricks up its sleeve:
Gaming: Sony’s using it in PlayStation games like Principles Prologue. Footsteps sneaking up from behind or explosions booming all around? It’s like you’re in the game.
Live Concerts: The 360 Reality Audio Live feature streams shows with this 3D sound. It’s the next best thing to being there.
Movies and TV: On stuff like Amazon Fire TV, it can make movie soundtracks pop, but there’s not a ton of content yet compared to Dolby Atmos.
Reality Audio 360 VS Dolby Atmos?
| Feature | 360 Reality Audio | Dolby Atmos |
|---|---|---|
| Tech | MPEG-H 3D Audio, object-based ✅ | Object-based, up to 128 channels ✅ |
| Songs and Movies | Limited to specific tracks on Tidal, Amazon Music ❌ | Way more stuff on Apple Music, Netflix, etc. ✅ |
| Devices | Shines with Sony headphones/speakers ❌ | Works on tons of phones, soundbars, and more ✅ |
| Personalization | Ear-shape tweak via app ✅ | Not as focused on customizing for you ❌ |
| Gaming | Some PlayStation titles ❌ | Xbox, PC, and beyond ✅ |
We found 360 Reality Audio feels more up-close and personal for music, especially with Sony headphones. Dolby Atmos is more of a jack-of-all-trades, great for movies and bigger setups. If you’re all-in on Sony’s ecosystem, go with 360. If you want flexibility, Atmos might be your pick.
Final Verdict
Sony’s 360 Reality Audio is like a backstage pass to your favorite music. It wraps you up in sound, making you feel like you’re part of the action—whether you’re banging your head to rock, vibing to pop, or dodging bullets in a game. The fact that it works with most headphones and has that ear-personalization trick is awesome, but the small song library and need for premium streaming subscriptions can be a bummer.
